Reading and Writing Informational Text Common Core Kickoff October 21, 2011 Los Angeles County Office of Education Donna Van Allen

Session Outcomes Understand meaning of informational text as defined by NAEP Use sample performance tasks to identify instructional implications for reading informational text Use student writing samples to identify instructional implications for writing informational text

What Is Informational Text? Exposition Argumentation and persuasive text Procedural text and documents What types of informational text are included in your grade level curriculum or subject area? 3

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Informational Text Structures and Features “Text structures and features define the organization and elements within the text. The organization and elements refer to the way ideas are arranged and connected to one another. Features refer to visual and structural elements that support and enhance the reader’s ability to understand the text.” National Assessment Governing Board (2011) Reading Framework for the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress 5

Emphasis on Informational Text The Standards aim to align instruction with this National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) framework 6

Cynthia Shanahan, University of Illinois at Chicago

Activity Work with a partner: Read one grade span reading exemplar and its sample performance task. Consider the following: 1.What will students need to know and be able to do in order to be successful with this performance task? 2.Which of my students will find this task difficult? 3.What will my instruction need to look to ensure the success of all students? 8

A Progression of Writing The Standards cultivate three mutually reinforcing writing capacities: To persuade To explain To convey real or imagined experience Council of Chief State School Officials and National Governor’s Association (2010) Common Core State Standards Distribution of Communicative Purposes by Grade in the 2011 NAEP Writing Framework GradeTo PersuadeTo Explain To Convey Experience 430%35% 8 30% 1240% 20% 9

Narrative Opinions/Arguments Expository/Informational

Writing Applications California ‘s 1997 Standards 1.Narratives 2.Expository Descriptions 3.Friendly Letters 4.Personal or Formal Letters 5.Response to Literature 6.Information Reports 7.Summaries 8.Persuasive Letters/Compositions 9.Research Reports 10.Fictional Narratives 11.Biographical/Autobiographical Narratives 12.Career Development Documents 13.Technical Documents 14.Reflective Compositions 15.Historical Investigation Reports 16.Job Application/Resume California’s Common Core Standards 1.Write Opinions (K-5); Write Arguments (6-12) 2.Write Informative/Explanatory Texts 3.Write Narratives 11

W2 CCR Anchor Standard Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

Menu: Types of Informative Writing Assignments Basic paragraph Essay (definition, descriptive, cause/effect, problem/solution, etc.) Report Term paper Brochure/pamphl et Article (newspaper, magazine, encyclopedia, etc.) Newscast Lab conclusions Directions (recipe, lab procedures, technical instructions, directions for a game, rules for a sport, etc.) Diary entry, journal, log, blog Interview Website Documentary Menu Catalog Biography / autobiography Interview Advertisement or label (explaining a product or service) Poster Review/critique

Organizational Structures Description Cause/Effect Problem/Solution Definition Classification Chronological Compare/Contrast

Informational Text Features Print Features – Table of Contents – Index Organizational Aids – Bold Print – Italics – Bullets Graphic Aids – Diagrams – Graphs – Maps Illustrations – Photos – Magnification

Cynthia Shanahan, University of Illinois at Chicago Science Text

Cynthia Shanahan, University of Illinois at Chicago History Text

Cynthia Shanahan, University of Illinois at Chicago

An Effective Informative/Explanatory Writer: Understands the task and develops a clear and precise thesis which identifies the writer’s central purpose. Critically reads the text and makes thoughtful decisions when selecting textual evidence to support the thesis. Examines the effectiveness of connections between selected textual information and the thesis. Organizes the information in a structure that ensures the reader can effectively follow the writer’s development of ideas.

Appendix C Samples of Student Writing

What steps will you be taking next?