Activity Description
Title: Non-Fiction - - Explicit Detail to Support Inferences
This ACTIVITY has a set of teaching-learning strategies proven to increase student mastery of these two critical Reading-Information standards: (a) identify explicit details and use them to support inferences; and (b) determine the main topic of a text, how it is supported by key details; and summarize the text. Both are always included on high-stakes tests! Using a simple Template, students identify the elements of informational text (topic; main ideas; supporting details; challenging vocabulary; and the author’s unique point of view). Students learn that the objective summary cannot include their editorial opinions - - only the details provided. [At Grades K-5, each Activity attaches student-sized texts, templates, and test items that teachers can quickly print.]
Enabling Skills: (1)identify the elements of a non-fiction text: topic, main idea; and details that support and develop the main idea; and (2) determine the author’s unique point of view - - special interest vs objective.
Direct Instruction: Suggested teaching strategies are given that model for students what they need to do to begin their journey toward mastery. These strategies include using a Template to record text details; and practicing with sample texts to make viable inferences supported by text details. Several texts are provided for students to “Arrow In” - - making inferences in the margin and connecting them with the supporting text detail(s). Students practice writing objective summaries - - free from reader opinions or editorial remarks. Students use actual texts to construct meaning for themselves.
Quick-Writes: Standards-based writing prompts are provided that require students to document that they have internalized the core ideas of the standard(s) and can show independent mastery. These include text summaries; and explaining the relationship between text details.
High-Stakes Look-Alike Assessments: At Grades 3-8, the Activities include two tests - - one for practice - - followed by classroom analysis of errors made - - and the second test to determine mastery. The test items are constructed to look exactly like those items students will encounter on their High-Stakes Tests.
CUSTOMER: Thanks for considering this Activity as part of your approach to your state’s ELA standards. If you have any comments as to how it worked - - or didn’t! - - we’d welcome them! See the contact information to send us feedback. - - the EdFOCUS Team
This teaching activity comes with one hour of online instruction and guidance from a trained EdFOCUS professional. You will be contacted shortly after purchase with more details.