Lesson Plan
What Makes a Character Tick?
Students will identify character traits (e.g., kind, brave, shy) and explain how these traits influence a character's actions. Students will also reflect on their own positive character traits.
Understanding character traits deepens reading comprehension and helps students develop self-awareness and social awareness by recognizing different personalities and their impact.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through a read-aloud and guided discussion, students will identify traits and connect them to actions, then reflect personally.
Materials
Picture Book (with strong character traits, teacher's choice), Character Trait Slide Deck, Teacher Script: Character Traits, and My Character Traits Worksheet
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Character Trait Slide Deck and ensure all visuals are ready.
- Choose a picture book with clear character traits and review it to identify key moments for discussion.
- Familiarize yourself with the Teacher Script: Character Traits and adapt as needed.
- Print or prepare for digital distribution the My Character Traits Worksheet.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Who Are We?
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Character Trait Slide Deck.
- Ask students to think about what makes them unique or special.
- Briefly introduce the idea of 'character traits' as words that describe someone's inside qualities. (See Teacher Script: Character Traits for prompts.)
Step 2
Story Time & Trait Hunt
10 minutes
- Introduce the chosen picture book using the Character Trait Slide Deck.
- Read the story aloud, pausing at key moments to ask questions about character traits and how their actions show those traits. (Refer to Teacher Script: Character Traits for guiding questions).
- Encourage students to use clues from the text and illustrations to identify traits.
Step 3
Trait Talk & Self-Reflection
10 minutes
- Lead a discussion using the Character Trait Slide Deck to help students connect a character's traits to their actions.
- Distribute the My Character Traits Worksheet.
- Guide students to reflect on and draw/write about their own positive character traits. (See Teacher Script: Character Traits for prompts and support.)
Step 4
Share & Cool Down
5 minutes
- Invite a few students to share their reflections from the My Character Traits Worksheet with the class or a small group.
- Conclude by emphasizing that everyone has unique and valuable character traits. (See Teacher Script: Character Traits for closing remarks.)
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Slide Deck
What Makes a Character Tick?
Let's explore what makes characters (and us!) unique!
Introduce the concept of character traits and the lesson's goal.
What are Character Traits?
Words that describe who a character is on the inside.
Examples: kind, brave, curious, shy, grumpy.
Explain what character traits are using simple language and examples. Ask students for other ideas.
Trait Detective!
As we read, look for clues about a character's traits:
- What they say
- What they do
- What they think
- How others react to them
Before reading, tell students to be on the lookout for these clues while listening to the story.
Connecting Traits to Actions
How does a character's trait make them do something in the story?
During and after the story, use this slide to discuss how a character's traits drive their actions and decisions.
My Character Traits
What traits describe YOU?
Introduce the worksheet and explain that students will think about their own traits.
We Are All Unique!
Everyone has special traits. What makes you, YOU?
Conclude the lesson by affirming individuality and the value of different traits.
Script
Teacher Script: Character Traits
Warm-Up: Who Are We? (5 minutes)
(Display Character Trait Slide Deck - Slide 1: "What Makes a Character Tick?")
"Good morning, future readers and writers! Take a look at our title slide today: 'What Makes a Character Tick?' Has anyone ever heard that saying before? It means, what makes someone act the way they do? What makes them special or unique?
Think about yourself for a moment. What is one thing that makes you special? Maybe you're a super helper, or you're always making people laugh, or you're really good at drawing. Just think it in your head.
Today, we're going to talk about something called character traits. These are words that describe who a person or a character is on the inside. It's like their personality!"
Story Time & Trait Hunt (10 minutes)
(Display Character Trait Slide Deck - Slide 2: "What are Character Traits?")
"So, character traits are words that tell us about someone's personality. Look at some examples on the slide: kind, brave, curious, shy, grumpy. Can you think of any other words that describe someone on the inside?"
(Allow a few student responses.)
"Fantastic ideas! Now, when we read stories, characters often show us their traits through what they say and do. We're going to be Trait Detectives today!"
(Display Character Trait Slide Deck - Slide 3: "Trait Detective!")
"When we're being Trait Detectives, we look for clues! These clues help us figure out a character's traits:
- What do they say?
- What do they do?
- What do they think?
- And how do other characters react to them?
I'm going to read a story today called [Name of chosen picture book]. As I read, I want you to listen and watch carefully for clues that tell us about our main character, [Main Character's Name]."
(Read the story aloud. Pause at key moments to ask questions, referring to the clues on Slide 3.)
"Pause here. What just happened? What did [Character's Name] do? What does that action tell us about their character? Are they being kind, brave, shy, or something else? Why do you think that?"
(Repeat 2-3 times throughout the story, focusing on different characters or actions that highlight traits.)
"Wow, you are excellent Trait Detectives! You found so many good clues and used them to figure out what kind of characters are in our story."
Trait Talk & Self-Reflection (10 minutes)
(Display Character Trait Slide Deck - Slide 4: "Connecting Traits to Actions")
"Now, let's think about how a character's traits make them do certain things. For example, if a character is kind, what might they do in a story? (Help a friend, share their toys, say nice words). Yes! Their kindness makes them do kind things.
If a character is brave, what might they do? (Face a fear, try something new, stand up for someone). Exactly! Their bravery makes them do brave things.
It works the same for us too! Our traits influence what we do every day.
(Display Character Trait Slide Deck - Slide 5: "My Character Traits")
"I have a special My Character Traits Worksheet for you. On this worksheet, you're going to think about your own special character traits. What makes you, YOU? What are some positive traits that describe you? Maybe you're creative, or a good listener, or determined. There are many wonderful traits!
I want you to either draw a picture or write a few words about one trait that makes you special. Think about a time you showed that trait. For example, if you chose 'helpful,' you might draw yourself helping a friend."
(Distribute My Character Traits Worksheet. Circulate and assist students as they work.)
Share & Cool Down (5 minutes)
(As students finish, display Character Trait Slide Deck - Slide 6: "We Are All Unique!")
"Who would like to share what they drew or wrote about on their My Character Traits Worksheet? Tell us about one trait that makes you special!"
(Invite 2-3 students to share briefly.)
"Thank you for sharing your wonderful traits! Remember, everyone has unique character traits, and those traits make us who we are. It's important to recognize our own strengths and to appreciate the different traits in others. Keep celebrating what makes you, YOU!"
Worksheet
My Character Traits Worksheet
Name: ____________________________
Today we learned about character traits and how they help us understand characters in stories.
Part 1: Character Trait Detective!
Think about our story today, "[Story Title - Teacher will fill in]".
-
What is one character trait that describes a character from our story?
-
What is one thing that character did in the story because of that trait?
Part 2: All About Me!
Now, let's think about YOU! Everyone has special character traits.
-
What is one special character trait that makes you, YOU? Draw a picture or write about it!
My special character trait is: ____________________________
Here is a picture or words about me showing this trait: