Genres
A text that tells true facts and real information about the world.
Is it fiction or nonfiction?
Non-fiction
Wonder:
Think about August (the main character). He feels nervous about going to school and meeting new people.
Does this remind you of a personal experience or a character from another book?
I felt the same way when…
This character is similar to the character in…
What do we call the main character of the story? The story mostly focuses on this character.
Protagonist
Tom was running in the classroom and tripped over a chair. He dropped his books and fell on the floor. His friends say he is very c________.
clumsy
Paul ________ (walk) in the forest when he ________ (find) a strange stone.
Paul was walking in the forest when he found a strange stone.
What type of genre is this?
A story about a detective who tries to solve a crime by finding clues.
mystery
The Secret of Stones
Think about the mystery in the story and the characters trying to discover the secret.
Does this remind you of another mystery story you read or a time you tried to solve a problem?
I had a similar experience when…
This reminds me of the book…
If a story happens in a small village in Turkey in 1900, which story element is this?
Setting
Sara studied all night and worked very hard. The next morning she could hardly keep her eyes open because she was e________.
exhausted
Holly ________ (pick) up trash in the park when she ________ (see) a turtle near the river.
Holly was picking up trash in the park when she saw a turtle near the river.
A story that takes place in the past and includes real historical events or people, but the story itself is partly imagined.
What genre is it?
Historical fiction
Grandpa’s Magic Gadgets:
Think about Grandpa and his inventions.
Does this remind you of someone in your family who likes building or inventing things, or a character in another story?
This character is similar to the character in…
This reminds me of when…
He reminds me of ...
What do we call the problem or struggle that the characters face in a story?
Conflict
Ali thinks nothing will go well. Even when his team is winning, he says, “We will probably lose.” His friends say he is very p________.
pessimistic
August ________ (talk) to his friend when the teacher ________ (call) his name.
August was talking to his friend when the teacher called his name.
A book that tells the true story of a person’s life written by another author.
What genre is it?
Biography
Holly the Eco Warrior:
Think about Holly trying to protect nature and the environment.
Does this remind you of something you did to help the environment, or a book where a character protects nature?
I had a similar experience when…
This character is similar to the character in…
What do we call the lesson or message that the reader learns from a story?
Theme
When the teacher called her name, Maria realized she had given the wrong answer. Her face turned red and she looked down at her desk because she felt e________.
embarrassed
Grandpa ________ (build) a new gadget while the children ________ (watch) him carefully.
Grandpa was building a new gadget while the children were watching him carefully.
Read the example:
The bright sun wakes the day,
Birds sing as clouds drift away.
Flowers dance in the breeze,
Soft wind moves through the trees.
Question:
What genre is this?
Poem
Wonder:
Think about the setting (school) and how the students interact with each other.
Does this remind you of your school or a school in another book you read?
The setting is similar to the place in…
This setting reminds me of …
Which story element shows the events from the beginning to the end of the story?
Plot
The teacher always asks John to collect the homework because he never forgets and always does his job well. John is very r________.
reliable
Max and Laura ________ (search) near the old stones while the wind ________ (blow) strongly on the hill.
Max and Laura were searching near the old stones while the wind was blowing strongly on the hill.