Young readers test their comprehension skills with an interactive practice. Pupils read a brief informational text about money then answer five questions. A detailed page appears at the end to showcase participants' work.

This lesson engages students in using a two-column graphic organizer to take notes. Students will record titles and subtitles and list questions that will correspond with each one.

Use this comprehensive instructional activity as part of a comprehensive literacy, STEM, or social studies unit in which children will be using informational texts. In the "Dream Tube" animated story from the PBS Kids series Molly of...

Reasons and evidence are given by the author to support topics or ideas. In this resource, learn about finding reasons and evidence in a text. Includes downloadable worksheet.

A reference page that shows you how to use context clues to figure out the meaning of unknown content words.

Contains plans for three lessons that introduce a nonfiction prereading strategy with the acronym THIEVES, which stands for Title, Headings, Introduction, Every first sentence, Visuals and vocabulary, End Questions, and Summary. In...

A lesson plan in which learners look through a book to find various text features including: a table of contents, sequence and format, charts/graphs/maps, diagrams/graphics/illustrations, print variations, an index, and a glossary....

A short example of using context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar content words. Click on Practice to practice using context clues.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This learning module contains several guided reading resources. Students will be able to use the charts to guide themselves as they discuss informational texts and persuasive texts. Teachers can monitor...

This University of Sydney reference explains the importance of using reputable sources in academic writings. Then the site provides steps to follow to assist students with using bibliographic sources. Click on the sections list to...

Teaching students to pay attention to headings and titles as they read? Here you'll find a practical application for using an expository text to apply the concept of using headings. Geared toward older elementary students, but lesson...

Read three letters, one at a time, about events of historical significance. Identify the region and era particular to each letter, and answer additional questions about the information it contains.

This site provides an overview of MLA style by providing general information about what MLA is, who uses it, and reasons for its use. Then it provides links to both general and specific information about how to use MLA style to format...

[Free Registration/Login Required] Choose from a variety of worksheets to help students practice writing to compose informative/explanatory texts.

This is a research-based article concerning how to best teach academic vocabulary. Research finds that most teachers assign and mention vocabulary, but to be effective, instruction must be direct and meaningful. Recommendations for...

In this lesson, 5th graders analyze two nonfiction passages on Christopher Columbus to determine facts and author's bias and its influence on the readers.

This site from the Human Genome Project of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) provides facts and information about the use of biomass fuel and its impact on the carbon cycle.

Use these online resources from the "Norton Anthology of English Literature" to provide both depth and breadth to your understanding of the poem "Beowulf," whether you are a student reading it for the first time or a teacher preparing to...