First and Third-Person Point of View Lesson

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

3

Overview

The teacher will use the attached Interactive Google Slide Presentation to introduce and explain to students the difference between the first and third-person points of view in literary texts. Within the Google Slide, there are examples of narrator vs. character point of view with the use of movie clips to introduce the topic. The Google Slides explain both points of view and allow for interactive practice as a whole group or small group to discuss the differences between the first and third-person points of view.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 3

ELA21.3.28

Identify the narration of a literary text as first person or third person.

UP:ELA21.3.28

Vocabulary

  • Identify
  • Narration
  • Literary text
  • First person
  • Third person

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Literary text can be narrated from a first person or third person point of view.
  • Pronouns used by the author can indicate the narrator's point of view.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Identify the narration of a literary text as first person or third person.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • In first person narration the narrator is a character in the story and is telling the story from their perspective. The pronouns I, me, we, or us are often used.
  • In third person narration, the narrator is not part of the story and the characters never acknowledge the narrator's presence. The pronouns he, she, it, or they are often used.

Learning Objectives

The students will be able to identify the narration of a literary text from either a first or third-person point of view. 

Activity Details

The following activity is an interactive presentation that will dig deeper into the first and third-person points of view. The presentation will break down which words to look for to figure out the point of view in a reading. 

  1. Open the Interactive Presentation for First and Third-Person Point of View Google Slide
  2. Explain to students that in a fiction/literary text there are different ways a narrator may influence or impact the story (slides 2 & 3).
  3. The students will watch a short movie clip and the students will discuss with partners if they think a narrator or character told that portion of the movie clip and what effect that point of view has on the viewer (slide 3).
  4. Explain to students First Person Point of View (slides 5 & 6).
  5. Pronoun Race First-Person POV (slide 7): Multiple Options: (1) As a whole group or small group have the students volunteer to drag the first-person point of view pronouns into the green box. (2) Have students work in pairs and write down the first-person pronouns on a whiteboard or paper and share as a class. (3) Share the slides with all students and have them individually drag the words to the green box. 
  6. First-Person POV passage activity (slide 8): Multiple Options: (1) As a whole group or small group have the students volunteer to drag the red arrows to parts of the passage that are either the first person pronoun, or character's thoughts, or the character's emotion. (2) Have students work in pairs and write down their answers on a whiteboard or paper and share as a class. (3) Share the slides with all students and have them individually drag the arrows to the correct areas.  
  7. First-Person POV through poetry/song (slide 9):  Multiple Options: (1) As a whole group or small group have the students volunteer to highlight first-person point of view pronouns, thoughts, and emotions. (2) Have students work in pairs and write down the first-person point of view pronouns, thoughts, and emotions on a whiteboard or paper and share as a class. (3) Share the slides with all students and have them individually highlight the first person point of view pronouns, thoughts, and emotions. 
  8. Explain to students Third Person Point of View (slides 10-12, 14, 16, 18).
  9. Pronoun Race Third-Person POV (slide 13): Multiple Options: (1) As a whole group or small group have the students volunteer to drag the third-person point of view pronouns into the green box. (2) Have students work in pairs and write down the third-person pronouns on a whiteboard or paper and share as a class. (3) Share the slides with all students and have them individually drag the words to the green box. 
  10. Third Person POV passage activity (slides 15, 17, 19): Multiple Options: (1) As a whole group or small group have the students volunteer to drag the red arrows to parts of the passage that are either the third person pronoun, character's thoughts, character's name, or the character's emotion. (2) Have students work in pairs and write down their answers on a whiteboard or paper and share as a class. (3) Share the slides with all students and have them individually drag the arrows to the correct areas.  
  11. Third Person POV through poetry/song (slide 20): Multiple Options: (1) As a whole group or small group have the students volunteer to highlight third-person point of view pronouns, thoughts, and emotions. (2) Have students work in pairs and write down the third person point of view pronouns, thoughts, and emotions on a whiteboard or paper and share as a class. (3) Share the slides with all students and have them individually highlight the third person point of view pronouns, thoughts, and emotions. 

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will observe each student's participation in the lesson individually or with partners. The teacher should take anecdotal notes as the lesson moves through each section. 

Variation Tips

If the internet is down, the teacher can print out the slides.

Background / Preparation

  • The teacher will need a clipboard with paper to take anecdotal notes.
  • The teacher will want to practice answering the questions to each activity in the Google Slides before the lesson.
  • If the teacher wants the students to work in partners they will need to have whiteboards and markers or paper and pencil available.
  • If the teacher wants the students to individually complete the activities, they need to make sure the Google Slides are uploaded properly for each student.
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