Blog 9
Christy Borfitz
Compare and Contrast of Fiction and Non-Fiction Text
| Differences | Similarities | Differences |
| Fiction Text | | Non-Fiction Text |
| Characters Setting Problem Solution Plot Events Theme | Title Topic Main Idea Pictures New Vocabulary | Diagrams Graphs Maps Charts Tables Timelines Bold Print Bullets Headings Subheadings Labels Captions Table of Contents Index Glossary |
In a fiction text, I think the main supporting feature would be the pictures. We have read in our texts that non-linguistic representations are valuable to ELLs because they help them understand the text without language barriers. The other features in a fiction text might be challenging and would have to be supported in various ways depending on the ELL’s English proficiency. We talked about several ways to scaffold Sinister Bar which is a narrative text. We would begin by activating prior knowledge by using pictures, video, visuals and current events. We also would need to find key vocabulary and have students do an activity with it, such as making a visual dictionary. Using a graphic organizer would help also with sequencing the story to make the events clear. Also, teacher questioning that is scaffolded depending on the English proficiency of the ELL throughout the reading would be helpful.
Several features of non-fiction text could support ELLs depending on their English language proficiency. Diagrams, graphs, maps, charts, tables, timelines and pictures are visuals that support students learning English because they do not always rely on a student’s English ability. Because bold print, bullets, headings, subheadings, labels, captions, table of contents, index, glossary and new vocabulary are based on language that may be more challenging for ELLs. Teachers would have to support ELLs by showing them how these features relate to the text and the pictures around them in the text. Teachers would also have to select the key vocabulary and provide activities, pictures and videos to help ELLs understand them.
Christy,
ReplyDeleteNice job on creating a graphic organizer that can be used over and over again. As I examine the list on the non-fiction text, I seem some items that one might also find in fiction texts that are not necessarily in your column for similarities. You might add a few more things under similarities. Specifically many chapter books also included headings, subheadings, pictures with captions, etc. Students do, however, need to understand how the content of each is structured and it is good that you are providing them with a useful too.