Understanding Genre

Common Core explicitly outlines different, yet overlapping standards for both literature and informational text. This is a significant change in focus, demanding us to evaluate how the two differ, how they overlap, and what types of text we are being called to use. The literature standards within Common Core relate to fictional works. Traditionally, we have spent a heavy emphasis on narrative stories. However, the multiple standards explicitly outline the use of poetry . The focus of using complex text allows us to open the doors to a variety of literature that will demand students to inspect the content and structure in depth. Fictional literature may include narratives, poems, letters, dramas, plays, and essays. Literature that is nonfiction is addressed in the informational text standards, and may include biographies, recipes, how-to books, facts books and so forth. Artwork and illustrations should also be examined as they can reveal information or a story.

Therefore, while we are teaching standards for literature and informational text that mirror each other, we must also be cognizant of strategically teaching the genres as they require different mindsets for reading. As shown in the table below, these genres have different text structures and features, which overlap and need to be made explicit for students. Although the literature and informational text standards are similar in many ways, the way students approach reading should depend on the type of text they are reading. A narrative is a story. A poem is a written piece with a sense of musicality and entrenched with literary devices. Dramas and plays involve conflict and are created with a performance in mind. Expository text tells information. Generally the primary purpose of a narrative is to entertain, the purpose of poetry is to describe, the purpose of a drama or play is to entertain, and the primary purpose of expository is to inform. Therefore, it is critical that educators explicitly teach students how to identify the genre they are reading and keep track of information based on that text’s structures and features.

Analysis of Genres

Genre	Literature: Narratives	Literature: Poetry	Literature: Drama/Plays	Informational Text: Expository
Definition	Story	A piece written with a sense of musicality	A story that is intended for performing that focuses on character dialogue & conflict	Non-fiction, informational text used to explain, describe, or inform
General Author’s Purpose	Entertain	Describe	Entertain	Inform
Structure	Beginning, Middle, End Paragraphs	Stanzas Can take on a shape	Beginning, Middle, End Dialogue	Description Sequence Compare/Contrast Cause/Effect Question/Answer Paragraphs
Features	Story Elements	Line Breaks, White Space	Story Elements	Topic & Supporting Details
Descriptive Literary Tools	Poetry features literary tools, however, they can be used in all types of Fictional Literature. These tools include rhythm, rhyme, repetition, alliteration, onomatopoeia, similes, metaphors, sensory images etc			Generally not used

Thank a Teacher!

It’s that time of year again, when everyone can smell the freedom of summer. The students begin to get antsy, and teachers stress and work intensively to make it to the end zone. I always feel like it should be an easy slide home, but it always proves to be just as hectic as the beginning of the year. Now is the time to thank teachers for their hard work. I have heard complaints before about how other jobs do not get the same type of accolades, so why should teachers? My response is as follows:

People deserve and perform better through positive recognition of their efforts and work. It’s amazing how far a few kind words and a token of gratitude can go. All people who show exemplary dedication to their work deserve this recognition. This includes mothers  and fathers (who yes, get a different day), and employees in all different fields. So why do I celebrate my son’s teachers? They are the ones who take care of him when I am not there. They give him the support he needs to grow and flourish, teach him lessons about life, and are an integral part of his experiences. A good teacher can have a profound effect on a child. With the proper guidance from both school and home, my son will develop solid foundations as he grows up. His teachers are my partners, parenting from a different perspective.

As a teacher, I know how much of myself goes into my students. It is not just about reading, math, and writing. There are daily lessons about becoming caring human beings, about demonstrating tolerance and love, and about dealing with difficulties and conflicts. Teaching is not just about improving the minds of America’s tomorrow. Tightly woven within the job is supporting impressionable young scholars’ social, emotional, and mental well-being. It is both exhausting to worry about 30+ students, and exhilarating to see their successes.

My son and I made this craft to give his teacher, but also a heartfelt personal note from me along with a gift. I wrote the poem thinking about what his teachers have done for him this year. First we traced his hands on a piece of construction paper and I added a heart. Then I cut out the hands and saved them for later. We used a sponge to paint pink and white to cover a white piece of construction paper. Then I put the cut out hands and heart on top of the page and we sponge painted with purple on top. When we were finished, we just peeled off the hands. After it dried, I glued down the poem and a picture of my son. This page went into a class book along with a page of his drawings.

The notes I get from students and parents help carry me through the rough times. They remain special even as they have moved on in their lives. I encourage you to take some time to think about your child’s teacher from this year. What has that teacher uniquely done that has made a difference for your child?