Compare and Contrast Close Reading Lesson Yellowstone Wolves

Close Reading

Point of View

Compare and Contrast

Lots of options for differentiation!

Check out my YouTube video that explains this lesson: Click here

Two original articles about the Yellowstone Wolf controversy. Each article takes a different point of view. Students will have fun reading about each side and will form their own opinions about the controversy.

Great way to teach close reading for the point of view without boring the kids to death. :)

I wrote this lesson because I wanted an interesting topic that would catch my students' attention. I also was frustrated trying to find articles that showed a clear point of view about a similar topic. I wanted non fiction articles that would be easy to teach with; but would challenge my students at the same time. Point of view, compare and contrast, and supporting answers with evidence is all over the common core standards and PARCC testing. I created this lesson as an interesting way to teach and learn these skills.

This lesson is focused around two non fiction articles about the Yellowstone Wolf controversy. The goal is to close read for the author's point of view, find supporting details (text evidence), compare and contrast the author's point of view, and finally write an essay. You could also hold a debate at the end of the lesson! Kids love to argue- and it is a great way to let them argue, using text evidence! :)

Included are lots of graphic organizers so you can differentiate, close reading steps, close reading bookmark, five pages of teacher directions, two non fiction articles, paragraph frame, 4 different assignment options, and a rubric. 37 pages in all!

This lesson is designed to be taught as an I do, we do, you do model of teaching and learning. It can be modified to fit your needs and your students' needs. You could use it as a whole class lesson, mini-lesson, shared reading, partner reading, independent work, etc. I included directions for how I used it in my classroom last year. I taught sixth grade last year; but this could easily work in fifth grade or even fourth grade. I even think it could be used with seventh graders. I plan on using it again next year.

Enjoy! :)

Do you need a FREE main idea lesson? Click here to get a free main idea lesson! I hope it helps you and makes learning fun and engaging!

Also, if you like this lesson, you should check out some of my others:

Close Reading Killer Whales

Are the Bees Disappearing? Close Reading Lesson

Close Reading Yellowstone Wolves

The Loch Ness Monster Close Reading Unit

Megalodon Shark Close Reading Unit

Do Mermaids Exist? Close Reading Unit

Shark Controversy Close Reading Unit

Bigfoot Close Reading Unit

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Do you need extra resources to help with your intervention reading groups? Check out my close reading intervention pack: Close Reading Intervention Pack

English Language Arts Standards Met:

Fourth Grade:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Fifth Grade:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.5Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.

Sixth Grade:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.