Scientific:  Problem and Solution

Figure 1 BookFlix

 

Unit Overview

This unit focuses on Problem and Solution Text Structure and Problem and Solution Writing.

 You will be able to accomplish the following objectives by the end of this unit:

1.  I can use spelling patterns and rules to help me spell new words. L.3.2.F

2.  I can ask and answer questions to show that I understand the information that I am reading. RI.3.1

3.  I can find the answers to specific questions within informational text that I read. RI.3.1

4.  I can show what I have learned from informational text and illustrations by answering questions about where, when, why, and how. RI.3.7

5.  I can read and understand 3rd grade informational texts by myself. RI.3.10

6.  I can write to inform and explain ideas to others clearly.W.3.2

7.  I can write an informative text that introduces my topic and then groups related information together. W.3.2.A

8.  I can write about a topic using facts, definitions, and details. W.3.2.B

9.  I can use linking words (also, another, and, more, but, etc.) to connect the ideas in my writing. W.3.2.C

10.                   I can write conclusions (endings) to my informative pieces of writing. W.3.2.D

11.                   I can include illustrations in my writing to help others understand my topic better. W.3.2.A

12.                   I can write for short time frames or over a longer period of time, depending on my purpose, audience, and topic. W.3.10

 

Spelling List

follow

ground

group

below

around

would

own

found

should

grown

about

country

town

house

cousin

 

Let's Practice

Click on Spelling Training to practice your spelling words. Add each of your spelling words to the list.  Then, complete one of the activities below the list.

 

Vocabulary List

allergy

A response by the body to food or something in the air

amble

To walk in a relaxed way

chess

A game that is played on a checkerboard with black and white pieces

concern

To worry

handkerchief

A cloth tissue

tortoise

A large land reptile that looks like a turtle

 

Above is your list of vocabulary words with their definitions. Be sure to study and practice these words daily before you begin your reading lessons.

 

Let's Practice

Below is a Quizlet activity on your vocabulary words for the unit.  You should practice the Flashcard and Learn activities each day during the week of this unit.

 

 

 

 

Problem and Solution

Let’s review the five informational text structures in this course.  Watch the video below.  

  

 

 

Scientific nonfiction provides true information about a science topic. This information might be in an article in a magazine, newspaper, textbook, encyclopedia, website, or picture book. People might read scientific nonfiction for research or just because they are interested in the topic.

In this unit, we will focus on identifying the problem and solution of a scientific nonfiction text.

The purpose of a problem and solution text structure is to identify the problem and show a solution to that problem.

Writers often use signal words to introduce problems and solutions.  

because

one part of

solve

should

this led to

concern

problem

solution

 

Read the text below.  Then, identify the problem and solution. 

Having a cold is no fun. Coughing makes it hard to fall asleep. A sore throat is painful. Try some tea with honey in it. The honey will soothe your throat. There may be no cure for the common cold. You can treat the symptoms, though.

Click here to view the problem and solution.

 

Let's Practice

 

 

 

 

 

 

IXL Skill Check – Click Match problems with their solutions to complete the skill.

 

Reading Log & Journal

Writing journals can be compelling to you as a student.  It helps you respond to your Read-Aloud and Oral Readings to gain further understanding.  You must write at least one journal per unit in this course based on one of your readings.  Click on the Unit Resource icon to the left of your screen to download the Reading Log & Journal template.  Also, you have an option to create your journal book for this course.

 

 

Reading

The above two stories will be used for your Read-Aloud and Oral Reading activities.  One of the texts is fiction, and the other is nonfiction.

 

Read-Aloud

Your read-aloud is a fiction story called A Sick Day for Amos McGee. This story falls under the fantasy genre. Fantasy books tell stories that are not true and could not ever be true. They may include imaginary worlds, fantastic creatures, or ordinary people and animals who can do extraordinary things. You can often tell a book is a fantasy story by looking closely at the setting and the characters.

“Ah-choo!” Oh no! Amos McGee, the friendly zookeeper, woke up feeling sick. Instead of his predictable morning routine of getting up early, having tea and oatmeal for breakfast, and riding the bus to the zoo, he will be staying home in bed. When kind and caring Amos does not arrive at the zoo, his animal friends become concerned. Not knowing what else to do, the animals develop a plan to find Amos and cheer him up. Amos and the zoo animals are a testament to the importance of kindness and true friendship.

 

Before reading, think about the questions below:

·      Have you ever had a problem with a friend? What was the problem? How did you and your friend solve the problem?

·      Describe a time when you were sick. Who helped you? Did you like having someone help you when you were sick?

Click the image below to begin your read-aloud activity.

Did you hear the new vocabulary words? Did it help you to know what those words meant before you watched the video?

What problem did the animals have? How did they solve it?

Let's Practice

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oral Reading

Your oral reading is a nonfiction text called Animals in the Zoo. This text introduces readers to the different types of animals at the zoo and how the zoo and zookeepers provide for them.

You just finished reading (or listening to) a fiction story. Remember, fiction talks about imaginary things, or make-believe, while nonfiction talks about things in real life. You will be reading (or listening to) a nonfiction book about animals that live in the zoo. A nonfiction book contains facts about a subject. As you read this book, please pay attention to the different types of animals and how the zoo cares for them.

Click the image below to begin your oral reading activity.

 

Let's Practice

 

 

 

Grammar Review

 

Part of Speech

Description

Example

Noun

a person, place, thing, or an idea

Mark is very tall.

Proper Noun

 

a specific person, place, or thing; always capitalized

 

Columbus - Spiderman

Common Noun

 

a general person, place, or thing;

not capitalized

 

city - superhero

Pronoun

 

a word that takes the place of a noun

 

He is very tall

Verb

 

a word that shows action or state of being

 

She saw him there.

Action Verb

 

a word that shows action; it tells what someone or something is doing

 

Reggie walked to the store.

Linking Verbs

 

a word that shows a state of being rather than action

 

The birds are on the roof.

Adjective

 

a word that describes a noun

 

The flowers are pretty.

Adverbs

 

a word that describes a verb or an adjective

 

Tom ran quickly.

 

 

Let's Practice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Informative Writing

Below is your video and activity from the Informational Writing for Kids series provided by Teaching Without Frills.  

In Episode 8, you will start Making a Glossary.

 

 

 

Click here to complete an activity based on the video above.  

 

Problem and Solution

Scientific nonfiction provides true information about a science topic. This information may be in an article in a magazine, newspaper, textbook, encyclopedia, website, or picture book. People might read scientific nonfiction for research or just because they are interested in the topic.

In this unit, we focused on identifying the problem and solution of a scientific nonfiction text.

Let's Practice

Please read and listen to the Problem and Solution writing sample below.       

As your read and listen, identify the following items:     

Water Pollution

Pollution has existed for as long as humans have been on Earth. Pollution has gotten worse over time. It has become a huge problem for animals, humans, and the land.

 

What is Pollution?

Pollution is when chemicals harm nature. Pollutants make the water and air dirty and unsafe.

 

Humans can breathe because the air is made up of nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor. Anything else in the air is pollution.

 

Greenhouse gases or other dangerous gases can cause it. Burning fuels makes soot that also creates pollution. Factories and cars make a lot of this pollution. Humans breathe these pollutants every day. Millions of people die or get sick each year. They get asthma, heart disease, and other breathing illnesses.

 

The Clean Air Act was passed in the U.S. in 1970. It tried to stop pollution. The act forbids certain pollutants from entering the air, but these laws cannot undo the damage that been done.

 

What Can Be Done?

Pollution cannot be wished away. We need to change the way we live. We need to make less waste. We must reuse and recycle things. We need to use fewer chemicals. Businesses, governments, and organizations need to work together. They must teach people how to protect the air and water.

 

 

 

IXL Skill Check – Click Match problems with their solutions to complete the skill.

IXL Skill Check – Click Read passages about animals to complete the skill.

IXL Skill Check – Click Read passages about science and nature to complete the skill.

 

Cursive Handwriting

Stories offer great opportunities to visualize.  However, did you know that individual letters can do the same thing?  For instance, please take a look at the following printed letter g.

Because it is printed, it is basically a circle with a straight line and gentle curve.

 

Now, close your eyes and try to visualize what a lowercase, cursive “g” would look like.

Hint:  It is probably curvier and more flowing than the printed “g”.  It definitely has a downcurve beginning.

Next, open your eyes and take a look at the cursive, lowercase letter “g”:

 

 

 

Now you are going to practice writing the cursive, lowercase “g” and joining it to other letters.  Pay close attention to the overcurve to downcurve joining.  Click on the Unit Resource icon to the left of your screen to practice the lowercase “g”.

 

Let’s move on to another letter.  How about the letter “o”?  Take a look at the following printed letter “o”.
 
O
 
Because it is printed, it is basically a circle.

 

Now, close your eyes and try to visualize what a lowercase, cursive letter o would look like.  Hint:  It is probably a little curvier and more flowing than the printed letter “o”. It definitely has a downcurve beginning.

Next, open your eyes and take a look at the cursive, lowercase letter “o”:

 

 
Now you are going to practice writing the cursive, lowercase o and join it to other letters.  Pay close attention to the checkstroke to downcurve joinings.  Click on the Unit Resource icon to the left of your screen to practice the lowercase “o”.