Here’s what I have gathered about text structures from my research and
sharing from other collaborating teachers in my district. I teach 2nd grade.
I only have a hard copy of the graphic organizers so I will describe what
the graphic organizer looks like. I used the chapter 4 from *Exploring the
Literature of Fact* by Barbara Moss as a resource. I began this unit by
reviewing features of nonfiction. Each child used old copies of Scholastic
News and Reading A-Z books to make a Features of Nonfiction Text booklet. It
included Table of Contents, Title/Heading, Photographs/Captions, Types of
Print, Diagrams/Labels, Maps, Charts/Graphs, Index, Glossary
Introduction to Nonfiction Text Structures
2 weeks +
For each structure we used several examples of books. Then we first created
class definition, after reading more examples we created a symbol for coding
text (class voted). Next, we created a body movement (again we voted). We
created a reference chart with structure, definition, key words and symbol.
Students began to read and code books after we’d introduced Description,
Sequence and Comparison. We then took a week for Problem and Solution and
Cause and Effect, continuing to have kids read lots and lots of nonfiction
text and coding the different structures found in each book.
1st lesson Defining Nonfiction Text Structures
Example of different kinds of houses, vehicles
*Description
Anchor book(s) *Growing Pumpkins* (big book) almost any nonfiction book
Graphic organizer: center oval with extended lines
*Sequence
Anchor book(s) Biographies (written in sequence format)
*From Peanuts to Peanut Butter*(big book)**
*The Vegetable Garden*(big book)
*From Seed to Plant Rookie Read About Science* by Allan Fowler
*From Bean to Bean Plant*
Graphic organizer: 3 rectangular boxes with arrows between**
*Comparison
Key Words: Different from same as, like/unlike, then/now
Anchor Books: *How Spiders Live* ( big book)
*About 100 years ago*
Graphic organizer: Venn Diagram**
*Problem/Solution
Anchor Books: *Where Does All the Garbage Go?* By Melva Berger
(Big Book) ) I also used articles from Ranger Rick magazines,
Graphic organizer: 2 boxes with arrow between**
*Cause/Effect
Anchor Books: *Seeds Get Around* (big book)
*Hurricanes *by Catherine Chambers
*What on Earth? Tornadoes* by David & Helen Orme
Graphic organizer: 1 rectangular box on 1st line with arrows to 3 boxes
below
This week I had each child make their own text structures reference chart.
Tomorrow I will have the students read and code prior students’ nonfiction
reports. Then students will complete a planning sheet listing 2 topics they
are experts at and 2 topics they want to learn more about. I will confer
with each child and pick a topic to research. We will use a polycam to share
with another 2nd grade class in our district as we move along in our
process. Then with my librarian’s help we will gather resources for students
to read and take notes on. All the while I will be helping students decide
on what text structure/graphic organizer best suits their needs as a writer.
Each child will write, revise and edit their “book” and finally publish it
and share it with other 2nd grade classes. mary**
_______________________________________________
Mosaic mailing list
Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org
To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to
http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org.
Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
