Study Sync Skills: Character/Perseus HONORS

​Skills Lesson: Character 👤
Heroes Every Child Should Know: Perseus

I CAN Statement:
I can analyze a character’s thoughts 💭, actions 🏃, and responses 🔁 to explain how they move the plot 📖 toward a resolution.

SC.ELA.6.AOR.1.1

​👤 Character
A character 👤 is an individual in a story whose thoughts 💭, feelings ❤️, actions 🏃, and reactions 🔁 drive the plot 📖.

Key Ideas (concise, grade-level):

• Characters respond to events 📖

• Their choices can cause change 🔁

• Those changes help move the story toward a resolution ✅

Key Terms (with icons):

• 👤 character

• ⭐ protagonist

• 🚫 antagonist

• 🧠 trait

Step 1: Define

Match

Step 2: Vocabulary Drag and Drop

Match the following

• The character who the story mainly follows and who must solve the central problem

• A character whose goals create conflict for the main character

• A quality that helps explain how a character thinks or behaves

• A person in a story whose thoughts and actions affect what happens

• The series of events that make up the story

⭐ protagonist

🚫 antagonist

🧠 trait

👤 character

📖 plot

• ⭐ protagonist

• 🚫 antagonist

• 🧠 trait

• 👤 character

• 📖 plot

Use this checklist to analyze character 👤 as the plot 📖 develops:

• ⭐ Who is the protagonist in this part of the story?

• 🏃 What actions does the character take in response to events?

• 💭 How do the character’s thoughts or feelings affect decisions?

• 🔁 How does the character respond or change as the conflict moves toward a resolution?

​

Step 3: Model
Character Skills Checklist

​“You shall not bid farewell to your mother… Leap, and trust in the armour of the Immortals.”
Then Perseus looked down the cliff and shuddered; but he was ashamed to show his dread. Then he thought of Medusa and the renown before him, and he leapt into the empty air.

​Excerpt 1

Perseus’s thoughts 💭 show fear, but his action 🏃 shows resolve.

He chooses to leap despite his dread, which reveals a trait 🧠 of courage.

This decision moves the plot 📖 toward the main conflict with Medusa.

​​Little Jonny's Analysis

​Step 3: Model (Part 1)

Perseus… watched till they passed the eye from hand to hand… he held out his own hand gently… Then he sprang back, and laughed.

​​Excerpt 2

​Perseus’s actions 🏃 show that he has changed.

Instead of hesitating, he strategizes 🧠 and takes control of the situation.

This response helps him get critical information and drives the plot 📖 forward.

​​Little Jonny's Analysis

​Step 3: Model (Part 2)

​Read the lines carefully

• Focus on actions 🏃 and responses 🔁

• Ask: What does this reveal about the character?

• Choose the answer that best explains how the plot 📖 moves forward

​Step 4: Your Turn: How to Answer

Multiple Choice

Reread the sentence below:

“Then Perseus looked down the cliff and shuddered; but he was ashamed to show his dread. Then he thought of Medusa and the renown before him, and he leapt into the empty air.”

Based on Perseus’s 🏃 actions, the reader can conclude that his 👤 character—

• regrets agreeing to the quest

• acts without thinking about danger

• is controlled entirely by Athene’s orders

• chooses to act despite fear in order to continue the quest

Multiple Choice

Reread the sentence below:

“Into the air they sprang yelling… and Perseus’s blood ran cold as he saw them come howling on his track.”

When Perseus’s blood “runs cold,” it shows that his 👤 character—

• has complete confidence in Athene’s plan

• has no fear of death

• briefly doubts Athene’s plan

• feels no concern about Medusa’s sisters

Poll

Poll Question/Exit Ticket: NOT GRADED!

What matters more in Perseus’s success?

• The help he receives from others

• His fear of the unknown

• How he responds to challenges

• His desire for fame