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Click here for direct access to the ELA CCSS
Using Twin Texts in the Elementary Social Studies Classroom
Students in the early grades are often exposed to fiction texts (stories about a boy sharing a cookie with a mouse, a young girl who turns pink from eating too many cupcakes, etc.). These are essential to the development of students’ literacy skills. However, being comfortable with the unique structures of non-fiction text is also essential for success in
literacy. Interacting with non-fiction texts
may be the best path to overall literacy (Read, 2005). While fictional texts have characters, a plot, a problem/solution, and a resolution, non-fiction texts do not
contain these same elements but contain
text structures such as cause and effect or compare and contrast, making the approach to reading them different than when reading a fictional text.
Not only does the CCSS describe specific standards related to reading informational texts, but it also offers suggested exemplar texts in Appendix B of the document (NGACBP, 2010). These are examples of texts that can be used to meet the Reading Standards for Informational Text. While there are many excellent texts that teachers can use, using this list of non-fiction texts and pairing them with fictional texts to use during instruction is an effective way to meet the requirements of the CCSS as well as increase the rigorous reading skills needed by today’s students.
The following are exemplar texts from Appendix B of the CCSS, a suggested fiction text to use as the non-fiction’s “twin,” and a description of how the two texts can be used.
1. Martin Luther King and the March on Washington by Frances E. Ruffin: This CCSS informational text exemplar for grades 2-3 describes the events surrounding the famous speech given by Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963. Through text and photographs, it explains the racial discrimination that was prevalent during that time. Readers learn about the use of separate drinking fountains, separate entrances into buildings, and separate places to sit on buses. Before reading this text, a fictional twin text can help engage students in discussion about equality and discrimination. Sneetches by Dr. Seuss introduces students to characters who have stars on their stomachs who discriminate against those who do not. Those without stars are not allowed to play with those with stars. Further, the adults encourage those with stars to ignore those without stars and encourage mocking and teasing. However, by the end of the story, the characters acknowledge that the stars (or lack thereof) are unimportant. This text can prompt discussion about discrimination, differences, and acceptance of others. Once students have engaged in the ideas behind this fictional story, the non-fiction text about Martin Luther King, Jr. can be read. Pairing the two together provides students with the opportunity to discuss these concepts regarding fictional characters and then discussing more deeply the historical events surrounding the March on Washington.
Kristi Odell is the Instructional Facilitator at Indian Trails Elementary School in Fort Osage, MO. She received her Educational Specialist degree in Literacy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.