lenny

First Impressions Fun!

user image

Lesson Plan

First Impressions Fun!

Students will be able to identify the main characters and make initial predictions about their personalities, including recognizing potential feelings and demonstrating respect for diverse character traits, based on the first two chapters of "The New Teacher and the Seven Students."

This lesson develops reading comprehension, analytical skills, and empathy by helping students understand how characters drive a story and how their own perspectives influence understanding, aligning with Missouri Counseling Standards for Social Awareness (Empathy & Respect for Self & Others) and Self-Management (Emotional Regulation).

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided reading, discussion, and individual reflection.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Slide Deck: First Impressions Fun!, Copies of "The New Teacher and the Seven Students" (Chapters 1-2), Discussion Questions Ch. 1-2, Character Sketch Worksheet, My Impression Reflection, and Pencils or pens

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Welcome & Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Greet students and display the title slide of the Slide Deck: First Impressions Fun!.
    - Ask students: "What does 'first impression' mean? Why are first impressions important? How do they help us understand others, even if our ideas change later?"
    - Briefly discuss their responses, emphasizing how we form ideas about people quickly and the importance of keeping an open mind.
    - Transition by explaining that today they will meet new characters, form first impressions, and practice understanding different perspectives.

Step 2

Read & Discuss Chapters 1-2

15 minutes

  • Introduce the book "The New Teacher and the Seven Students" and explain that you will read the first two chapters.
    - Read Chapters 1-2 aloud or have students read independently/in pairs, depending on class preference and reading levels.
    - After reading, display the slide with Discussion Questions Ch. 1-2.
    - Facilitate a whole-class discussion using the prompts from Discussion Questions Ch. 1-2. Encourage students to support their answers with evidence from the text, actively listening to each other's perspectives and showing respect for different interpretations. Pay attention to identifying character emotions.

Step 3

Character Journaling

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Character Sketch Worksheet to each student.
    - Explain that students will choose one main character introduced in Chapters 1-2 (e.g., the new teacher, one of the seven students) and complete the worksheet.
    - Instruct them to draw the character and write down their first impressions, personality predictions, any emotions they observed, and any questions they have about the character based on the text. Remind them to consider how they might interact with this character respectfully.

Step 4

Share & Reflect

2 minutes

  • Ask a few students to share their character sketches and predictions with the class, encouraging them to explain how they identified character feelings and what they learned about respecting different traits.
    - Facilitate a brief reflection: "What did you learn about forming first impressions and understanding others' feelings today? How might our first impressions change as we read more of the story, and why is it important to show respect for others, even when they're different from our initial thoughts?"
    - Collect Character Sketch Worksheet for review.

Step 5

Cool Down: My Impression Reflection

3 minutes

  • Distribute the My Impression Reflection cool-down activity.
    - Instruct students to choose one prompt and respond briefly on their worksheet, focusing on their personal learning about first impressions, emotions, and respect.
    - Collect the cool-down activity as an exit ticket.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

First Impressions Fun!

Meeting New Characters: The New Teacher and the Seven Students - Chapters 1-2

Welcome students and introduce the lesson's theme: forming first impressions. Explain that today we'll be meeting new characters in a story and thinking about how we understand their feelings and personalities.

What are First Impressions?

  • How do we form ideas about people when we first meet them?
    - Why are first impressions important for understanding others?
    - Can they change? Why is it important to keep an open mind?

Prompt students with these questions to get them thinking about first impressions in their own lives. Encourage a brief discussion, focusing on how first impressions can help us understand people and why it's important to be open to them changing.

Meet the Characters!

Today, we're reading Chapters 1 & 2 of:
The New Teacher and the Seven Students

Pay close attention to who you meet, what you notice about them, and what feelings they might be showing!

Introduce the book and the idea of meeting new characters. Emphasize paying attention to details, including any clues about the characters' feelings or how they might interact with others.

Let's Talk About It!

After reading, we'll discuss:
- Who are the main characters?
- What are your first impressions of them, including any feelings you observed?
- What makes you say that? (Using evidence from the text!)
- How can we respectfully discuss different ideas about the characters?

Explain that after reading, they will discuss their initial thoughts on the characters. Introduce the discussion questions, reminding students to actively listen to their classmates' ideas and show respect for different interpretations.

Character Sketch Time!

Choose ONE main character from Chapters 1-2.
Draw them and write down:
- Your first impressions
- Predictions about their personality
- Any emotions you noticed
- Any questions you have about them

Introduce the Character Sketch Worksheet. Explain that they will choose one character and reflect on their initial thoughts, including any emotions and how they might respectfully interact with that character. Note: This step is now 5 minutes to accommodate the cool-down.

Share Your Thoughts!

Let's hear about your character sketches!
- What did you learn about forming first impressions and understanding others' feelings today?
- How might our first impressions change as we read more of the story, and why is it important to show respect for others, even if they are different?

Invite a few students to share their work. Conclude by reiterating the importance of initial observations, understanding others' feelings, and showing respect for diverse individuals, and how perspectives can evolve. Note: This step is now 2 minutes to accommodate the cool-down.

Cool Down: My Impression Reflection

Reflect on your learning today!
- What did you learn about first impressions?
- How do your own feelings influence how you see others?
- How can you show respect for diverse feelings and traits?

Introduce the 'My Impression Reflection' cool-down. Instruct students to choose one prompt and respond briefly. Collect as an exit ticket. This ties into emotional regulation and self-awareness.

lenny

Discussion

Discussion Questions: The New Teacher and the Seven Students - Chapters 1-2

Getting Started:

  1. Who is the new teacher we meet in Chapter 1? What is the first thing you notice or learn about them?





  2. Who are the seven students introduced in Chapter 2? Can you name at least three of them?





First Impressions & Understanding Others:

  1. Based on Chapter 1, what kind of personality do you think the new teacher has? What emotions or feelings did you observe? What words would you use to describe them? What in the text made you think this?










  2. Choose one of the seven students from Chapter 2. What is your first impression of this student? What emotions or feelings did you notice them expressing? What details in the story helped you form this impression? How might you show respect for this character, even if they are different from you?










  3. When we discussed these questions, how did actively listening to your classmates help you understand the characters or the story in a new way?





Looking Ahead:

  1. Do you think the new teacher will get along with all seven students? Why or why not? Make a prediction based on what you've read. Remember, it's important to respect everyone, even if they have different personalities.





  2. What is one question you have about the new teacher or any of the students after reading these first two chapters? What do you hope to learn about their feelings or interactions next?





lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Character Sketch Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

My First Impression: A Character Sketch

After reading Chapters 1 and 2 of "The New Teacher and the Seven Students," choose ONE main character (either the new teacher or one of the seven students).

Follow the instructions below to sketch your character and share your first impressions!

1. My Character's Name:

2. Draw Your Character!

In the box below, draw a picture of your chosen character based on how you imagine them from the description in the book. What do they look like? What expression do they have? (Think about any emotions they might be showing!)



























3. First Impressions & Personality Predictions

What are your first impressions of this character? What emotions or feelings do you think they have shown so far? What kind of personality do you predict they have? Use details from the book to explain your ideas.

My first impression of this character is...







I predict their personality is... because...







Based on my first impression, how might this character get along with others? How would I show respect for this character, even if they are different from me?







4. Questions I Have

What are some questions you have about this character after reading Chapters 1-2? What do you hope to learn about their feelings, their choices, or their interactions with others next?







lenny
lenny

Cool Down

My Impression Reflection: Cool Down

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

On an index card or a sticky note, please respond to ONE of the prompts below:

  1. Write down one new thing you learned about first impressions today.




  2. Choose one emotion you noticed a character expressing in Chapters 1-2. How might you show respect for that character, even if their feelings or actions are different from yours?




  3. How will being aware of your own feelings help you understand others better when you meet them or form first impressions?




lenny
lenny