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Informational Text Teacher Resources
Find teacher approved Informational Text educational resource ideas and activities
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Summarizing is an excellent reading comprehension strategy; learners use the informational text About Trees (linked for printing) to put this skill to use. Model through a think-aloud as you read a section of the book and scholars read along with you. You can use the script here or speak naturally, but be sure to voice your thinking to the class. This is an excellent time to demonstrate note taking and finding main ideas. Assign a paragraph to partners, then have them share what the main idea was. You'll find a guide to all three paragraphs from this section to help structure discussion.
Readers identify main ideas and supporting details using informational texts. For this literacy lesson, they make predictions and read the text to find the main ideas. They use a table diagram to define the main idea and supporting details. Then, they use the diagrams to write a paragraph about the main idea from the text.
Individuals complete a pre-assessment to gauge their ability to determine the main idea and supporting details in nonfiction text. They examine a new piece of nonfiction reading by looking at the table of contents, headings, and index before using a table diagram to record the main idea and supporting details. Using the information from the table, they write a paragraph about the reading.
Young learners examine different places in their neighborhood using informational texts. First they identify a place that they like to play and predict if it will be in the nonfiction book Community at Play.They will share their favorite place and their prediction with a partner before listening to the story. Several extension ideas are included including a dramatic play and oral story problems.
Create geometric cups by interpreting directions, informational text, and mathematical concepts. Critical thinkers apply geometric theory (congruent shapes, patterns, symmetry) to actual directions to create a cup that holds Kool Aid. Maneuvering through the mathematical language will build understanding for your elementary schoolers.
Here’s a fresh idea. Use an owner’s manual to teach comprehension strategies. Model for learners how to use the Table of Contents to find specific instructions. Have them highlight or use sticky-notes to mark unfamiliar technical vocabulary. Groups then study illustrations and context clues to work out the meaning of these specialized words. For procedures, groups list the steps involved, paraphrase them and then provide illustrations. A very practical approach to informational text comprehension.
Learners read informational text about the Titanic, then answer two fill-in-the-blank questions based on information found in the text. They add the suffix less or the prefix un to six words from the story to create antonyms. Then, they list two arguments for and two arguments against raising the Titanic. They use supporting evidence from the passage to form their conclusion.
Middle schoolers read and review informational texts, analyze cause and effect, and distinguish fact from opinion. They assess a "one-minute mystery" you read aloud for cause and effect relationships. Resource includes complete set of rubrics, charts, and worksheets. Includes thoughtfully designed collaborative group work.
Lead your class in an activity about word associations related to professions and gender. After reading a New York Times article, class members identify the roles of women in Kenya and how they are challenging tradition. In groups, learners research the situation of women in a specific country and discuss how roles can be changed. Extend the lesson to focus on citing textual evidence in informational text, as well as evaluating claims in a text.
With the Common Core State Standards' growing focus on informational text, it's the perfect time to showcase this PowerPoint to your team of teachers. It's 59 slides focus on seven best practice structures: reading-as-thinking, representing-to-learn, small group activities, classroom workshop, authentic expression, reflective assessment, and integrative units. It contains key questions to ask yourself as you plan and to ask your kids about the readings at hand.