Beyond History Books: Researching With Twin Texts and Technology

Materials and Technology

Student Interactives

Printouts

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• A collection of fiction and nonfiction books on the same topic of your choosing (see Twin Texts and Technology Topics under Printouts for suggestions)
  
  
• Visual presenter/document camera
  
  
• LCD projector
  
  
• Computers with an Internet connection

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STUDENT INTERACTIVES

Grades   3 – 8  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

K-W-L Creator

This tool allows students to create an online K-W-L chart. Saving capability makes it easy for them to start the chart before reading and then return to it to reflect on what they learned.

 

Grades   3 – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

ReadWriteThink Webbing Tool

The Webbing Tool provides a free-form graphic organizer for activities that ask students to pursue hypertextual thinking and writing.

 

Grades   3 – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

ReadWriteThink Notetaker

Useful for a wide variety of reading and writing activities, this outlining tool allows students to organize up to five levels of information.

 

Grades   K – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

Timeline

Students can generate descriptive timelines that can be plotted with their choice of units of measure (date, time, event, entry, or other).

 

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PRINTOUTS

• K-W-L Chart
  
  
• Twin Texts and Technology Topics
  
  
• Fact Chart
  
  
• Vocabulary Chart
  
  
• Twin Texts and Technology Presentation Rubric

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PREPARATION

1. Select and gather fiction and nonfiction texts on the same topic. (See Twin Texts and Technology Topics for suggestions.) If possible, collect multiple copies of the same title(s) to allow several students to read a text simultaneously.
   
   
2. Create a reading schedule that allows time for exploration of both fiction and nonfiction texts. For each title, determine whether to have students read individually, in small groups, or listen to you read aloud. Decide whether nonfiction texts should be read in their entirety (cover to cover) or if certain chapters or sections should be emphasized.
   
   
3. Identify important facts and events from each text. Consider your students’ grade level, instructional objectives, and prior knowledge. Print a Fact Chart for each student (additional copies may be needed, too). Prepare a large Fact Chart on poster board or chart paper for classroom use.
   
   
4. Identify vocabulary words from the texts. Focus on words that are relevant to the historic event or frequently appear in both the fiction and nonfiction books. Consider your students’ grade level, reading abilities, and prior knowledge, and adjust the number of selected vocabulary words accordingly. Print a Vocabulary Chart for each student. Prepare a large Vocabulary Chart on poster board or chart paper for classroom use.
   
   
5. Identify 1–3 websites that support and extend the reading experience (see Twin Texts and Technology Topics for suggestions). If possible, use websites that are interactive yet informative. The goal is to allow students to participate in virtual field trips or enriching, hands-on experiences without actually leaving the classroom. If needed, reserve time in the school’s computer lab.

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