3rd–5th Grade
Objective
CCSS Reading/Literature: RL.3.6
• Distinguish their own point of view from that of the
character or those of the characters.
Materials Needed
• Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
• Points-Of-View Compare/Contrast Chart
• Diary of a _____________ page
Introduction
Read aloud (or allow students to silently read)
Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin.
Procedure
1. Point out to students that the author chose to tell the story from the point of view of the worm. Tell them that
this was the writer’s humorous way to tell a story and also incorporate actual facts about the characteristics,
behaviors and experiences of a worm. Explain that this technique allows us to imagine what it would be like
to see, feel and experience events from someone (or something) else’s perspective—or point of view.
2. Tell students that you would like them to compare and contrast themselves and their own points of view to
the worm’s point of view in the story.
3. Give each student a copy of the Points-of-View Compare/Contrast Chart.
4. Read the directions aloud. Then complete the worm’s portion of the chart together as a class, inviting
students to refer back to the story to support their answers.
5. Encourage students to complete the chart by filling in their responses, representing themselves and their own
point of view.
Independent Practice
1. Explain to students that you would like them to extend their skill at identifying someone else’s point of view by
writing their own imaginary diary from the point of view of an inanimate (nonliving) object.
2. Provide students with the Diary of a ____________ page. Encourage them to choose an object and take on
the task of writing the diary entries from the point of view of that object. Explain that, in their responses, they
should make believe that these objects can think, see, hear, feel, taste and smell, just as though they were
living things.
3. Encourage students to be creative in their thinking and have fun with the assignment!
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Name: ___________________________
Directions: Complete the chart below to compare and contrast the worm’s point of view in Diary
of a Worm to your point of view. First, fill in the chart with responses that the worm might have.
Check your answers using the book. Then, fill in the chart with your responses.
Worm
Me
One thing my mother wants me to
remember:
Something I’ve tried to teach
someone else to do:
Something I cannot do:
Where I spend the day when it
rains:
What I do when I forget my lunch:
One good thing about being me:
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Name: ___________________________
Directions: Pretend you are an inanimate (nonliving) object (e.g., a pencil, a doughnut, a toothbrush, a hammer, etc.) with real feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Fill in the blank of the title
above with the name of the object. Then complete these thoughts in the diary below as though
you were writing from the point of view of that object.
The best time for me is when…
I get lonely when…
I am most afraid of…
I can’t wait until the day I get to…
Three things I don’t like about being me are…
1.
2.
3.
Three great things about being me are…
1.
2.
3.
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