Understanding Key Ideas in Informational Texts
Understanding Key Ideas in Informational Texts Objective: Students will be able to ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of key details in an informational text.
Learning Objectives
- Identify key details in an informational text.
- Ask and answer questions about important information in the text.
- Use the text to support answers to questions.
Materials Needed
- A short informational book or article appropriate for 2nd grade (e.g., about animals, weather, or plants)
- Paper and pencil for drawing and writing
- Question cards with simple ‘who,’ ‘what,’ ‘where,’ ‘when,’ and ‘why’ questions
Key Vocabulary
- Informational Text
- A type of writing that gives facts about a topic.
- Key Details
- Important pieces of information that help us understand the main idea.
- Question
- A sentence that asks something to learn more.
Detailed Activities
Read and Discuss Informational Text
- Choose a short informational text that is interesting and age-appropriate.
- Read the text aloud to the student, pausing to show pictures and explain new words.
- After reading, ask the student simple questions about the text such as ‘Who is this about?’ or ‘What did you learn?’
- Encourage the student to answer using information from the text.
Question Card Game
- Show the student question cards one at a time.
- Ask the student to find the answer in the text or from memory and explain their answer.
- If the student struggles, help by rereading the relevant part of the text together.
- Praise correct answers and gently guide if the answer is incorrect.
Draw and Write Key Details
- Ask the student to draw a picture about something they learned from the text.
- Help the student write one or two sentences describing their picture and the key detail it shows.
- Review the sentences together and relate them back to the text.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to think about the questions and answers in their own words.
- Use lots of praise and positive feedback to build confidence.
- Keep the reading sessions short and fun to maintain interest.
- You do not need to be an expert—simply read together and talk about the text.
Assessment Questions
- Who or what is this text about?
- What is one fact you learned from the text?
- Where does this event or subject happen?
- Why is this information important?
- Can you tell me one key detail from the text?
Extension Ideas
- Visit a local library or use an online resource to find more informational books on similar topics.
- Create a simple poster using pictures and sentences about what was learned.
- Watch a short educational video related to the topic and discuss it.
- Make a question-and-answer booklet with your child about the topic.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s normal for young learners to need support. Try rereading the text slowly and pointing to specific parts. Encourage your child to think about pictures and words together.
Look for books labeled as nonfiction or informational at your library or bookstore. Many children’s websites and educational apps also offer free informational articles.
No special materials are needed. Simple paper, pencil, and an age-appropriate book are enough to complete these activities.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Children might focus only on pictures and ignore words; remind them to connect both.
- Students may give yes/no answers instead of full responses; encourage complete sentences.
- Some might confuse story details with facts; clarify the difference between fiction and nonfiction.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use shorter texts with clear pictures.
- Ask simpler questions and allow yes/no or one-word answers at first.
- Provide more guided practice and reread important sections together.
For Advanced Students:
- Ask questions that require combining information from different parts of the text.
- Encourage your child to ask their own questions about the text.
- Have the student explain why the information is important or how it relates to something they know.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend about 15 minutes on reading and initial discussion.
- Use 15 minutes for the question card activity to practice asking and answering.
- Finish with 15 minutes for drawing and writing to reinforce learning.
Standards
- 2.RI.4 — Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
Printable Worksheet
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