Favourite Character Facts

Overview

In this 60-minute lesson, Year 5 students will explore research, presentation, and quiz-creation skills through an engaging project focused on a favourite fictional character. This lesson deeply integrates English curriculum objectives alongside practical ICT skills, enabling pupils to practise speaking, listening, reading, writing, and IT competencies aligned with the National Curriculum for England (2014).

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National Curriculum Links

English (Reading & Writing):

• Reading Comprehension: Pupils should be able to retrieve and record information from non-fiction and fiction texts.
• Writing: Plan, draft, edit and organise writing to communicate clearly.
• Speaking and Listening: Give structured descriptions, explanations and narratives for different purposes.
• Vocabulary Development: Expanding word knowledge through reading and research.

Computing:

• Use technology purposefully to create, organise, store, manipulate and retrieve digital content.
• Understand the importance of formatting, layout and audience when creating presentations.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

1. Identify and record five interesting facts about a chosen fictional character, demonstrating comprehension and research skills (English – Reading).
2. Use appropriate software to create a clear, visually engaging presentation with text and images to share these facts (Computing – Creating digital content).
3. Develop a five-question quiz based on their research to ask classmates, demonstrating understanding of the character and testing listening skills (English – Speaking and Listening).
4. Practise clear speaking and respectful listening during quiz activities, enhancing oral communication skills.

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Resources Required

• Computers or tablets with presentation software (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or equivalent)
• Access to age-appropriate books or trusted character websites (pre-selected by teacher)
• Student writing books or A4 paper for quiz question planning
• Projector/interactive whiteboard
• Timer or stopwatch for quiz timing

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Timing & Activities

1. Introduction & Objective Sharing (5 minutes)

• Begin with a lively discussion: “Who is your favourite character from a book or story?”
• Outline the lesson’s activity: research five interesting facts, create a presentation, and then design a quiz.
• Explain how this develops reading, writing, speaking and IT skills, making links explicit.

Curriculum Reference:

• English Years 3–6: develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read.
• Computing: select, use and combine a variety of software on a range of digital devices.

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2. Research and Note-Taking (15 minutes)

• Pupils select a favourite fictional character from a list or bring their own choice (teacher-approved) to ensure appropriate content.
• Using pre-chosen books or digital resources, pupils find and record five interesting facts (e.g. character traits, history, notable events).
• Teacher models how to take concise notes using keywords/short phrases, encouraging skimming and scanning strategies.
• Support pupils in differentiating between facts and opinions or less relevant information.

Curriculum Reference:

• English: retrieve and record information from fiction and non-fiction texts.
• Develop comprehension skills and note-making strategies suitable to Year 5.

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3. Creating a Digital Presentation (20 minutes)

• Pupils open the presentation software and create a simple slide deck, with one slide per fact plus a title slide:
  • Title slide (Character name and image)
  • Five fact slides (text supported by images/clip-art or drawings)
• Teach key IT skills for formatting text, inserting images, and using bullet points for clarity.
• Encourage consistency in layout and font usage for audience readability.
• Challenge: Add slide transitions or animations where appropriate (optional extension).
• Teacher circulates to support and scaffold as needed, ensuring digital inclusivity.

Curriculum Reference:

• Computing: create and edit digital content; organise and present information effectively.
• English Writing: organise ideas clearly to suit purpose and audience.

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4. Presenting & Peer Quiz Development (15 minutes)

• Pupils present their slide decks in small groups or pairs, practising clear speech and eye contact.
• After each presentation, pupils create five quiz questions (multiple choice, true/false or short answer) about the facts shared.
• Teacher prompts to ensure questions challenge understanding rather than being too easy.
• Use writing books or paper to record quiz questions.

Curriculum Reference:

• English Speaking and Listening: articulate and justify answers, ask relevant questions.
• Develop skills of questioning and testing understanding within peer groups.

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5. Class Quiz Time & Reflection (5 minutes)

• A selection of pupils lead short quiz segments with their groups or the class.
• Encourage positive peer feedback and respectful listening during quizzes.
• As a plenary, discuss what skills were learned and how using IT helped in storytelling and sharing information.

Curriculum Reference:

• English: participate actively in discussions, taking and building on ideas.
• Computing: awareness of audience and communication through digital media.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative: Observation during research and note-taking; teacher notes on comprehension and ability to find factual details.
• Presentation: Assess clarity, organisation, and use of IT skills in slide creation.
• Quiz Questions: Evaluate relevance, accuracy, and complexity of quiz questions designed.
• Oral Skills: Informal assessment of speaking and listening during presentations and quizzes.

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide sentence starters and fact-finding sheets for pupils requiring additional scaffolding.
• Extension: Challenge higher-ability pupils to hyperlink within presentations or include a short, creative written description alongside facts.
• Accessibility: Allow voice-to-text options or paired work for pupils with writing difficulties.

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Teacher Tips

• Prepare a safe list of online resources or printed texts for pupils to avoid exposure to unsuitable material.
• Incorporate a fun "character phrase of the day" or rapid-fire fact round to energise the class.
• Encourage use of varied vocabulary when describing characters (linked to English curriculum’s focus on vocabulary development).

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This engaging, cross-curricular session combines English language skills with practical computing experience, providing a creative platform for Year 5 pupils to develop literacy and digital confidence in line with the National Curriculum for England.