Comprehending Text


ELAR-Grade-6 Non-fiction Texts Comprehending Text
Students make inferences using their existing knowledge to increase their reading comprehension. They monitor their own understanding of what they are reading and learn techniques to use when they have trouble understanding. Then, they identify key points in a text and compare information in multiple sources.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

1:1 Devices
Teacher Pack

The Pack contains associated resources for the learning experience, typically in the form of articles and videos. There is a teacher Pack (with only teacher information) and a student Pack (which contains only student information). As a teacher, you can toggle between both to see everything.

Here are the teacher pack items for Comprehending Text:

Preview - Scene 1
Exploros Learnign Experience Scene Navigation


Engage


Overview

In this experience, students make inferences using their existing knowledge to increase their reading comprehension. They monitor their own understanding of what they are reading and learn techniques to use when they have trouble understanding. Then, they identify key points in a text and compare information in multiple sources.

Objectives

  • Develop understanding while reading.
  • Understand how to make inferences.
  • Use evidence and details from a text to determine key ideas.

Duration

One class period.

ELL Support

This experience uses basic and academic vocabulary that students will meet routinely in the classroom. Ensure that ELL students recognize key vocabulary while reading and in discussion.

If your ELL students have difficulty reading the text of this (or any) experience, which provides important reading strategies, here’s a tip. Use the Chrome browser with Google Translate extension. Students can set the browser to translate the experience to any of the dozens of languages supported by Google Translate.

Vocabulary Words Used in “To the Moon and Back”

  • satellite: an electronic device placed into orbit around a moon or planet for communication purposes, or to collect information
  • orbit: circle around
  • extend: to lengthen, enlarge, or stretch out
  • atmosphere: the layer of gases surrounding a planet
  • module: a self-contained unit of a spacecraft


When you learned how to read, you started by learning the alphabet. Then you began to recognize words and sentences. You read books for children, then branched out to other kinds of reading: street signs, cereal boxes, websites, texts, and so on. In this experience, you will learn some strategies for understanding what you read. Start by ensuring that you understand all the vocabulary you read and hear in discussions during this lesson.

Objectives

  • Develop understanding while reading.
  • Understand how to make inferences.
  • Use evidence and details from a text to determine key ideas.


teen thinking while reading a book

Think about the following scenarios.

  • You are sitting in a waiting room. Your appointment was at noon, but it’s already 1:30. You are terribly bored. There is a stack of magazines on the table, so you pick up the one on the top of the stack and start flipping through it. At least that is a good way to pass the time.
  • You are on a hike when you are bitten by a spider. Your cell phone isn’t working, but you have a nature guide that lists different spiders and insects. You need to look up the spider that bit you to find out if it is poisonous.
We read for all kinds of reasons—from enjoyment to life-saving information.


List at least one reason you read. To post more than one, separate them with commas, like this: geography, history.

Post your answer

Sample answers include:

  • pleasure
  • information
  • learning
  • studying
  • planning
  • texting/social media
  • word games
Discuss student responses. Point out that reading for pleasure is different than reading to gain information or to learn something.


When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

End of Preview
The Complete List of Learning Experiences in Non-fiction Texts Unit.
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