Objective: I can use captions for a nonfiction text to increase my understanding and create a nonfiction picture book.
Materials
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Projector, two images of an elephant's skeleton, one with the image only and the other with a caption giving information about the photograph. The images that you choose should provoke a response from students. The image should look extremely similar to that of a dinosaur fossil. Some students won't be able to tell the difference, which will lead to the discussion of the importance of captions.
Hook: In order to grab students' attention, present the image of the elephant skull without a caption. Ask, "What do you see? Turn and talk with your friend and be prepared to share your ideas." After students have discussed the image, allow them to share their thoughts. Present students with the second image with the caption. Ask, "What's different about this picture and what purpose does the caption serve?"
Model: Display any nonfiction text of your choice and explain how the captions are just as important as the text. We often overlook the captions in a book, but captions sometimes provide the reader with information that may not be in the body of the written section. Identify one picture and explain what you learned from reading the picture and caption.
Independent Practice
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Have students work in flexible groups to create pictures and captions to accompany a nonfiction article about an animal of their choice.