Recognizing Organization
On-Hand: Chart paper, picture books with different organizational structures
Mini-Lesson: Begin a T-chart graphic organizer - one to post, one that students may refer to when choosing their own organizational structures. On the left-hand side, write "Title." On the right-hand side, write "Organization." Over time, read books with different organizational structures (such as those listed below) and ask students, "How did the author organize this book?"
Suggest students try using some of organizational structures listed on your chart.
Books with Clear, Predictable Organizational Structures
Carmine: A Little More Red by Melissa Sweet(2005)
Little Red Riding Hood retold as an alphabet book
First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (2007).
Pattern: First the ___, then the ____
Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Barretta (2006).
Left-hand pages show invention we use now, right-hand pages tell how Ben conceived and developed the idea.
Fortunately by Remi Charlip(1994).
Alternates fortunately and unfortunately to tell story.
That's Good! That's Bad! by Margery Cuyler (1991).
Alternates good and bad news.
Previously by Allan Ahlberg Walker, (2008).
Story told backwards.
The Great Blue House by Kate Banks (2005).
Organized by season.
Things That Are Most in the World by Judi Barrett (1998).
Repeated sentence: The ___iest thing in the word is ___.
Cookie's Week by Cindy Ward (1997).
Organized by days of the week.
Extension: When composing class pieces, choose different organizational structures.
Adapted from
No More "I'm Done." Fostering Independent Writers in the Primary Grades by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
for primary teachers
