Reading Lesson Plan on Character

The following lesson plan is geared toward upper elementary or middle school reading students, but may be altered for another level. It is a two-three day reading lesson plan. The purpose of the lesson is to teach children how to write a proper character sketch essay and to teach them how to focus on a character while reading.

Reading Lesson One:

Assign a short story from their reading textbook. The story you choose needs to focus on a specific character or characters. (You may choose reading this story during class or assigning it the day before as a homework assignment. If the story is assigned for homework, it will take up less class time since their will be no in class reading.)

After reading the story, have a class discussion about character. Define the following reading terms: Character, main and minor characters, characterization, direct and indirect characterization, and character traits.

Briefly discuss the main character from the story in their reading book. Talk about the characters traits and whether the author used direct or indirect characterization.

Reading Lesson Two:

Go over how to write a character sketch. Show the following outline of a character sketch so students will understand what information needs to be covered in each paragraph.

Paragraph 1: Give the characters name, his occupation or role in the story, what he looks like, and list 3 character traits of this person

Paragraph 2: Give details of the first character trait and examples from the story

Paragraph 3: Give details of the second character trait and examples from the story

Paragraph 4: Give details of the third character trait and examples from the story

Paragraph 5: Give your opinion of the character and explain why you have this opinion

Have students take turns reading parts of a children's story aloud. This could be any children's story. I used "The Three Little Pigs" since it is short.

Work on an in class character sketch of the third little pig (the one who built his house out of brick). Call on students to help figure out the answers. Write appropriate answers on the board.

1. On the board write out as much information as we know about this little pig including his name, occupation, role in the story, what he looked like, etc.

2. Write three main character traits of this little pig

Have the students write a character sketch of this little pig using all of the information on the board. The teacher will walk around reading students essays to see if they are on the right track and to give extra assistance to those who need it.

Reading Lesson Three:

Have the students write a character sketch of one of the characters in the story from the reading book. This will be independent work to be assessed by the reading teacher later.