Minds On

Who is telling the story?

Let’s explore this video.

In the video, was Micah sharing about himself? How do we know? What words did he use that tell us the story was about him?

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Micah loves beekeeping. Take a moment to think about what you love to do.

If possible, share your ideas with a partner, then we will take turns sharing what our partner loves to do.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Action

Point of view

In a book, movie, or song, the point of view is another way of describing who is telling the story.

Character’s point of view

When a character tells a story, it is from their point of view.

The words the character uses to explain something about themself are:

I, me, my, mine, we, us, ours

Notice which words are used in these sentences:

  • I rode my bike to school.
  • It took me an hour to finish my homework.
  • We had popcorn with our movie.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

You are the character in a movie that is telling the story.

Think of your favourite snack. Now, create a sentence about it using the words: I, me, my, mine, we, us, and/or ours.

Include the reason you love this snack. Share with a partner, if possible.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Author or narrator’s point of view

When the author or narrator tells a story, it is from their point of view.

The words they use to explain something about the characters are:

He, him, his. She, her, hers. They, them, their

Notice which words are used in these sentences:

  • He rode his bike to school.
  • She took an hour to finish her homework.
  • They had popcorn with their movie.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Using the sentence you shared with a partner about your favourite snack, change it to be from an author or narrator’s point of view. You will have to change the words you used about yourself.

By changing the words we use to describe something, we can change the point of view that it is coming from.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Demonstration

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Cover image of the story Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

In the story of The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, a toy rabbit is loved so much by the little boy who owns him that he becomes real. Consider this audio clip from the story.

Is the story told from the point of view of a character or the author/narrator? Which words helped you to decide? Share your ideas with a partner, if possible. Did you have the same answer?

The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Check your answer

Memoirs of a Hamster by Devin Scillian

Image of the book cover, Memoirs of a Hamster by Devin Scillian

In the story, Memoirs of a Hamster by Devin Scillian, Seymour feels that he has the perfect life but wonders if he is missing out on things. When he gets out of his cage, he realizes that he really does have the perfect life! Consider this audio clip from the story.

Is the story told from the point of view of a character or the author/narrator? Which words helped you to decide? Share your ideas with a partner, if possible. Did you have the same answer?

Memoirs of a Hamster by Devin Scillian

Check your answer

Consolidation

Determining point of view

Sort these sentences by the point of view, or who is sharing.

Record your thoughts in an audio clip, in your notebook, or on the computer. You may use the following fillable and printable Point of View Graphic Organizer to help you organize your ideas.

Hint: Search for the words that help us understand who is telling the story.

  1. Once upon a time, three little pigs lived in a big house on a hill. They were very happy pigs. They liked to eat and play in the mud. Their favourite game to play was hide-and-seek.
  2. When a chef went to the store yesterday, they forgot to buy onions. They had to return to the store to buy the onions. They also bought some candy.
  3. I am a beekeeper. I love taking care of bees. My family and I eat honey on toast for breakfast every morning. It’s delicious!
  4. A dancer misplaced her ballet shoes and searched for them everywhere. Finally, she found them and went to practice.
  5. Today, I went to school. After school, I had a playdate with a friend. Then, I went home.
  6. A gardener’s favourite season is spring. They get to plant such beautiful flowers.
Point of View Organizer
Sentence # Point of View (Character or Narrative/Author) Words That Told Me
1
2
3
4
5
6

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Point of View Graphic Organizer. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Once you are done filling out the chart you may use the multiple choice below to check if you identified the correct point of view.

Think about your learning

How does knowing the point of view help you to have a better understanding of the story?

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.