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English lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes

First, second or third person narrators

Reading Comprehension

CCSS RL.6.6CCSS RL.6.3England: KS3 Reading (narrative perspective)England: GCSE English Language Paper 1

Objective and success criteria

Students will: First, second or third person narrators.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Point of view and narrator

Leads to: The effect of narrative perspective and tense

Materials: A short text or extract (one copy each), Highlighters, Question cards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Point of view and narrator). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Maria opened the letter slowly. She didn't know that her brother had already read it. What point of view is used? (second person / third person / no narrator / first person) → third personPrompt: Who is telling the story? Look at the pronouns (I, we, he, she).
  2. You turn the key and push open the creaking door. You step inside and the air is cold. What point of view is used? (third person / no narrator / second person / first person) → second personPrompt: Who is telling the story? Look at the pronouns (I, we, he, she).
  3. I don't think my sister likes me. She slammed the door again today, but maybe she just had a bad day at school. Why might this narrator be unreliable? (The story uses 'you'. / The narrator is a talking animal. / The narrator knows everything. / We only see events through the narrator's guesses and feelings.) → We only see events through the narrator's guesses and feelings.Prompt: Who is telling the story? Look at the pronouns (I, we, he, she).

Hook · 3 min

  • Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
  • Share the objective: First, second or third person narrators. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: What point of view is this extract written in? We had never seen snow before, so we pressed our noses to the window.
  • Step 1: First person uses I/we; second person uses you; third person limited follows one character's thoughts; third person omniscient knows everyone's.
  • Step 2: 'We' and 'our' are first person plural.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: first person
  • Answer: first person
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. What point of view is this extract written in? To make the perfect pancake, you first need patience. You wait until the bubbles pop. (first person / second person / third person limited / third person omniscient) → second personPrompt: Look at the pronouns: I/we (first), you (second), he/she/they (third).
  2. Read the question and choose. A story is told by a character who misremembers events and hides the truth. What is this narrator called? (an unreliable narrator / a reliable narrator / an omniscient narrator / a second-person narrator) → an unreliable narratorPrompt: Think about how much each type of narrator knows.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. What point of view is this extract written in? I grabbed my bag and ran for the bus, my heart pounding. (first person / second person / third person limited / third person omniscient) → first personPrompt: Look at the pronouns: I/we (first), you (second), he/she/they (third).
  2. Read the question and choose. What can a third person omniscient narrator do that a first-person narrator cannot? (use the word 'I' / include dialogue / reveal the thoughts of many different characters / describe a setting) → reveal the thoughts of many different charactersPrompt: Think about how much each type of narrator knows.

Watch out for

  • Answering from memory or opinion instead of evidence in the text.
  • Copying a long quote without explaining what it shows.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Point of view and narrator.
  • Use concrete materials: a short text or extract (one copy each).
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: The effect of narrative perspective and tense.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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First, second or third person narrators

Name

Date

Score/ 6

The Last Lap

Ruby had trained for the school relay every morning since September, running laps of the park while her breath made clouds in the cold air. She was the fastest in her class, and everyone expected her team to win. On the day of the race, the team's second runner, Theo, tripped on the bend and dropped the baton. By the time he scrambled up, two teams were far ahead. Ruby, waiting for the last leg, felt her heart sink. When the baton finally reached her, she ran harder than she ever had. She passed one runner. The finish line rushed towards her. The crowd was roaring. Then, a metre from the tape, the leader dipped her shoulder and won by a hand's width. Theo couldn't look at anyone. Ruby walked over, still panting, and held out the silver ribbon. "Second place," she said, "and that comeback was the best part of the whole race." Later, the team hung the ribbon on the classroom wall, right next to the first-place trophy from the year before. Somehow it seemed brighter.

  1. Question 1

    Read "The Last Lap". From which point of view is the story told?

    • A. second person
    • B. first person, by Theo
    • C. third person, mostly following Ruby's thoughts
    • D. first person, by Ruby

  1. Question 2

    Read the question and choose. Why might a writer choose a first-person narrator for a mystery?

    • A. it lets the reader know every character's secrets
    • B. it means there can be no dialogue
    • C. the reader learns clues only as the narrator does, which builds suspense
    • D. it makes the story less personal

  2. Question 3

    What point of view is this extract written in? Marcus wasn't sure he could finish the race. His legs burned, and he told himself to keep going.

    • A. first person
    • B. second person
    • C. third person limited
    • D. third person omniscient

  3. Question 4

    Read the question and choose. A writer wants readers to share one character's confusion about what is going on. Which narrator fits best?

    • A. third person omniscient
    • B. none; use a list of facts
    • C. third person limited (or first person)
    • D. a narrator who explains everything

  4. Question 5

    Read the question and choose. Why do some adventure game-books use second person ('You open the door…')?

    • A. to sound more formal
    • B. to avoid describing the setting
    • C. to show many characters' thoughts
    • D. to make readers feel they are inside the story

  5. Question 6

    What point of view is this extract written in? My grandmother always said that I would be a scientist. I didn't believe her.

    • A. first person
    • B. second person
    • C. third person limited
    • D. third person omniscient

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Answer key: First, second or third person narrators

  1. 1. C. third person, mostly following Ruby's thoughts

  2. 2. C. the reader learns clues only as the narrator does, which builds suspense

  3. 3. C. third person limited

  4. 4. C. third person limited (or first person)

  5. 5. D. to make readers feel they are inside the story

  6. 6. A. first person