Common Core State Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.5
Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
Objective
Students will read a text and then analyze and explain how a 360° image or video thematically connects to or represents an element of the text in writing.
360° Learning Experience
[Prior to this activity, teachers have students read a section of a text, either narrative or informational.] Teachers choose a 360° image/video that either thematically or literally represents an element of the text students have already read, and teachers show that image/video to the students. For narrative texts, the element could be from the exposition, rising actions, climax, falling actions, or resolution. For informational texts, the element could be based on a description, sequence, cause and effect, comparison, and/or problem and solution. Next, students identify the element from the text represented by the image/video and use evidence from the text to explain the representation of the element from the image/video. To conclude, teachers facilitate a class discussion where students share their explanations.
Teaching Strategy
Example Piece of Writing
Prompt: After reading the summary and long description of the Wright Brother’s first flights, explain how an element from the text is reflected in this video.
In the description of the Wright Brother’s attempt to fly, it talks about how windy Kitty Hawk is and the challenges that the wind caused Wilbur and Orville as they built the first airplane. In fact, the description explains that after building the Wright Flyer, the name of the airplane they had been developing over a series of months in 1903, that “a gust of wind overturned the Wright Flyer and sent it tumbling across the sand. The aircraft was severely damaged and never flown again” (para. 10). In the video, the man holding the camera is standing where the Wright Brother’s first airplane landing. As shown in the video, the wind is whipping the man’s shirt and the entire area seems very gusty. According to the description, the U.S. Weather Bureau, shared with the Wright Brothers that the “strong, steady winds… [make Kitty Hawk] an optimal test site” (para. 9) for flying. Again, those winds are clearly shown in the video and reflected in the text.