Comparing Characters’ Experiences and Adventures in a Story
Comparing Characters’ Experiences and Adventures in a Story
Objectives
This lesson helps students compare and contrast two characters in a story. Students will:
- identify the main characters in a story.
- compare and contrast the experiences and adventures of the characters.
- analyze how each character responds to the events in a story.
- explain how the experiences of the characters impact a story.
Essential Questions
How do strategic readers create meaning from informational and literary text?
How does interaction with text provoke thinking and response?
What is this text really about?
- How do strategic readers create meaning from informational and literary text?
- What is this text really about?
- How does interaction with text provoke thinking and response?
Vocabulary
- Characters: The people or animals in a story.
- Events: The things that happen in a story.
- Analyze: To think about how characters’ reactions to events help the reader understand a story.
- Compare: To find ways in which two things are alike.
- Contrast: To find ways in which two things are different.
Duration
30–90 minutes/1–3 class periods
Prerequisite Skills
Prerequisite Skills haven't been entered into the lesson plan.
Materials
- Charlie the Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond, Scholastic Inc., 2011. This book was chosen because it includes two easily comparable main characters for the purpose of modeling this lesson.
- Alternative books should include two main characters that students can compare and contrast. Examples include the following:
- My Best Friend by Pat Hutchins. Greenwillow Books, 1993.
- There Is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems. Disney-Hyperion, 2007.
- The Three Little Pigs by James Marshall. Grosset & Dunlap, 2000.
- Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. Mulberry Books, 2008.
- Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant. Blue Sky Press, 1997.
- Sisters by David McPhail. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2003.
- Teachers may substitute other books to provide a range of reading and level of text complexity.
- literary texts at students’ independent reading level to be used for small-group activities
- Compare and Contrast Characters graphic organizer (L-1-4-1_ Compare and Contrast Characters.doc)
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Related materials and resources haven't been entered into the lesson plan.Formative Assessment
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Final 2/14/14