Genre Study

Last week, I wanted to spend a little time reviewing reading genres.  I know it seems to be an easy enough concept for 5th graders, but I wanted to remind them of the differences between the genres we read.

First, I started off talking about the characteristics of fiction and informational texts.  I chose to use the wording informational because it is the same language that is used in our CC standards.  I am trying to get the students to understand that non-fiction is in fact informational.  First we jotted the differences between the two on a t-chart.  Then, I took that information and created these two anchor charts to place on our strategies board.  On the left we have our fiction strategies to use while we close read {we've only introduced one so far} and on the right we have our informational strategies to use while we close read.

 *Sorry about the glare!*

Then, we reviewed this anchor chart with some of our most commonly read genres.  

During small group, I read the back of some chapter books from our classroom library.  The students created a chart by folding their paper into six sections and labeling with six different genres {historical fiction, realistic fiction, fantasy, mystery, mythology, adventure}.  Once I read the book synopsis, the students discussed together what genre they believe the book belongs to.  We then talked about how some books have many different genres.  

On the last day, I had students label a large piece of construction paper with eight different genres.  Students had to use Scholastic book fliers to cut and paste a variety of book pictures in the appropriate spaces.

I have found that the students love just about any activity that involves cutting and pasting!

Anchor Chart Storage

Hey y'all!  I'm here today to talk about an organizational tool that I wish I would have started doing years ago.  Do you make anchor charts only to conclude that you don't like them?  Do you end up making them year after year?  Once you get a nice anchor chart, do you ever wonder where to store it?  Well, in my classroom space is {VERY} limited.  I rarely have room for the essential areas in my classroom let alone anchor charts.

Last year, I decided to {steal...hehe} my son's laundry basket.  I thought the depth of it would work great for storing my anchor charts!  Plus, it fits right inside my easel.

Not only does it store my anchor charts, but it is large enough to store my smaller chart paper packs and my large post-it notes.  I absolutely love it!  Another organizational idea that makes this storage system even better is placing labels on the bottom backside of each anchor chart and rolling it up so the label is visible.  I then place these on top so I can easily find the anchor chart I need.  I got the idea about the labels from Mary over at Teaching with a Mountain View.

How do you store your anchor charts?

Literary Elements

I always like to review literary elements pretty early on in the year because we use it so much in our reading.  A BIGGIE for 5th graders is comparing characters, setting, and events in a single text and across multiple texts.  But, before we compare, I like to review first!  Although theme is part of literary elements, I like to save it until last because students seem to really struggle with it.  For this lesson, we reviewed character, setting, events, and plot.

First, I started off with making this adorable anchor chart!  We went over this during our whole group lesson on Monday.

As we went over it, I had the students record their notes on a simple cover page I attached to their packet I gave them for the week.

 Our packet includes pages from Jen Jones' Comprehension Strategy Sheets for Grades 3-6.  I LOVE this packet!  It is well worth every dime spent.  I use it any time I teach a standard.  It has the sheets organized by standard which is very time saving.  She also has an informational packet that I own, too!  Here's a two-page preview of the pages I use.  You should totally go check it out.  Our packet just for these four skills is about 10 pages.  And, since it includes standards 3-6, you can remediate or enrich as needed!  Score!

We work through this packet for the remainder of the week in whole and small groups.  We use our read aloud to complete the activities so we can all work together or with partners.

Before we moved on to talk about character traits that a specific character had, I introduced character traits with a character trait checklist that I found online.  Then, I use Leslie Ann's Character Trait Reading Passages to practice.  I also incorporate some writing about the characters and have the students support their writing with evidence from the text by using our evidence board.

Once we have mastered all these things we move on to theme and author's message.  We spent about 2 weeks on this unit.  Well worth the time!