SESSION 3  |  Grades K-12  |  Handout

Understand how text structure impacts comprehension

Build anchor charts

Grades 6-12
Anchor Chart Pieces

Recognize story structure

Compare literary genres.

Go beyond the physical characteristics that define short stories v. poems v. dramas. Reveal the more subtle differences in content, ingredients, parts, advantages, and limitations of each.

Short Story v. Poem v. Drama

Review story elements.

Motivation | Want

Solution

Place story elements within the plot map.

Grades 4-12 | Jamboard
PDF | Portrait | Landscape

PDF | Jamboard

Show how stories work.

The type of information revealed about story elements throughout the plot map

Identify the 6 ways to organize informational text

Connect text structure to author purpose.

Advance beyond P.I.E. into more specific author purposes

Connect ideas within paragraphs.

Expect stuctures to vary among sections in longer texts.

Guide students through “The Black Death” passage.
(Annotated “answers” available.)

See the What & Why structure of persuasive texts

YOUNGER READERS: Explain how an author organized a persuasive text.

Explain in words and sentences what the author thinks
and the reasons he thinks it.

OLDER READERS: Explain or trace an author’s argument using the table analogy.

PDF | Jamboard

Utilize opinion-based and biased texts on informational topics.

Animal
Testing

Several websites offer excellent informative text that reveals hot topics, current trends, and kid-friendly issues.