Create Your Character

Create Your Character
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:
What ideas do you have for a story about an explorer in Australia?
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DISCUSS:
What could be some other details about Harper’s personality? Use your
imagination.
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DISCUSS:
What could be a reason why Harper wants a picture of a trilobite fossil?
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Step
01/24
Get your supplies.
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Get your Character Details worksheet. Come up with a name for
your explorer and write it in the blank.
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Draw some details on the character drawing.
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Find the character trait box. Choose two or three traits that you
want your character to have.
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Find the likes and dislikes box. Use your imagination to add details
about what your character likes and dislikes.
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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.
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Write what your character wants on the lines.
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Finish the sentence to include why your character wants this.
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Write your character’s fear in the box.
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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.

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DISCUSS:
Imagine something that could be blocking Harper’s path in the adventure story.
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Get these new supplies.
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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.
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Decide where you want your explorer to adventure, and circle the
setting you’d like to use.
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Copy what your character wants into the “Character Want” box on
your story map. Be sure to include why they want that thing.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Write how your character reacts to the animal on these lines.
You can use just a few words so you remember your ideas.
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In the event box number 2, write what blocks the path. If you want,
you can use your Idea Bank to help.
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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.
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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.
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Starting at the word “Escape,” add a few words about how your
character will escape the danger.
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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.
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Write what your character learned on the lines. You can use one of
these or come up with your own.
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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.
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Lesson details

Grade 5

Narrative

Planning

W.5.3, W.5.3A, W.5.5

18 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 1 per student
Adventure Story Map worksheet 1 per student
Word Bank (Australian Adventures) worksheet 1 per student
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.

Jump to

Introduction

10 mins

Writing Activity

40 mins

Lesson details

Grade 5

Narrative

Planning

W.5.3, W.5.3A, W.5.5

18 reviews

Extend this lesson

Activity

Activity

Think of your favorite characters in books or movies. What character details do you know about them? Write or discuss what you know about a character you know well. Remember - the writer of this character planned all these details for you to discover in their story!

Activity

Activity

Character interviews. Pretend to be your character in an interview about their upcoming adventure. With a partner, you can take turns interviewing your characters. When being interviewed, think about what your character sounds like, and how they would answer the questions about their adventure!

Some interview questions could be:

  • Where are you going on an adventure?
  • Why are you going there?
  • What are you bringing along?
  • Do you go on adventures like this often?

Come up with your own!
Download this Lesson to your device so you can play it offline:
Credits
 
Australian Adventures Lesson 1: Create Your Character

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