Understanding how a character develops throughout a story helps readers think more deeply about the plot and the character’s experiences. A character’s traits, feelings, actions, and motivations can change (or stay the same) as events unfold, and readers use these clues to explain the character’s growth across the entire text.

This lesson includes instructional strategies (teacher tools) and activities (student work) to help students explain character development with support from specific moments in the story. In addition, vocabulary tools and reflection resources are included to support comprehension and writing.

Included Resources:

• Teaching Notes
• Learning Intentions Poster
• Essential Questions Poster
• Understanding Character Changes Anchor Chart
• Connection/Bell Work Activity
• Vocabulary Activity
• Mini-Lesson
• Activity for Students to Demonstrate Understanding
• Reflection/Closure Activity
• Formative Assessment with Student Checklist & Scoring Rubric

This lesson uses the 2024 South Carolina CCR ELA Standards.

Target Indicator:

ELA.3.AOR.1.1 Explain how one or more characters develop throughout the plot.