- Definition
Point of view is who is telling the story and how much they know, like if it's "I" telling it (first person) or if someone outside the story knows everything (omniscient).
In a story that says 'I walked to school,' the narrator is telling it from their own point of view.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Point of view is like choosing which camera angle to use in a movie.
Ask your child: Is this story being told by someone in the story or someone watching from outside?
Common mix-up: Kids may think point of view is the same as opinion. It’s actually about who is telling the story.
Examples
- A child telling what happened at the playground from their own point of view.
- A story told by someone watching the busy mall from the outside.
point of view is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 1 The Arts
- Grade 6 The Arts
- Grade 7 The Arts
- Grade 8 The Arts
- Grade 1 Language Arts
- Grade 2 Language Arts
+12 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
