TexTacToe Logical Connections
Congratulations on your purchase of the Really
Good Literacy Center-in-a-Bag™ TexTacToe Logical
Connections, an activity that gives students the text
and practice they need to describe the logical connection
between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text.
Text structures provided include cause & effect, compare
& contrast, and sequential.
Meeting Common Core State Standards
The Really Good Stuff TexTacToe Logical Connections
aligns with the following English Language Arts
Standards:
Integration of Knowledge & Ideas
RI.3.8 Describe the logical connection between particular
sentences and paragraphs in a text (e.g., comparison,
cause/effect, first/second/third in a sequence).
This Really Good Stuff product includes:
• 1 Mat (game side and text structures graphic
organizer side)
• 1 Spinner
• 12 Text Cards (4 each with compare & contrast,
cause & effect, and sequential text structures)
• 20 Chips (10 of each color)
• 1 Center Task Card
• This Really Good Stuff Teaching Guide
In this fun activity, two students read a short passage,
spin twice to discuss how sentences relate to the overall
paragraph, and then name the text structure. With each
correct answer, students earn a turn at TexTacToe,
accruing points throughout the activity. Finally, students
complete the Logical Connections Recording Sheet
Reproducible. The content of this activity is at the
second- and third-grade level.
Managing the Center-in-a-Bag
• Visit our Web site www.reallygoodstuff.com to
download Really Good Stuff Teaching Guides.
• Display the Center Task Card.
• Make copies of the Logical Connections Recording
Sheet Reproducible and store them with the center.
• Demonstrate how to tidy the center when the
activity is complete.
• Store the center materials in the bag, and hang it
alongside other Centers-in-a-Bag.
The Importance of Making Logical Connections
Every paragraph consists of sentences that form a unit
of thought based on one central idea. Understanding this
concept is vital when reading increasingly complex texts.
Describing the connections (cause and effect, compare
and contrast, sequencing) between particular sentences
within and between paragraphs supports all levels of
reading comprehension. Making logical connections
between sentences within a paragraph and between a
series of paragraphs also supports written and oral
expression.
Making connections between particular sentences
and paragraphs requires knowledge of grammar and
vocabulary, particularly signal words.
Introducing TexTacToe Logical Connections
Begin by reviewing with students the three text structures
presented in this center: cause & effect; compare &
contrast; and sequential. These structures and their
signal words are presented on the mat, and the back
of the mat features a graphic organizer for each one.
Understanding text structures helps readers understand
the connections among sentences and paragraphs in
text. Tell students they will work with a partner and spin
for a task, either describing how a sentence relates to
the paragraph or naming the passage’s text structure.
Answers are on the card backs. Students will use the
same Text Card for both of their turns (two spins). A new
Text Card is drawn after both students have spun and
discussed the same card.
Model the Activity
Invite a student to be your partner to demonstrate the
activity. Place the mat, spinner and card pile (answerside down) within reach. Each of you has 10 different
colored chips to play TexTacToe. You will need a dry erase
marker to keep score on the scoreboard. The person with
the next birthday may begin by drawing a Text Card and
reading it aloud. Next, spin for a task. Discuss the task
and check your work on the back, reading the answer
aloud. If the student’s answer is correct, place a chip on
TexTacToe. If incorrect, no chip is placed. Using the same
Text Card, the other student then spins and completes
the task. Continue until someone wins TexTacToe with
three in a row. Tally a point in round 1, and continue
on as time allows. Each student completes a Logical
Connections Recording Sheet Reproducible for up to
three passages, one for each text structure.
All teaching guides can be found online.
Helping Teachers Make A Difference
®
© 2014 Really Good Stuff
®
1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #306029
TexTacToe Logical Connections
Really Good Literacy Center-in-a-Bag
TexTacToe Logical Connections
2 students
Object: Describe how a sentence connects to the rest
of the paragraph to earn a turn at TexTacToe
Materials: 1 mat and spinner, 12 cards, 10 chips each,
dry-erase marker, a recording sheet and pencil each
Directions:
1. Place cards answer-side down in a pile. Reader 1
reads a card aloud and spins.
2. Reader 1 answers the question and checks the
answer on the card back.
3. If correct, reader 1 shows that answer to reader 2
and places a chip on the TexTacToe board.
(If incorrect, reader 1 does not play a chip.)
4. Reader 2 uses the same card, spins, answers the
question, and checks the answer.
5. If correct, reader 2 places a chip on TexTacToe.
6. Reader 1 draws a new card, spins, and answers
the question.
7.Continue in the same way until someone wins
TexTacToe.
8. The winner tallies a point in round 1.
9. Begin round 2 the same way. Winner goes first.
10.After 3 rounds, total the points to see who wins.
11. Both readers complete their own recording sheet.
Enrichment and Extension
The Logical Connections Recording Sheet Reproducible
on the right, can be used with these Text Cards or with
authentic text in the classroom.
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
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© 2014 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #306029
Logical Connections Recording Sheet Reproducible
Name __________________
Title ___________________
Title ___________________
Sequential
Cause & Effect
Events appear in chronological or numerical order.
first
last
soon
following
second
today
during
next
before
while
finally
third
afterward
immediately
then
initially
until
now
preceding
after
Something happens because of something else.
because
if…then
therefore
thus
accordingly
for this reason
since
nevertheless
may be due to
as a result of
this led to
so
consequently
1.
2.
Cause
3.
4.
5.
Title ___________________
Compare
& Contrast
Item 1
Item 2
Similarities and differences are presented for two
or more things.
although
as well as
however
even though
likewise
similarly
in contrast
as opposed to
but
similar to
not only
yet
conversely
whereas
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
different from
compared with
either...or
in common
neither/nor
even though
© 2014 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #306029
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2014 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in China #306029