Lesson Plan Title: Character Traits in Writing

Date:
Subject: ELA Grade: 4
Topic: Narrative Writing Essential Question: How can we describe characters in stories?

Materials:
Character Traits List
“Pip” movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07d2dXHYb94
Attached “Mr. Popper” list of character traits
Character traits sheet to fill out

Stage 1- Desired Results – you may use student friendly language

What do they need to understand, know, and/or able to do?
Describe Character traits

Outcome(s):

Stage 2- Assessment

Assessment FOR Learning (formative) Assess the students during the learning to help determine next steps.

Student worksheets, discussions

Assessment OF Learning (summative) Assess the students after learning to evaluate what they have learned.
Stage 3- Learning Plan

Motivational/Anticipatory Set (introducing topic while engaging the students)

Ask students: who is their favorite characters from books, movies, or games. After listing a few, ask students,
“What makes these characters different? Do they all act the same?” E.g. Do Bowser and Mario act the exact
same way, or are there some things about them that are different?
Explain that these differences in what makes a character are called Character Traits, and that traits are parts
of the character that are always like that. (not just their feelings, like happy/sad).

Main Procedures/Strategies:
Begin by discussing Mrs. Gridley’s character,

Watch the short movie “Pip”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07d2dXHYb94 Discuss with the class
some traits that could be used to describe Pip, the white puppy. Some ideas include: Small, White, Cute,
Helpful, Clumsy, Brave, Nervous, Caring, Creative.

Students then describe a character they already know about, or from one of the short stories provided.

Adaptations/Differentiation:

Closing of lesson:

Personal Reflection:
Name of Book (or Story): _The Mouse and the Motorcycle__
Character name: Mrs. Gridley
Descriptions of the character:
Character Traits: Protective, careful, perfectionist,
caring, argumentative, tidy, complainer
Character appearance: hot and tired
Some things the character did:
Went on a 5-day-long car trip from Ohio to California
Tried to convince her family to go to a different hotel
Unpacked the suitcases and laundry
Picked up the apple core from the table and put it in the
wastebasket
Searched the hotel room for signs of mice
Name of Book (or Story): __Mr. Popper’s Penguins__
Character name: Mr. Popper
Descriptions of the character:
Character Traits: Messy, Daydreamer, Easily distracted,
Curious, Busy, Studious, Loving, Happy
Character appearance: Funny-looking, has a big
mustache
Some things the character did:
Painted 3 walls of a kitchen green and the other side
yellow
Wished he had seen the North and South Poles
Watched movies and read books about the North and
South Poles
Painted and wallpapered many houses
Lived in Stillwater with Mrs. Popper, Bill, and Janie
Name of Book (or Story): _____________________________
Character name: ____________________________________
Descriptions of the character:
Character Traits: _________________________________
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Character appearance: ___________________________
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Some things the character did: _____________________
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Name of Book (or Story): _____________________________
Character name: ____________________________________
Descriptions of the character:
Character Traits: _________________________________
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Character appearance: ___________________________
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Some things the character did: _____________________
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