CHARACTERS, SETTINGS, &

MAIN IDEAS
Taught by Miss Zoë
 With prompting and support, students can identify
OBJECTIVE: key details in a story, including characters, settings,
and major events.
MATERIALS
NEEDED:
• Book – “Pete the Cat and the cool Caterpillar”
by James Dean

• Worksheets – Identifies at least one:

∙ Setting
∙ Character

• Pencils and Crayons

• Scissors and Glue Stick

 Read “Pete the Cat and the Cool Caterpillar” to
Read students.

DISCUSSION: Explain
Take breaks between reading and explain:
• who a character is

(10 MINUTES) • what a setting is

• what a main idea is

Ask students to identify:

Ask • a character
• a setting
• The main idea
ACTIVITY:
(15 MINUTES)
• Complete the first worksheet as
a class:
 Identify characters (Owl) and sound
out letters to write the words.
 Identify setting (Tree) and sound out
the letters to write the words.

•Do your best 

ACTIVITY:
(20 MINUTES)
•Complete the next worksheet
independently:
˙ Color the characters red
˙ Color the settings blue

•Complete the next worksheet

independently:
˙ Cut and paste the characters and
settings in their appropriate columns

•Verbally explain what the main idea was

in Pete the Cat to earn a star 
 Learning target:
SUMMARY:  I can identify characters in a story.
 I can identify settings in a story.
 I can identify the main idea of a story.
CHECK FOR
UNDERSTANDING:
I’ll know you’re a pro when:
 You can verbally tell me the main
idea of Pete the cat
 You can correctly identify characters
in a story
 You can correctly identify settings in
a story
ADDITIONAL
PRACTICE:
During reading time, talk to
your fellow students about your
book. Talk about the characters,
settings, and the main idea.
At home, tell your parents about
a story you read. Explain the
characters, settings, and the
main idea.
Tell your teacher about your
favorite book. Be sure to include
the characters, settings, and the
main idea. 