Understanding and Analyzing Text Structures
Understanding and Analyzing Text Structures Objective: Students will learn to identify the structure of informational texts and explain how specific sentences contribute to the development of ideas in a text, addressing standard 6.RI.8.
Learning Objectives
- Identify different text structures in informational reading materials.
- Explain how specific sentences contribute to the overall meaning and development of ideas in a text.
- Use text evidence to support understanding of the text structure.
Materials Needed
- A short informational text passage (printed or digital)
- Notebook or paper
- Pencil or pen
- Highlighters or colored pencils
Key Vocabulary
- Text Structure
- The way information is organized in a text, such as cause and effect, problem and solution, or description.
- Informational Text
- A type of writing that provides facts and information about a topic.
- Supporting Details
- Sentences that give more information to explain or prove the main idea.
Detailed Activities
Explore Text Structure
- Begin by reading a short informational text aloud with your child or have them read it independently.
- Discuss the main idea of the text and what the author wants to teach the reader.
- Together, identify the text structure used (such as cause and effect or description).
- Highlight or underline sentences that help explain the main idea.
Explain Sentence Contributions
- Choose two or three sentences from the text and discuss how each sentence adds information or supports the main idea.
- Ask your child to explain in their own words why these sentences are important.
- Have your child write a few sentences summarizing how these parts help develop the text’s ideas.
Practice and Review
- Provide another short informational text and have your child identify its structure.
- Ask them to point out sentences that contribute to the text’s meaning.
- Review their answers and provide positive feedback and clarifications as needed.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to take their time reading and understanding the text; it’s okay to reread parts together.
- Use questions to guide your child’s thinking about how sentences connect to the main idea.
- Praise effort and curiosity, especially when your child explains their reasoning.
Assessment Questions
- What is the main idea of the text you read?
- Can you describe the text structure used in this passage?
- How does this sentence help explain or support the main idea?
- Why do you think the author included this specific detail?
Extension Ideas
- Have your child write a short informational paragraph using one of the text structures learned.
- Create a graphic organizer together to map out text structures and supporting sentences.
- Read a nonfiction book and identify different text structures used in various chapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with very simple texts and focus on one text structure at a time. Use examples and visual aids like charts to help explain.
Ask guiding questions like ‘What does this sentence tell us?’ or ‘How does this help us understand the main idea?’ to prompt thinking.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may confuse text structure with the main idea itself.
- Children might think all sentences have equal importance instead of some supporting specific points.
- Some students may find it difficult to explain in their own words how sentences connect to ideas.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use shorter texts with clear, repetitive structures.
- Provide sentence starters to help explain contributions, such as ‘This sentence tells us…’.
- Work together closely and provide more guided practice.
For Advanced Students:
- Challenge them to find multiple text structures in one passage.
- Ask for written explanations with examples from the text.
- Encourage comparing how different authors use evidence and reasons.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend about 15 minutes on reading and identifying text structure.
- Use 15 minutes to discuss sentence contributions and practice explaining.
- Use final 15 minutes on independent practice and review.
Standards
- 6.RI.8 — Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
Printable Worksheet
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