Created by: Jane Rollin
Audience: 3rd Grade; advanced classroom all reading on or above grade level.
Text Set Purpose: This text set provides students an opportunity to analyze the idea of Point of View for the purpose of developing it as a critical thinking skill.
Common Core English Language Arts & Literacy Standard 6 asks students to distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters. Students will be applying the skill of identifying varying points of view, considering divergent points of view and synthesizes new understandings of perception across subjects, literacy contexts, and social learning.
Audience: 3rd Grade; advanced classroom all reading on or above grade level.
Text Set Purpose: This text set provides students an opportunity to analyze the idea of Point of View for the purpose of developing it as a critical thinking skill.
Common Core English Language Arts & Literacy Standard 6 asks students to distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters. Students will be applying the skill of identifying varying points of view, considering divergent points of view and synthesizes new understandings of perception across subjects, literacy contexts, and social learning.
ANCHOR TEXT:
The One and Only Ivan by: Katherine Applegate
This book is told from a unique perspective: that of a silverback gorilla kept in a small mall. This narrative will give students a strong example of first person narrative. As an anchor text this book provides on going opportunities for students to address a different viewpoint from their own. Students will be able to begin comparing their own experiences of viewing animals in public places versus this story’s presented perspective of the caged animal’s point of view. It offers opportunity to scaffold more complex point of view consideration through the human and animal characters within the text. The book presents short chapters with non traditional narrative style. It is a lexile level 570 which is on grade level. The text presents complex ideas and would be well suited as a teacher facilitated text.
The One and Only Ivan by: Katherine Applegate
This book is told from a unique perspective: that of a silverback gorilla kept in a small mall. This narrative will give students a strong example of first person narrative. As an anchor text this book provides on going opportunities for students to address a different viewpoint from their own. Students will be able to begin comparing their own experiences of viewing animals in public places versus this story’s presented perspective of the caged animal’s point of view. It offers opportunity to scaffold more complex point of view consideration through the human and animal characters within the text. The book presents short chapters with non traditional narrative style. It is a lexile level 570 which is on grade level. The text presents complex ideas and would be well suited as a teacher facilitated text.
1. Hey, Little Ant by: Phillip and Hannah Hoose
Picture book (with optional chords to sing along with book). Visuals and text address the differing perspectives of a child and an ant. Used as a read aloud and discussion on point of view/perspective of relatable situations. This book gives an opportunity for students to consider a side to a story they may not have considered previously. Opportunity to build on the idea that you can identify differing points of view in most situations.
Picture book (with optional chords to sing along with book). Visuals and text address the differing perspectives of a child and an ant. Used as a read aloud and discussion on point of view/perspective of relatable situations. This book gives an opportunity for students to consider a side to a story they may not have considered previously. Opportunity to build on the idea that you can identify differing points of view in most situations.
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2. “The Writing on the Wall” by: OK GO Official Music video
This is a music video that shows an intricate production of how visual vantage points can alter the perspective of the viewer and allow them to see different things from different angles, or different points of view. This piece offers a visual, spacial example of point of view, connecting perceptual skills with critical thinking skills. |
3. Two text comparison of:
“The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen & Biographical sketch of Hans Christian Andersen One picture book of a traditional fairy tale and one biographical sketch of this fairy tale’s author. Reading the fairytale students can consider their opinions and own connections to the story. Then students can read the biographical sketch of its author to offer them a new perspective on the story: how it is the author’s version of some of his own experiences as a child. This pairing will give students an opportunity to see how their own point of view can change with more information or background on a topic. |
www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/hans-christian-andersen/Biographical Sketch of Hans Christian Andersen from Scholastic |
4. Perspective Cartoon
Cartoon visual. This simple comparison can be used to discuss the significance and implications of having different points of view. Both are showing similar reactions to what the others have. Why? Is there a right or wrong perspective? Identifying different perspectives can come about from your vantage point or experiences. This item will be accessible for all student levels and allow for natural differentiation within analysis. Optional add on would be having students come up with their own point of view cartoon.
Cartoon visual. This simple comparison can be used to discuss the significance and implications of having different points of view. Both are showing similar reactions to what the others have. Why? Is there a right or wrong perspective? Identifying different perspectives can come about from your vantage point or experiences. This item will be accessible for all student levels and allow for natural differentiation within analysis. Optional add on would be having students come up with their own point of view cartoon.
5. Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by: Marilyn SInger and Josee Massee
Book of prose that examines familiar tales from two perspectives so that we consider both sides of the story. The poems are written bi-directionally to evidence two points of view. Discussion: No words are changed or rearranged in the two poems, simply reversed. How does this change the perspective? This piece gives students an experience with a type of poetry that relies on point of view. Optional add on: have students write their own mirror poems.
Book of prose that examines familiar tales from two perspectives so that we consider both sides of the story. The poems are written bi-directionally to evidence two points of view. Discussion: No words are changed or rearranged in the two poems, simply reversed. How does this change the perspective? This piece gives students an experience with a type of poetry that relies on point of view. Optional add on: have students write their own mirror poems.
6. TED TALK: BENJAMIN GRANTWhat it feels like to see Earth from space
An inspiring discussion of perspective of Earth from space and how it has affected astronauts. This video is more complex content than the other pieces of this text set and may be well suited as one of the final materials explored, after the skill of considering point of view has been scaffolded and practiced. It should be teacher facilitated as it touches briefly on different tragedies on our planet. "If we can adopt a more expansive perspective, embrace the truth of what is going on and contemplate the long-term health of our planet, we will create a better, safer and smarter future for our one and only home," Grant says. This could be a powerful “What Next?” component to this unit to give students an idea of how to approach different types of information by considering the differing points of view, specifically that which comes from current news and events. |
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Classroom visual for unit/anchor skill: