Common Core Book Study
Kindergarten Team
Unit #5
Unit #5: The Great big World
How the setting of fictional and informational texts differ
I am going to keep this last post pretty simple. For unit 6, you will get a chance to visit someone else (-; The link at the bottom of this post for unit 6 is activated and should be available in the morning.
Unit 5 Focus Standards:
RL.K.3
RL.K.9
RI.K.9
W.K.6
W.K.8
L.K.2
L.K.2(d)
I will focus on one objective from the book, one sample activity and a few suggested resources.
Objective: Describe the connection between the settings of fictional works and informational books about the same place.
This will give students exposure to sentence structure, adjectives that create a picture, and how many fictional settings can be based on real settings.
Most students these days are so exposed to the media that trying to build some background information that allows students to connect this topic more closely with their lives, will require some discussion/examples that include media. This suggestion is not in the book. From my own experiences with kids, getting them to be aware of literary elements requires some comparison with things that they are used to.
Introduce the topic and objective to your students & then organize and prepare to create a collaborative anchor chart with the students. I believe that this topic is often very confusing for some students in the beginning, especially your ELL or special education students. Building some background knowledge and preparing your students to really learn something about literary texts requires some planning and creativity.
Here is my idea for a fun introduction to this topic (this is not in the book, but I am not really one to follow the crowd). I just came up with this in my head, so there are probably holes..hahaha - you are getting to witness my 3AM creativity in the works (-; Although, I have included a focus on our world, which the book does suggest.
Maybe I will put this in my idea book and create a lesson in the next few weeks (-;
Suggestions
Use the movie, Madagascar, to show how a fictional story can take place in a real setting. There is even a French version of Madagascar!! I had no idea..LOL
Show students where Madagascar is on a map. Based on the setting portrayed in the movie, ask your students what they think Madagascar will look like.
This should be fun because kids LOVE this movie and if the kids are taking too long, you can chant - I LIKE TO MOVE IT, MOVE IT...hahaha
Now, you can even integrate technology by visiting this AMAZING site and allowing kids to learn a little bit about what Madagascar REALLY looks like... You can discuss the differences and similarities of the movie setting compared to the REAL setting.
Some things to create: A KWL chart, A Venn Diagram to compare the movie setting and the actual place, and an anchor chart. The anchor chart can remind students about fictional vs informational texts, and the elements of the setting in both genres.
This site offers a virtual experience for kids to explore current information about Madagascar, watch videos, see expeditions, and learn about life there. It also has a great section for teachers and offers FREE lesson plans and resources to help you...Just click the image.
Now, we need to introduce literary texts as samples of fictional works and informational texts of the same place....Here we go...
Here are some books to choose from. It might even be a great idea to create themed lunch sacks that include a sample of a fictional work and an informational text, as well as some extra things for the kids to explore that go with the book. Maybe you could have a special item that is mentioned in both texts (could be an image of the item). Have students examine the item/image before reading/listening to the books. Once they have listened or read the books, explain and talk about the item from the bag that was significant to the setting in both texts.
Allowing your students to engage, hands-on, as much as possible will give your students a much deeper understanding of the topic.
Product Details
Reading level: Ages 4 and up
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: Eaglemont Press (June 25, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0974841129
ISBN-13: 978-0974841120
Product Details
Reading level: Ages 8 and up
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Price Stern Sloan (April 26, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0843169036
ISBN-13: 978-0843169034
Product Details
Reading level: Ages 7 and up
Library Binding: 48 pages
Publisher: Lerner Pub Group (L) (February 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 082259434X
ISBN-13: 978-0822594345
Product Details
Reading level: Ages 8 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Millbrook Press (March 5, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0761326650
ISBN-13: 978-0761326656
Product Details
Reading level: Ages 5 and up
Paperback: 24 pages
Publisher: Heinemann-Raintree (September 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432941224
ISBN-13: 978-1432941222
Here are some Links and learning extensions that I think are incredible!! (Click the images below to download the PDF)
I found these PDF's from the site (image) above. The site is completely dedicated to providing FREE resources for teachers on the topic of Madagascar...COOL!! There are many printable available in low and high resolution & their copyright policy allows printing, sharing and distributing for educational purposes...EVEN BETTER!!
Here is where I found the link. The main website has many topics and resources that are of great value and quality!! You will definitely want to check out these sites.Other links for teaching materials
ReadWorks.org is a great resource for finding teaching materials and lessons plane for reading comprehension for elementary & upper grade levels.
All of the resources and lesson plans that I found were FREE!! You can't beat that now can you?? hahaha
Well, that pretty much closes up unit 5. I know that I did not use examples from the book, but I can't give you information that would make me fall asleep..hahaha...I would much rather give you some great ideas, activities and resources to create one great lesson that will inspire your own creativity!!
Be sure to check out Unit #6 that is now available!
I am not done quite yet... Here is another gift from me to you!! This is from a set I will have available by tomorrow afternoon and I hope you like it!!
(Please read my TOU on the right sidebar for information about how you many use my graphics)
Thank you for stopping by. If you found anything here helpful, please feel free to pin away!!
Kindergarten Unit Links
Grade Level Links
Please make sure to visit Jennifer Ayers who coordinated this book study
This looks great! :)
ReplyDeleteSugar and Spice