What "Characters" !

Jean Jarnigan and Denise Walker
Dandridge Elementary

3^rd and 4^th Grade

Subjects
 

Reading

Literature Analysis   Creative Writing

Overview

Through the experience of a Winnie the Pooh reading, students will become aware of the importance of understanding character traits and their effects on comprehending and predicting.

Time Frame
4 Days ( 45 minute sessions)

Objectives

In this lesson, students will:

• Improve comprehension by interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating written text
• Use comprehension strategies to enhance understanding, to make predictions, and to respond to literature

• Develop skills in making inferences and recognizing unstated assumptions

• Software Used in this Lesson

• Other Software Used in this Lesson
Netscape
 

After giving an overview of character traits and the effect it has on comprehending, predicting and character analysis, the teacher will read a short selection from the "Winnie the Pooh" collection. Next, students will begin to brainstorm on the character traits of Winnie, Eeyore, Rabbit and Piglet. During this the teacher or a selected student will type, in large font on Microsoft Word, the character traits that are being discussed. (This can be incorporated in a bulletin board.)

Scenarios will be presented by the teacher which are unrelated to the story. (See activity sheet.) Students will make predictions about the character’s reaction and will state the character trait that gave this insight.

In cooperative groups of four, students will create a short puppet show with the characters of "Winnie the Pooh", modeling the character traits previously discussed. *

Variation: Students will construct a PowerPoint presentation on character traits. *

Note: Puppets or bulletin board materials can be self-made, or you may find the mini mylar baloons with the Pooh characters on a stick. Great for a puppet show! They can be used on a bulletin boards also, by covering up sticks with a list of character traits.

National Standards Addressed by this Lesson

Improved student achievement through the use of technology as a tool to enhance the reading curriculum.

State Standards Addressed by this Lesson

Use comprehension strategies to enhance understanding, to relate ideas, to organize information, to make predictions, and to distinguish fact from fantasy during the reading process.

For additional relevant information, visit the following Web sites:

Title1: Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad

URL1:  http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/Interdisciplinary/INT0024.html

Description1: Based on Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad are FriendsThis lesson plan is based on 2^nd grade level , but is easily adaptable.

Title2: Winnie the Pooh On-line Book

URL2: http://www.disney.com/DisneyBooks/Readastory/index.html

Description2: Disney has several selections at this site, which usually contains a book from the Winnie the Pooh collection.

Title3: Hunny Lover’s Homeplace

URL3: http://home.pacific.netsg?~taoge/index.html

Description3: This is a great resource page to learn the history of Winnie the Pooh and the author, A.L.Milne.

Author(s) Contact Information

Names: Jean Jarnigan and Denise Walker

E-Mail Address: jarniganj@ten-nash.ten.k12.tn.us

walkerd7@ten-nash.ten.k12.tn.us

School Home Page 

Dandridge Elementary http://207.125.93.3/des.htm

Activity Sheet

Cyber Exchange Lesson 

What "Characters"!
 
 

Overview

The purpose of this activity is to give students the opportunity to make predictions based on character traits. This activity can be done as a group discussion or as individual evaluation.

The students will respond to the given scenarios by predicting the outcome. Teacher decision will determine whether done as a group or an individual.

Scenarios:

• Eeyore’s invitation to Pooh’s birthday party is lost, and Eeyore does not know that one was ever sent. How would Eeyore respond?
• Rabbit loans Piglet a gardening tool. Piglet has misplaced it and Rabbit is on his way to his house to get it. What do you think Piglet will do? If Rabbit finds out that it is lost, how will he react?
• Piglet has just found out that he must be perform in a talent show. How will he feel?
• Piglet has eaten Pooh’s last bit of honey, without permission. Pooh comes home famished from a hard day’s work to find his honey missing. How do you feel Pooh will react?

Note: You may also require students to relate their predications to the character traits earlier discussed.
 

Cyber Exchange

Lesson Plans