Mr. S Teaches
Sign inRequest Tutoring
Menu
Sign inRequest Tutoring

Grade 5 · English language arts · 25 minutes

Compare characters

Read about Ana and Max during the storm. Use details to compare how characters act and respond.

Mr. S Teaches · Starter mini-lesson · elem-5-compare-characters

Learning objective

Explain and practice compare characters using the activity and evidence, then show the reasoning behind an answer.

Gather your materials

  • Paper and pencil or dictation support
  • The short text provided in this lesson
  • Optional drawing supplies

Use the items named in the teaching steps; paper models or adult-prepared photographs can replace physical equipment.

Common Core skill focus

RL.5.3

Compare story characters, settings, or events using specific details.

Read the official standard ↗

Code and grade verified 2026-11-03. This mini-lesson addresses a selected skill, not the entire standard.

Teach it step by step

  1. Read about Ana and Max during the storm.
  2. Identify one action for each character.
  3. Compare a shared purpose and different responses.
  4. Support both parts of the comparison with details.

Watch, notice, discuss

Video choices for this lesson

2 choices

Preview a video, then choose what fits your learners. “Show to class” opens a larger view; use the player’s play and full-screen controls when you’re ready.

Teacher preview needed. Check the language, level and length before showing. YouTube may show ads or related videos.

After watching

Compare how two characters respond to a similar event. Support the comparison with details.

An external player loads only after you choose Preview or Show to class. Playback connects to YouTube. Videos belong to their creators; availability and embedding can change.

Make the thinking visible

Example to work through together

Both characters help others. Ana checks supplies while Max comforts a neighbor, so their actions meet different needs.

Try the starter activity

Read: During a storm, Ana checked supplies while Max comforted a frightened neighbor.

Student practice

Write a comparison using both, while and one specific action from each character.

Quick check for understanding

How are their responses alike and different?

Sample answer and teacher guidance

Sample answer: Both help; Ana handles supplies while Max gives emotional support.

Listen or look for: Accept that both help, with evidence distinguishing practical preparation from emotional support.

Invite the learner to explain, demonstrate, draw or dictate their reasoning. Revisit a teaching step when the explanation is unclear.

Make it work for your learner

A little more support

Use a two-column action chart before writing.

An additional challenge

Explain how their different actions could complement each other.