Includes Common Core State Standards Correlations NON-FICTION EDUCATORS GUIDE The unique Step into Reading series offers books at five carefully developed skill levels, tailor-made for the emergent reader. Promoting fluency and providing quality content, the Step into Reading series has been trusted by educators for over thirty years and is the perfect resource for integrating science, social studies, and math. The Common Core State Standards require students to read more non-fiction in order to develop critical reading skills. Step into Reading non-fiction readers are ideal for implementing the Standards, and they are now categorized in the following ways: science, history, biography, sports, and general non-fiction. You will also find the Fountas & Pinnell guided reading level on the back covers, to help you select the right book for each reader. Illustration 2003 by Doug Knutson The teaching ideas inside this Educators Guide are aligned with the Standards and were developed to help advance your students on a path to success. Remember, a lifetime love of reading starts with a single step! Visit the all-new StepIntoReading.com for a Book Finder tool, Educators Guides, Recommended Classroom Reads, and more!
SCIENCE ACTIVITIES Kids love science there are so many fascinating things to learn about, like animals, natural wonders, and biomes. Share all the Step into Reading Science Readers to spark students curiosity about our world. CHICKS! Step 1 F&P: G PB: 978-0-307-93221-1 GLB: 978-0-375-97117-4 EL: 978-0-375-98114-2 As students listen to the story (or read the book independently), have them fill out the guided notes about it. Title Author Illustrator The people drive to a to buy. After the ride, they are. The small chicks feel. They need water and. The breeder keeps them. The chicks grow and. Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.2 With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. They even grow new so they can. They get a new house outside, called a. They grow and wattles on their faces. They grow beaks and fuller. Now they are not chicks but! They build for their nests. The chickens lay in the boxes. Now they have and eggs! FEEDING TIME AT THE ZOO Discuss the main ideas of Feeding Time at the Zoo with your students, and then have them list four important things that they learned. Step 2 F&P: I PB: 978-0-385-37190-2 GLB: 978-0-375-97190-7 EL: 978-0-375-98177-7 Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.2 Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. MORE SCIENCE CORN APLENTY F&P: G PB: 978-0-375-85575-7 BONES F&P: I PB: 978-0-679-89036-2 DINOSAUR BABIES PB: 978-0-679-81207-4 EL: 978-0-375-98199-9 PLATYPUS! F&P: J PB: 978-0-375-82417-3 WHOSE FEET? F&P: I PB: 978-0-375-82623-8 AMAZING ARMADILLOS PB: 978-0-375-84352-5 DOLPHINS! EL: 978-0-307-55570-0 PB: 978-0-679-84437-2 GORILLAS: GENTLE GIANTS OF THE FOREST PB: 978-0-679-87284-9 HUNGRY, HUNGRY SHARKS! PB: 978-0-394-87471-5 MONSTER BUGS PB: 978-0-679-86974-0 S-S-SNAKES! PB: 978-0-679-84777-9 EL: 978-0-385-37451-4 TENTACLES! TALES OF THE GIANT SQUID PB: 978-0-375-81307-8 TWISTERS! F&P: K PB: 978-0-375-86224-3 WHALES: THE GENTLE GIANTS PB: 978-0-394-89809-4 EL: 978-0-385-37463-7 WILD, WILD WOLVES PB: 978-0-679-81052-0 EL: 978-0-385-37480-4 HUNGRY PLANTS PB: 978-0-375-82533-0 EL: 978-0-307-53122-3 WILD CATS PB: 978-0-375-82551-4 DINOSAUR HUNTERS PB: 978-0-375-82450-0 RAPTOR PACK PB: 978-0-375-82303-9
DINOSAUR DAYS Have students identify the main topic of the book by answering these questions: What would you tell your friend if they asked what the book was about? What s the BIG IDEA behind it? Many times each page of a non-fiction book will be about a new idea. Have students identify the focus of each page listed below: PAGE IDEA 5 Example: Sometimes ancient dinosaur bones are found. 6 Example: The bones are like a puzzle that can be put together to show us what dinosaurs looked like. 8 9 Step 3 PB: 978-0-394-87023-6 10 11 12 Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.2 dentify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text as well as the focus of specifi c paragraphs within the text. VOLCANOES! MOUNTAINS OF FIRE Have students find the key quote that tells the reader each of the facts listed below. Step 4 PB: 978-0-679-88641-9 EL: 978-0-385-37475-0 Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. PAGE FACT 1 Mount St. Helens has been quiet for many years. 7 A pilot sees what happens. 11 He moves his plane toward safety. 12 Many vehicles get damaged from the ash. 15 A family camping in a cabin is stuck. 18 The volcano looks different after the eruption. 21 The volcano gave clues that it might erupt. 23 Some people would not leave, though given warnings. 27 Learning from Mount St. Helens helped scientists save other people. 31 Some volcanologists are robots. 32 The earth s plates move because of temperature. 35 Volcanoes create the lightest rock in the world. 38 People made up stories, known as myths, to explain volcanoes. 41 There are many active volcanoes. 47 People moved back near Mount St. Helens. QUOTE FROM THE TEXT THAT TELLS THIS INFORMATION
HISTORY ACTIVITIES History comes alive for students with these beautiful introductions to various topics. When they share great facts with their parents and friends on topics that are complex, they will feel a sense of pride, too. THE STATUE OF LIBERTY Read The Statue of Liberty to your class or reading group. Then help them make connections between the following aspects of the text: CONNECTIONS The Statue of Liberty & New York City People travel to America & they see the Statue of Liberty. Frédéric Bartholdi & the statue Bartholdi & his helpers Building the pedestal & stopping work on it People s names & money WHY THEY CONNECT New York Harbor is where the statue is located. Step 2 F&P: J PB: 978-0-679-86928-3 GLB: 978-0-679-96928-0 EL: 978-0-307-56014-8 Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.3 With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text. THE BRAVEST DOG EVER: THE TRUE STORY OF BALTO Have students describe the connection between these aspects of The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto: CONNECTIONS Balto & Nome, Alaska Travel was difficult & Balto had a job to do. Balto & Gunner WHY THEY CONNECT Step 3 PB: 978-0-394-89695-3 Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text. Diphtheria & medicine Anchorage & the train Fifteen days & the dog relay Two dogs froze & the driver made a decision. Snowdrifts & the dogs The ice & the medicine Balto & the cracking ice Balto & hero MORE HISTORY CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS PB: 978-0-679-80369-0 EL: 978-0-385-37472-9 EAT MY DUST! HENRY FORD S FIRST RACE PB: 978-0-375-81510-2 EL: 978-0-307-55583-0 THE FIRST THANKSGIVING PB: 978-0-679-80218-1 FRANCIS SCOTT KEY S STAR- SPANGLED BANNER PB: 978-0-375-86725-5 EL: 978-0-375-98008-4 GEORGE WASHINGTON AND THE GENERAL S DOG F&P: J PB: 978-0-375-81015-2 EL: 978-0-385-37281-7 LEWIS AND CLARK: A PRAIRIE DOG FOR THE PRESIDENT PB: 978-0-375-81120-3 LISTEN UP! ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL S TALKING MACHINE PB: 978-0-375-83115-7 THE TRUE STORY OF POCAHONTAS F&P: K PB: 978-0-679-86166-9
THE TITANIC: LOST... AND FOUND Have students read The Titanic: Lost... and Found and fill out the following graphic organizer, which connects a historical event (cause) to an effect that it had: HISTORICAL EVENT The Wonder Ship is written about in newspapers. EFFECT ON HISTORY Example: People are excited to have the chance to be on it. Experts say it is the safest ship ever. The iceberg scrapes along the side of the ship. Five compartments fill with water. There are 2,227 people on board the ship. Some of the lifeboats are only half full. Step4 F&P:N PB: 978-0-394-88669-5 EL: 978-0-307-56067-4 Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientifi c ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text. Many passengers are poor and are far from the lifeboats. The ship disappears into the dark water. The water is freezing. Only 705 people are rescued. Then have students find causes and effects in Chapter Four: Found at Last. MOONWALK: THE FIRST TRIP TO THE MOON Have students fill out the following chart based on Moonwalk: The First Trip to the Moon: CHAPTER WHAT HAPPENED WHERE & WHEN WHY IT IS THE EVENT OCCURRED IMPORTANT 1 Three men are launched July 16, 1969 People all over the world learn that into space for the first time Cape Kennedy, Florida humans can actually go to space in Apollo 11. and come back safely. 2 3 4 Step 5 PB: 978-0-394-82457-4 5 Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3 Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientifi c, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specifi c information in the text. BEN FRANKLIN AND THE MAGIC SQUARES PB: 978-0-375-80621-6 EL: 978-0-385-37461-3 DISCOVERY IN THE CAVE PB: 978-0-375-85893-2 EL: 978-0-307-77158-2 ESCAPE NORTH! THE STORY OF HARRIET TUBMAN PB: 978-0-375-80154-9 EL: 978-0-385-37479-8 FIRST KIDS PB: 978-0-375-82218-6 THE FLY ON THE CEILING PB: 978-0-679-88607-5 ICE MUMMY: THE DISCOVERY OF A 5,000-YEAR-OLD MAN PB: 978-0-679-85647-4 POMPEII... BURIED ALIVE! PB: 978-0-394-88866-8 THOMAS JEFFERSON S FEAST PB: 978-0-375-82289-6 EL: 978-0-385-37278-7 TUT S MUMMY: LOST... AND FOUND PB: 978-0-394-89189-7 EL: 978-0-385-37462-0 TO THE TOP! CLIMBING THE WORLD S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN PB: 978-0-679-83885-2 EL: 978-0-385-37468-2 THE TRAIL OF TEARS F&P: R PB: 978-0-679-89052-2 EL: 978-0-385-37473-6 THE TROJAN HORSE: HOW THE GREEKS WON THE WAR F&P: Q PB: 978-0-394-89674-8 EL: 978-0-307-77148-3
BIOGRAPHY ACTIVITIES Biographies are a great way to introduce students to important people from history who have had an impact on their countries and sometimes the world. Share the inspiring stories and build their comprehension and vocabulary simultaneously. ANNE FRANK S CHESTNUT TREE There is a diagram on page twenty of Anne Frank s Chestnut Tree. Have students explain what the diagram shows and how it helps the reader understand Anne s story better. Step 3 F&P: R PB: 978-0-307-97579-9 HC: 978-0-449-81255-6 GLB: 978-0-375-97115-0 EL: 978-0-375-98113-5 Step 3 PB: 978-0-375-86339-4 EL: 978-0-385-37478-1 Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area. BARACK OBAMA: OUT OF MANY, ONE Have students define the following boldface words, based on how they are used in context in Barack Obama: Out of Many, One. Then ask them to write a new sentence using each word. WORD IN THE SENTENCE WHAT I THINK IT MEANS, A NEW SENTENCE WHERE IT APPEARS BASED ON HOW IT IS USED WITH THAT WORD Barack listened to his mother s stories and imagined the father he did not know. Every morning she woke him up early to study. Sometimes he complained. She taught him the values she believed in fairness, honesty, and hard work. When he was ten, Barack won a scholarship to a school in Hawaii. He liked working with his teammates toward a common goal. The more he shared his plans, the more excited people got. Pretty soon, Barack had volunteers in every state. MORE BIOGRAPHIES ABE LINCOLN S HAT PB: 978-0-679-84977-3 EL: 978-0-385-37280-0 HELEN KELLER: COURAGE IN THE DARK F&P:N PB: 978-0-679-87705-9 EL: 978-0-307-55668-4 THE GREAT HOUDINI: WORLD-FAMOUS MAGICIAN AND ESCAPE ARTIST PB: 978-0-679-88573-3
SPORTS ACTIVITIES Sports help children build confidence, discipline, and cooperativeness. Step into Reading Sports Readers appeal to students natural affinity for this topic and get them excited about reading non-fiction at the same time. It s a win! BASEBALL S BEST: FIVE TRUE STORIES Have students find the key passage that communicates these facts in the first story in Baseball s Best: Five True Stories: Step 5 PB: 978-0-394-80983-0 FACT Babe Ruth s real name Babe Ruth changed positions. Babe Ruth doesn t let the crowd get to him. He starts out the game really strong. The game between the Cubs and the Yankees is very close. All the fans in the crowd are impressed with Babe Ruth s amazing hit. KEY PASSAGE George Herman Ruth has been playing major-league ball since 1914. NASCAR S GREATEST DRIVERS Have students find the key passage that answer these questions in the introduction to NASCAR s Greatest Drivers: QUESTION What is a NASCAR race like? Why is it called a stock-car race? Where are racetracks located? When do races take place? KEY PASSAGE Step 5 PB: 978-0-375-84813-1 How many races are there? What does the winner receive? Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. MORE SPORTS BABE RUTH SAVES BASEBALL! F&P: K PB: 978-0-375-83048-8 EL: 978-0-385-37347-0 BASKETBALL S GREATEST PLAYERS PB: 978-0-679-88112-4 JACKIE ROBINSON AND THE STORY OF ALL-BLACK BASEBALL PB: 978-0-394-82457-6
NON-FICTION ACTIVITIES Students are as unique as the books available to them. One thing is for certain: there s a Step into Reading title that will pique your students interest in non-fiction subjects. MONSTER TRUCKS! Have students study the diagram on page seventeen of Monster Trucks! and then fill out a Venn diagram, comparing a monster truck to a typical truck they might see on the road. Step 3 PB: 978-0-375-86208-3 EL: 978-0-385-37467-5 MONSTER TRUCK TYPICAL TRUCK Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.7 Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur). LOOKING FOR BIGFOOT Good readers make predictions as they read. As students read Looking for Bigfoot, have them make a prediction based on the title of each chapter. After reading that chapter, they should write a brief summary of what it was actually about. CHAPTER TITLE PREDICTION SUMMARY 1 Seeing Is Believing 2 It s All a Hoax 3 The Wild Man of the Woods 4 The Bigfoot-Yeti-Giganto Theory Step 4 PB: 978-0-375-86331-8 5 Scientific Proof 6 Lights, Camera, Action Bigfoot! Correlates to Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.2 Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea. MORE NON-FICTION MOTORCYCLES! PB: 978-0-375-84116-3 TRAINS! PB: 978-0-375-86941-9 GLB: 978-0-375-96941-6 EL: 978-0-375-98345-0 CHOPPERS! PB: 978-0-375-82517-0 Guide prepared by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, author and reading specialist Random House Children s Books School and Library Marketing 1745 Broadway New York, NY 10019 7/14