CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.3
The Standard
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Literature
What This Standard Means
Students need to notice what happens in a story, name the big problem or event, and explain what a character does, says, or feels in response. They should use details from the text, not just say, “She was nice” or “He was sad.”
Mastery looks like a student saying, “When the dog ran away, Maya made posters and asked neighbors for help.” Many students retell the whole story instead of linking event to response. Others name feelings without proof, or mix up what happened to the character with what the character chose to do.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs event cards and character response cards from a shared story, then have them match and justify each pair with a page number.
- Ask students to write: What problem did the character face, and what did the character do next?
- After reading one page with a key event, have students complete: The character felt or did blank because blank.
- Connect to recess by asking how students responded when a game changed, then compare those responses to a story character.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.3
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.3
Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.3
Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a res...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.K.3
With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.3
Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.