Analyze+and+Interpret+Character

1st Grade Lesson

Reading/Writing

Embedded Skills:
 * Infer
 * Interpret character from dialogue, actions, thoughts
 * Interpret vocabulary
 * Locate stated information
 * Recall fact and detail
 * Understand text as whole
 * Construct fluent sentences
 * Organize writing
 * Use conventions of english language
 * use supporting details

TW access students' prior knowledge by asking if any of them have ever been upset with their mom or dad (grandma or grandpa, aunt or uncle - whoever they are living with) before? SW discuss what made them upset and what they did to show they were upset. TW introduce the story by saying "Well, I know a little boy names Max who was very upset with his parents. Here is a book that tells about Max and what he did when he was upset". TW show the bookcover to the students. T and SW read the title, Where the Wild Things Are, and name the author and illustrator. TW ask students to predict why they think Max was mad. TW record student responses on chart paper.

TW explain to students that good readers can relate (make connections) with the main character of a story. TW instruct students to pay close attention to the beginning, middle and end of story. How is Max feeling at these different points in the book?

TW read aloud the book, Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak. When finished, T and SW look at predictions chart to see if any of the predictions were correct. T and SW share how they felt about the story.

T and SW discuss Max's feelings at the beginning, middle and end of story. TW record students' repsonses on a Beginning, Middle, End flow chart. SW copy responses onto their own flow chart.

TW explain that sometimes a character will change from the beginning of a story to the end. On our flow chart, we see how Max's feelings change as the story progresses. In your journals, I would like you to write about how Max felt in the beginning, middle and end of the story. How did Max's feelings change? Ude details from the story to tell us why.