Magnifying Meaning throughMeaningful Non-Fiction

Experiences

Michael Shane Fletcher MAEd Reading, NBCT-Middle Childhood Generalist

Entry Tasks1. Create a Science Notebook– Select 2-3 sheets of lined and/or blank paper– Fold in half (hamburger style)– Cover with a sheet of similarly folded construction paper– Staple along folded edge

2. Observe objects on table– Record observations– Draw object – Write predictions about what it is*– Share observations and discuss predictions with your group

* If you happen to know what your object is, for the sake of the prediction process, keep it to yourself through initial conversations.

Find One of the ObservedObjects Below

Identify Possibility for Other Object

Now that you know what the objects are….1. Select a partner(s) [Dyads or Triads].2. Choose an object to research in depth.3. Use Magnifying Meaning Wikispace site for research.

magnifyingmeaning.wikispaces.com• Select the “Surf and Turf” page from side menu.• Follow various links to gather information.• Take notes in research notebook on the following things:

– Habitat, Food, and Predators– Select at least two new or really interesting words your classmates

would enjoy learning, and verify definitions.– Find 5 really cool facts to share.

• Create a Mini-Museum Display Using the file folders [Opossum sample provided for viewing]– You may use scrap papers, print pictures at front, markers, etc….

Visiting Museum Specialists

• With your object and mini-museum display, present what you have learned to the museum guests.

[Your classmates]• {For sake of time, just a few

volunteers can share with the whole group.}

Meaningful Experiences Lead to….

• Engagement– Interesting objects build anticipation.

• Motivation– Want to know more

• Reading Non-Fiction Texts– Books– Magazines– Websites

• Technology Use– Multimedia components enhance new literacy skills

Discussion….First in small groups, then in whole

• What other subjects could you use this concept with?

• What resources do you have ready access to in order to create this type of experience?

• How does this concept fit in the overall ideas of moving forward and in improving test scores?

• How does this address Common Core State Standards?

Some CCSS objective addressed…

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.9Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.10By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.9Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.10By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2.aIntroduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2.bDevelop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2.bDevelop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2.dUse precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.4Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.5Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.4Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.5Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, sound) and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

Questions or Concerns?

• michael.fletcher@robeson.k12.nc.us

• You may request to be an editor/contributor to the Making Meaning wiki on that site.– This PowerPoint, along with other related links is

on the wiki site.