In this comprehensive unit, students launch their learning about birds by using informational texts. As students read these texts, they build background knowledge and develop their skills as readers of informational texts. Included are...

As adults, we explore pictures, captions, diagrams and text, when reading any kind of informational piece. Kids can do this too! In this instructional activity, students will sort information that was obtained from pictures and diagrams,...

What is autism? How does it affect behavior? Students will find evidence of the author's tone or purpose for writing the article, as well as hints that show evidence of opinion. Includes a video clip from the movie "Rainman", and an...

For this lesson, through guided practice, the students use two texts about Martin Luther King to compare the similarities and differences between those texts. Includes videos of the lesson in action, printable charts, and a graphic...

Students will read an article and determine the author's point and identify the reasons the author gives to support his or her point. This lesson requires analysis by the students and a great deal of higher-order thinking as they...

Preparation for reading complex informational texts starts in K and First grade. Knowing the features of the genre, and how to navigate through it is one of the necessary stepping stones. This lesson introduces the student to different...

Students will be answering text-dependent questions in which they will have to describe the differences between the different characters, settings, and major events in our stories using complex contrasting sentences. The students will...

At the end of this lesson, learners will be able to identify and create diagrams associated with informational text. Included is a link to an eSpark video on diagrams, rules for group work, multiple examples of diagrams, and a...

What do inventors have that are alike? How are they different? Why do they invent? Learning about them may inspire you to invent new technology! In this instructional activity, students will compare and contrast key details in two texts...

[Free Registration/Login Required] Students will learn to compare and contrast texts about life cycles using a Venn diagram. Then, using the Venn diagram, students will write an expository paragraph including an introductory sentence,...

Students will look at examples of illustrations and diagrams in informational texts and discuss how each one helps enhance the text. Students gain the knowledge that sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words because a complex idea...

In this lesson, the teacher will read a book about different landforms. The children will learn about the features of the landforms and how they were shaped by natural forces. Then text features will be discussed. The children will then...

Begin practicing skills that will help identify the central idea and details while reading literary nonfiction.

A module to help you practice skills that will help identify the central idea and details while reading literary nonfiction.

Learn and practice close reading strategies to help increase your understanding of how to approach challenging and complex texts.

Read, analyze and answer text-dependent questions about several excerpts from a famous slave narrative called The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano.

A lesson plan based on a study unit of earthworms, using the inquiry model to integrate scientific processes with literacy practices. Instruction plans, related resources, and standards are included.

This graphic organizer can be used with students when they read informational text. Students will write the main idea in a central oval and then write four details that support the main idea of this reproducible graphic organizer.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A two-lesson unit in which students learn how to identify explicit information in both fiction and non-fiction texts. The lessons utilize the books Frogs by Gail Gibbons and Stellaluna by Janell Cannon....

Classroom teachers will learn about the Frayer Model, an engaging instructional strategy tool. Teachers will learn how to implement the Frayer Model, understand how to measure progress with the Frayer Model, find research that supports...

This interactive lesson offers clarification and practice in the realm of main ideas and details.

Online lesson allows elementary students to use prior knowledge, make predictions, and perform research on the Internet. Labeled "The Frog Beyond the Fairy Tale Character," lesson challenges students to examine print and online texts...

Classroom teachers will learn about interactive word walls, an engaging instructional strategy. Teachers will learn how to implement word walls, find research that supports the practice, and find examples.

Anticipating is an effective reading strategy for readers of all ages. Utilize this template and graphic organizer to help your students become better readers.