Making Meaning of Informational Text Teacher Leader Summit June 2016 · 2016-05-20 · June 2016 • Understanding Informational Text • Processing Informational Text • Reflection

Making Meaning of Informational Text

Teacher Leader SummitJune 2016

• Understanding Informational Text

• Processing Informational Text

• Reflection

2Louisiana Believes.

Agenda

Today we will answer two questions:

• How do Reader’s Circles enhance my

understanding of informational text?

• What is the thinking process needed in order to develop an understanding of informational text?

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Today’s Goals

http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1058676.pdf

For the full text:

“Active readers engage in metacognition, which is an awareness of how they think.”

How do YOU make meaning of text?

• Understanding Informational Text

• Processing Informational Text

• Reflection

6Louisiana Believes.

Agenda

Task 1: Pre-Read

• Preview title, pictures, headings, boldfaced quotes, etc.

• Ask, “What will this be about?”

• Make a prediction.

• Break text into manageable chunks.

Task 2: Read

• Read the text once with a partner.

• Annotate the text by paraphrasing throughout and asking questions.

• Check to see if predictions are correct.

• Share a brief summary with your partner.

Task 3: Check for Understanding

Group Text Question

1“Despite its proximity, Venus is a profound enigma.” (para 3)

Why does the author call Venus profoundly mysterious?

2

“For these reasons, Venus has attracted a tiny fraction of the attention lavished on Mars.” (para 6)

What conditions make Mars easier to explore? How do those conditions compare to Venus?

3

“Was it always this nasty, or did it start out as hospitable before devolving to its present state?” (para 8)

What makes Venus unhospitable? Was Venus always this way? How do you know?

How do YOU make meaning of text?

A Simple Explanation.

14Louisiana Believes.

Task 4: Check for Understanding

• Reread “The Earth-Twin Planet That Nobody Talks

About” with your partner.

• Identify the characteristics of Venus and Earth.

• Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast Venus

and Earth.

• Outside each circle, provide evidence to support each

idea placed on the Venn diagram.

Reread “The Earth-Twin Planet That Nobody Talks About.” Identify the characteristics of Venus and Earth. Using the graphic organizer, compare and contrast Venus and Earth.

How do YOU make meaning of text?

Task 5: Express Understanding

• How does the author

develop and support his

claims?

• Identify three claims the

author makes about

Venus and future

exploration, evidence

from the text to support

his claim, and how the

claims are connected.

Task 6: Express Understanding

Explain whether further exploration of Venus is or is not advisable.

Writing Prompt

Explain whether further exploration of Venus is or is not advisable.

Is this model STRONG or WEAK?

In the article “The Earth-Twin Planet That Nobody Talks About,” Corey S. Powell shows that even though investigation of Venus has taken place, there is still so much we do not know. The author advocates for further exploration of Venus. I agree for several reasons. First, understanding the similarities and differences between Venus and Earth could be helpful in finding other habitable planets in the solar system. Given the similarities, between the two planets, it is possible that Venus may have been formerly hospitable and then devolved into its present state. Another reason why I believe Venus should warrant further…

WHY?

• Understanding Informational Text

• Processing Informational Text

• Reflection

23Louisiana Believes.

Agenda

How is this relevant to your students?

Reflection

1. What specific steps and strategies did we use today to readand understand this article?

2. How did it help your understanding to discuss with a partner and with the whole group?

3. Is informational text more difficult to understand than literary text?

4. Why should you include informational text in your classroom?5. What did the facilitator do to maximize the participation of

everyone? Why is this important?

Exit Ticket

How will this change your instruction?

1. How is this process similar and/or different to what is happening in your classroom?

2. How might you help other teachers use these tools in their classrooms?