1.8.B
ELA1st GradeThe student recognizes and analyzes literary elements within and across increasingly complex traditional, contemporary, classical, and diverse literary texts.
The Standard
describe the main characters and the reasons for their actions
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify who the story mainly follows and describe what that character does. They explain why the character acts that way using clues from the story.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can name the main character and describe a key action. They can explain the reason for that action using words, events, or pictures from the story.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may name the first or funniest character instead of the character the story centers on. They may retell an action without explaining why it happened. They may also give a reason that is not supported by the words or pictures.
How to Assess It
- After reading The Little Red Hen, ask students to draw or write: “Who is the main character? What does she do? Why does she do it?”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs character, action, and reason cards from a familiar story, then have them match the cards and explain each match.
Ask, “Why did the character do that?” and have students answer with the frame, “The character ___ because ___.”
Play Character Detective by reading an action card and having teams find the matching reason card from the story.
Discuss a classroom action, such as sharing supplies, then compare its reason with a character’s reason for a similar action.
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