Stage 3 reading - Understanding character
Learning intention
Students will learn to identify and understand how character feelings, points of view and motivation is developed in texts.
Syllabus outcome
- EN3-3A: uses an integrated range of skills, strategies and knowledge to read, view and comprehend a wide range of texts in different media and technologies.
- EN3-5B: discusses how language is used to achieve a widening range of purposes for a widening range of audiences and contexts.
National Literacy Learning Progression
Understanding texts
UnT8: reads and views some moderately complex texts - see Text complexity (comprehension); draws inferences and verifies using text evidence (comprehension); identifies and explains techniques used to present perspective (e.g. emotive or descriptive language, order in which ideas are presented) (process)
UnT9: draws inferences, synthesising clues and evidence across a text (comprehension); identifies different interpretations of the text citing evidence from a text (comprehension)
UnT10: draws inferences using evidence from the text and discounting possible inferences that are not supported by the text (comprehension); analyses the techniques authors use to position readers (comprehension)
NAPLAN item descriptors
The relevant NAPLAN item descriptors are included in the resource, available for download on this page.
Task outline
Full task descriptions are included in the resource, available for download on this page.
Trait bank
Students categorise traits into visible or physical traits and emotional or behavioural traits using a 'bull's eye' graphic organiser.
Bull’s eye
Students identify physical and emotional traits in characters from a given text.
Matching actions and traits
Students infer traits based on a character’s actions (four activities).
DIAL into a character
Students use a ‘Description, Illustration, Actions and Language model (DIAL) to build a picture of the traits and actions of a character.
Inferring a character’s emotions in a narrative
Students infer character feelings from actions, using clues from the text and background knowledge to draw conclusions.