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Purposes of Reading Fiction and Nonfiction
How does the purpose of a fiction book differ from the purpose on a non-fiction text? Model for your young readers a scenario in which each kind of book might be useful or fun to read and show examples of each genre. A list of suggested...
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Identifying Information in Nonfiction
Second graders investigate information in non-fiction texts. They review the features of a non-fiction text and read the book Nature's Food Chains: What Polar Animals Eat. Pupils discuss the text features and write down one fact they...
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Genre Lesson: Realistic Fiction
As scholars begin identifying stories as realistic fiction, its important they see many examples to solidify their concepts of this genre. Readers begin with a personal connection, thinking of television shows they like and determining...
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Lessons and Units: The Watsons go to Birmingham—1963 5TH GRADE UNIT
Get ready to read The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 with a lesson about historical fiction. Spanning several centuries, the resource prompts learners to guess the historical era of a story based on a word or phrase...
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Genre Lesson: Biography/Autobiography
Practice distinguishing biography from autobiography through point of view. Tell a brief story of your morning. Have a class member retell the story to you (using second person). And have another retell the story to the class (using...
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Genre Lesson: Poetry
Here is a terrific lesson on poetry! Learners bring in the lyrics to their favorite song. A class discussion ensues regarding what makes a song "catchy." After analyzing the alliteration of the poems, learners read the poem "This...
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Predicting a Mystery's Solution
Practice making informed predictions. Have your class create a paper fortune-teller and ask questions about the future. They compare the fortune-telling process to the more informed kind of predictions they make while reading. They...
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Science Fiction
Third graders explore the science fiction genre. In this genres lesson, 3rd graders identify the characteristics of science fiction. Students fill out a chart that shows the characteristics. Students read a selection from a book and talk...
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Lesson 3: Labeled Diagrams
Examine the book Stargazers by Gail Gibbons. Young readers will practice reading and interpreting information from diagrams in this informational text. They work together as a class on this skill and then move into independent...
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Genre Lesson: Narrative Poetry
Sixth graders complete a worksheet. In this poetry instructional activity, 6th graders learn about the differences between narrative poetry and lyric poetry. Students read poems and determine which form of poetry they are as...
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Mysterious Plot Problems
Students explore the plot of mystery books. In this genre study lesson, students read the book, Sammy Keyes and the Hollywood Mummy and listen to a read aloud of a chapter from the text. Students fill in a graphic organizer that helps...
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Sequence Clue Words
Leaners read the book Let's Make Tacos and draw a line from the sequence clue words to the step-by-step actions in the book. In order to complete this exercise, they use words such as first, next, last, after, and more. Excellent ideas...
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Characteristics of Nonfiction
The second lesson in a series from ReadWorks.org, this lesson continues to explore the difference between fiction and nonfiction texts. The lesson opens with the teacher reviewing a class Venn diagram started in the last lesson....
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Headings
First graders discover how heading help us make predictions. The class discusses how informational text typically has heading that can aid them in determining what a chapter will be about. They read the heading and make predictions for...
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Identifying Clues to Help Solve a Mystery
Students investigate clues in mystery novels. In this genre study lesson, students read the book Sammy Keyes and The Hotel Thief and use the 5 W's to answer questions about the mystery. Students draw conclusions using the details from...
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Nature
Discuss what makes a myth with your class as you read two titles that exemplify the genre. Two myths that explain events in nature are read and charted, focusing on details from the text. The lesson culminates in a practice activity...
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The Rule of Three
What makes a fairy tale a fairy tale? Teach young readers one characteristic that defines the fairy tale genre. They'll learn that events, objects and characters in fairy tales often occur in threes. They read Goldilocks and the Three...
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Lesson 1: Plot Problems
Add another characteristic to your class characteristics of fairy tales chart. First they discuss the concept of problems or conflicts found in most fairy tale plots then they practice identifying conflict as they read. They read...
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Heroes
Learners read the story of Paul Bunyan and identify the characteristics and actions that make him a hero. In this heroes lesson plan, students explain their answer and draw pictures.
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Humorous Solutions
Discover with your class the humorous solution that follows tall tales. Elementary learners will discuss the tall tale Paul Bunyan and give ordinary solutions for the problems in the story. They will read Sally Ann Thunder Ann...
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Lesson 2: Chronological Order
Examining life events is a great way to learn about chronological order. Sequencing and time order are analyzed after reading a book about Rosa Parks. With a chart, the class works together to put the events from Mrs. Parks' life in the...
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Rhythm
One of the most fun characteristics of a poem is rhythm! Little ones will clap along as you read a poem, to determine the rhythm of the piece. The book In the Swim is used throughout the lesson; it contains fish themed poems that kids...
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Lesson 1: Beginning and End
Students study fairy tales. In this fairy tales lesson, students discover beginning and ending phrases characteristic of these types of stories. They listen to their teacher read The Frog Prince, take notice of those familiar phrases,...
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Exaggeration
Learners read the tall tale of Pecos Bill and identify an exaggeration in the story which they state as being part of a tall tale. In this exaggeration lesson plan, students identify the exaggeration by drawing a picture.