Activity Overview
In this activity, students will be provided a question or prompt to answer using evidence from the text. The prompt here is: “How is the article both entertaining and informative?”
Entertaining
- “Imagine this scene: You’re at your desk happily reading Explorer magazine.”
- “Is your cornea super strong? No!“
- “Playing Today at a Theater in Your Eye: Explorer magazine!”
Informative
- “As light passes through the cornea, it slows down. That makes the light change direction, or bend.”
- “The image appears on your retina at the back of your eyeball.”
- “The image is upside down. Luckily, your brain flips the image right side up.”
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard to plan your answer to the prompt using at least three examples.
- Think about the question, "How is the article both entertaining and informative?"
- Think about examples from the text that support both sides.
- Type the text evidence in the description boxes. Paraphrase or quote directly from the text.
- Illustrate each example using scenes, characters, items, etc.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support from Text | Examples chosen fully support the answer to the question. | Some of the examples answer the question correctly, but not all. | Most of the examples do not support the answer to the question. |
| Quote / Text | Evidence provided from the text is properly quoted or paraphrased. | There are some minor mistakes in the quote / description from text. | Quote or paraphrase is incomplete or confusing. |
| Illustration of Examples | Ideas are well organized. Images clearly illustrate the examples from the text. | Ideas are organized. Most images help to show the examples from the text. | Ideas are not well organized. Images are difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
In this activity, students will be provided a question or prompt to answer using evidence from the text. The prompt here is: “How is the article both entertaining and informative?”
Entertaining
- “Imagine this scene: You’re at your desk happily reading Explorer magazine.”
- “Is your cornea super strong? No!“
- “Playing Today at a Theater in Your Eye: Explorer magazine!”
Informative
- “As light passes through the cornea, it slows down. That makes the light change direction, or bend.”
- “The image appears on your retina at the back of your eyeball.”
- “The image is upside down. Luckily, your brain flips the image right side up.”
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard to plan your answer to the prompt using at least three examples.
- Think about the question, "How is the article both entertaining and informative?"
- Think about examples from the text that support both sides.
- Type the text evidence in the description boxes. Paraphrase or quote directly from the text.
- Illustrate each example using scenes, characters, items, etc.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support from Text | Examples chosen fully support the answer to the question. | Some of the examples answer the question correctly, but not all. | Most of the examples do not support the answer to the question. |
| Quote / Text | Evidence provided from the text is properly quoted or paraphrased. | There are some minor mistakes in the quote / description from text. | Quote or paraphrase is incomplete or confusing. |
| Illustration of Examples | Ideas are well organized. Images clearly illustrate the examples from the text. | Ideas are organized. Most images help to show the examples from the text. | Ideas are not well organized. Images are difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Text Evidence
Organize student responses for stronger text evidence
Group similar examples together to help students see patterns in how the text entertains and informs. Use colored sticky notes or digital sorting tools to make this activity interactive and visual, so students can compare and contrast ideas easily.
Model citing text evidence with sentence starters
Show students how to begin their answers with phrases like, "According to the text..." or "The author states..." Demonstrating these starters helps students anchor their responses in the text and builds academic language skills.
Encourage peer review of storyboard answers
Pair up students so they can check each other's storyboards for clear evidence and accurate paraphrasing. Peer review allows students to learn from one another and strengthens their ability to use text evidence effectively.
Integrate quick sketches to boost understanding
Invite students to draw simple pictures that represent each piece of evidence they select. Visuals help make abstract ideas concrete and support comprehension for all learners, especially visual thinkers.
Use anchor charts for text evidence strategies
Create a class anchor chart listing ways to find and use text evidence. Refer to this chart during lessons so students have ongoing support as they answer questions using proof from the text.
Frequently Asked Questions about Text Evidence
What is a text evidence activity for 4th and 5th graders?
A text evidence activity for 4th and 5th graders is an exercise where students answer a question or prompt using specific examples or quotes from a reading passage to support their ideas, helping them build reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
How can students use text evidence to show an article is both entertaining and informative?
Students can use text evidence by selecting passages that are funny or imaginative (entertaining) and passages that explain facts or concepts (informative), then explaining how each supports the prompt about the article's dual purpose.
What are some examples of entertaining and informative text evidence from 'Seeing Eye to Eye'?
Entertaining examples include lines like “Is your cornea super strong? No!” and “Playing Today at a Theater in Your Eye: Explorer magazine!”. Informative examples are “As light passes through the cornea, it slows down. That makes the light change direction, or bend.” and “The image is upside down. Luckily, your brain flips the image right side up.”
What is a storyboard in a text evidence lesson?
A storyboard in a text evidence lesson is a planning tool where students organize their ideas and supporting examples visually, using boxes or frames to map out quotes, paraphrases, and matching illustrations for each piece of evidence.
How do I help students paraphrase or quote text evidence effectively?
Encourage students to paraphrase by putting the author’s ideas in their own words, or quote by copying exact phrases with quotation marks, making sure each example clearly supports their answer to the prompt.
More Storyboard That Activities
Seeing Eye to Eye
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