Leap into Literacy
Grade 3
Reading Strategy: Story Elements
Here is a great FREEBIE from teacherspayteachers.com that supports students as they learn to identify story elements and produce detailed story retellings and written summaries.
The file contains colorful, kid-friendly pictures for each component of a story retelling or written summary. The pictures can be secured to popsicle sticks and distributed to students for use during group or independent activities.
To facilitate story retellings in reading groups, provide each student with 1-2 sticks. Each member of the group becomes responsible for retelling an element of the story. Proper sequencing of stories can be taught explicitly by prompting students when to present their story elements. Or, students can be assessed by allowing them to independently sequence themselves.
Writing Strategy: Possible conference questions
Generating Ideas:
What are some things you wonder about?
What are some questions you have about those topics?
Are there animals or creatures that you would like to write about?
Selecting:
Which topic did you choose to write about? Why?
How did talking to your partner help you decide which topic to select?
Collecting:
What factual information can you give the reader about your topic?
For which questions you asked today are you most eager to find an answer?
Drafting:
Is there more research that you need?
Do you want to teach your reader something?
Revision:
Do you have enough facts in your piece?
Did you add or delete information?Why?
Editing:
What spelling words from your draft did you work with today?
Publishing:
- Where in your piece will you put your “About the Author” information?
NewsELA Text Sets
Suggested Information Mentor Texts
- The Beetle Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta
- Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
- Red-Eyed Tree Frog by Joy Cowly
- Tigress by Nick Dowson
Dogo News
Speaking and Listening: 5 Ways to Help Students Listen
- Say it Once
- Turn and Talk
- Student Hand Signals
- Pay Attention, Pause, Paraphrase
- Creating Questions