Get a free trial until June 30, 2026!
New members get full access to our units, essential skills lessons, & more!

New members get a full, free trial through June 2026!
Back > Share
Create Your Character
Australian Adventures Unit | Lesson 1 of 5
Back > Share

Create Your Character

Australian Adventures Unit | Lesson 1 of 5
Scroll for prep
Video trouble?
DISCUSS:
What ideas do you have for a story about an explorer in Australia?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
DISCUSS:
What could be some other details about Harper’s personality? Use your
imagination.
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
DISCUSS:
What could be a reason why Harper wants a picture of a trilobite fossil?
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Step
01/24
Get your supplies.
Video trouble?
Step
02/24
Get your Character Details worksheet. Come up with a name for
your explorer and write it in the blank.
Video trouble?
Step
03/24
Draw some details on the character drawing.
Video trouble?
Step
04/24
Find the character trait box. Choose two or three traits that you
want your character to have.
Video trouble?
Step
05/24
Find the likes and dislikes box. Use your imagination to add details
about what your character likes and dislikes.
Video trouble?
Step
06/24
Add two or three items in the backpack that you want your
character to have on their adventure. You can use words, pictures,
or both.
Video trouble?
Step
07/24
Write what your character wants on the lines.
Video trouble?
Step
08/24
Finish the sentence to include why your character wants this.
Video trouble?
Step
09/24
Write your character’s fear in the box.
Video trouble?

If you need a natural stopping point!

Teachers: This is a natural stopping point. The next steps will guide students through how to share their writing with their peers and how to provide feedback. If you stop here, be sure to put all the VIPs somewhere safe!

If you’re continuing right now, go to the next slide.

Video trouble?
DISCUSS:
Imagine something that could be blocking Harper’s path in the adventure story.
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
Step
10/24
Get these new supplies.
Video trouble?
Step
11/24
In today’s lesson, you’ll need someone to share ideas with. This could
be a partner or someone you sit near. When everyone knows who
their talk partner is, move on to the next step.
Video trouble?
Step
12/24
Decide where you want your explorer to adventure, and circle the
setting you’d like to use.
Video trouble?
Step
13/24
Copy what your character wants into the “Character Want” box on
your story map. Be sure to include why they want that thing.
Video trouble?
Step
14/24
Write where your character will need to get to on the first line of
the “destination” box. You can use your Idea Bank to help you come
up with ideas.
Video trouble?
Step
15/24
Choose which animal you would like your character to encounter, and
write it on the line. If you want, you can use your Idea Bank to help.
Video trouble?
Step
16/24
Imagine how your character would react when seeing the animal you
chose. Take turns sharing with your partner what your character
would do in that situation.
Video trouble?
Step
17/24
Write how your character reacts to the animal on these lines.
You can use just a few words so you remember your ideas.
Video trouble?
Step
18/24
In the event box number 2, write what blocks the path. If you want,
you can use your Idea Bank to help.
Video trouble?
Step
19/24
Discuss with your partner: What do you think your character would
do to deal with what is blocking the path? Then write it on the lines.
Video trouble?
Step
20/24
Discuss with your partner: What is one last surprise that your
character could encounter that would make them have to make a
daring escape? Then write your idea on the lines.
Video trouble?
Step
21/24
Starting at the word “Escape,” add a few words about how your
character will escape the danger.
Video trouble?
Step
22/24
Think about what your character would do after returning from their
journey. Complete the sentence to describe what your character
does when they get back from their adventures.
Video trouble?
Step
23/24
Write what your character learned on the lines. You can use one of
these or come up with your own.
Video trouble?
Step
24/24
The papers shown on the screen are VIPs: Very Important Papers!
Your teacher will tell you where to put them so you will have them
for the next lesson.
Video trouble?
Video trouble?
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?

Extend this lesson

Activity

Activity

View all extensions
Sign up now for more great lessons!
Sign up

Lesson details

Grade 5

Narrative

Planning

19 reviews

Students will...

Print Prep
  • develop a plan for a complex character with personality traits, preferences, and fears.

  • make a story map with a plan for an adventure story in Australia.

Before this lesson...

Adventure Story Character Details worksheet 30 copies
Adventure Story Map worksheet 30 copies
Word Bank (Australian Adventures) worksheet 30 copies
Prep Instructions
  • Each worksheet in this unit will be used across multiple lessons. These worksheets are labeled as VIPs (Very Important Papers).

  • We suggest teachers make sure each student has a designated location (such as a folder) to store papers between lessons.

  • This lesson is separated into two parts and can be taught in two different sessions if needed. A natural stopping point is included after students plan their character.

Standards

Jump to

Introduction

10 mins

Writing Activity

40 mins

Lesson details

Grade 5

Narrative

Planning

19 reviews

Share this lesson

Student link

Email parents

Extend this lesson

Activity

Activity

Slow internet or video problems?
Credits
 
Australian Adventures Lesson 1: Create Your Character

How did the lesson go?
Terrible OK Good Great Terrific!

How can we improve it?

If you'd like our team to reply to you, please Contact Support instead.

Thanks for your feedback! If you have a question or need help, please contact us.

Sorry the lesson didn't go well. We read every single review in an effort to improve our lessons.

Thanks for letting us know. We’ll wait to ask you for feedback until after you've actually taught it.

Thanks for the feedback! We read every single review in an effort to improve our lessons.

Is the video not playing properly?

Please follow these steps:

  1. Very rarely a video will fail to completely load in your browser. Try to reload this page to see if that fixes the problem.
  2. If reloading does not help, try our other video player .
  3. If the video still fails to play, open this video in a new tab and please let us know you’re having trouble. We want to fix this issue for you.

How can we help you?

This episode is locked

This lesson is not included in your limited access.

View pricing

This episode is locked

Your membership is expired. The archive of past Mini Lessons is not included in your limited access.

View pricing