Unit Plan 27 (Grade 2 ELA): Synthesizing Across Two Texts
Second graders learn to compare and synthesize information from two texts on the same topic. They find each text’s most important point, explain similarities and differences, and write a short answer using facts from both sources in their own words.
Focus: Most important points; what’s the same/different
Grade Level: 2
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Informational • Writing • Speaking/Listening)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Readers don’t just compare— they synthesize: they put ideas together to understand a topic better. This week, students read/listen to two texts on the same topic, identify each text’s most important point, explain what’s the same and different, and then write a short answer that uses information from both sources.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Compare and contrast the most important points in two texts on the same topic (RI.2.9).
- Gather information from the two texts and answer a question in writing using their own words (W.2.8).
- Recount key ideas from a read-aloud or short presentation to support their synthesis (SL.2.2).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 2
- RI.2.9, W.2.8, SL.2.2
Success Criteria — student language
- I can tell the big idea of Text A and Text B.
- I can say what’s the same and what’s different between the two.
- I can answer a question using facts from both texts in my own words.
- I can recount two key ideas I heard/read.