Education (Lesson Planning Resources): Text Sets

A text set is a collection of sources that support a common theme, issue or topic. Text sets should include a variety of genres, text types, levels and formats.

Examples of material include (but are not limited to):

• fiction (novels, picture books, short stories)
• non fiction
• poetry
• images
• newspaper and magazine articles
• apps
• webcasts and podcasts
• websites
• artwork
• songs
• primary sources (interviews, documents, artifacts)

What steps are involved in putting together a text set?

1. Start with the content - what do students need to know or in other words --  what do you need to teach?
2. Build the text set  - find material that supports the content you want to teach and want students to learn.
3. Organize the texts - how and when will you use the texts?
4. Creating and responding to texts - how will students work with the texts, what will they do with the texts? (Cappiello, 2013)

A few essential questions to ask and/or issues to consider when assembling a text set.

1. Think about the standards. What are students expected to know and be able to do? This can dictate the topics/themes chosen.
2. What do you (the teacher) want students to know (beyond the standards)?
3. What topics/themes/content will engage and excite students (Cappiello, 2013)?

Cappiello, M. A., & Dawes, E. T. (2013). Teaching with text sets. Huntington Beach, Calif: Shell Education.

When selecting fiction and non fiction material for a text set, consider the following criteria/issues.

1. Is it age/grade level/developmentally appropriate for my students?
2. Are there reviews available?
3. What book lists are available?

Use the given links to find material and answer the above questions.

In addition to the links below, try an advanced Google search for audio or video, your topic, and limit to museums, zoos, archives, government agencies, or universities.  i.e. "civil war" and (audio or video) and (museum* OR archive* OR zoo* OR government)