LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Book sorting: Using observation and comprehension to categorize books

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=145

A lesson plan for Grades 1–2 English Language Arts

Provider: IRA/NCTE

About this resource

Appropriate grades
1–2
Provider
IRA/NCTE

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This ReadWriteThink sorting activity addresses critical-thinking skills, observation and categorization processes, reading comprehension and writing skills. The activity also provides teachers with a vast array of diagnostics through observation of student interaction and conversation. Students choose books from the classroom library, then use their observation skills to sort them into categories while discussing the content and illustrations. The teacher's role is to question, observe, and guide students toward increasingly creative sorting methods. This break from “pencil-and-paper” work is a rich experience for both student and teacher.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 1

  • Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.02: Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of texts (storybooks, short chapter books, newspapers, telephone books, and everyday print such as signs and labels, poems, word plays using alliteration and rhyme, skits and short plays).
    • Objective 2.08: Discuss and explain response to how, why, and what if questions in sharing narrative and expository texts.
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.04: Extend skills in using oral and written language:
      • clarifying purposes for engaging in communication.
      • using clear and precise language to paraphrase messages.
      • engaging in more extended oral discussions.
      • producing written products.
      • completing graphic organizers.

Grade 2

  • Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.02: Use text for a variety of functions, including literary, informational, and practical.
    • Objective 2.04: Pose possible how, why, and what if questions to understand and/or interpret text.
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.03: Explain and describe new concepts and information in own words (e.g., plot, setting, major events, characters, author's message, connections, topic, key vocabulary, key concepts, text features).
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.09: Use media and technology to enhance the presentation of information to an audience for a specific purpose.