What is a genre? Basically this is the "category" of what you are reading. There are many ways to define genre and some books will fall into multiple genres i.e. a book can be historical fiction with a science fiction twist!
The very basic categories are fiction and nonfiction -- or in the world of the Common Core, Informational Text. Other common genres include adventure stories, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, horror, romance, realistic fiction and historical fiction.
The very basic categories are fiction and nonfiction -- or in the world of the Common Core, Informational Text. Other common genres include adventure stories, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, horror, romance, realistic fiction and historical fiction.
Common Core State Standards - Text Exemplars and Sample Performance Tasks by Grade Level
NCDPI Common Core Resources - Hyper-linked Text Exemplars by Grade Level
Other Text and Reading Level Discovery Tools - NoveList K-8, Pinterest, GoodReads, NCSU CED Overdrive, and Scholastic
NCDPI Common Core Resources - Hyper-linked Text Exemplars by Grade Level
Other Text and Reading Level Discovery Tools - NoveList K-8, Pinterest, GoodReads, NCSU CED Overdrive, and Scholastic
A Selection of Informational Mentor Texts
The Common Core State Standards put more of an emphasis on informational text then ever before. In the world of K-2 reading, the standards suggest a balance of literature and informational text - meaning the same amount of literary text/fiction and informational text - one type does not overwhelm the others. Informational texts should include the arts, history/social studies, science and technical subjects. A larger amount of the informational text should deal with persuasion and explanation rather than conveying experience. (http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/introduction/key-design-consideration)
First the Egg by Laura Seeger
Reading Level 2.0 How do transformations occur in nature and all around us? First the cocoon then the caterpillar.... Content Connection - science Subgenre - literary nonfiction/ informational poetry So You Want to be President? by Judith St. George and David Small
Reading Level 4.8 Part of the exemplar text list for grades 2-3 - informational text - Common Core State Standards. Interesting video resources here at WatchKnowLearn -- check out this president song: http://youtu.be/joAysMlymmc - who's missing? Content Connection - social studies/government Subgenre - literary nonfiction Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
Reading Level 3.0 Through a journey with her dad, the speaker learns about what lives in the woods under the snow and over the snow. The author provides facts about animals and a glossary. Content Connection - science Subgenre - primarily literary nonfiction with a bit of expository text My Basketball Book by Gail Gibbons
Reading Level 3.0 Follow along to learn the game of basketball and important terms for players. Includes diagrams and a glossary Content Connection - health/p.e. Subgenre: expository text Courage by Bernard Waber
Reading Level 3.3 Everyday courage (choosing homework over friends) to extraordinary courage (astronauts and fire fighters) are exemplified in this easy to understand text. All students will find something courageous to connect to. Content Connection - language arts/social studies Subgenre - literary nonfiction The Mangrove Tree: Planting Trees to Feed Families by Susan Roth
Reading Level 2.0 and 6.1 A scientist works to plant mangrove trees in Africa to provide food and more fishing opportunities for a village. His success leads to more mangrove projects around the world. Subgenre - literary nonfiction with a hint of expository Content Connection - social studies and science Counting on Frank by Rod Clement
Reading Level 3.8 Colorful, fun images showing how great Frank the dog's owner is at counting and multiplying. Funny images and text. Subgenre- literary nonfiction Content Connection - math |
From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer
Reading level 2.6 On the "Read Aloud Informational Texts for Grades K-1" as part of the Common Core State Standards. The story of how a seed grows into a pumpkin, the work that must be done to accomplish this and what happens after the pumpkin is grown. Content Connection - science and social studies/holidays Subgenre - literary nonfiction Lightship by Brian Floca
Reading Level 2.7 A bit of history while learning about ships, what people do when they work on ships, and how to be safe. Content Connection - social studies/work Subgenre: literary nonfiction - one chart of the lightship I Face the Wind by Vicki Cobb
Reading Level 2.4 Students can explore the power and qualities of the wind. Content Connection - science Subgenre - expository and procedural text. Actual Size by Steve Jenkins
Reading Level 3.2 Using actual animals and parts of animals to show sizes in "real life" - Helpful in interpreting figures visually Subgenre - expository text Content Connection - math and science If the World Were a Village of 100 People: A Book about the World's People by Shelagh Armstrong
Reading Level 5.0 On the "Read Aloud Informational Texts for Grades 2-3" as part of the Common Core State Standards Content Connection - social studies - global connections Subgenre - expository text |
Activities:
Word Wall - earlier in the year we talked about the word perseverance. Each of the mentor texts is connected back to perseverance or one of these related terms: inquisitiveness, determination, courage. You will read your text for 5 minutes then:
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Digital Storytelling with StoryJumper
To wrap up what we are learning, you will create your own online book about perseverance, inquisitiveness, determination or courage with StoryJumper. Use the directions inside your group book from the word wall activity to log in to StoryJumper.
The directions in your book will guide you in logging in to the site - our class password is wolfpack.
After you log in choose "Create" and then one of these options:
If you are having trouble with StoryJumper, use the help button at the top of the screen. Below is a getting started video that might be helpful:
To wrap up what we are learning, you will create your own online book about perseverance, inquisitiveness, determination or courage with StoryJumper. Use the directions inside your group book from the word wall activity to log in to StoryJumper.
The directions in your book will guide you in logging in to the site - our class password is wolfpack.
After you log in choose "Create" and then one of these options:
- Use the "Build a book from scratch" option if you want to add a scene or two to the book you just read
- Use the "Ocean Tale" or "Train Time" option if you want to finish a book that someone else started - be sure your theme is perseverance, inquisitiveness, determination, or courage
- Put your group member names on the cover of the book
If you are having trouble with StoryJumper, use the help button at the top of the screen. Below is a getting started video that might be helpful: