Lessons & Units :: Genre 1st Grade Unit

Lesson 1: Classifying Texts as Fiction or Nonfiction

Lesson Plan

Froggy Goes to School | 490L

Froggy Goes to School
Learning Goal
Classify and categorize books as fiction or nonfiction.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Independent Practice Worksheet
Not Provided: Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London, Life Cycle of a Frog by Angela Royston, fiction and nonfiction books from classroom library

  • Teacher Modeling

    will discuss the definitions of fiction (make-believe) and nonfiction (real) and explain that stories can be fiction or nonfiction. Fiction stories are created by the author’s imagination and nonfiction stories are true stories or give the reader information. I will also explain how knowing the genre of a book can help you understand the book better. I will show the covers of Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London and Life Cycle of a Frog by Angela Royston. I will explain that both of these books are about frogs, but one is fiction and one is nonfiction. I will model using the cover of the books to think about whether the pictures are real or make-believe. I will do a picture walk through each book and share my thoughts about the pictures and whether I think each book is fiction or nonfiction.

  • Think Check

    Ask: "How did I know which book was fiction and which book was nonfiction?" Students should respond that you looked at the pictures and identified what was real and what was make-believe.

  • Guided Practice

    will read each of the books and discuss whether the text gives us information (nonfiction) or whether it is a story from the author’s imagination (fiction). We will discuss which book is fiction and which book is nonfiction. We will also discuss how to determine the genre of each book.

    TIP: For the Guided Practice, chart characteristics of each book that make it fiction or nonfiction. For example, copy a picture of the frog from each book and have students help you identify which one is from a nonfiction text and which from a fiction text.

  • Independent Practice

    will explore the class library or samples of books provided by the teacher (fiction and nonfiction) and identify books from each genre. You will record the titles of the books under the correct genre. (Independent Practice Worksheet is provided.)

Build Student Vocabulary glared

Tier 2 Word: glared
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story Mr. Mugword glared at him.
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) To glare is to look at someone in the eyes in an angry way. When the Mr. Mugword glared at Freddy, he stared at him in an angry way.
Students repeat the word Say the word glared with me: glared.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts When the little girl glared at her baby brother, he began to cry. I don’t like it when someone glares at me. When I am on stage, I can’t see the audience because of the glare in my eyes.
Students provide examples Tell me about a time you glared at someone? Say: “Once I glared at ____________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? glare
Additional Vocabulary Words dashed, mighty

Build Student Background Knowledge

While reading Froggy Goes to School, stop on page 9 and identify the name of Froggy's school—swamp school. Explain that a swamp is an area with shallow water. Often trees, plants, and animal life grow in swamps. Explain that beavers, ducks, frogs, birds, and turtles might be found in a swamp. Turn the pages and stop again when you see Froggy's other friends at school. Ask your students, Are Froggy's friends "swamp animals"?

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

(To see all of the ReadWorks lessons aligned to your standards, click here.)

User Comments

I have not been in the classroom in three years. Will begin teaching soon. Love your lessons and precise examples.

Submitted by Brenda B on 10/22/16

I truly appreciate the high quality lessons in this awesome website

Submitted by dduran3cctp_1059876 on 8/11/16

This lesson is a lifesaver. I'm a librarian and I was looking for something like this for my little oness Thank you so much.

Submitted by Tyra Hall on 11/6/12

Thanks for so many great lesson plans and worksheets. I love this site.

Submitted by Marilyn Forrest on 10/18/12

I love this website! Thank you!

Submitted by Alison Riebel on 9/23/12