Lesson Plan
Scavenger Hunt Planning Document
Students will explore a short story from multiple character viewpoints by rotating through four clue stations, collaboratively interpreting perspective-based evidence, and reflecting on how different characters’ thoughts and feelings shape events.
Building social awareness and perspective-taking helps 3rd graders understand others’ feelings, build empathy, and improve classroom relationships through an engaging, movement-based activity.
Audience
3rd Grade Class
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Hands-on stations paired with guided discussion
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Print and post station clue cards from Perspective Clue Stations.
- Queue up Clue Reveal Slides on classroom projector.
- Review station rotation roles and instructions below.
- Prepare reflection journals or sheets for each student for Clue Wrap-Up Reflection.
Step 1
Introduction & Story Reading
10 minutes
- Gather students on the rug and introduce the concept of perspective taking.
- Read the chosen short story aloud, pausing when noticing a key character action or feeling.
- Ask a couple of quick questions: “How do you think character A feels right now?” and “Why might they think that?”
Step 2
Station Rotations
25 minutes
- Divide class into four groups and assign each to a station:
- Station 1: Character A’s Thoughts
- Station 2: Character B’s Feelings
- Station 3: Character C’s Actions
- Station 4: Character D’s Reactions
- At each station, students will:
• Read their station’s clue card from Perspective Clue Stations.
• Discuss in their group: “What does this clue tell us about the character’s viewpoint?”
• Record one sentence interpretation on their group chart. - After 6 minutes, ring a bell and have groups rotate clockwise until all groups visit each station.
Step 3
Whole-Class Discussion
10 minutes
- Reconvene students and display key excerpts on the board using Clue Interpretation Chat.
- Invite one representative from each station to share their group’s interpretation.
- Facilitate discussion: “How did viewpoints differ? How did they influence the story?”
Step 4
Reflection & Cool-Down
5 minutes
- Distribute reflection sheets for Clue Wrap-Up Reflection.
- Prompt: “Write one thing you learned about perspective taking and one way you can use it in real life.”
- Collect reflections for teacher review.
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Slide Deck
Welcome to the Perspective Hunt
Today we’re detectives! We’ll explore a story from characters’ viewpoints. At each station, uncover clues and share what you think each character is feeling, thinking, or doing.
Introduce the activity: Explain students will rotate among four stations and examine clues from different characters’ viewpoints. Emphasize curiosity and respect for each perspective.
Story Excerpt
"Once upon a time, Mia tiptoed into the garden, her heart pounding as she spotted the glowing key..."
Read aloud the excerpt. Ask students to listen for clues about Mia’s thoughts and feelings. Pause and ensure comprehension.
Station Overview
• Station 1: Character A’s Thoughts
• Station 2: Character B’s Feelings
• Station 3: Character C’s Actions
• Station 4: Character D’s Reactions
Briefly describe each station. Explain students will spend 6 minutes at each, discussing and recording one interpretation sentence.
Timer & Rotation
You have 6 minutes per station.
When you hear the bell, rotate clockwise to the next station.
Set a visible timer for 6 minutes. Start countdown and ring bell to signal rotation.
Whole-Class Discussion
After rotations, share your findings:
• How did viewpoints differ?
• How did they shape the story?
Be ready to share one insight from your station!
Encourage one representative from each station to share. Facilitate connections between different viewpoints.
Reflection
Write one thing you learned about perspective-taking.
Write one way you can use it in real life.
Hand out reflection sheets. Give students about 3 minutes to write.
Activity
Perspective Clue Stations
Below are four stations—one for each character viewpoint. Print and post each station’s clue card where students can see it. (Groups will record their interpretation on a separate group chart.)
Station 1: Character A’s Thoughts (Mia)
Clue Card:
“I can’t believe I finally found the glowing key,” Mia thought, her heart racing with excitement and curiosity.
Discussion Prompt:
What does this clue tell us about Mia’s thoughts?
Station 2: Character B’s Feelings (Sam)
Clue Card:
Sam’s hands trembled as he followed Mia into the moonlit garden, a mix of excitement and nervousness churning in his stomach.
Discussion Prompt:
What does this clue tell us about Sam’s feelings?
Station 3: Character C’s Actions (Lily)
Clue Card:
To steady her friend, Lily reached out and gently squeezed Mia’s arm, motioning toward the ivy-covered door.
Discussion Prompt:
What does this clue tell us about Lily’s actions?
Station 4: Character D’s Reactions (Garden Fairy)
Clue Card:
At the sound of footsteps, the garden fairy fluttered to the top of a lily pad, her wings quivering before she bowed respectfully.
Discussion Prompt:
What does this clue tell us about the fairy’s reaction?
Teacher Note:
• Each group visits one station at a time, reads the clue, discusses the prompt, and then writes one sentence on a shared chart answering the question: “What does this clue tell us about the character’s viewpoint?”
• After 6 minutes, ring the bell and rotate groups clockwise to the next station.
Discussion
Clue Interpretation Chat
Purpose
Today we’ll share what each group discovered at your station. We’ll compare different character viewpoints and see how each one helps the story.
Who Will Share?
• One representative from each station group, please stand by your chart.
Sharing Findings
- Station 1 (Mia’s Thoughts): What did your group write about Mia’s thoughts?
- Station 2 (Sam’s Feelings): What did your group write about Sam’s feelings?
- Station 3 (Lily’s Actions): What did your group write about Lily’s actions?
- Station 4 (Fairy’s Reactions): What did your group write about the fairy’s reactions?
Comparing Perspectives
- How were Mia’s thoughts different from Sam’s feelings?
- Why do you think they felt or thought differently in that moment?
- In what way did Lily’s action (squeezing Mia’s arm) and the fairy’s reaction (bowing) move the story forward?
Wrap-Up Reflection Questions
- Why is it helpful to see a story through different characters’ eyes?
- Can you think of a time in real life when understanding someone else’s feelings or thoughts helped you?
Teacher Prompt (if needed):
- “What words from the clue showed Mia was curious or excited?”
- “How might Sam’s nervousness change what he does next?”
- “Why do we learn more about a story when we look through different characters’ viewpoints?”
Cool Down
Clue Wrap-Up Reflection
Name: ____________________ Date: ___________
1. One thing I learned about perspective-taking:
2. One way I can use perspective-taking in real life:
Optional Extension:
- Think of someone you know (a friend, family member, or classmate). How could you try to see things from their point of view next time you talk with them?