Lessons & Units :: Genre Studies: Informational Texts 1st Grade Unit

Lesson 3: Labeled Diagrams

Lesson Plan

Stargazers | 640L

Stargazers
Learning Goal
Explain that informational texts have diagrams that provide information.
Identify facts learned from a labeled diagram.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Unit Example Chart, Independent Practice Worksheet
Not Provided: Stargazers by Gail Gibbons, chart paper, markers

  • Teacher Modeling

    will instruct students that another characteristic of informational texts is that they include diagrams. I will explain that diagrams are drawings that give us information about a topic. I will add this feature to my Characteristics of Informational Books Chart that I started during Lesson 1 (Example Chart is provided in Unit Teacher and Student Materials). To understand information from a diagram, I have to read the labels on the diagram and describe the drawing. Then, I can connect the drawing with the textual information (either in the book or on the labels). I will model how to identify information in diagrams on page 5 and 7 in Stargazers by Gail Gibbons. For example, I will show students the diagram on page 5. I will read the labels aloud and describe the drawing. Then, I will connect the labels with the image to identify the fact. This diagram teaches me that a light year is the distance between the Earth and the Sun. The dotted line represents the distance between the two locations. I will explain that I learned a new fact from looking at a diagram in an informational book.

  • Think Check

    Ask: "How do I learn facts from a diagram in an informational text?" Students should explain that you read the labels on the diagram and connect the drawing with information in the text.

  • Guided Practice

    will work together to study the labeled diagrams on pages 9-15 in Stargazers. We will discuss the specific details we learned from the labeled diagrams. Then, we will add the title of the book to our Characteristics of Informational Books Chart.

  • Independent Practice

    will examine the diagrams on pages 17 and 18 of Stargazers. You will write one fact you learned from each diagram and explain how you know that this is an informational book. (Independent Practice Worksheet provided.)

Build Student Vocabulary distance

Tier 2 Word: distance
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story “A Light Year is the distance light travels in a year.”
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) Distance is a measurement of how far apart things are. A light year measures how far apart two objects are in the galaxy, such as the sun and the earth.
Students repeat the word Say the word distance with me: distance.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts The distance between my house and school is not very far, but the distance between my house and your house is very far away. I can measure the distance between the door and the couch with a ruler.
Students provide examples When have you traveled a long distance? Tell me about where you went. Start by saying, “I once traveled a long distance when________”. If you have not traveled a long distance, tell me about someone who did. Start by saying, “_______________ traveled a long distance when ____________________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? distance
Additional Vocabulary Words thick

Build Student Background Knowledge

After analyzing the diagrams in Stargazers, explain to students that some grownups study the stars for their job. People who study the stars, the Sun, and the planets in the solar system are called astronomers. To become an astronomer and learn about the wonders of the galaxies, you need to work very hard at math and science. Astronauts, or people who travel into space, also have to know about astronomy, to get selected for a mission.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

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User Comments

Great example for teaching this skill. Thanks for sharing.

Submitted by adettmann on 11/6/16

I find your materials very helpful. I'm so very glad I found your page. Thank you.

Submitted by momtayo_1464066 on 6/15/15