Genre as a Series: Finding Predictability 
in Complex Genres
Presented by Sarah Collinge
Literacy Publications & Consulting Collinge
Read Side by Side Literacy P
readsidebyside.com
Common Core State Standards
Workshop 1:
 What do the Common Core State Standards
require?
Key Requirement: all students must be able to
comprehend texts of steadily increasing complexity as
they progress through school.
Genre
Workshop 2:
 Closing the gap between reader and text.
 Teaching genre to unlock comprehension.
Moving beyond the basic definition of each genre.
Workshop 1:
Key Requirement: all students must be able to
comprehend texts of steadily increasing complexity as
they progress through school.
2006 ACT, Inc. report “Reading Between the Lines”:
51% of college bound students were proficient in
reading according to the 2006 ACT Report.
Why?
ACT Strand: Inferential Thinking
ACT Strands: Strategies & Skills
ACT Strand: Complex Text
Define Complex Text
Reader and Task
Common Core State Standards: Appendix A, p. 4
Quantitative Demands
 Word length
 Word frequency
 Sentence Length
 Text Cohesion
Typically Measured by Computers (Lexile, AR)
Quantitative Grade Bands
Grade Band
Old Lexile Level
New Lexile Level
Difference
K-1
N/A
N/A
N/A
2-3
450-725
450-790
65
4-5
645-845
770-980
135
6-8
860-1010
955-1155
145
9-10
960-1115
1080-1305
290
11-CCR
1070-1220
1215-1355
135
CCR = College Career Readiness
Common Core State Standards: Appendix A, p. 8
Turn and Talk
According to quantitative measurements,
what grade level should be reading Steinbeck’s
The Grapes of Wrath?
680 Lexile Level
Qualitative Demands
 Multiple levels of meaning
 Implicit purpose
 Figurative language / dialect
 Complex structure
 Sophisticated genre
 Background knowledge necessary
Why?
Increasing the complexity of the text increases student
competency with strategy/skill work.
 Increased Rigor
The strategy stays the same, but the rigor increases in
more demanding text. Exp. Predicting & Summarizing
Why?
Strategies & skills are more likely to transfer.
 Strategies are used when we are stuck
 Awareness of the need for strategies increases
progressively in more challenging texts
 When students see strategies as valuable tools for
comprehension, they will be more likely to use
those strategies in other contexts (independently).
Reflection
 I completely agree with…
 It surprised me to hear…
 I am wondering…
Workshop 2:
The Common Core State Standards demand all
students must be able to comprehend texts of steadily
increasing complexity.
How do I close the gap between reader and text?
Close the Gap
Provide Modeling & Support – Gradual Release Model
Reading-Speaking-Listening Link
Comprehension
Build student’s reading comprehension through both
being read to and reading independently. Gradually
shift this balance as students progress in age.
1
6
Common Core State Standards: Appendix A, p. 26
13
Age
Close the Gap
Build Background Knowledge
 Genre
 Subject Matter
 Vocabulary
Genre
Treat genre like a series; make it comfortable!
Did you know?
Readers find comfort in what is predictable.
 Character
 Setting
 Plot
Genre
Teach students what is most important to the genre.
 Realistic Fiction
 Historical Fiction
 Fantasy
 Science Fiction
 Nonfiction
Most Curriculums Teach the Definition Only
Realistic Fiction
Beyond the Definition
Setting: Realistic / Believable
Present Time
Characters: Believable
Change over time
Plot: Real-life problem
Main character changes over time
Read and Reflect
Look at the genre charts.
 What are you learning?
 What are you wondering?
Beyond the Definition
Biography
Setting: Real
Begins in the past
Chronological
Character: Real people
The main character is a person of
importance we can learn from
Plot: Tells about the person’s life
Tells about the person’s accomplishments
Practice / Turn and Talk
1. Read Midnight Hero by Su Montour
2. Reflect:
How do these supports help you navigate this genre?
 Did the text feel comfortable?
 Did you know what was important?
Genre and the MSP
How does knowing this information about genre help
students on the MSP?
 Determine the genre.
 Review the genre chart.
 Predict the theme/message.
 Read and answer the questions.
Close the Gap
Broaden Text Experiences
 Expose students to a range of genres in
instructional read aloud
 Align subject matter and genre to increase student
success in complex text
 Strategically plan your scope and sequence to
connect books/themes across the year and years
Sample Scope and Sequence
4th Grade
Model
Sept/Oct
Nov/Dec
Jan/Feb
March/April
May/June
Realistic Fict.
Epic Fantasy
Biography
Nonfiction
Historical
fiction
Realistic Fict.
Fantasy
Biography
Nonfiction
Jan/Feb
March/April
May/June
Nonfiction
Science
Fiction
Guide
5th Grade
Sept/Oct
Model
Guide
Nov/Dec
Realistic Fict. Realistic Fict. Historical
Complex structure
Fiction
Realistic Fict. Realistic Fict. Historical
Fiction
Nonfiction
Reflection
 I completely agree with…
 It surprised me to hear…
 I am wondering…
Tomorrow
The C. I. A. Approach to Reading Chapter Books
Workshop 3: Teach a Plan of Action
 Collect
 Interpret
 Apply
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sarah@readsidebyside.com