Topic Texts: Features of Creatures Choose among these books and Short Reads for differentiated small-group instruction. Teacher Cards are available for all texts.
Inky’s Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home by Sy Montgomery • Narrative Nonfiction • 32 pp. Inky the Octopus takes an incredible adventure, using his curious mind to return to the ocean. This is based on an event at a New Zealand aquarium.
Creature Features: 25 Animals Explain Why They Look the Way They Do by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page Informational Text • 32 pp. Children learn about the unique features of 25 animals—from the animals themselves! Packed
with information, the book’s humorous question-and-answer format helps readers better understand animals’ unique features, and the purposes they serve.
Moderate 2 Moderate 1 Basic Complex
440L Quantitative: Text Complexity: Quantitative: 5900L Qualitative: Moderate 2 Qualitative: Moderate 2
Moderate 2 Moderate 1 Basic Complex
440L Quantitative: Text Complexity: Quantitative: AD650L Qualitative: Moderate 2 Qualitative: Moderate 2
Organization: Connections between most ideas are clear, and events are related in chronological order; the page layouts and design support the story but are not predictable. Language Features: Accessible language with some simple comparisons; some content- area words are not defined, and meaning must be inferred from
the text; simple and compound sentences, with some complex structures. Purpose: Focus is explicitly stated and clear. Subject Matter Knowledge: Does not assume topic-specific background knowledge or experience.
Organization: Connections between ideas are explicit and clear; question-and-answer format. Language Features: Largely explicit and easy to understand, with some complex meanings; mostly tier 1 and tier 2 vocabulary with some tier 3 words; simple and compound
sentences, with some complex structures. Purpose: Focus is explicitly stated and clear. Subject Matter Knowledge: Includes some discipline- specific content knowledge; does not assume topic-specific background knowledge or experience.
I’ve Got Feet!: Fantastical Feet of the Animal World by Julie Murphy • Informational Text • 32 pp. This fun, feet-focused book about animal adaptations will help children learn about how the design and function of different animals’
Fur b y Eric Geron • Informational Text • 32 pp. Children will explore different animal coverings and why mammals need fur to help them survive.
feet help them navigate their surroundings to survive.
Moderate 2 Moderate 1 Basic Complex
440L Quantitative: Text Complexity: Quantitative: 610L Qualitative: Complex Qualitative: Moderate 2
Moderate 2 Moderate 1 Basic Complex
Text Complexity: Quantitative: 660L Qualitative: Moderate 1 440L Quantitative: Qualitative: Moderate 2
Purpose: Explicitly stated, clear, and narrowly focused. Subject Matter Knowledge: Relies on some discipline-specific content knowledge; readers will need to draw on knowledge gained from other topically aligned texts and experiences.
Organization: Structured, early chapter book separated into five clearly defined subjects; includes glossary and index. Language Features: Largely explicit with some occasions for more complex meanings; many topic-specific vocabulary words that children may not know.
Purpose: Explicitly stated, clear, and focused. Subject Matter Knowledge: Includes some discipline- specific content knowledge; does not assume topic-specific background knowledge or experience.
Organization: Connections between ideas are explicit and clear. Language Features: Largely explicit and easy to understand; includes some unfamiliar topic- specific vocabulary.
Reader & Task When selecting texts, teachers will also consider children’s interests and abilities and how the text is accessed (read aloud, independently, or in pairs), as well as the differentiated support to be provided.
Birds This decodable informational text
Close Up on Owls This decodable informational text explores the different types of owls and their unique features and habits.
Animals on the Move This decodable informational text details the ways different animals can move their bodies.
Creatures in Hiding This decodable
informational text shows how animals use camouflage to defend themselves. and hide.
explains how birds use their beaks, feathers, and wings to help them survive.
Assessment At the end of the topic, ask children to complete these short assessments: • Knowledge Inventory • Foundational Skills Check-In
Topic Wrap-Up • Essential Question: After completing the topic, guide children to discuss the Essential Question. • Knowledge Notes: Ask children to review and update their Knowledge Notes and share them with friends and/or families.
TOPIC OVERVIEW • TEACHER CARD
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