ED 345 Calvin College Lesson Planning Form

Teacher:
Lauren Newhuis
Chesters Way Character Traits

Date: November 17, 2015

Subject/ Topic/ Theme:

I. Objectives
What is the main focus of this lesson?
Character Traits
How does this lesson tie in to a unit plan? (If applicable.)
This character study is looking at what good readers do. Todays lesson is noticing character traits.
What are your objectives for this lesson? (As many as needed.) Indicate connections to
applicable national or state standards. If an objective applies to only certain students write the
name(s) of the student(s) to whom it applies.

II. Before you start

Prerequisite knowledge
and skills.

Within this unit plan, students have been learning about what it takes to be
a good reader by reading books written by Kevin Henkes. This lesson
relates character traits to students in the classroom, connecting it to
something that they already know.
Through conversation, students sharing, and their filled out character trait
worksheet.

Assessment
(formative and
summative)

Universal Design for Learning Networks/Domains (see UDL Guidelines)

RECOGNITION
Multiple Means of Representation
Options for Perception
Through the video, written on worksheet,
poster, and auditory

Options for Language/Symbols

Defining character traits vs. emotions

STRATEGIC
Multiple Means of Expression
(Action)
Options for action/interaction
Turn and talk
Agree/disagree
Watching the video
Writing
Raising hand to share
Options for Expression
Writing
Drawing
Options for Executive Function
Managing information (collecting
on a paper)

Options for Comprehension

Connecting character traits to people in
the classroom.
Characterizing their peers.
Worksheet
Materials-what materials
Video
(books, handouts, etc) do Clipboards
you need for this lesson
Pencils
and do you have them?
White board/markers
Do you need to set up
your classroom in any
special way for this
lesson? If so, describe it.

Normal classroom setup

AFFECTIVE
Multiple Means of
Engagement
Options for recruiting interest
Video
Connecting to their peers

Options for Sustaining Effort &

Persistence
Some students draw, some write
Options for Self Regulation
I do, we do, you do

III. The Plan

Tim
Parts
e
Motivatio
n
(Opening/
Introducti
on/
Engageme
nt)

The description of (script for) the lesson, wherein you describe teacher
activities and student activities
Access background knowledge. Good readers infer, sequence, make meaningful
connections, and create mental pictures. Remind students what these mean when
reading stories about Kevin Henkes.
Today we are going to be discussing what it means to notice character traits. Look
up at my chart.
Traits are not the same as emotions. A trait is something that describes a person or
characters personality, how they are all the time. Lets take ---- for example. --- is
always smiling. He/she says hi to their friends. I see this about --- so to describe his
character, I would say that ----- is friendly. Do another student. I always see ---getting their stuff turned in. ---- turns in homework and when he/she makes a
mistake, they correct it. I would describe --- character as hardworking.
We are going to filling out one of these charts; this says... the character said/did
that makes me think
If I were to do one of these charts for ---- I would say, --- did this, that makes me
think he is hardworking/kind/friendly.
Have you ever felt angry or upset before? Maybe today, one of you might feel a little
upset or angry, maybe something happened. But you dont feel that way all the
time, only some of the time.
Character, all 10 fingers all the time
Emotion, one finger some of the time.

Developm
ent

We are going to be watching a story up on the screen. As you watch the story, I
want you to look for the character traits of Chester.
Show students the video.
Students come to the carpet with a clipboard.
Tell students that being like a detective. You see something about Chester that he
does, so you think they have a certain character trait.
Show students the worksheet to do together.
Fill out chesters name.
Chester NEVER threw snowballs at his friend, what does this tell us about Chester?
He is kind/friendly
(allow students to draw within the boxes as well for what they see
The same can be done for the character traits of Lilly in the story. She is bold,
outgoing, or sassy.

To conclude, read over the filled out worksheet and record on the board the
character traits of
Chester or Lilly using this chart:
Friendly
Closure
Chester

Caring

Kind
Your reflection on the lesson including ideas for improvement for next time: