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First Impressions

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jtoomey

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

First Impressions Lesson Plan

Students will analyze the opening chapters of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to identify how first impressions shape character understanding and social expectations.

This lesson develops critical reading skills, promotes thoughtful discussion about societal norms, and deepens appreciation for classic literature by examining how initial judgments influence our perceptions.

Audience

9th Grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Collaborative reading, discussion, and written analysis.

Materials

  • Pride and Prejudice First Impressions Slide Deck, - Pride and Prejudice First Impressions Worksheet, and - Pride and Prejudice First Impressions Answer Key

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review Chapters 1–3 of Pride and Prejudice to identify key moments for discussion
  • Preview the Pride and Prejudice First Impressions Slide Deck
  • Print enough copies of the Pride and Prejudice First Impressions Worksheet for each student
  • Familiarize yourself with discussion questions and the Answer Key

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Greet students and activate prior knowledge: ask about a time they judged someone at first sight
  • Present the lesson objective and agenda using the Pride and Prejudice First Impressions Slide Deck
  • Define “first impression” and connect to social expectations in Regency England

Step 2

Guided Reading

15 minutes

  • Instruct students to read Chapters 1–3 silently
  • Ask students to annotate the text: highlight words or actions that shape their first impressions of key characters (e.g., Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet)
  • Circulate to support annotations and answer questions

Step 3

Pair Discussion

10 minutes

  • Have students pair up to compare annotations
  • Provide guiding questions on the Worksheet:
    • What initial traits do you assign to each character?
    • How might social class influence these impressions?
  • Encourage evidence-based discussion using text citations

Step 4

Whole-Class Discussion

10 minutes

  • Reconvene and invite pairs to share insights
  • Use slide prompts to guide discussion on:
    • The accuracy of first impressions
    • The role of social expectations in shaping judgments
  • Highlight differing perspectives and link to broader themes

Step 5

Written Reflection

5 minutes

  • Ask students to write a short paragraph on the worksheet:
    • Choose one character and explain how your first impression affects your understanding of them
    • Support with a specific textual example
  • Collect worksheets for formative assessment using the Answer Key
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Slide Deck

First Impressions in Pride and Prejudice

Chapters 1–3 | 45 minutes | 9th Grade

Welcome students! Introduce today’s focus: how first impressions shape our understanding of characters and society in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Explain agenda and connect to prior experiences judging someone at first sight.

Lesson Objectives

  • Analyze how first impressions shape character understanding
  • Discuss the role of social expectations in Regency England
  • Support ideas with textual evidence

Read the objectives aloud and ask students to paraphrase each. Emphasize evidence-based discussion.

Essential Questions

  • What is a first impression?
  • How do first impressions affect our perceptions of others?
  • In what ways do social norms influence these impressions?

Pose these essential questions and invite a few quick responses before moving on.

Context: Regency England

  • Rigid social hierarchy
  • Importance of marriage and reputation
  • Limited roles for women
    (Framing how characters view one another)

Give a brief mini‐lecture on Regency social hierarchy and expectations around marriage, class, and gender roles.

Excerpt from Chapter 1

“Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person…” (Austen, Ch. 1)
Annotate words and actions that shape your first impression of Mr. Darcy.

Display this excerpt. Instruct students to annotate individually: circle descriptive words, underline actions, jot quick impressions in margins.

Guided Reading Instructions

  1. Read Chapters 1–3 silently
  2. Annotate descriptions and dialogue for first impressions of Elizabeth, Darcy, Bingley
  3. Note evidence of social expectations influencing impressions

Explain annotation symbols: star for strong impression, question mark for confusion, underline for evidence.

Pair Discussion Prompts

  • What initial traits did you assign to each character?
  • Which annotations surprised you?
  • How does social class affect characters’ behavior and your impressions?

Circulate and prompt pairs to cite page/line numbers as they discuss.

Whole‐Class Discussion

  • Share contrasting impressions of Darcy and Bingley
  • Discuss accuracy of first impressions
  • Examine how social expectations shape judgments

Capture key points on the board. Highlight contrasting views.

Written Reflection

Choose one character:

  • Explain how your first impression shapes your understanding
  • Cite a specific example from the text
    Write a short paragraph on your worksheet.

Remind students to support their paragraph with a direct citation.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, answer:
“How might your own first impressions change over time?”

Collect exit tickets as students leave. Use responses to inform next lesson on character development.

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Worksheet

First Impressions Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

Materials:

  • Pride and Prejudice First Impressions Slide Deck

Part I: Annotation Guide

As you read Chapters 1–3 of Pride and Prejudice, annotate the text using the symbols below:

    • : Strong impression or vivid detail
      ? : Unclear or confusing word or action
      Underline : Important evidence (descriptions, actions, dialogue)

For each character, choose two annotations. Record the page/line, the quote or description, the symbol you used, and explain your first impression.

  1. Elizabeth Bennet
    Page/Line: ________________________
    Quote/Description: _______________________________________________
    Symbol & Explanation: _____________________________________________






  2. Mr. Darcy
    Page/Line: ________________________
    Quote/Description: _______________________________________________
    Symbol & Explanation: _____________________________________________






  3. Mr. Bingley
    Page/Line: ________________________
    Quote/Description: _______________________________________________
    Symbol & Explanation: _____________________________________________






Part II: Pair Discussion

Discuss each question with a partner. Record your shared responses below, citing evidence from your annotations.

  1. What initial traits do you and your partner assign to Elizabeth, Darcy, and Bingley? Provide one example per character.






  2. How does social class influence the first impressions you formed? Cite specific moments or descriptions.






  3. Which annotation surprised your partner the most? Explain why.






Part III: Written Reflection

Choose one character from Chapters 1–3. In a short paragraph, explain how your first impression of this character shapes your understanding of them. Support your ideas with a direct quotation or action from the text (include page/line).












Please submit your completed worksheet to your teacher. Responses will be reviewed using the Pride and Prejudice First Impressions Answer Key.

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Answer Key

First Impressions Answer Key

Part I: Sample Annotations

Elizabeth Bennet

  • Annotation 1
    • Page/Line: Ch. 1, p. 3, lines 5–7
    • Quote: “She had a lively, playful disposition…”
    • Symbol: *
    • Explanation: Highlights Elizabeth’s wit and vivacity, creating a first impression of her as intelligent and spirited.


  • Annotation 2
    • Page/Line: Ch. 3, p. 17, lines 12–13
    • Quote: “Elizabeth was obliged to be on the alert…”
    • Symbol: ?
    • Explanation: The phrase “on the alert” signals her perceptiveness and caution. Initial impression: she’s observant and quick‐witted.


Mr. Darcy

  • Annotation 1
    • Page/Line: Ch. 1, p. 4, lines 1–2
    • Quote: “Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person…”
    • Symbol: *
    • Explanation: Emphasizes Darcy’s commanding presence and status; first impression: proud and aloof.


  • Annotation 2
    • Page/Line: Ch. 3, p. 19, lines 23–24
    • Quote: “He spoke with such arrogance…”
    • Symbol: Underline
    • Explanation: Underlining “arrogance” highlights his disdainful tone; impression: condescending toward others.


Mr. Bingley

  • Annotation 1
    • Page/Line: Ch. 1, p. 4, lines 5–6
    • Quote: “Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance…”
    • Symbol: *
    • Explanation: Shows Bingley’s approachable charm; first impression: friendly and sociable.


  • Annotation 2
    • Page/Line: Ch. 2, p. 8, lines 15–16
    • Quote: “He danced every dance…”
    • Symbol: Underline
    • Explanation: Underlining his eagerness underscores his enthusiasm to engage; impression: polite and engaging.


Part II: Sample Discussion Responses

  1. Initial traits
    • Elizabeth Bennet: witty and independent (Ch. 1, p. 3)
    • Mr. Darcy: proud and reserved (Ch. 1, p. 4)
    • Mr. Bingley: affable and agreeable (Ch. 1, p. 4)



  2. Social class influence
    • Darcy’s aristocracy → aloof behavior (Ch. 1)
    • Bingley’s wealth but easy manners → accessible charm
    • Elizabeth’s gentry status → confidence tempered by societal expectations



  3. Surprising annotation
    • Partner noted Elizabeth’s subtle skepticism of Lady Catherine (Ch. 3), surprising because it foreshadows Elizabeth’s challenge to rigid social norms.



Part III: Written Reflection Rubric

CriteriaExceeds (3 pts)Meets (2 pts)Approaching (1 pt)
Textual EvidenceTwo precise citationsOne clear citationVague or missing citation
AnalysisDeep explanation linking text to impressionClear connection with basic reasoningLimited analysis or unclear links
ClarityWell‐structured, fluent paragraphOrganized paragraphDisorganized or incomplete

Total Possible Points: 9

Model Response (Exceeds):
“My first impression of Mr. Darcy is that he is proud and detached. When Austen writes, ‘Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention…by his fine, tall person,’ the emphasis on his stature suggests an air of superiority. Later, his refusal to dance with strangers (Ch. 3, p. 19) further underlines his haughty attitude. These details shape my understanding of him as a character whose pride creates social barriers.”

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