Introduction
Now that you have created, presented and taken notes on the eight different text structures, you will complete this following webquest for additional practice.
Here are a few reminders/notes on text structures that this webquest will focus on:
Spatial (Descriptive):
- Sensory and descriptive details help readers visualize information. It shares the who, what, where, when, why, and how of a topic/subject.
Sequence & Process:
- When information in a passage is organized by the order in which it occurs. This method of organizing text is generally used for instructions or directions, but it can also be used to explain processes in nature or society, such as how a president is elected.
Compare & Contrast:
- Authors use comparisons to describe ideas to readers. Similarities and differences are shared.
Cause & Effect:
- Informational texts often describe cause and effect relationships. The text describes events and identifies reasons (causes) for why the event happened.
Problem & Solution:
- The text introduces and describes a problem and presents one or more solutions.
Task
Materials you will need:
-Chromebook
-Pencil/Pen
-The text structure handouts (for Parts 1 & 2)
On the following "Process" tab, you are to complete the listed activities. There are 4 Parts; you MUST have the first three completed in order to move on to Part 4.
You will have until the end of the period, and no additional time will be provided. (unless otherwise discussed with me.)
Process
I. Part 1
On your handouts, record your answers to the following passages by identifying the correct text structure for each passage.
1. Creating a Dinosaur Sculpture
Materials: pipe cleaners, clay, non-toxic paint
Wouldn't you like a scary dinosaur model on your desk to protect your pencils and textbooks? You can easily make one by following these simple directions. First, bend your pipe cleaner to make the frame of your dinosaur. I suggest you create a Tyrannosaurus frame by using one long pipe cleaner as his neck, spine, and tail, and then bend another into a u-shape to make his feet. Wrap the feet around the spine piece. Next, roll out clay to wrap around the pipe cleaners. Let the clay dry overnight. The next day you may want to paint your dinosaur using non-toxic paint. His eyes should be white, but feel free to color your dinosaur as you wish. Nobody really knows how dinosaurs were colored, so don't let anyone tell you that your dinosaur can't be pink. Lastly, put him on your desk and watch as he or she scares away bullies and pencil thieves.
2. Vicious Predators
The Cretaceous Period was filled with dangerous predators, but two of the most feared hunters were the Tyrannosaurus rex and the velociraptor. The Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the largest carnivores to ever walk the Earth. He was 20 feet tall and weighed seven tons. His jaws could crush down with 3,000 lbs. of force, enough to smash the bones of his prey. The velociraptor was very small compared to the T. rex. Raptors only stood three feet tall and were seven feet long, weighing merely 35 pounds. But the velociraptor was fast. Scientists think that raptors could run 24 miles per hour and turn on a dime. Both dinosaurs used their jaws to kill prey, but the raptor had a secret weapon: a retractable toe claw that he pulled out like a knife to slash at his prey. Both dinosaurs had eyes on the front of their heads, which helped them track prey. If these two dinosaurs had fought, it would be difficult to say which would win; however since raptors died over ten million years before the first Tyrannosaurus rex was born, scientists don't believe such a fight ever occurred.
3. What Happened to the Dinosaurs?
There are many theories about why the dinosaurs vanished from the planet. One theory that many people believe is that a gigantic meteorite smashed into the Earth. Scientists believe that the meteorite was very big and that the impact may have produced a large dust cloud that covered the Earth for many years. The dust cloud may have caused plants to not receive sunlight and the large plant eaters, or herbivores, may have died off, followed by the large meat eaters, or carnivores. This theory may or may not be true, but it is one explanation as to why these giant reptiles no longer inhabit the Earth.
4. Dino the Dinosaur
One day Dino the Dinosaur decided to go for a walk to the watering hole. It was a sunny day and the sky was blue and clear. Dino was thinking about his girlfriend Dina when he saw a pack of wild lizards and animals running through the plains in a frenzy. Dino tried to ask the critters why they were running, but they just kept running. Dino scratched his dinosaur head and continued walking toward the watering hole. Soon after, Dino heard a loud thumping noise like the slow beat of a drum. The earth shook and fruit fell from the trees, but Dino was so deep in thought over his girl Dina that he didn't even notice. The thumping grew louder and louder as Timmy the Tyrannosaurus Rex approached Dino. Dino kept thinking about his girl Dina until the moment Timmy ate him.
5. Fossil Mishap
It's important to think critically about the information that you receive, or else you may be led astray. For example, the brontosaurus is a type of dinosaur that never really existed. Many people still believe in the brontosaurus today, but the "brontosaurus" is actually the body of an apatosaurus with the head of a camarasaurus. This concocted creature was made from two mismatched fossils. Had more people thought critically about these findings, analyzing the components that were presented, entire generations of school children may not have been misinformed; therefore, think critically about the information that people tell you, even if it's information you find on a book or in a worksheet. Keep these problems in mind when conducting your studies.
PART 2
The following link has a list of scholastic articles. Click the link below and choose three articles to read.
https://sites.google.com/site/achernywebquesttextstructure/process
Your instructions:
1. Read the article
2. Determine the text structure of the article and then go get that text stucture handout. The handouts can be found in the back of the room on the table. Fill out the handout based on your reading. Write your name and the title of the article that you read at the top of the page
3. Let's do a little bit of reviewing and kick it back to objective summaries. You will create an objective summary for the article on the backside of the handout. Your summary needs to be 4-6 sentences. No more than 6 sentences!
4. Repeat steps 1-3 three times
COMPLETE FOR A TOTAL OF 3 ARTICLES!
PART 3
Writing-
Write at least one paragraph with the main topic being "high school," in one of the 5 nonfiction text structures. List which text structure that your paragraph is in, and why. Do this on a peice of notebook paper.
After you have completed the first three parts of the webquest completely, staple your papers (you should have a total of 7 pages) together and take it to either Ms. Mata or Mrs. Arend to stamp your completed work before moving on to Part 4. Leave your stamped packet out on your desk as you work on Part 4 to sigify that you are done with the first three parts.
PART 4
Complete the following onine games for additional practice.
WARNING - CAUGHT PLAYING ANY OTHER GAME(S) BESIDES THE THREE BELOW WILL RESULT IN ALTERNATIVE PRACTICE (IT IS BORNING AND LONG, SO DON'T RISK IT).
http://www.westrusk.esc7.net/TextStructures.html
http://www.quia.com/rr/869176.html
http://www.quia.com/ba/99066.html
Evaluation
This assignment is worth 40 points. You will be graded on the quality of your responses, as well as for total completion.
Conclusion
Thank you for completing! Please continue to review text structure on your own (there will be a quiz coming up soon).
Credits
J. Nolan