Module 30: Athletes-Language Arts 3 - Course Guide

Module Overview:

In this module, learners explore how to compare and contrast information from two texts. They will identify similarities and differences, build vocabulary, and use because, but, and so to connect ideas and clarify meaning. Learners will also write, revise, edit, and publish a compare-and-contrast essay while developing cursive writing and reading fluency.

Module Materials:

Lesson # Lesson Title Material(s)
1 30.1 Athletes timer
Language Arts Notebook
highlighters (assorted colors)
2 30.2 Athletes Language Arts Notebook
highlighters (assorted colors)
3 30.3 Athletes timer
Language Arts Notebook
highlighters (assorted colors)
4 30.4 Athletes Language Arts Notebook
highlighters (assorted colors)
5 30.5 Athletes Language Arts Notebook
highlighters (assorted colors)

Module Objectives:

Lesson # Lesson Title Objective(s)
1 30.1 Athletes
  1. Use context clues to find the definitions of vocabulary words.
  2. Explain comparison and contrast with two texts.
  3. Revise simple sentences using because, but, or so.
  4. Identify the parts of a compare-and-contrast essay.
2 30.2 Athletes
  1. Identify real-life connections between words and their use.
  2. Compare and contrast two texts.
  3. Construct complex and compound sentences using because, but, and so.
  4. Construct a compare-and-contrast essay.
3 30.3 Athletes
  1. Analyze and apply vocabulary words using context, figurative language, and word relationships.
  2. Describe the similarities and differences with two texts.
  3. Evaluate the impact of adding because, but, or so to a sentence.
  4. Revise a compare-and-contrast essay.
4 30.4 Athletes
  1. Analyze two texts to compare and contrast them.
  2. Evaluate different sentence versions to determine which conjunction best conveys intended meaning.
  3. Analyze and explain editing choices to improve writing.
  4. Demonstrate proper cursive connections to write sentences.
5 30.5 Athletes
  1. Compare and contrast two of the athletes from a nonfiction text.
  2. Revise a paragraph using because, but, and so to clarify tone.
  3. Create a published version of their compare-and-contrast paragraph.
  4. Demonstrate fluency by reading grade-level text.

Module Key Words:

Key Words Spelling Words Vocabulary Words
context clues
fluency
graphic organizer
compare and contrast
complete sentence
free verse
rhymed verse
haiku
and limerick
rhyme scheme
alliteration
hyperbole
imagery
metaphor
onomatopoeia
personification
simile
rough draft
revise
edit
publish
 Review Week
 podium
certain
grace
ambition
triumph
competition

Module Assignments:

Lesson # Lesson Title Page # Assignment Title

Learning Coach Notes:

Lesson # Lesson Title Notes
1 30.1 Athletes Learning Coaches can help students compare and contrast athletes by first guiding them to find nonfiction texts about two athletes. For example, you might look for biographies, news articles, or sports profiles that include facts about the athletes’ training, competitions, and achievements. Once your learner has the texts, help them take notes on important details, such as how each athlete trains, what sports they play, and what challenges they face. Using these notes, your learner can then organize their ideas in a Venn diagram to use to construct a simple essay that compares the athletes’ similarities and differences. Encourage your learner to use signal words to make their writing clear.
2 30.2 Athletes Learners will practice using sentence variety to improve their writing. One way to achieve sentence variety is to incorporate compound and complex sentences instead of relying only or mainly on simple sentences. Learning Coaches can help students construct stronger sentences by practicing how to use because, but, and so to connect ideas. Begin by having your learner say two short sentences aloud, such as “I was tired. I kept working.” Then, help them choose the joining word that best explains the relationship between the ideas in the sentences. Explain that using because creates a complex sentence by giving a reason and that but and so join two complete ideas in a compound sentence to show a contrast or a result. With regular practice, they will learn how to combine ideas clearly and use more detailed sentences in their writing.
3 30.3 Athletes You can support your learner’s poetry writing by encouraging them to focus on a few key elements as they draft. Ask your learner to explain the voice in the poem—who is speaking and how they feel—and to read the poem aloud to check pacing and rhyme scheme, noticing where lines move quickly or slow down and whether the rhymes sound natural. Help them add figurative language by suggesting comparisons (similes, metaphors) and imagery that show feelings or actions instead of simply naming them. Finally, support clarity by asking simple questions like, “What is happening in this poem?” or “What do you want readers to understand?” If the answers are unclear, encourage your learner to add specific details or revise lines so that the poem clearly communicates its message while still sounding creative and personal.
4 30.4 Athletes When your learner compares nonfiction texts, they may want to explain how the athletes in each article are alike and different. This approach can help them understand the texts. However, encourage them to compare more than just what the texts’ content conveys about the achievements, lives, and personalities of the athletes. Discuss how graphic features add different elements to each text. Ask your learner why the author used specific words to describe the athlete. Help your learner discover the techniques that other writers use to convey their ideas. Then, encourage your learner to try out these techniques in their own writing to develop their voice and build their confidence.
5 30.5 Athletes You can help your learner extend comparison writing by opening up the topics to include fictional stories, ideas, or experiences. Encourage your learner to think critically about how the two subjects are the same and how they are different, using clear reasons and details. They will most likely begin with surface-level differences, but asking guiding questions can help them to think about less obvious similarities and differences that they might have missed. You might prompt them to use words like both, however, and on the other hand to organize their ideas. These short writing conversations help students practice critical thinking, improve clarity, and strengthen their ability to explain ideas in complete sentences.

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
30.1 Athletes
  1. How can we compare and contrast two texts?
30.2 Athletes
  1. How can conjunctions help us connect ideas in our sentences?
30.3 Athletes
  1. How can we use similarities and differences to better understand two texts?
30.4 Athletes
  1. How can choosing the right conjunction change the meaning of a sentence?
30.5 Athletes
  1. How can we use because, but, and so to make our writing clearer?

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
1 Kid Athletes: True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends David Stabler 960L
2 Stephen Curry: The Children's Book: The Boy Who Never Gave Up Anthony Curcio
3 Dream Big: Michael Jordan and the Pursuit of Excellence Deloris Jordan NC690L
4 Simone Biles: America's Greatest Gymnast Joanne Mattern 660L

Module Outing:

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

# Outing