Name: __________________________________________ Period: ___________
Nonfiction Text Exploration
During January and February, you will study nonfiction texts in order to become familiar with the
genre and to build your background knowledge. You will receive mentor texts in Language Arts, but in
order to maximize learning, it will be essential for you to find texts as well.
Each week, beginning January 11th and concluding the week of February 1st, you will be
required to bring a nonfiction text that covers the topic for the week. You will be reminded of
each week’s topic on the Wednesday prior to when the article is due.
Your texts must come from the library database, which you can access while in school or at home
through your public library card. You may also pull texts from the classroom library or the school
library. If you have an outside source, it must be approved by your Language Arts teacher.
The following are the topics and the dates when you are required to bring each article:
Date Due
Topic
Monday, January 11th
Leader Who Made a Positive Change in the World
(e.g., Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Malala Yousafzai, etc.)
You will have computer time during school to find your first text.
Tuesday, January 19th
Sports/Music/Entertainment
Monday, January 25th
Science Current Event
Monday, February 1st
African American Leader (Black History Month)
Over the course of the unit, you will complete various self-assignments to learn how to effectively
read nonfiction. At the end of the unit, you will gather your work into a nonfiction portfolio,
demonstrating what you have learned.
You will receive 5 portal points for bringing each text on the day it is due. Late texts will not be
accepted and will receive 0 points.
You will have the opportunity to earn additional portal points for the
activities you complete utilizing each of the texts. Self-assignments will
focus on nonfiction reading skills including: main idea and details,
author’s purpose, text features, organizational structures, and vocabulary.
HAPPY READING J!