The Introduction to the Elements is the second unit in our Beyond Literature Series I introduced last month. (Find the First Lesson HERE) This lesson helps set up the following seven lessons. The format is similar to the first and the rest of the units in this study series. It is also identical to what is included in each lesson her after. A PowerPoint presentation, a set of Teachers, and a set of Student notes accompany the presentation. I have identified five essential elements of literature for this Beyond Series Unit of study. They include Setting, Characters, Dialogue, Conflict, and Plot.
Three general activities will help reinforce the concept. This lesson also uses several mentor texts, which are suggested texts but support the ideas within each concept to be learned in each lesson. The general activities can be used with the suggested mentor text, or they can be used with any other text of your choosing. Eventually, I will create more specific activities to accompany each of my suggested mentor texts. The suggested text for this lesson is: Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McClusky, Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes, and Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion.
The activities include two versions of sequencing a story, which helps to understand the concept of each story having a beginning, middle, and end. One is a cut-and-paste activity using a shortened version of the Three Little Bears. It allows the students to cut and paste the story into its correct order. The other sequence version is a create-your-own story sequence. It uses any known story and sequence in its beginning, middle, and end. The last activity has students identify all the Elements of Literature discussed in the lesson. Again, use a suggested mentor text or any text a student can quickly identify the elements discussed.
Find the complete unit HERE.
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