Find Meaning

Shift the emphasis from description to transformation by asking students to change the format of the information.

Young people need to be able to synthesize a variety of nonfiction resources along with their own data, ideas, and insights to create original nonfiction products. They need to be able to interpret information, understanding vocabulary and apply this to their life experiences and real-world needs.

Key words: arranges, assembles, combines, compiles, composes, constructs, creates, devises, designs, formulates, generates, manages, modifies, organizes, plans, rearranges, reconstructs, relates, reorganizes, revises, rewrites, synthesizes, writes.

Find Meaning in Visual Resources

Seek online nonfiction that contains graphs, charts, diagrams, cartoons, and other visuals that represent information in ways that may not be expressed in the text.

• Standards
  • Science Standard 1.5.2. Make and use simple picture graphs to tell about observations.
  • English Standard 2.2.7. Interpret information from diagrams, charts, and graphs
  • Science Standard 5.6.2. Demonstrate how geometric figures, number sequences, graphs, diagrams, sketches, number lines, maps, and stories can be used to represent objects, events, and processes in the real world, although such representations can never be exact in every detail.
  • Science Standard 6.2.6. Read simple tables and graphs produced by others and describe in words what they show.
  • Science Standard 6.5.4. Demonstrate how graphs may help to show patterns, such as trends, varying rates of change, gaps, or clusters, which can be used to make predictions.
  • Science Standard 7.2.7. Incorporate circle charts, bar and line graphs, diagrams, scatter plots, and symbols into writing, such as lab or research reports, to serve as evidence for claims and/or conclusions.
  • Science Standard 7.5.3. Demonstrate how the scale chosen for a graph or drawing determines its interpretation.
  • Science Standard 8.2.8. Use tables, charts, and graphs in making arguments and claims in, for example, oral and written presentations about lab or fieldwork.
• Activities
  • Go to Light Matter and Energy. Examine the diagram. Then, create a diagram showing the relationships among another set of scientists.
  • Go to Every Einstein Lasers. Read the cartoon. Notice that it shows BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER Einstein. Create your own cartoon for another scientist.
  • Go to What Makes You You? Read the story. Notice that the images get closer and closer along with the definitions. Create your own version of the story using the key vocabulary.
  • Explore the following polls from Oology. Select a poll question and interpret the results.
    • Astro Poll
    • Bio Poll
    • Gene Poll
    • Paelo Poll
    • Tide Poll

Understand Word Meaning

Shift the emphasis from literal comprehension to application of these words in new situations.

English Standard 1.2.5. Use context (the meaning of the surrounding text) to understand word and sentence meanings. (Core Standard)

English Standard 2.2.9. Use context (the meaning of the surrounding text) to understand word and sentence meanings.

Dealing With New Vocabulary

• Use Strategies. Use context clues and break the word apart.
• Use Dictionaries. Look up unknown words using online tools.
• Create Word-Meaning Logs. Create a log of words.
• Create Personal Pictionaries. Provide images and ask students to write about what they remember.
  • Diagrams
  • Photographs

Organizing Information

Shift the emphasis from copying/pasting information to synthesizing information.

English Standard 6.2.4. Clarify an understanding of texts by creating outlines, notes, diagrams, summaries, or reports. (Core Standard)

Note Taking Primary
(Use Inspiration, Kidspiration, or Scholastic Keys/PowerPoint to present images)

• Listen to the text.
• Arrange images to help remember the facts presented in the book.
• Listen to the text again.
• Select additional images that might have been missed.
• Share with a friend.

Note Taking Intermediate (Adapted from Tony Stead)
(Use Inspiration, Kidspiration, or Scholastic Keys/PowerPoint to present images)

• Read and write down key words on concept map.
• Re-read and fill in things that you missed the first time.
• Re-read and add nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
• Retell the information using your notes.
• Go back to the original and ask yourself:
  • Have I included all the important information?
  • Do I need to add anything?
  • Can I find what I have said in the original piece?

Student Resources

• Notetaker from ReadWriteThink (lessons)
• Inspiration and Kidspiration