Activity Description
Title: Non-Fiction - - Compare-Contrast Texts of the Same Topic
This ACTIVITY has a set of teaching-learning strategies proven to increase student mastery of the critical Reading Informational standard - - Compare and Contrast different texts on the same topic. It wraps together prior Grade 3 standards involving the topic; main idea; supporting details and evidence; relationships among ideas; challenging language; point of view; and illustrations. Students display the comparison of two texts in graphics that are lead-ups to the Venn Diagram. The details of these comparisons are also the basis for Quick-Writes. [At Grades K-5, each Activity attaches student-sized texts, templates, and test items that teachers can quickly print and use immediately in class.]
Enabling Skills: (1) complete a Non-fiction Template with informational elements; (2) retell a Non-Fiction text; (3) determine how common objects, people, and ideas are alike and different.
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 keeping the points of comparisons parallel - - not just random brainstorms. Samples are provided for students to compare dogs and cats as pets; two accounts of historic events; and two texts describing Social Studies and Science topics. In completing these comparisons, students demonstrate they can 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. In addition to describing how two texts are alike and different, these prompts include comparing Primary and Secondary sources.
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. In the RL 3.9 tests, the “matrix” is introduced to students. This test item format poses the two titles across the top, plus a column that says BOTH, and it lists mixed details from the texts down the left side. Students are asked to check (P ) which detail is found in which story - - or in both stories.
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.