What motivates a character to act the way they do?

Why did my character do

that?

In this lesson, you will learn how to determine character

motivation by asking “Did my character do this because he or she feels a certain way?”

Let’s ReviewLet’s Review

Readers pay attention to characters’ actions, thoughts, and words

Because she stopped to talk to him, she’s friendly.

Let’s ReviewLet’s ReviewReaders track patterns in character behavior

to see if there are similarities

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Free stomped into the lunchroom, fists clenched, not looking where he was going-again. He bumped into Jordan, this tiny third-grader.

What did the character do the

last time this happened?

Let’s ReviewLet’s Review

Dyamonde didn’t like that Free was being mean to kids who couldn’t stand up for themselves and she decided to do something about it.

Let’s ReviewA Common Mistake

Forgetting to think about why a character might have done something

He just did that because. I don’t know why.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Pause after an important event or a strong reaction.

Let’s ReviewCore LessonPage 43

“Who are you so mad at?”

“Who said I was mad?”

“Oh, puleeze! All you do is stomp around and glare at people, even teachers, and I have not seen one person do anything bad to you since you got here. Not one. So who are you mad at?”

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Page 43

“Who are you so mad at?”

“Who said I was mad?”

“Oh, puleeze! All you do is stomp around and glare at people, even teachers, and I have not seen one person do anything bad to you since you got here. Not one. So who are you mad at?”

Did my character do this because he or

she feels a certain way?

Let’s ReviewCore LessonDyamonde confronted Free because she was tired of seeing him be mean to other kids.

Maybe Dyamonde is feeling like she wants to be a friend to Free, she gives him advice

Let’s ReviewCore LessonPage 53

“Hey” said Dyamonde, sliding in across from him.

“Hay is for horses,” said Free. Dyamonde smiled.

“You sure you want to sit here? You see how everybody’s looking at you like you’re crazy.”

Immediately, Dyamonde stood up and faced everyone who was staring in her direction.

Did my character do this because he

or she feels a certain way?

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Dyamonde sat next to free because she realized they had something in common.

She stood up to everyone because she doesn’t care what the other kids think.

Let’s ReviewCore Lesson

Pause after an important event or a strong reaction. 1

2 Ask: “Did my character do this because he or she feels a certain way?”

3 Jot down your ideas on a sticky note.

In this lesson, you have learned how to determine character motivations by

asking “Did my character do this because he or she feels a

certain way?”

Let’s ReviewGuided PracticeRead a section of your book.

1. Pause after an important event or strong reaction.

2. Ask yourself: “Did my character do this because he or she felt a certain way?”

3. Jot your ideas on a sticky note.

Let’s ReviewExtension Activities

Look through your sticky notes to see if you can find other important events or strong reactions. After asking “Did my

character do this because he or she felt a certain way?” then think about what

the character could have done differently.

Let’s ReviewQuick Quiz

Page 53

The next day at lunch, Free did his usual thing. He carried his tray to the empty table farthest from the entrance and sat alone. He wasn’t alone for long, though.

“Hey,” said Dyamonde, sliding across from him. “Hay is for horses,” said Free. Dyamonde smiled.

Read this excerpt from Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel. Ask: “Did Dyamonde do this because she felt a certain way?”

Jot your ideas down on a sticky note.