Comparing Text Structures Anchor Chart
RI.5.5
(For Teacher Reference)
Directions: Write the following on a piece of chart paper before this lesson. Leave space under “What is text structure?” to add an additional bullet later in the unit.
What is text structure?
Text structure is how information or ideas are organized in a text.
- Understanding a text’s structure can help a reader understand the purpose of a text and how parts of a text relate to each other.
Types of Text Structures:
- problem/solution: gives evidence of a problem and one or more ways to
solve it - description: tells the characteristics of a topic
- proposition/support: states a main idea or claim and gives details or evidence to support it
- chronological/sequential: relates a sequence of events or steps in a process
- cause/effect: explains the reason something is happening and what happened as a result
- comparison: explains how two things or ideas are the same/ different
Problem and Solution Structure:
The Most Beautiful Roof in the World,
Pages 9–10 Graphic Organizer
RI.5.5
(Answers, For Teacher Reference)
*How does the way a text is structured support our understanding of complex ideas?
Text: The Most Beautiful Roof in the World pages 9–10
The rainforest canopy is difficult to study.
SOLUTION
New technology and smart, skillful scientists have found ways to study the canopy.
Evidence that explains at least two ways scientists overcame the problem:
- New technology that helps scientists overcome natural obstacles has been developed.
- Rainforest scientists are “strong, fearless, and physically fit as well as smart and hard-working.”
Problem and Solution Structure:
The Most Beautiful Roof in the World,
Pages 9–10 Graphic Organizer
RI.5.5
Name: ______ Date: ______
*How does the way a text is structured support our understanding of complex ideas?
Text:
SOLUTION
Evidence that explains at least two ways scientists overcame the problem:
Summary: The Most Beautiful Roof in the World,
Pages 9–10
RI.5.2
On pages 9–10 of The Most Beautiful Roof in the World, Kathryn Lasky explains that the rainforest canopy is difficult to study. It is very high up, making the climb hard for scientists. Other natural obstacles, such as stinging ants, rotten tree trunks, and thorns, make the climb dangerous and difficult. However, new technology and smart, skillful scientists have found ways to study the canopy. New technology has helped scientists overcome the natural obstacles, and scientists are stronger and more fearless than ever. They are like pioneers exploring an undiscovered continent.
Summary: Finding the Gist and Unfamiliar Vocabulary: The Most Beautiful Roof in the World:
“Out of the Shadow and into the Light”
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)
RI.5.4, L.5.4
Note: Responses in the Unfamiliar Vocabulary column will vary. Words students are likely to be unfamiliar with (and their accompanying definitions) have been included for each section. Encourage students to use the strategies on the Close Readers Do These Things anchor chart to determine the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary.
Text / GistWhat is it mostly about? / Unfamiliar Vocabulary / Meaning
(use a dictionary if you need to)
Page 12
Beginning with “Deep in Belize …” / Blue Creek is a rainforest in Central America. / biodiversity
occasionally
thrive / the diversity of life forms on earth or part of the earth, including diversity of species, genes, and ecosystems
at times;
now and then
to succeed or prosper
Page 13
Beginning with “Meg Lowman believes …” / Meg Lowman believes science is like a machine. / functions
canopy / the purposes or roles an object is suited for
the upper foliage of the rainforest
Page 14 Beginning with “Meg is up …” / Meg prepares to go into the canopy. / Vary
harness
Jumars / change, modify
a set of connected straps that guide or control someone or something
a device used for climbing on a rope
Text / Gist
What is it mostly about? / Unfamiliar Vocabulary / Meaning
(use a dictionary if you need to)
Page 15
Beginning with “The boys have …” / Meg climbs up into the canopy. / Accompanied
Ascended
platform / went along with
went upward;
climbed
a raised surface
Page 16
Beginning with “… hundred feet (thirty meters) …” / There are walkways and observation platforms built in the canopy. The canopy is like a maze. / diverge
observation
horizontally / to move in different directions from a common point
the act of noticing or seeing
parallel to the horizon of the earth
Page 17
Beginning with “Meg has now …” / Meg hears and sees monkeys in the canopy. / Fluid
geometry / moving smoothly or gracefully
the study of shapes or objects like points, lines, or angles`
Pages 19–20
Beginning with “Leaf number five …” / Meg and her assistant work together in the canopy. / compare
theory
exclusion / to notice the likenesses and differences of things
a proposed explanation of something
leaving something out
Page 22
Beginning with “Meg climbs higher …” / Meg continues climbing up in the canopy, observing the plants and animals around her. / Foraging
Bromeliads
foundation / searching or grazing
spikes of bright flowers that sometimes grow on other plants
the base or basis of something
Page 23
Beginning with “Meg clips her …” / Ant gardens grow high up in the canopy. / benefit
energy
nutrients / anything that provides an advantage or positive result
the power or capacity for activity
providing or being food
Text / Gist
What is it mostly about? / Unfamiliar Vocabulary / Meaning
(use a dictionary if you need to)
Page 24
Beginning with “There are many such …” / In the rainforest, plants and animals depend on each other. / Interlocking
Peer
discarded / joining together
to look closely
thrown out
Pages
25–26 Beginning with “Meg carefully edges …” / Meg observes bromeliads in the canopy and sees different animals, like tadpoles, a snake, and a rare tree salamander. / inaccessibility / the state of being hard or impossible to reach
Summary: Finding the Gist and Unfamiliar Vocabulary: The Most Beautiful Roof in the World:
“Out of the Shadow and into the Light”
RI.5.4, L.5.4
Name: ______ Date: ______
Text / GistWhat is it mostly about? / Unfamiliar Vocabulary / Meaning
(use a dictionary if you need to)
Page 12
Beginning with “Deep in Belize …”
Page 13
Beginning with “Meg Lowman believes …”
Page 14 Beginning with “Meg is up …”
Text / Gist
What is it mostly about? / Unfamiliar Vocabulary / Meaning
(use a dictionary if you need to)
Page 15
Beginning with “The boys have …”
Page 16
Beginning with “… hundred feet (thirty meters) …”
Page 17
Beginning with “Meg has now …”
Pages 19–20
Beginning with “Leaf number five …”
Page 22
Beginning with “Meg climbs higher …”
Text / Gist
What is it mostly about? / Unfamiliar Vocabulary / Meaning
(use a dictionary if you need to)
Page 23
Beginning with “Meg clips her …”
Page 24
Beginning with “There are many such …”
Pages
25–26 Beginning with “Meg carefully edges …”
/ | Language Arts Curriculum / 1