This module is for ElementaryActivity 6

Activity 6 – Literary Nonfiction

Now that you have finished the story, it is time to practice the skills you have gained through looking at literature by applying these same skills to literary nonfiction. You will look at a letter that Patricia Polacco wrote about Mr. Falker in order to enhance your understanding of text-dependent questions and their applicability to all text.

Think back again to the steps for generating text-dependent questions. Step One requires that students focus on core understandings. Additionally, remember to anchor your questions in the standard. Notice the portion of the standards that is highlighted that directs your attention to what is most important. Notice also that these standards are the Reading for Information standards. 

Step Four requires students to tackle tough questions head on.

  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.1 - Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.9 - Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic.

Consider also the Evidence Tables from PARCC (Note: Scroll down the page to access the grade level evidence tables):

  • RI. 3.1 - Provides questions and answers that show understanding of a text. (1)
  • RI. 3.1 - Provides explicit references to the text as the basis for the answers. (2)
  • RI. 3.9 - Provides a comparison and contrast of the most important points and/or key details presented in two texts on the same topic. (1)

Creating Text-Dependent Questions

  • Read the text(s) carefully.
  • Determine the most important theme/central message and key details of the text.
  • Consider the author’s choices when creating this text.
  • Examine the grade-specific MCCRS and PARCC evidence tables.
  • Choose the best standard(s) for assessing the students’ overall understanding of the text.
  • Draft a text-dependent question that requires students to show evidence of standards mastery.
  • Write a response to the text-dependent question.
  • Assess the proficiency of your response by rereading the standards and evidence tables, and reflecting on the text.
  • Revise the question as needed.
  • Rewrite your text-dependent question as necessary.

Now read a letter from author Patricia Pollaco. As you read the letter, consider how both the story and the letter reveal her feelings as a young girl, a struggling learner, and a vulnerable human being. Think about what the two texts have in common as you consider the best text-dependent question for this passage.

Letter from Patricia Polaccoopens in new window (Source: patriciapolacco.com)

Check Your Understanding

Now do a final check on text-dependent questions.