New
New
Year 4

Developing reading preferences in Year 4 through appreciation of characters

I can explore a range of characters in texts, articulating what makes them effective.

New
New
Year 4

Developing reading preferences in Year 4 through appreciation of characters

I can explore a range of characters in texts, articulating what makes them effective.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Reading allows you to explore your emotions and understand yourself better
  2. Understanding a character's motivations can lead us to connecting with them on an emotional level
  3. Favourite characters can be heroes or anti-heroes

Keywords

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

  • Protagonist - A protagonist is a main character or central figure in a story or narrative.

  • Hero - A hero is a protagonist with noble qualities, often saving or helping others.

  • Anti-hero - An anti-hero is a flawed protagonist, often with moral ambiguity or unconventional methods.

Common misconception

Pupils might assume a hero only portrays positive traits, an anti-hero only negative traits.

Discuss a range of protagonists and reflect on their traits and characterisation. Not all characters will be heroes or anti-heroes.

An emotions graph can track a character's emotions as they progress through a narrative. It is important to draw the pupils' attention to tracking their character over time, as the story develops.
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).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
An illustrator is responsible for which of the following?
the words that make up a text
the translation of words in a translated text
Correct answer: the pictures, drawing or images that make up a text
publishing the text
Q2.
Which of the following are examples of genre?
Correct answer: biography
Correct answer: humour
illustrated chapter book
Correct answer: fantasy
website
Q3.
What form can be described as an online platform where individuals or groups publish written content on various topics.
newspaper
comic
email
Correct answer: blog
Q4.
Select the true statements about reading.
Correct answer: Reading can occur at anytime and anywhere in the world.
Reading has to happen at the same time and same place everyday.
You should only read while at school.
Correct answer: Reading is a skill that we use every single day.
Q5.
Match the text form with the definition.
Correct Answer:recipes,a set of instructions for preparing a particular dish

a set of instructions for preparing a particular dish

Correct Answer:song lyrics,words that make up a song

words that make up a song

Correct Answer:directions,instructions that tell someone how to get from one place to another

instructions that tell someone how to get from one place to another

Correct Answer:news,newly received or important information

newly received or important information

Q6.
What might determine your personal reading preferences?
Correct answer: where I like to read
where my friend likes to read
Correct answer: when I like to read
what my teacher tells me to read
Correct answer: what I like to read

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following key words to their definitions.
Correct Answer:anti-hero,a flawed character, neither purely good nor purely evil

a flawed character, neither purely good nor purely evil

Correct Answer:protagonist,a main character or central figure in a story or narrative

a main character or central figure in a story or narrative

Correct Answer:hero,a character with noble qualities, often helping others

a character with noble qualities, often helping others

Correct Answer:character traits,special qualities that make a character in a story unique

special qualities that make a character in a story unique

Q2.
True or False? Humorous texts can only be presented as poems.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q3.
Which of the following features are often found in humorous texts?
Correct answer: relatable characters
final battle
Correct answer: wordplay, puns and witty language
a sense of danger
Correct answer: a positive, affirming plot
Q4.
Which of the following are examples of heroic character traits?
ignoring someone in trouble
Correct answer: solving a significant problem
Correct answer: facing their fears
hurting someone
Correct answer: protecting the environment
Q5.
Select the character traits that are likely displayed by a hero.
selfish
rude
Correct answer: courageous
Correct answer: honest
Correct answer: determined
Q6.
Select the character traits that are likely to be displayed by an anti-hero.
Correct answer: sometimes can't be trusted
Correct answer: sometimes selfish
kind
Correct answer: conflicted, mixed emotions
honest