New
New
Year 3

Developing reading preferences in Year 3 through appreciation of characters

I can explore a range of characters in texts, describing why I like them.

New
New
Year 3

Developing reading preferences in Year 3 through appreciation of characters

I can explore a range of characters in texts, describing why I like them.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Series texts can develop motivation to read.
  2. A character might be part of a series of texts
  3. A character trait is a special quality that make a character in a story unique and interesting
  4. A character's emotional arc might adapt or change over a series of books

Common misconception

Pupils may begin writing about a character in a standalone text, rather than a series.

If a pupil has not encountered series fiction before, they will develop greater awareness through discussion with their peers.

Keywords

  • Series fiction - Series fiction is when there are lots of texts with the same characters. Each one tells a new adventure or story about them.

  • Character traits - Character traits are the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting.

  • Emotional arc - An emotional arc is how a character's feelings and emotions change throughout a story.

  • Empathy - Empathy is the ability to experience and understand other people’s feelings and points of view.

Have a range of series fiction available in class book area, or school library, to encourage engagement outside of the lesson.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following aspects of series fiction to their examples in the series 'Horrid Henry' by Francesca Simon.
Correct Answer:characters,Horrid Henry, Perfect Peter, Moody Margaret

Horrid Henry, Perfect Peter, Moody Margaret

Correct Answer:settings,school, Henry's home

school, Henry's home

Correct Answer:titles,'Horrid Henry’s Perfect Day', 'Horrid Henry’s Homework'

'Horrid Henry’s Perfect Day', 'Horrid Henry’s Homework'

Q2.
Match the role to its definition.
Correct Answer:author,a person who writes the words that make up a text

a person who writes the words that make up a text

Correct Answer:illustrator,a person who creates art or images that make up a text

a person who creates art or images that make up a text

Correct Answer:publisher,a company that publishes books

a company that publishes books

Q3.
True or False? Series fiction texts usually have a different character in each text.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q4.
What are the shared features of a series you can identify from the front cover?
Correct answer: the author
Correct answer: the illustrator
the title
the setting
the plot
Q5.
Which of the following are examples of genre in literature?
email
Correct answer: humour
newspaper
chapter books
Correct answer: fantasy
Q6.
Which of the following can describe a character's personality?
Correct answer: courageous
Correct answer: kind
girl
Correct answer: generous
9-years-old

6 Questions

Q1.
What is series fiction?
fiction in historical settings
fiction about mysteries
a character's feelings and emotions
Correct answer: when there are several books with the same characters
Q2.
Which of the following is a benefit to reading series fiction?
Correct answer: develops prediction skills
develops awareness of a range of different genres
it gives ideas of what to wear on World Book Day
Q3.
Which examples from a text would show a character is brave?
running away
Correct answer: standing up for what is right
Correct answer: facing a fear
Correct answer: helping others in a crisis
being a fast runner
Q4.
Which of the following are character traits?
brown eyes
Correct answer: brave
short
Correct answer: respectful
black hair
Q5.
Character traits can be identified by focusing on which of the following?
Correct answer: words
Correct answer: actions
name
Correct answer: thoughts
setting
Q6.
Sequence these sentences to introduce and describe a character.
1 - I like the character Demelza from 'Knights and Bikes'.
2 - I like her because she is fiercely determined and brave.
3 - For example, she does lots of daring stunts on her bike to achieve her goal.