Text Structure Mini Lesson

Bright Lights,

Big Ideas

Target Lesson

Analyzing the
Structure of a

Text

“Untitled” by Daniela Turcanu is licensed under CC0.

Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license by CommonLit.

Part 1 - Warm-Up

Part 2 - Target Skill Video: Text Structure

Part 3 - Reading and Answering Questions

Part 4 - Assessment

LESSON OVERVIEW: TODAY’S AGENDA

Today’s Agenda:

Today you’ll read “Bright Lights, Big Ideas” and practice analyzing text structure.

Learning Objective

LO: SWBAT to analyze the organizational patterns of an informational text to identify the author's purpose.

DOL: Given the informational text, students will analyze the organizational patterns of an information text to identify the author's purpose with 80% mastery.

Multiple Choice

What is text structure?

• How a text is organized

• The author's purpose

• The genre of text

Steps for Analyzing Text Structure:

1. Read the title and identify the topic of the text.

2. Consider each paragraph's purpose.

   1. How do the paragraphs develop the author's ideas about the topic?

3. Look for ways authors develop ideas by making connections.

   1. How does each paragraph connect:

      1. to the title?

      2. to previous paragraphs?

      3. to the section?

PART 1: WARM-UP

Bioluminescence is a chemical reaction. This
reaction causes the firefly’s abdomen to glow.

Directions: Look at the pictures and answer the question.

“Photinus pyralis Firefly 3” by art farmer is licensed under CC0 2.0.

Organisms called single-cell dinoflagellates are

bioluminescent, which can cause the ocean

water to sparkle.

“"Beautiful Blue Bioluminescence at Scripps Pier"” by aslworking2 is licensed under CC

BY-NC-SA 2.0.

PART 1: WARM-UP: PICTURE STUDY

Today you’re going to learn about how
researchers are exploring bioluminescence as a
way to produce light.

●On your response card, answer the
following question. What might be an
advantage of using bioluminescence for light
instead of light bulbs or flashlights? Explain
your thinking.

Sentence Stem: An advantage of using
bioluminescence for light instead of light bulbs
or flashlights is…

Directions: Look at the pictures and answer the question.

Some companies are working to create

bioluminescent light displays using tiny, bright

bacteria.

Photograph used with permission of @Glowee

PART 2: TARGET SKILL VIDEO: TEXT STRUCTURE

2. What should I identify as I read the text’s
title?

Directions: Watch the video and then answer the question.

Sentence Stem: As I read the
text’s title, I should identify…

PART 3: READING AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS

Let’s start reading “Bright Lights, Big Ideas”

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of paragraph 1?

• to define the term bioluminescence for the reader

• to compare bioluminescence with other light sources

• to describe how scientists are studying different types of bioluminescence

• to create a mental image for the reader about a world powered by bioluminescence