Blending fiction and nonfiction to improve comprehension and writing skills

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

• Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
    • fiction (short stories, novels, fantasies, fairy tales, fables).
    • nonfiction (biographies, letters, articles, procedures and instructions, charts, maps).
    • poetry (proverbs, riddles, limericks, simple poems).
    • drama (skits, plays).
  • Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
    • author's purpose.
    • plot.
    • conflict.
    • sequence.
    • resolution.
    • lesson and/or message.
    • main idea and supporting details.
    • cause and effect.
    • fact and opinion.
    • point of view (author and character).
    • author's use of figurative language (e.g., simile, metaphor, imagery).
  • Objective 2.05: Draw conclusions, make generalizations, and gather support by referencing the text.
• Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
  • Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
    • considering the differences among genres.
    • relating plot, setting, and characters to own experiences and ideas.
    • considering main character's point of view.
    • participating in creative interpretations.
    • making inferences and drawing conclusions about characters and events.
    • reflecting on learning, gaining new insights, and identifying areas for further study.
  • Objective 3.03: Use text and own experiences to verify facts, concepts, and ideas.
• Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
  • Objective 4.09: Produce work that follows the conventions of particular genres (e.g., personal narrative, short report, friendly letter, directions and instructions).
  • Objective 4.10: Explore technology as a tool to create a written product.

Grade 4

• Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
    • fiction (legends, novels, folklore, science fiction).
    • nonfiction (autobiographies, informational books, diaries, journals).
    • poetry (concrete, haiku).
    • drama (skits, plays).
  • Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
    • plot.
    • theme.
    • main idea and supporting details.
    • author's choice of words.
    • mood.
    • author's use of figurative language.
  • Objective 2.05: Make inferences, draw conclusions, make generalizations, and support by referencing the text.
  • Objective 2.06: Summarize major points from fiction and nonfiction text(s) to clarify and retain information and ideas.
  • Objective 2.07: Determine usefulness of information and ideas consistent with purpose.
  • Objective 2.08: Verify the meaning or accuracy of the author's statement(s) by referencing the text or other resources.
• Goal 3: The learner will make connections with text through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
  • Objective 3.05: Analyze and integrate information from one or more sources to expand understanding of text including graphs, charts, and/or maps.
• Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
  • Objective 4.07: Compose fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using self-selected and assigned topics and forms (e.g., personal and imaginative narratives, research reports, diaries, journals, logs, rules, instructions).
  • Objective 4.09: Produce work that follows the conventions of particular genres (e.g., personal and imaginative narrative, research reports, learning logs, letters of request, letters of complaint).
  • Objective 4.10: Use technology as a tool to gather, organize, and present information.

Grade 5

• Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, such as:
    • fiction (tall tales, myths).
    • nonfiction (books of true experience, newspaper and magazine articles, schedules).
    • poetry (narrative, lyric, and cinquains).
    • drama (plays and skits).
  • Objective 2.04: Identify elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
    • plot development.
    • author's choice of words.
    • effectiveness of figurative language (e.g., personification, flashback).
    • tone.
  • Objective 2.05: Evaluate inferences, conclusions, and generalizations and provide evidence by referencing the text(s).
  • Objective 2.06: Analyze choice of reading materials congruent with purposes (e.g., reading for information, reading to extend content area learning, reading for pleasure, entertainment).
• Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
  • Objective 3.02: Make connections between texts by recognizing similarities and differences based on a common lesson, theme, or message.
• Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
  • Objective 4.09: Produce work that follows the conventions of particular genres (e.g., clarification, essay, feature story, business letter).
  • Objective 4.10: Use technology as a tool to enhance and/or publish a product.

Grade 6

• Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives drawn from personal or related experience.
  • Objective 1.02: Explore expressive materials that are read, heard, and viewed by:
    • monitoring comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
    • analyzing the characteristics of expressive works.
    • determining the effect of literary devices and/or strategies on the reader/viewer/listener.
    • making connections between works, self and related topics.
    • comparing and/or contrasting information.
    • drawing inferences and/or conclusions.
    • determining the main idea and/or significance of events.
    • generating a learning log or journal.
    • creating an artistic interpretation that connects self to the work.
    • discussing books/media formally and informally.
• Goal 2: The learner will explore and analyze information from a variety of sources.
  • Objective 2.01: Explore informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
    • monitoring comprehension for understand of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
    • studying the characteristics of informational works.
    • restating and summarizing information.
    • determining the importance and accuracy of information.
    • making connections between works, self and related topics/information.
    • comparing and/or contrasting information.
    • drawing inferences and/or conclusions.
    • generating questions.
• Goal 4: The learner will use critical thinking skills and create criteria to evaluate print and non-print materials.
  • Objective 4.02: Analyze the communication and develop (with teacher assistance) and apply appropriate criteria to evaluate the quality of the communication by:
    • using knowledge of language structure and literary or media techniques.
    • drawing conclusions based on evidence, reasons, or relevant information.
    • considering the implications, consequences, or impact of those conclusions.
• Goal 5: The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative processes.
  • Objective 5.01: Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive literacy program by:
    • using effective reading strategies to match type of text.
    • reading self-selected literature and other materials of individual interest.
    • reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher.
    • discussing literature in teacher-student conferences and small group discussions.
    • taking an active role in whole class seminars.
    • discussing and analyzing the effects on texts of such literary devices as figurative language, dialogue, flashback and sarcasm.
    • interpreting text by explaining elements such as plot, theme, point of view, characterization, mood, and style.
    • investigating examples of distortion and stereotypes.
    • recognizing underlying messages in order to identify recurring theme(s) within and across works.
    • extending understanding by creating products for different purposes, different audiences and within various contexts.
    • exploring relationships between and among characters, ideas, concepts and/or experiences.
  • Objective 5.02: Study the characteristics of literary genres (fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry) through:
    • reading a variety of literature and other text (e.g., novels, autobiographies, myths, essays, magazines, plays, pattern poems, blank verse).
    • interpreting what impact genre-specific characteristics have on the meaning of the work.
    • exploring how the author's choice and use of a genre shapes the meaning of the literary work.
    • exploring what impact literary elements have on the meaning of the text such as the influence of setting or the problem and its resolution.
• Goal 6: The learner will apply conventions of grammar and language usage.
  • Objective 6.01: Demonstrate an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by:
    • using a variety of sentence types correctly, punctuating them properly, and avoiding fragments and run-ons.
    • using appropriate subject-verb agreement and verb tense that are appropriate for the meaning of the sentence.
    • demonstrating the different roles of the different parts of speech in sentence construction.
    • using pronouns correctly, including clear antecedents and correct case.
    • using phrases and clauses correctly (e.g., prepositional phrases, appositives, dependent and independent clauses).
    • determining the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words by using context clues, a dictionary, a glossary, a thesaurus, and/or structural analysis (roots, prefixes, suffices) of words.
    • extending vocabulary knowledge by learning and using new words.
    • exploring the role and use of dialects and of standard English to appreciate appropriate usage in different contexts.
    • developing an awareness of language conventions and usage during oral presentations.
  • Objective 6.02: Identify and edit errors in spoken and written English by:
    • reviewing and using common spelling rules, applying common spelling patterns, and developing and mastering an individualized list of words that are commonly misspelled.
    • applying proofreading symbols when editing.
    • producing final drafts that demonstrate accurate spelling and the correct use of punctuation and capitalization.
    • developing an awareness of errors in everyday speech.