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Encyclopedia


Page Content:

Definition:

A book, set of books, software, or web-based collection containing brief alphabetically arranged articles or entries on numerous topics covering either many branches of knowledge (comprehensive), or a specific subject field.

Purposes:

  • To provide a general overview
  • To provide historical or biographical information
  • To provide additional supporting references
  • To cross-reference topics
  • To present prerequisite background knowledge needed to enable further inquiry

Characteristics:

  • Overview or summary of carefully researched important features/pivotal events related to a topic
  • Topics arranged alphabetically
  • Typically presented in volumes and updated regularly
  • Nonfiction, informational reports
  • Factual, objective, little bias
  • Prefaces note the reasons for changes incorporated into the new edition
  • Written in columns with guide words at the top of the page
  • Entries may include statistical charts, illustrations, art reproductions, or photos to enhance the text
  • Complementary, authentic and technical illustrations (e.g., photos, maps, etc.)
  • Nonfiction features including: bold print, fact boxes, table of contents, indexes, headings, subheadings, charts and graphs, captions, abbreviations etc.

Grade Level Instructional Scope for COMPREHENDING and USING the Genre and Text of an Encyclopedia:

Grade 3

Opportunities to Teach:

Understanding the genre

  • Text features
  • Guide words
  • Sophisticated alphabetical skills (by second, third letters, etc.)
  • Column format
  • Main and supporting ideas
  • Interpretation of supporting graphics
  • Timelines and other chronological displays
  • Electronic links
  • Fact versus opinion
  • Historical accuracy

Understanding and using the text

  • Content area vocabulary and/or principles
  • Connect, compare and contrast ideas, categorize, classify, draw parallels, graphically represent key ideas and details, summarize, retell, sequence events
  • Reread
  • Bibliographies and citations
  • Questioning/ Inquiry
  • Applying knowledge gained to content area questions or inquiries

Booklists:

  • Grade 3

Access to the Documents:

Complete K-8 Genre Project
From the Michigan Department of Education

Complete K-8 Genre Booklist
From Kent Intermediate School District


Page last modified on February 05, 2009, at 12:13 PM