Guided and Independent Reading Kit Sample material from the ...

Biodiversity
The Truth About Bugs 8
Level: Challenging (X)
LITERACY FOCUSES
Reading: Visualizing
Text Patterns: Identifying
Characteristics of Descriptive
Text Pattern
Writing: Planning for Concise
Writing
Listening: Creative Listening
SCIENCE FOCUSES
Characteristics of arthropods
Formal classification systems
VOCABULARY
These words may require
some prereading introduction:
entomologist
conservationist
emit
glands
metamorphosis
larva
pupa
tubular
predatory
MATERIALS
• Guided Reading Selection 7:
Dragon Alert (Listening
Focus)
Before
During
• Invite students to share what they visualize when you say the word bug.
Then ask:
- What is your reaction to what you visualized Why
- Are all bugs insects Are all insects bugs Explain your ideas.
• Tell students that the nonfiction selection they are going to read is
titled “The Truth About Bugs.” Have them predict what they might
learn from the selection.
• Review with students the characteristics of descriptive text pattern (the
topic is clearly identified; the attributes of the topic are presented in
sections; each section answers questions such as “What is it” and “What
does it look like”; details describe something important about the topic
using sensory language). Distribute the selection and have students
preview the headings and photos. Then ask:
- What characteristics of descriptive text pattern do you expect to find
from previewing the selection
- For which characteristics of this text pattern do you need to read the
text to see if they’re present
Page 1
• Recall with students that they have been practising the strategy of
visualizing. Have them read the page and make a quick sketch of
something they visualized.
• When students have finished sketching, invite them to share their sketches
and explain which part of the text their sketch relates to. Then ask:
- Where on this page does the author make comparisons that help you
visualize
- Did visualizing help you better understand any of the information on
this page Explain.
- Is the main topic of this article clearly identified What is it
- Why do you think stinkbugs emit a bad odour
Page 2
• Say:
- As you read this page, I’d like you to continue visualizing. Look for
comparisons and any familiar insects that are mentioned to help you
visualize. Remember to look for important information that will help
you create accurate pictures in your mind.
• When students have finished reading, invite them to share what they
visualized. Ask:
- Were there details in the text that helped you visualize that Which
details
16 Nelson Literacy 6a
NEL