Module 12: Text Detectives-Language Arts 2 - Course Guide

Module Overview:

In this module, learners build vocabulary, reading, writing, and language skills while exploring nonfiction texts. Learners use a dictionary to review vocabulary meanings and organize words in alphabetical order. They study different nonfiction text structures and learn to recognize and compare them while reading grade-level texts. Learners review previously taught syllable types and phonics patterns and practice sorting verbs and adjectives by meaning. As writers, learners plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish a descriptive nonfiction paragraph using sensory details, while also practicing subject-verb agreement and other conventions. Throughout the module, learners strengthen handwriting by demonstrating correct cursive letter formation for the lowercase letters i and t.

Module Materials:

Lesson # Lesson Title Material(s)
1 12.1 Text Detectives None
2 12.2 Text Detectives modeling clay
Writing Notebook
3 12.3 Text Detectives note cards or pieces of paper;
4 12.4 Text Detectives shaving cream (optional)
baking sheet (optional)
watercolor paint (optional)
paintbrush (optional)
paper towel (optional)
cup of water (optional)
paper (optional)
highlighters (assorted colors)
5 12.5 Text Detectives None

Module Objectives:

Lesson # Lesson Title Objective(s)
1 12.1 Text Detectives
  1. Use a dictionary to review meanings of vocabulary words.
  2. Organize vocabulary words in alphabetical order.
  3. Recognize nonfiction text structures.
  4. Identify subject-verb agreement.
  5. Use a graphic organizer to plan nonfiction descriptive writing using sensory details.
2 12.2 Text Detectives
  1. Identify syllable types and phonics patterns previously taught.
  2. Identify nonfiction text structures.
  3. Construct a rough draft of a nonfiction descriptive writing using sensory details.
  4. Demonstrate correct letter formation for cursive lowercase i and t.
3 12.3 Text Detectives
  1. Categorize verbs and adjectives into groups by their meanings.
  2. Recognize nonfiction text structures.
  3. Recognize subject-verb agreement.
  4. Revise a nonfiction descriptive writing piece using sensory details.
4 12.4 Text Detectives
  1. Compare nonfiction text structures.
  2. Use subject-verb agreement.
  3. Use knowledge of conventions to edit a descriptive paragraph using sensory details.
  4. Demonstrate correct letter formation for cursive lowercase i and t.
5 12.5 Text Detectives
  1. Demonstrate fluency when reading grade-level text.
  2. Cite evidence to classify nonfiction text structures.
  3. Revise sentences for subject-verb agreement.
  4. Create a published descriptive paragraph using sensory details.

Module Key Words:

Key Words Words of the Week Vocabulary Words
context clues
fluency
graphic organizer
text structure
subject-verb agreement
sensory details
rough draft
revise
edit
publish
 because
been
both
does
goes
your
thank
bring
drink
why
try
myself
apple
little
table
 healthy
friendly
avoid
cause
crocheting
wonder
process
helpful
include
magnifying
different
enormous
steaming
shivered
gust
gasp
escape
suppose
noticed
separate
difference
energy
continue
cause

Module Assignments:

Lesson # Lesson Title Page # Assignment Title

Learning Coach Notes:

Lesson # Lesson Title Notes
1 12.1 Text Detectives In this module, students will review concepts learned in the most recent modules. If your learner struggles in a specific area, it may be helpful to revisit the original lessons where the skill was presented. If they need more reinforcement with –tch and –dge endings, Module 7 has many activities to help. If your learner is not yet fluent with the Words of the Week, writing the words on flashcards and highlighting the “rule-breaking” letters can help. To help your learner understand text structure, you may want to print out a hard copy of the graphic organizers and the signal words for them to refer to.
2 12.2 Text Detectives If your learner is not comfortable identifying the soft c and soft g spellings, you can review the lessons where these sounds were originally taught. You can also give your learner a list of words with c and g and have them highlight every ce, ci, cy, ge, gi, or gy pair before reading the words. If your learner needs more challenge, offer them vocabulary enrichment by discussing how words can be slightly changed to become a different part of speech. Look at the word difference, for example, and ask them what part of speech it is. Then, go through words with the same word base, such as different, differ, etc., to build vocabulary.
3 12.3 Text Detectives In this lesson, students will review the –ng and –nk spelling patterns. You can offer your learner vocabulary enrichment by having them sort their vocabulary review words into different groups. The groups can be parts of speech, shades of meaning, or whatever categories your learner can find to put them into. You can also challenge your child to identify multiple meanings of words and sort the words that way.
4 12.4 Text Detectives If your learner is struggling with open syllables, you may want to review with them the relevant parts of Module 10, where open syllables were originally taught. If your learner needs a challenge, give them a list of open and closed-syllable two-syllable words. Ask them to identify the open syllable: mu-sic, hu-man, o-ver. As students look closely at each type of text structure, it is important for them to review the ones that they have already learned. If your learner has mastered the skill of identifying text structure, ask them to compose paragraphs about the same topic (football, for example) and to write each paragraph with a different text structure.
5 12.5 Text Detectives Some students may master a single spelling pattern for the week, but struggle when multiple patterns are addressed in review. If this is the case with your learner, you can help by writing the words on notecards and asking your learner to group them by word family. Another strategy for struggling spellers is to remind them of other words they know that use that spelling pattern. (If they are having trouble spelling the word stitch, for example, ask them to spell itch and pitch, and then apply what they know to the word.) If your learner needs of a challenge, have them practice spelling words that do not follow the patterns and then try to find a pattern of their own.

Module Guiding Questions:

When a student starts a lesson ask them questions to check for prior knowledge and understanding and to review concepts being taught. At the end of the lesson ask the questions again to see if their answer changes.

Lesson Title Question
12.1 Text Detectives
  1. How do you put words in alphabetical order?
12.2 Text Detectives
  1. Can you name the different types of text structure?
12.3 Text Detectives
  1. What does it mean to read at a just-right speed?
12.4 Text Detectives
  1. Can you identify subject-verb agreement?
12.5 Text Detectives
  1. What is included in a peer review?

Module Video Questions:

When a student watches a video take time to ask them questions about what they watched. Suggested questions for the videos in this module are listed here. Suggestion: Have the student watch the entire video first all the way through. Then have them watch the video a second time, as they watch it pause the video and ask the questions.

Lesson Title Video Question

Module Suggested Read Aloud Books:

Take time to read to your student or have them read aloud to you. Read a different book each day. While reading the book point out concepts being taught. You may purchase these books or find them at your local library. Suggested things to discuss while reading the book:

  • What is the main idea?
  • What are three things new you learned?
  • How does this book relate to what you are learning about?

# Book Author Lexile Level

Module Outing:

Take some time to apply what your student is learning to the real world. Suggested outings are below.

# Outing