Unit Plan 6 (Grade 3 ELA): Using Dialogue to Show Character

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening, Language)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This week teaches writers to use dialogue to reveal character and move events forward. Students learn to punctuate dialogue correctly, vary attribution with simple tags and beats (actions), and revise drafts to strengthen sequence and clarity with temporal words. By Friday, students publish a short scene that includes correctly punctuated dialogue and a clear flow of events.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Write dialogue that shows character through words, actions, and brief thoughts.
2. Use quotation marks and commas correctly in dialogue and capitalize the first word inside quotes.
3. Vary attributions with simple tags (“said,” “asked,” “whispered”) and beats (actions) to avoid “telling.”
4. Use temporal words/phrases to signal event order and keep the scene coherent.
5. Consult a dictionary or classroom reference to check uncertain spellings in dialogue and tags.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 3

• Writing: W.3.3b–c (develop experiences with actions, thoughts, feelings, dialogue; use temporal words to signal order)
• Language: L.3.2c (use commas and quotation marks in dialogue), L.3.2g (consult reference materials to check/correct spellings)

Success Criteria — student language

• I start a new line when a new person speaks.
• I place commas and quotation marks correctly and capitalize the first word inside the quotes.
• I use a tag or a beat so readers know who is speaking and how they feel.
• I use temporal words (first, after a moment, finally) to keep the order clear.
• I check spellings I’m unsure about using a dictionary or chart.