Character Traits
Complete unit · Grades 3–5 · 44-page PDF
5 lessons · 8 leveled passages (6 stories) · pre + post
Use what a character says and does to support a trait.
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What's inside
- Teacher guide: unit at a glance, measured levels, grouping
- Pre- and post-assessment in parallel forms + class tracker
- Illustrated anchor chart
- 5 lesson plans in gradual release (I do, we do, you do)
- 8 leveled passages (6 stories) at Levels A, B and C, readability printed
- Sort cards, Show It! chart, tricky sentences, why organizer
- 24 task cards + an exit ticket for every lesson
- 3 small-group reteach cards and every answer key
Lessons at a glance
| When | Focus | Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Before | Pre-assessment, Form A (about 15 minutes) | 4-5 |
| Lesson 1 | Trait or feeling? What does it show? I can tell a trait from a feeling by asking: does it show what the character is like, or how the character feels right now? | 7-13 |
| Lesson 2 | How authors show it: does, says, thinks I can find what a character does, says or thinks that shows a trait or a feeling. | 14-17 |
| Lesson 3 | Looks are not traits I can tell a trait and a feeling from what a character looks like. | 18-21 |
| Lesson 4 | Motivation: why, not what I can explain WHY a character acts, using clues from the text. | 22-25 |
| Lesson 5 | Show what you know: one story, three levels I can find traits, feelings and motivation on my own. | 26-30 |
| Review | 24 task cards + recording sheet (centers or small groups) | 31-34 |
| After | Post-assessment, Form B; compare on the tracker | 35-36 |
| Any day | Reteach cards for small groups | 37-38 |
Passages and levels
| Passage | Used in | Level | Grade (FK) | Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amara's Kite | Lesson 1 (guided) | Level A | 3.3 | 155 |
| Diego's Robot | Lesson 1 (on your own) | Level B | 4.4 | 214 |
| Lucia and the Lost Dog | Lesson 2 | Level A | 3.0 | 171 |
| The New Kid | Lesson 3 | Level B | 4.3 | 201 |
| Priya Speaks Up | Lesson 4 | Level C | 4.9 | 258 |
| Jayden's Talent Show | Lesson 5 | Level A | 3.4 | 159 |
| Jayden's Talent Show | Lesson 5 | Level B | 4.2 | 201 |
| Jayden's Talent Show | Lesson 5 | Level C | 5.7 | 253 |
Standards
Common Core codes and wording as printed in the unit.
- RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
- RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
- RL.5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
Ontario Language (2023): direct matches
None is listed. We show an Ontario Language (2023) expectation here only once we have confirmed it is a direct match for this skill.