Fiction+vs.+Nonfiction


 * Strategy Name:**Fiction vs. Non-fiction
 * Strategy Description:** This lesson gives students strategies for deciding what genre a text is.


 * Description/Name of the class in which you would use this strategy:**First Grade


 * Rationale:**A reader's stance decides how they read the text and what they take away from it. In order for a reader to decide their stance, they must first conclude what genre they are reading and what they want to get out of the book. This will help them to decide what strategies will best help them to attack the text. This lesson will help my students decide what genre a story is, even if pictures are not available.


 * Procedure:**
 * Read //The Very Hungry Caterpillar// and //Caterpillar, Caterpillar.//
 * Discuss the similarities and differences between the texts. You may want to use a Venn Diagram (in binder)
 * Have sentences from both fiction and nonfiction texts. Read them aloud to the students and have them decide if they are fiction or nonfiction.
 * Discuss the clues that help make this distinction.
 * Give partners a paragraph (2-3 sentences) and have them decide the genre, highlighting the clue words.
 * Have them share with another group and discuss their decisions.


 * Diverse Learners:**
 * Your visual learners may struggle with this, as the picture evidence is not available.
 * Your auditory learners will benefit from the text being read aloud.


 * Potential Issues:**
 * Students' reading level may hinder their ability to read the paragraphs independently.
 * Students' background knowledge on nonfiction topics may be lacking.


 * Implementation Suggestions:**
 * Model your thought processes out loud as you read to the children.
 * You may want longer or shorter excerpts based on your students' reading levels.


 * Resources:**
 * Goodman, Y.M., Watson, D.J., Burke, C.L., 1996. //Reading// //Strategies: Focus on comprehension.// Katonah, NY: Richard C. Own Publishers, Inc.
 * Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. //Graphic organizers//. Retrieved April 25, 2009, from http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/venn.pdf.
 * Carle, E. (1972). //The Very Hungry Caterpillar.// New York, NY: Putnam.
 * French, V. (1993) //Caterpillar, Caterpillar.// Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press