About This Unit

SUBJECT
Literature, Compare and Contrast, Drawing Conclusions, Making Inferences, Expository Writing, Literary Response, Persuasive Writing

GRADE
6-8

DURATION
3 Class Periods

COLLECTION
Nonfiction Genre Study

Fiction vs. Nonfiction

By Jennifer Chandler

In order to participate in literary analysis throughout the school year, students must be able to identify writing as fiction or nonfiction. This unit will equip students with the tools to do just that.

OBJECTIVE
The students will:

  1. Identify the elements of fiction as applied to a short story.
  2. Identify the criteria necessary in a nonfiction piece.
  3. Distinguish the author's purpose in expository text.

LESSONS FOR THIS UNIT
Lesson 1: Finding Fiction
Lesson 2: Nonfiction is "No Nonsense"

REPRODUCIBLES
Traits of Nonfiction (PDF)
Expository Essay Rubric (PDF)
Traits of Fiction (PDF)
Story Map (PDF)

CULMINATING ACTIVITY

Publishing a Piece of Nonfiction

Students will choose a topic, do research as necessary, and participate in an online writing workshop to prepare for writing an expository piece. This essay will be persuasive in nature and on a topic chosen by the student or suggested by the teacher.

SUPPORTING BOOKS

Books for Teaching Genre Identification

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    Bailey School Kids Christmas Special

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  • Scholastic Store
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    Beasty Bath

    Beasty Bath

    Rhyming text makes this story a perfect read-aloud. Fun text and illustration interplay creates amusing movement from bathtime to bedtime. The scales, fangs, and claws of this sweet little beast become cuddly, cute, and clean as the bath is drawn and bedtime is around the corner. Scrub carefully between your toes and don't breathe fire out of your nose, as the beasty bath parades new and exciting ways to see yourself underwater. So please brush your teeth and finally fall asleep in the arms of imagination.

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    books;hardcover books;picture books | Ages 3-5
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    Beasty Bath
    Ages 3-5 $11.99
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