A storybook about bats and a fact book about bats are compared on a Venn diagram with Storybook, Fact Book, and Both regions. 3rd grade students sort nine statements by writing each letter in the right region. Examples include a bat wearing a tiny backpack, a glossary of science words, and the fact that bats are mammals. The statements are on page 1 and the diagram fills page 2. It ties to RI.3.9. The answer key places three statements in each region.
RI.3.9
“Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic.”
Students sort details the two bat books share, such as what bats eat and that bats are mammals, into Both, and details that differ, such as the glossary and a bat wearing a tiny backpack, into each book's circle.
Nine lettered statements in a table, such as "Has a problem and a solution." and "Uses photographs of real caves."
On page 2, students write each letter from A to I in the Storybook circle, the Fact Book circle, or the Both oval where they overlap.
B, E, and I go under Storybook only, A, D, and G under Fact Book only, and C, F, and H under Both.
Bat week
Read a bat picture book and a bat nonfiction book in the same week, then hand this out. Students check each statement against the real books before they write the letter.
Tricky statement
H, the title and author on the cover, belongs in Both, but many students put it under Storybook only. Hold up a fact book cover to settle it.
Genre check
Use it as a quick check on fiction and nonfiction features. It takes under 10 minutes, and statement G shows who understands an author's purpose.
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