Reading Sample Lesson Plan

Title: Use of Text Structures_ Venn Diagrams are used to compare two topics
Grade: 2nd and 3rd Grade
Michigans GLCEs:
R.IT.02.03 explain how authors use text features including boldface text,
graphs, maps, diagrams, and charts to enhance the understanding of key and
supporting ideas.
R.IT.02.02 discuss informational text patterns including descriptive,
sequential, enumerative, and compare/contrast

Materials:
Venn Diagram worksheet
Alike, but Different text
Smart Board
Connection: 30 seconds
Last week we talked a lot about how to find the main idea in an informational text.
Today we will look at the main ideas and tell me mores in the paragraph in order to recognize
and organize comparison informational text.
Learning Target/Objective: 1 minute
Todays learning target is: I can us a Venn diagram to compare and contrast two similar topics
Teaching Point: 5 minutes

For the first part of this lesson, your job is to watch and listen very carefully. I am going
to show you what I do and what I think about when I compare and contrast the two
animals in the book, Snap!. I will use a Venn diagram to help me organize the
information that is different about the animals and the same. [Teacher reads the first two
paragraphs in the book Snap! starting on the first page in chapter 2.]
Teacher will point out the key words that helped figure out what facts went with what
animal and what facts went with both animals.
First paragraph:
Alligator: wide, rounded snout that looks like the letter U.
Crocodile: snout comes to a point and looks like the letter V.
Both: long, lumpy, bumpy body. Four short legs, sharp teeth, and a long strong tail.
Key words include: both, same, different, like, unlike, but, either, so does, and as well
as. Also look out for words that mean more or most: longer, weigh more, shorter, smaller,
bigger (these words tell us that one animal is different than the other in regards to a
specific trait such as length or weight).

Guided: 10 minutes
Have the students help the teacher with the next paragraph in the text.
Students will silently read the paragraph, turn and talk, and share out what they believe
goes in what section of the Venn diagram, have students share what key words helped
them categorize their findings.
Alligator: fourth tooth fits inside the alligators upper jaw
Crocodile: fourth tooth sticks outside the crocodiles jaw.
Both: extra long tooth
Independent: 30 minutes
Teacher will explain: Students will read the last two paragraphs in their reading spots.
They will use key words to help them determine what is the same and what is different
about the two animals, and use their knowledge to categorize the facts on their Venn
diagram.
When they are done students will hold onto their papers and read independently, because
they will be bringing papers to the risers after independent reading for a discussion.
Modifications: Students who are struggling readers will be called to a small table to work with
the teacher. The teacher will have the students do a close reading as a small group with the
teachers assistance. Students who are advanced readers will be told to read a nonfiction animal
book of their choosing, and create their own Venn diagram to go with the animals in their book.
Midpoint: Observe students and see what they might need to be reminded during the
independent work time:
Teacher point out if students struggle with using the key words. Remind students to look for key
words to help them organize what is different or the same.
Learning Target Accountability Partner: Stop 5 minutes before discussion and have students
meet with their Learning Target Accountability Partner. They may discuss and make changes.
Have students compare their ideas to their partners. Encourage them to use talk moves.
Formative Assessment: Collect students Venn Diagrams. Look for students who used key
words and headings to help compare the two animals. Look to see if any students wrote useless
information that didnt pertain to the main topic.
DISCUSS/SUMMARY 3-5 minutes
Teacher will ask:
How did key words help you find the two topics being compared?
Have students turn and talk about what strategies they used to help themselves compare
the two topics.
Have 2 students share what they added to their Venn diagram, and have them call on
other students to add on to the original comments.
Students practiced comparing and contrasting two information topics using a Venn Diagram. We
will continue to practice using Venn Diagrams. Students should remember when reading nonfiction texts it is important to look out for key words to help compare two topics in texts.

Teacher Tool:

Alike, but Different

The alligator has a long, lumpy, bumpy body. So does the
crocodile. The alligator has four short legs, sharp teeth, and a long,
strong tail. So does the crocodile.
But alligators and crocodiles are not exact look-alikes. They have
different noses, or snouts. An alligator has a wide, rounded snout. It
looks like the letter U. A crocodiles snout comes to a point. It looks
more like the letter V.
There is another important difference. It is the fourth tooth on the
bottom jaw. In both animals, this tooth is extra long. But the tooth fits
inside the alligators upper jaw. And it sticks up outside the crocodiles
jaw.
Crocodiles are usually longer than alligators. They can also
outswim alligators. Most crocodiles weigh more, too. That may be why
crocodiles are better fighters.
Alligators and crocodiles live in lakes, swamps, and rivers. But
alligators live only in the southern United States or in China. You can
find crocodiles all over the world.
Venn Diagram Key:
Green = Similar
Pink = Crocodile
Yellow = Alligator
Red = Key words

Name:_________________________________

Date:_______________

Alike, but Different

The alligator has a long, lumpy, bumpy body. So does the

crocodile. The alligator has four short legs, sharp teeth, and a
long, strong tail. So does the crocodile.
But alligators and crocodiles are not exact look-alikes.
They have different noses, or snouts. An alligator has a wide,
rounded snout. It looks like the letter U. A crocodiles snout
comes to a point. It looks more like the letter V.
There is another important difference. It is the fourth tooth
on the bottom jaw. In both animals, this tooth is extra long. But
the tooth fits inside the alligators upper jaw. And it sticks up
outside the crocodiles jaw.
Crocodiles are usually longer than alligators. They can also
outswim alligators. Most crocodiles weigh more, too. That may
be why crocodiles are better fighters.
Alligators and crocodiles live in lakes, swamps, and rivers.
But alligators live only in the southern United States or in China.
You can find crocodiles all over the world.