1. Gail E. Tompkins California State University, Fresno
Literacy in the Middle Grades Teaching Reading and Writing to Fourth to Eighth Graders, 2e Second Edition
Gail E. Tompkins
California State University, Fresno
Prepared by
Helen Hoffner
Holy Family University
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2. Chapter 8
Text Factors
Stories, informational books, and poems can be easy or difficult to read depending upon inherent factors of:
Genres
Broad Categories of Literature
Structures
Organizational Patterns
Features
Conventions such as headings, layout, indexes

3. Narrative Genres Folklore Fantasy Realistic Fiction
Chapter 8
Narrative Genres
Folklore
Fables, Folktales, Myths, Legends
Fantasy
Modern Literary Tales, Fantastic Stories, Science Fiction, High Fantasy
Realistic Fiction
Contemporary Stories, Historical Stories

4. Elements of Story Structure
Chapter 8
Plot
Characters
Setting
Point of View
Theme

5. Points of View First-Person Viewpoint Omniscient Viewpoint
Chapter 8
Points of View
First-Person Viewpoint
Omniscient Viewpoint
Limited Omniscient Viewpoint
Objective Viewpoint

6. Poetic Forms Rhymed Verse Narrative Poems Haiku Free Verse Odes
Chapter 8
Poetic Forms
Rhymed Verse
Narrative Poems
Haiku
Free Verse
Odes
Concrete Poems

7. Expository Text Structures
Chapter 8
Expository Text Structures
Description
Sequence
Comparison
Cause and Effect
Problem and Solution

8. Nonfiction Text Features
Chapter 8
Nonfiction Text Features
Headings & Subheadings
Photographs & Drawings
Figures, Maps, & Tables
Margin Notes
Highlighted Vocabulary
Glossary
Review Sections
Index

9. Comprehension Strategies
Chapter 8
Comprehension Strategies
Students apply what they’ve learned about text factors when they:
Consider genre
Recognize text structure
Attend to literary devices
When students notice text factors, they’re better able to understand what they’re reading.

10. Teaching About Text Factors
Chapter 8
Teaching About Text Factors
Teachers help students understand text factors by providing:
Mini-lessons
Read-alouds
Think-alouds to demonstrate strategies
Time to read independently

11. Assessment Students demonstrate knowledge of text factors by:
Chapter 8
Assessment Students demonstrate knowledge of text factors by:
Discussing the characteristics of a genre in book talks and grand conversations
Applying their understanding of genre when responding to prompts on writing assessments
Incorporating literary devices in their own writing
Writing poems that are modeled after poems they have read
Making graphic organizers