Butterfly Unit ~ Close Reading Passages ~ Text Dependent Questions

Butterfly Unit ~ Close Reading ~ Text Dependent Questions : We have developed this Common Core aligned complete Butterfly Unit with CLOSE Reading passages, text dependent questions, and essential questions that contains everything needed to teach a rigorous unit on butterflies. Four original CLOSE Reading nonfiction passages were created to help teach your students about butterflies. CLOSE reading instructions and anchor charts are included to help you incorporate this skill into your teaching. There are text dependent questions aligned with each passage, a set of vocabulary cards with definitions to accompany each nonfiction text, a research report, Common Core Essential Questions, performance tasks, and RAFTS. A variety of other graphic organizers and activities are included. This unit emphasizes "Depth of Knowledge" (D.O.K.) throughout.

You can use this unit in its entirety, or “pick and choose” the components to meet the needs of your students.

This unit contains the following elements:

• Four CLOSE reading nonfiction passages with illustrations:

1. Introduction to Butterflies
2. The Butterfly Life Cycle
3. Butterfly Migration
4. Parts of a Butterfly

• Four sets of vocabulary cards with definitions, one for each CLOSE reading passage (Lexiles range from 500-850; we provide vocabulary support to scaffold for students who need more support).

• CLOSE Reading Instructions PowerPoint ( or handout) explaining the steps of CLOSE Reading.

• Anchor Charts for student annotation and Discussion Topics for CLOSE Reading.

• Four sets of “Text Dependent Questions”, on set for each CLOSE reading passage.

• Common Core Essential questions (to be used after all four passages are read, can be used as a summative assessment or a performance task.

• Butterfly Research Report (template to be used to write a complete report on butterflies). This can also be used as a performance task.

• RAFT ideas (explanation included if you’re not familiar with RAFTS).

• Cognitive Content Dictionary (to be made into a “book” for student vocabulary words, definitions, and pictures).

• KWL Chart (you can use this at the beginning of the unit to ascertain what they may already know about butterflies).

• Venn Diagram to compare and contrast similarities and differences.

• A Tree Map Graphic Organizer ( a grammar component for students to analyze the words in the passages and their parts of speech).

• A CLOZE worksheet (a fill-in the blank) worksheet and answer sheet to assess vocabulary attainment and your students’ ability to utilize context clues.

• Butterfly Crossword Puzzle (an added extra, can be used for early finishers or homework) with answer sheet and word bank.