Bellringer 2—sample answer
 A fictional movie in which science has
“gone too far” with disastrous results is
Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
 Science goes too far in the movie when it
tries to use apes to test and develop a
cure for Ahzheimer’s.
 Disastrous results occur as the “cure”
transforms into an epidemic that kills
humans while making the apes smarter.
Weird Science…
What’s happening in the world
of science…when is science
beneficial…and when does it
go too far?
As we explore science-related
non-fiction and fiction, we’ll identify
conventions of texts and discover how
different kinds of texts are useful in
communicating ideas.
Bellringer: Answer in 3
complete sentences using
part of the prompt. (Poppee)
 Discuss one thing that has been
developed by scientists in the last 10 years
that has benefitted human beings.
 Discuss a fictional (or non-fiction) book or
movie that you’ve read or seen where
science has “gone too far” with disastrous
results!
Bellringer –1 sample answer
 One thing that has been developed by scientists in
the last 10 years that has benefitted human beings is
sensors to turn electric lights on and off.
 Sensors are becoming common in the average
home, and turn lights on as someone enters a room
and then turn the lights off with a timer according to
a specified time.
 If you are wondering how they benefit people, think
of all of the money saved when teens forget to turn
off their bedroom lights and the sensors do it for
them.
Think about it…
 Why do you think literary works of
fiction (movies and books) frequently
focus upon weird science or
scientific effort turning into a
disaster?
Unit 3 Informational Text
UEQ: How does an author
construct an informational text
to communicate with the
reader?
LEQ 1:
What are the features used to
structure an informational text?

Key Concept
Informational text uses specific
elements in order to communicate
knowledge to the reader.
Key Vocabulary
 informational text,  bulleted lists,
 Structural patterns  part by part
or conventions of
text
 headings,
 subheadings,
 sidebars
organization,
 summarize
 main ideas
 key details
AP #1: What are 4 features that a
nonfiction informational text utilizes
to help the reader identify structural
elements and key ideas?
 1.
 2.
 3.
 4.
headings
subheadings
sidebars
bulleted lists
How do Headings help to
structure an informational text?
A heading is an overall title for an
informational text.
A heading is designed to:
 Catch the reader’s interest
 Give a glimpse of what the text will
communicate
How do Subheadings help
to structure an
informational text?
 Find the subheading on page 423.
Based upon this subheading and
what you’ve read so far, what do you
expect this section to be about?
How do Subheadings help
to structure an
informational text?
 Subheadings
let the reader know what to
expect in the section that follows.
 Subheadings help to group the key ideas
of the text.
How do Sidebars help to
structure an informational
text?
 Find the sidebar on page 424. Why
do you think that the author includes
it here? How does it help the
reader?
How do Sidebars help to structure
an informational text?
 Sidebars help the reader to connect to
the ideas in the text.
 Sidebars help to enrich the text and to
help the reader to consider extenuating
ideas in the text.
How do Bulleted lists help to
structure an informational
text?
 Study the bulleted list on page 525.
 Why do you think it is included here in the
text? What does the bulleted list in the
sidebar help you to understand?
 How is each point in the bulleted list
equal?
Summary Challenge
 List 4 conventions of informational
text that help the reader to focus
upon key details and the author’s
main ideas.
Activity: Reading
Informational Text
 Read the article, “The Spider Man Behind Spiderman”
by Bijai P. Trivedi
 Find each of the Key features of informational text.
How do these key features help the reader to
understand the article?
Assessment Prompt _2:
What strategies can I use to
summarize key points of an
informational text?
Summarizing Key Points
 --Summarize means briefly
retelling the main idea or key
points in the order in which they
appear in the text. (sequential
order)
Summarizing Key Points
 --Summarizing is a way to check
your understanding and
remember information.
Summarizing Key Points
 --Summarizing means
distinguishing between main
ideas and important details.
Activity: Summarizing
Summarize the Main points of “The
Spider Man Behind the Spiderman”
Using the graphic organizer chart
located in eBackpack.
Activity
 Summary Analysis—Text features in
“The SpiderMan Behind the
Spiderman”
 Go to ebackpack—MP2—Unit3—
Lesson 1—AP2
 Text Analysis of Informational
Features
Activity: Review Scavenger
Hunt
Find the features that help a reader with informational text!
 Rules:
1. Your team may only use 1 magazine at a time. Then return
the magazine to center after you are checked off for credit.
2. Bring your check sheet up each time you get an item checked
off.
3. Gather all items within 10 minutes—7 or the 8 items =15
points. Extra item is 1 bonus point.
What other features
help a reader with
Informational Text?
 What is a Photocaption?
 What is a chart or graph?
Bellringer: Commonly Misused Words
 In your group, write a sentence that uses each of
the following words correctly. Everyone in the group
should write, using the assignment in eBackpack,
MP2, Unit 3, Lesson 1, bellringer misused words 1.
Then, 1 person from your team will “reflect up” your
answer. This is worth 5 points to everyone on the
team who submits and uses each correctly.
1. There
2. Their
3. To
4. Too
5. two
AP 3
What is part by part order in
an informational text?
 --an organizational structure for
nonfiction informational texts is
one in which one idea or group of
ideas suggests another, which
suggests another, and so on, in
order to build the broad focus and
author’s point in the text.
Text Structure—
Part by Part order
 ---how does subject matter and
purpose affect the organization of
an informational text?
 Think about…
 --Overall structure of article
 ---structure of paragraphs or
sections within the article
Text Structure—
What is Part by Part order?
What connects each paragraph together
and serves as a link between paragraphs?
Transitional Sentences: Sentences from
the end or overall main point of one
paragraph that are a bridge to the next
paragraph.
Text Structure—
What is Part by Part order?
 Transitional sentences between
paragraphs help to build the connection that
links every paragraph in the entire article of
informational text.
 Each paragraph may, however, have its own
internal text structure. Or a section within an
article, usually introduced with a heading,
may have its own internal text structure
within the overall Part by Part order of the
article.
Bellringer: 3 minutes
 Explain what a transitional sentence is and how it is
useful in an informational text.
Activity: Read “Robo Legs”
 Use the graphic organizer to analyze features of the
text structure
 Find the transitional sentences within “Robo Legs”;
analyze how they help to link or connect the ideas
within the text
Practice with Part by Part Text
Structure
Activity: Read “Eureka! Scientific Twists of
Fate”
How has the author structured this article
using part by part organization?
Use the graphic organizer to analyze features
and text structure of this informational text.
Lesson 2: How can a reader
determine the main idea in an
informational text?
 AP #1: What is a strategy for finding the main idea?
 Identify 4 elements----
AP #1: What is a strategy for finding
the main idea?
4 questions to ask…
 1. Can you name a person, place, idea, event
or thing the article focuses upon?
 2. What words or ideas are really stressed?
 3. Overall, what did you learn while reading
the passage?
 4. How would you tell a friend about the
passage in one sentence?
LEQ 3: How can I write an
informational text using part
by part order?
 AP #1: How can I set up a strategy for
prewriting/planning?
 Use brainstorming clouds to think about
aspects of the topic.
 Use an outline to organize Main Ideas
and supporting details.
Lesson 3: How can I write an informational
text using part by part order?
 AP #2: How can I develop a thesis
statement?
 A thesis statement should have 2 parts:
 The what (identifies the topic)
 The “so what” (tells the reader something
significant or important about the topic)
How can I develop a
thesis statement?
 Consider the thesis statement from
“Eureka!”…
Sometimes scientific discoveries come
from the most unexpected places, when
talented people are watching out for them.
Key--
The “what” or the topic
The “so what” or significance
Activity: Develop your thesis
statement
 What (state the topic)
 So what (give significance or sense
of importance)
Look at the thesis statement in
Eureka! as an example…
Practice Activity: Thesis
statement
Turn each of the following prompts into
a thesis statement that begins with
part of the prompt:
1. What are some fun things for
families to do in the Bloomsburg
area?
Practice Activity: Thesis
statement
2. Discuss movies that have educational
value for families.
Practice Activity: Thesis
statement
3. Discuss volunteer opportunities in
which teenagers can get involved and
make a difference.
AP #3 How do I organize the Main
Ideas and Key Details?
 Think of each paragraph as a box-- Ask: What is this box/group of ideas
about? That is your main idea and
should be worded into a topic sentence
near the beginning of the paragraph.
 Ask: What details would show this idea
in action? Add these to the box/group of
ideas---make sure that you are explaining
well so it “flows.”
What is the difference
between a Main Idea and a
Supporting Detail?
 A Main Idea states an important concept.
 A Supporting detail explains and illustrates the main concept.
 Main Idea:--A Pride school revolves around showing respect.
 Supporting Detail: Students show respect for teachers, others,
and for themselves. Walking quietly in the halls, waiting to enter
classrooms until adults are present, and using appropriate
language all show respect.
Lesson 3: How can I write an informational
text using part by part order?
 AP #4: How do I write an introduction for informational text?
1. Find a method to get your reader interested that relates to
your topic.
--a pertinent quote
--an apt story or anecdote
-a problem/solution structure
2. Use a transitional sentence to connect your “hook” to your
thesis.
3. End your introduction with your thesis statement.
Bellringer: 2 Minute Contest
 Directions: Open a pages document.
 Write up an outline that shows all of the
parts of an informational text that a
teacher would look for when grading your
writing.
 List them in order as they would appear
within the structure of your text.
Bellringer: Quickwrite
How to write an informational text from a prompt.
(POPPEE )
 1. Reword the prompt into a statement and end the
statement with an overall point/idea.
 2. Outline your main ideas that you plan to make by writing a
topic sentence for each one.
 3. After each of those topic sentences, add key details that
help your reader understand the main idea.
 4. Connect your paragraphs with transitional sentences.
 5. Add a 3 part concluding statement—summarize,
significance, lead out thought.
Lesson 3, AP #5: How do I write a concluding
statement for informational text?
3 parts to a concluding statement:
1. Summarizing statement: Remind your
reader of the ideas that were discussed. (do not
simply restate the thesis—it must be worded in
a new and fresh way.)
3 parts to a concluding
statement, continued
2. Significance statement: Remind your
reader about what is important or give an
insight about the topic.
3. Lead out: Find a memorable thought to
leave with your reader that relates to the
ideas you have communicated. You may
use a quote, but you’ve got to explain the
connection—quotes cannot stand alone. Or
you can give your own “final thought” to the
reader.
AP#6: How do I use
transitional sentences to
connect paragraphs?
 Remember how we studied the
transitional sentences in “Eureka!”?
 Make sure that the last sentence of a
paragraph has a key idea that is echoed
(repeated) in the first sentence of the
paragraph that follows it.
Practice Activity Bellringer
 You have 2 minutes to write an outline of
the elements needed in an informational
text.
 Include the 3 parts of the first paragraph
and the 3 parts of the last paragraph.
 Include the technique for making sure
that the paragraphs in the “meat” of the
text connect in terms of idea flow.
Activity: Analyzing
Informational Text Structure
 Read the introduction of the newspaper article,
“Data: Youth Put a Premium on Volunteering.”
Find the introduction.
1. Identify the “hook”
2. Identify the “transitional sentence”
3. Identify the “thesis”
Activity: Analyzing
Informational Text Structure
The hook: “Tired of hearing people grouse about a tuned-out,
apathetic younger generation?”
Transitional sentence: “Well, here’s a comeback:”
Thesis: Today’s young Americans are more serious about
giving back than their parents were. In fact, those under age
30 now are more likely to say citizens have a “very important
obligation” to volunteer,” an Associate Press-GfK poll finds.
LEQ 4: What are 5 different
types of text structures used
to organize informational text?
AP#1: What is a Descriptive
Organizational Structure?
Use your graphic organizer to take notes
on the characteristics of a descriptive
organizational structure.
e F o ld a b le 1.
s:
Descriptive
The author provides several details of
something to give the reader a mental
picture.
efinition
thor provides
al details of
ng to give the
mental picture
Visual
1 Descriptive Clues…
many adjectives,
characteristics,
or examples
Inter act iv e Reading Notebooks: Inf or m at ional Text
Lesson 7: Descr ipt ion (Nonf ict ion Text St r uct ur e)
1. Descriptive Example
* De s c r ip t io n *
L a b r a d o r Re t r ie v e r s a r e a p o p u la r b r e e d
o f d o g s b e c a u s e o f t h e ir e v e n t e m p e r a m e n t
a n d d e s ir e t o p le a s e t h e ir h u m a n o w n e r s .
L a b r a d o r r e t r ie v e r s c a n b e y e llo w , b r o w n , o r
b la c k . T h e y a r e m e d iu m - la r g e d o g s w it h a n
a v e r a g e w e ig h t o f 6 5 p o u n d s .
La b r a d o r
Re t r ie v e r s a r e o f t e n t r a in e d t o b e a id s f o r
p e o p le w it h d is a b ilit ie s . A c c o r d in g t o t h e
A m e r ic a n Ke n n e l C lu b , L a b r a d o r Re t r ie v e r s
a r e t he m o st
p o p u la r d o g b r e e d in t h e
U n it e d S t a t e s !
AP#2: What is a Compare
and Contrast Organizational
Structure?
Use your graphic organizer to take notes
on the characteristics of a comparisoncontrast organizational structure.
W r it in g In s id e F o ld a b le s :
e
reader
a
m
ental
picture
2. Compare and Contrast
Definition
author provides
thetheauthor
discusses
several details of
nsimilarities
and
differences
something to give the
reader a m
ental picture
between
people,
things,
concepts,
or
ideas
the author discusses
&
similarities and differences
between people, things,
theconcepts,
authororprovides
ideas
Visual
2. Compare
a mental
picture and Contrast
Clues…
and
uthorLikeness
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n people, things,
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epts,
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ideas
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In contrast
uthor
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the other hand
Example
5 Types of Text Structures
—2 Compare and Contrast example
 Compare and Contrast: two or more things
are described. Their similarities and
differences are discussed.
 Example: Linux and Windows are both
operating systems. Computers use them to
run programs. Linux is totally free and open
source, so users can improve or otherwise
modify the source code. Windows is
proprietary, so it costs money to use and users
are prohibited from altering the source code.
AP#3: What is an Order of
Sequence/Sequential
Organizational Structure?
Use your graphic organizer to take notes
on the characteristics of an order of
sequence organizational structure.
concepts,
or ideas
several details
of
Description
3. Order
something
to give the of
reader a mental picture
Sequence/Sequential
order
the author
the authorprovides
discusses
Compare & similarities and differences
readers
with
between
people,
things,
Contrast
concepts,
or ideas or a
chronological
events
list of
steps
in a
the author
provides
readers with
procedure
Order &
chronological events or a
Sequence
list of steps in a
procedure
the author gives
the author gives
m
d
b
in
discussed; also,
Sequence/Sequential
order
the
author
discusses
both,
in
contrast,
mpare & similarities andClues…
differences
between
etc.people, things,
ontrast
concepts, or ideas
events in order
the author provides
of occurrence,
readers with
der &
chronological given
events or a
instructions
quence
list of steps in a
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orderthewords:
author gives
oblem & first,inform
ation about a
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olution
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like
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Example
5 Types of paragraph
structures—3
 Order of Sequence /also called
Process Writing/Sequential Order:
information is organized in steps or a
process is explained in the order in which it
occurs. Example: Eating cereal is
easy. First, get out your materials. Next,
pour your cereal in the bowl, add milk, and
enjoy.
ast
between people, things,
list concepts,
of steps
in
a
or ideas
d
b
5 Types
of paragraph structures-procedure
e
#4
Problem-Solution
the author provides
o
readers with
& the author gives
in
chronological events or a
nce informlist
ation
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of steps
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problemand explains one
f
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oreauthor
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information about a
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ionthe author
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event or several events
s
s
5 Types of paragraph
order
words:
the author
provides
structures--#4
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r & first, next, etc.
chronological Solution
events or a
ence
in
list of steps in a
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a problemis
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needs
em & solved
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ation about
a
problemand explains one
ion solving;
problem
,
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the author describes
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e&
event or several events
(cause) and the events
r
Inter act iv e Reading Notebooks: Inf or m at ional Text
Lesson 10: Pr oblem & Solut ion (Nonf ict ion Text St r uct ur
example
* P r o b le m & S o lu t io n *
Do y o u t a k e y o u r d o g f o r a w a lk , o r d o e s
y o u r d o g t a k e YOU f o r a w a lk ? L e a s h p u llin g is
a c o m m o n p r o b le m w it h p u p p ie s , e s p e c ia lly
la r g e b r e e d s . L e a s h p u llin g c a n e a s ily le a d t o
y o u r d o g g e t t in g f r e e o f h is le a s h o r in t o
t r o u b le . To le a s h - t r a in y o u r d o g , y o u m u s t s t o p
a n d s t a n d s t ill e v e r y t im e h e p u lls o n t h e le a s h .
W h e n t h e d o g c a lm s d o w n , p r a is e h im , w a it a
m in u t e , a n d t h e n b e g in t o w a lk s lo w ly . T h e
a g a in , s t o p , w a it ,
p u llin g
m in u t e h e s t a r t s
p r a is e , a n d t h e n m o v e o n . W it h y o u r p a t ie n c e ,
y o u r d o g w ill s o o n le a r n n o t t o p u ll o n h is le a s h .
5 Types of paragraph
structures--#4
 Problem and Solution: a problem is
described and a response or solution is
proposed or explained.
 Example: Thousands of people die each
year in car accidents involving drugs or
alcohol. Lives could be saved if our town
adopts a free public taxi service. By
providing such a service, we could prevent
intoxicated drivers from endangering
themselves or others.
&
nce
the author provides
problem
and
explains
one
readers with
chronological
events
or
a Effect
or5.more
solutions
Cause
and
list of steps in a
procedure
the author
describes an
eventtheorauthor
several
gives events
m & (cause)
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ation about
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ore solutions
&
ct
the author describes an
event or several events
(cause) and the events
that follow (effect)
in
s
s
c
r
concepts, or ideas
etc.
events in order
list
of
steps
in
a
solving; problem
,
of occurrence,
instructions given
procedure
step-by-step,
5. Cause and
Effect
the author provides
readers with
chronological events or a
list of steps in a
procedure
solution, solve
order words:
first, next, etc.
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a problemis
the author givessolved
or needs
,
cause,
inform
ationbecause,
about solving;
asolution,problem
solve
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one
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© 2013 erin cobb imlovinlit.blogspot.com
(cause) and the events
that follow (effect)
r
Example
5 Types of Text Structures5: Cause and Effect example
 Cause and Effect:The results of
something are explained.
 Example: The dodo bird used to roam in
large flocks across America. Interestingly,
the dodo wasn’t startled by gun
shot. Because of this, frontiersmen would
kill entire flocks in one sitting. Unable to
sustain these attacks, the dodo was
hunted to extinction.
Activity: Identifying Text
Structures
 Use your notes to identify the type of
text structure for each of the given
examples.
FYI Additional Types of Text
Structures—(not tested)
 Chronological: information in the
passage is organized in order of time.
(this may be considered Sequential
Order)
 Example: Jack and Jill ran up the hill to
fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and
broke his crown and Jill came tumbling
after.
FYI Additional Types of Text
Structures—(not tested)
 Order of Importance: information is expressed as a
hierarchy or in priority.
 Example: Here are the three worst things that you can
do on a date. First, you could tell jokes that aren’t
funny and laugh really hard to yourself. This will make
you look bad. Worse though, you could offend your
date. One bad “joke” may cause your date to lash out
at you, hence ruining the engagement. But the worst
thing that you can do is to appear slovenly. By not
showering and properly grooming, you may repulse
your date, and this is the worst thing that you can do.
FYI Additional Types of Text
Structures—(not tested)
 Spatial / Descriptive Writing:
information is organized in order of
space (top to bottom, left to right).
 Example: when you walk into my
bedroom there is a window facing
you. To the right of that is a dresser
and television and on the other side of
the window is my bed.
FYIAdditional Types of Text
Structures—(not tested)
 Exemplification
 Example: One day, Fleming noticed that a
mold had contaminated the petri dish
containing the bacteria Staphylococcus, a
common microbe responsible for a variety
of ailments…but before tossing away the
moldy dish, Fleming realized that the
instruder had actually killed off much of the
bacteria culture.