Literature

READING WORKSHOP 2 • Using Text Features

Skills Preview

Key Reading Skill: Using Text Features

Before you read the article, think about how you can

understand it better by using

• side notes


• headings


• graphic organizers (like charts and tables)

Write to Learn In your Learner’s Notebook, write a

definition of each text feature in your own words.

Then, make up an example of each one.

Key Literary Element: Concept and

Definition

You know that a word has meanings, or definitions. A

word or phrase can also name an idea, or concept. It

might take many books and articles to fully explain a

concept, but you can begin by defining it.

In this article you’ll read about “conserving resources.”

To begin to understand this concept, look at the

words’ definitions. To conserve is “to protect from loss

or harm; to use less.” A resource is “a supply that can

be drawn on when needed.” The concept of conserv-

ing resources, or conservation, includes using less of

Earth’s resources and saving Earth from harm.

Small Group Work In a small group, explore the

concept of democracy. Does the dictionary definition

explain the concept? If not, what else can help you

understand the concept of democracy?

Get Ready to Read

Connect to the Reading

What do you throw away? How much of it is paper,

plastic, or metal (like a soda can)? How much waste,

or garbage, does your family throw out in a week?

Think about what you can do to reduce that amount.

Small Group In a small group, discuss the kinds of

things you and your classmates throw away at school.

Make a list of ways you could save resources at school.

Build Background

In the past, people didn’t throw away a lot of things.

They often turned old or worn out items into new

ones. For example, old clothes became rags or were

woven into rugs.

Then companies began producing new items at cheap

prices. Many Americans stopped recycling. People

threw many things away, even things they could have

used again.

Today, recycling is very important. People are worried

about using up Earth’s resources too quickly. People

are constantly thinking of new ways to recycle.

Set Purposes for Reading

Read the article “Conserving

Resources” to find out if progress is always good.

Set Your Own Purpose What else would you like

to learn from the article to help you answer the Big

Question? Write your own purpose on a note card

and add it to Foldable 5.

Keep Moving

Use these skills as you read the following

selection.

Interactive Literary Elements Handbook

To review or learn more about the literary

elements, go to http://www.glencoe.com.

Academic Vocabulary

concept (KON sept) n. an idea or a thought

Conserving Resources 559

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