(1) Nonfiction Lesson 4 Look Out For Turtles!
(2) Nonfiction Lesson 4
The way a writer organizes the pieces of
The second structure he uses is “compare and
information in his or her text is called “structure.”
contrast”. When you compare two things you
When writers structure their texts they choose a
look at them individually and then see how they
format that they feel will help their readers
are alike and how they are different.
understand the information they are presenting.
When writers use the comparison structure they
There are many different structures that
organize their information in a way that allows
nonfictions can use. The first structure that
readers to see similarities and differences .
Melvin Berger uses in Look Out For Turtles! is
Readers can ask themselves certain questions as
called
“description” This structure uses
sensory details and descriptive language, written
with main ideas and supporting details
they read in order to figure out which text
structure the writer is using. By doing this,
readers can read with better understanding and
predict what may come next.
.
(3) Nonfiction Lesson 4
(4) Nonfiction Lesson 4
Display Appendix 1 “Help Me Organize It!”
showing only the Description and Comparison
structures, and go over the questions with
students.
He also used the compare and contrast
structure, which allows us to see how various
turtles are similar and different. As we
read, let’s think about the questions on the
We’re going to see how descriptive writing
chart.
helps paint a picture in our minds and
visualize the information Melvin Berger
presents. He organized his text by
presenting the readers with important facts
about turtles and details that support the
Read aloud pp. 3 and 4 of Look Out for Turtles!
It seems like the author is comparing two
types of “animals” on these first two pages.
Which two “animals” is he comparing?
facts.
Allow responses
(5) Nonfiction Lesson 4
(6) Nonfiction Lesson 4
He is comparing turtles to humans to show us how
As I read this page, I want you to close your
eyes and see if you can picture Melvin’s words
based on the descriptions and details that he
includes. Focus on his verbs and the setting he
describes.
slow turtles are on land, but also how fast they
are in water. Using humans as a comparison
really gives me a greater understanding of the
information Melvin is teaching us.
Continue reading, pointing out details as well as
comparisons throughout the text. Some places to
stop might be:
p.8 “You can’t slip even…”
p.11, list of habitats
Stop before reading p. 16
Read p.16 and then ask students to share their
“visions” Ask them to share which words helped
them to see the information in their minds.
Continue reading, stopping on the following
pages.
pp. 23-25, compare sizes
last page, voice and call to action