Informational Text ReAding Unit:
In this unit, students will delve into the world of informational reading. They explore a variety of informational text structures that will challenge their ability to analyze, cite evidence and draw inferences from text. The goals for this unit include being able to identify two or more main ideas, understanding specialized vocabulary in context and the capability to provide an objective summary of the text. Students must understand the ways that good readers tackle informational text in order to get a strong understanding of the information given. (Adapted from the 7th Grade MAISA ELA Units)
UNIT Learning Targets:
Lesson 1:
- I can explain the characteristics of informational texts.
- I can compare and contrast informational texts with narrative texts.
Lesson 2:
- I can identify examples of text features in informational texts.
- I can explain how text features help me better understand the texts I read.
Lesson 3:
- I can use the internet to find "just right" informational texts about about unfamiliar topics.
Lesson 4:
- I can use my background knowledge to make meaning of new information and generate further questions to explore.
- I can use the internet to research and locate answers to my questions.
Lesson 5:
- I can make connections between new information I'm reading and information I already know to improve my comprehension.
Lesson 6:
- I can use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Lesson 7:
- I can describe the six different ways authors use text structures to organize informational text and explain why they are useful for me to recognize.
Lesson 8:
- I can use a bubble map graphic organizer to analyze informational text with a description text structure.
Lesson 9:
- I can use a flow-map graphic organizer to analyze informational text with a sequence text structure.
Lesson 10:
- I can use a double bubble map graphic organizer to analyze informational text with a compare and contrast text structure.
Lesson 11:
- I can use a multi flow map graphic organizer to analyze informational text with a cause and effect text structure.
Lesson 12:
- I can use a tree map graphic organizer to analyze informational text with a problem and solution text structure.
Lesson 13:
- I can use a tree map graphic organizer to analyze informational text with an argument text structure.
Lesson 14:
- I can distinguish the text structure the author used in the informational texts I read.
Lesson 15:
- I can identify the author's purpose in texts I read and justify my thinking with textual evidence.
Lesson 16:
- I can analyze an informational text in order to identify the main idea.
Lesson 17:
- I can evaluate details and assess which details are relevant in supporting the main idea of a text.
Lesson 18:
- I can write a summary that includes the main idea and details of an informational text.
Handouts & Assignments:
Lesson 1:
Lesson 2 :
Lesson 3:
Lesson 4:
Lesson 5:
Lesson 6:
Lesson 7:
Lesson 8:
Lesson 9:
Lesson 10:
Lesson 11:
Lesson 12:
Lesson 13:
Lesson 14:
Lesson 15:
Author's Purpose Presentation
Author's Purpose Presentation
Lesson 16:
Lesson 17:
Lesson 18: