Purpose Clue Squad Slides
TEK 2.10.A Reading Investigation
Small Group Squad
Reading Detective Mission
The Author's Purpose
Clue Squad
Every author writes for a reason! Today, we become reading detectives to uncover WHY authors write different texts—especially lists!
Case Clue Kit
Inspect the Words & Shape!
Evidence File #1
Spot the Clues
Look at text features
Crack the List
Why make a list?
Solve the Case
Share your evidence
Detective Clue Board #1 Target: Author's Reasons
Why Do Authors Write? Think P. I. E.!
Authors always have a target goal when they write words for you to read.
P
Persuade
"Try this!" / "Believe me!"
The author wants to convince you to do, buy, or think something.
Example: Toy ads, reviews
I
Inform
"Learn this!" / "Remember!"
The author gives real facts, steps, directions, or helpful reminders.
Example: Fact books, lists
E
Entertain
"Enjoy this!" / "Laugh!"
The author tells a fun or exciting story that makes you feel happy or silly.
Example: Jokes, tales, comics
Detective Question: Did the author write this to convince me, teach me, or entertain me?
Detective Spotlight Key Text Feature
Spotlight: Why Does an Author Write a LIST?
A list is a special text! An author doesn't write in long story paragraphs. Why?
#1
1. To Remember
Our brains cannot hold every tiny detail! Lists keep items safe so we don't forget them.
👉 Example: Grocery list, packing list
#2
2. To Stay Organized
Short lines with bullets or checkmarks make information quick and easy to find.
👉 Example: Chore chart, daily to-do list
#3
3. To Follow Steps
Numbers show the exact order things must happen so we achieve success.
👉 Example: Recipe, game instructions
Big Clue: Lists are almost always written to INFORM and HELP the reader take action quickly!
Case File #1 Examine the Evidence
Campout Checklist
List
- Warm sleeping bag
- Flashlight with new batteries
- Refillable water bottle
- Bug spray & rain jacket
Detective Clue Analysis
Why did the author write this checklist?
1
Clue #1: Bullet points & check boxes mean it's for fast checking.
2
Clue #2: If you don't pack these, you will be cold and in the dark!
💡 Author's Purpose: To INFORM and HELP the camper remember essential gear!
Turn to your partner: What would happen if the author wrote a 10-page bedtime story instead of a list?
Case File #2 Numbered Lists
Fruit Smoothie Steps
Recipe
- 1 Put 1 cup of strawberries in the blender.
- 2 Pour in 1 cup of cold milk.
- 3 Put the lid on tight and blend for 30 seconds.
Detective Clue Analysis
Why did the author use NUMBERS?
1
Clue #1: The numbers show the order.
2
Clue #2: If you blend BEFORE putting the lid on, big mess!
💡 Author's Purpose: To TEACH / INFORM the reader how to make a smoothie step by step!
Quick Think: What is the purpose of recipe lists? To teach directions in order!
Showdown Comparing Two Texts
Compare: Same Topic, Different Purposes!
Text A: The Story Book Excerpt
"Barnaby the Beagle slipped on a banana peel and did a triple backflip right into the doggie pool! Splash! He shook bubbles all over Farmer Dan."
Author's Purpose:
To ENTERTAIN (make us laugh!)
Text B: The Daily List Chore Checklist
☑ 7:00 AM - Fill fresh water bowl
☑ 7:30 AM - Feed 1 cup dry food
☑ 4:00 PM - 20-minute neighborhood walk
Author's Purpose:
To INFORM (remember pet care steps)
Both are about dogs, but the FORMAT and PURPOSE are completely different!
Detective Toolkit Your Clue Strategy
How to Crack the Author's Purpose
Follow these 3 simple detective questions whenever you open any text:
1
Look at the Shape & Format
Is it paragraphs of a story, short bullet points, numbered steps, or a poster?
2
Ask: "What does the author want me to do?"
Do they want me to giggle, buy something, remember things, or follow steps?
3
State the Evidence with "BECAUSE..."
"The author wrote this list to inform me because it lists the items I need to pack."
Great detectives don't just guess—they explain their CLUES!
Ready for Action Small Group Squad
Time for Your Detective Case File!
Grab your pencil and your Activity Page. We are going to inspect grocery lists, recipes, reminders, and fun stories together!
Part 1
Match the text to its purpose
Part 2
Analyze 2 special lists
Part 3
Write your clue evidence
Purpose Clue Squad Activity Page
PURPOSE CLUE SQUAD
Detective Case File • TEK 2.10.A
Name:
Date:
Detective Goal: Authors write for a reason: to Persuade (convince), to Inform (give facts/steps/reminders), or to Entertain (tell a fun story).
PART 1
Match the Text to its Author's Purpose
Draw a line connecting each text card on the left to the author's primary purpose on the right.
1. Grocery Store List: "Milk, apples, whole wheat bread, eggs"
2. Silly Animal Comic: "The cat wore purple roller skates and zoomed past the mice."
3. Pancake Recipe Steps: "1. Whisk batter. 2. Pour on hot griddle. 3. Flip when bubbly."
4. Toy Ad Poster: "Buy the Rocket Blaster today! Best toy ever made!"
To ENTERTAIN
To INFORM (remember items)
To PERSUADE
To INFORM (teach steps)
PART 2
Case Inspection: The Grocery Reminder List
Mom's Market List
- 1 gallon milk
- 6 yellow bananas
- Crunchy peanut butter
- Whole wheat bread
A. What is the author's primary purpose for writing this grocery list?
To entertain the family with a funny adventure To inform and help the shopper remember what foods to buy To persuade people to build their own grocery store
B. Detective Clue Question: Why did the author write short bullet points instead of long story paragraphs?
Page 1 of 2 • Continue Case on Back
PURPOSE CLUE SQUAD
Case Investigation • Step Lists & Evidence
Case File: Page 2
PART 3
Case Inspection: The Numbered Science Steps
How to Grow a Bean Seedling
Step 1 Place a wet paper towel inside a clear plastic cup.
Step 2 Tuck 2 bean seeds between the towel and cup side.
Step 3 Set the cup in a sunny window and add water daily.
1. Why did the author put NUMBERS (1, 2, 3) next to each step?
To show the reader the exact order things must be done To tell the reader how much the bean seeds cost at the store To make the reader laugh at funny plant names
2. What would happen if a student skipped Step 1 and did Step 3 first?
The bean seed might dry out and not sprout because it has no wet towel The plant would grow magic gold coins
PART 4
Write Your Detective Evidence!
Imagine you are an author writing a "Morning Backpack Checklist" for 3rd graders.
My Backpack List:
Purpose Clue Squad Answer Key
TEACHER FACILITATION GUIDE
TEK 2.10.A Targeted Small Group Intervention • 40 Minutes
Teacher Resource
Target Skill: Discuss author's purpose (focus on lists, stories, instructions)
Group Size: 4–6 Striving 3rd Graders
Key Vocabulary: Author's purpose, inform, list, order, remember
40-Minute Lesson Architecture
0–10 Min
Slides Hook & Direct Model
Introduce P.I.E. framework. Unpack why authors use lists (to remember, organize, follow order).
10–22 Min
Guided Case Investigation
Tackle Activity Page Part 1 (matching) and Part 2 (grocery list) together with choral reading.
22–34 Min
Paired Work & Writing
Students solve Part 3 (science step list) and author their own backpack list in Part 4.
34–40 Min
Debrief & Exit Check
Detective oral share: "Why did you write a list instead of a story?" Quick formative check.
Scripted Teacher Prompts
Prompt 1 (Format Clues): "Look at the grocery list. Does it have sentences and paragraphs? No! Why did the author write short words with checkboxes?" → Desired Response: "To make it quick to read and check off in the store so they don't forget food."
Prompt 2 (Sequence Clues): "Why do recipe steps or science experiments use numbers like 1, 2, 3 instead of bullet dots?" → Desired Response: "Because you have to do them in order! If you skip a step, the experiment or recipe fails."
Common Student Misconception
Confusing Topic with Purpose: When asked "Why did the author write this?", striving students often reply "About bananas" or "About dogs."
Teacher Fix: Guide them with the stem: "The topic is bananas, but the author's GOAL is to help mom remember to buy them."
Support for Striving Readers
Oral Rehearsal Frame: Before writing in Part 4, have students practice aloud:
"I made a list to INFORM my friend because a list helps us REMEMBER things quickly."
Page 1 of 2 • Turn Over for Detailed Answer Key
EXEMPLAR ANSWER KEY
Correct Answers & Evaluation Rubric
Grading & Conference Key
Part 1: Match Key 4 Points Total
1. Grocery Store List → Matches: To INFORM (remember items)
2. Silly Animal Comic → Matches: To ENTERTAIN
3. Pancake Recipe Steps → Matches: To INFORM (teach steps)
4. Toy Ad Poster → Matches: To PERSUADE
