ReadWriteThink couldn't publish all of this great content without literacy experts to write and review for us. If you've got lessons plans, videos, activities, or other ideas you'd like to contribute, we'd love to hear from you.
Find the latest in professional publications, learn new techniques and strategies, and find out how you can connect with other literacy professionals.
Teacher Resources by Grade
|1st - 2nd||3rd - 4th|
|5th - 6th||7th - 8th|
|9th - 10th||11th - 12th|
Charting Characters for a More Complete Understanding of the Story
|Grades||3 – 5|
|Lesson Plan Type||Recurring Lesson|
|Estimated Time||60 minutes|
Stories are often thought to contain just one main character that encounters a problem and somehow solves this problem. Character Perspective Charting is an instructional method designed to reflect the actual complexity of many stories and is a practical instructional alternative to story mapping. This strategy delineates the multiple points of view, goals, and intentions of different characters within the same story. By engaging in Character Perspective Charting, students can better understand, interpret, and appreciate the stories they read.
Character Perspective Chart: This printout allows students to chart a story from two characters’ points of view, offering a better understanding and appreciation of the story.
Shanahan, T., & Shanahan, S. (1997). Character Perspective Charting: Helping children to develop a more complete conception of story. The Reading Teacher, 50, 668-677.
- Character Perspective Charting is a technique for helping students to develop fuller and more appropriate conceptualizations of stories.
- Charting a story from two points of view allows a greater appreciation and understanding; thus allowing a deeper awareness of the connection of the dynamic interconnections of theme and structure.