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

Author study: Improving reading comprehension using inference and comparison

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=906

A lesson plan for grades 3–5 English Language Arts

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In groups, students read books by Paul Goble and discuss their impressions of the author. Then, as a class, students present their impressions of the author based on the content of his books. After explaining that authors tell stories that interest them and may or may not be related to their life experiences, the teacher introduces the concept of inference and explains when it is used. The teacher then explains what a biography is by showing students a sample biography written using information from a website about Paul Goble. Then, students examine the content of the biography to try to find errors based on the information they read in Paul Goble’s books. Using the Internet, students confirm what they identified as errors and discuss the importance of background knowledge in shaping original inferences. After reading several books by another author and participating in the same activities, they will conduct research about the author using web resources. Once the teacher has reviewed the elements of biography, students write short pieces about their selected author and edit their work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Then, using the model demonstrated by the teacher, students make sure they have included 10 errors in their biographies. Students work in pairs to find the discrepancies between the student biographies and the information they find on the Internet. Readwritethink provides assignment handouts, links to web resources on Paul Goble, suggestions for other authors to use with the lesson, and opportunities for reflection activities.

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 2.05: 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 3.02: Identify and discuss similarities and differences in events, characters, concepts and ideas within and across selections and support them by referencing the text.

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 2.05: Make inferences, draw conclusions, make generalizations, and support by referencing the text.
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections with text through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.02: Analyze characters, events, and plots from different selections and cite supporting evidence

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 2.05: Evaluate inferences, conclusions, and generalizations and provide evidence by referencing the text(s).
  • 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.