PatternGraphic Organizer's) Cue WordsSample Passage Description Best when used to learn a lot of information about a topic and the author describes a topic by listing characteristics, features, examples. Sequence does not necessarily matter. Semantic maps For example characteristics are for instance, specifically, in particular, in addition Have you ever noticed the different sounds of thunder? From a distance, thunder sounds like a low rumbling. From nearby, thunder sounds like a loud CRACK! A type of wave interaction called diffraction causes this difference. Diffraction is the bending of waves around barriers or through openings. It is how sound waves travel around corners of buildings and through doorways. The amount of diffraction is greatest when the size of the barrier or the opening is the same size or smaller than the wavelength of the sound waves, as shown in Figure 21. (6 th grade Science Sound and Light p. 47) Sequence The author lists items or events in chronological or numerical order. lists, flow charts, timeline, stair step organizer Next, first, last, second, another, then, additionally In an atom, an electron can move from one energy level to another. A photon is released when an electron moves from a higher energy level to a lower energy level. This process is called emission. Stimulated emission occurs when a photon strikes an atom in an excited state and makes that atom emit another photon. The newly emitted photon is identical to the first photon, and they travel away from the atom together. Figure 23 shows how stimulated emission works to produce laser light. "How Lasers Produce Light" (6 th Grade Science Sound and Light p. 110) Comparison/ Contrast The author explains how two or more things are alike and/or how they are different Venn diagram, T- chart However, unlike, like, by contrast, yet, in comparison, although, whereas, similar to, different from The lens of a properly working eye focuses light on the retina, so the images formed are always clear. Two common vision problems-nearsightedness and farsightedness- occur when light is not focused on the retina. A nearsighted person can see objects clearly only if the objects are nearby. Objects that are farther away look blurry. A farsighted person can see faraway objects clearly, but objects nearby look blurry. Figure 18 explains how nearsightedness and farsightedness occur and how they can be corrected. "Common Vision Problems" – Nearsightedness and Farsightedness (6 th Grade Science Sound and Light p. 106) Cause/Effect The author lists on or more causes and the resulting effect or effects Flow chart, herring bone organizer Reasons why … If…then As a result… Therefore… Because… Consequently, thereby, leads to Light reflects off surfaces the same way that a ball bounces off the ground. If you throw the ball straight down against a smooth surface, it will bounce straight up. If you bounce it at an angle, it will bounce away at an angle. The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Incidence is the falling of a beam of light on a surface. Figure 14 illustrates this law. "Interactions of Light Waves" – Reflection, The Law of Reflection (6 th Grade Science Sound and Light p. 73) Problem and Solution The author states a problem and lists one or more solutions for the problem. Problem solution chart, flow chart Problem is Dilemma is Puzzle is Solved Question… answer Sources of incandescent light also release a large amount of thermal energy. Sometimes this thermal energy is useful because it can be used to cook food or to warm a room. But often this thermal energy is not used for anything. For example, the thermal energy given off by a light bulb is not very useful. …Fluorescent light is sometimes called cool light because less thermal energy is produced than with incandescent light. "Producing Light" – Incandescent Light/Fluorescent Light (6 th Grade Science Sound and Light pgs. 95 – 96)