Understanding Key Details in Informational Texts
Understanding Key Details in Informational Texts Objective: By the end of this 45-minute lesson, the student will be able to ask and answer questions about key details in a nonfiction text to demonstrate understanding.
Learning Objectives
- Identify key details in an informational text.
- Ask questions about the text to clarify understanding.
- Answer questions about important information found in the text.
Materials Needed
- A short, age-appropriate informational text (such as a simple article about animals or weather)
- Pencil and paper
- Highlighter or colored pencils
Key Vocabulary
- Informational Text
- A type of writing that gives facts and information about a topic.
- Key Details
- Important pieces of information that help us understand the main idea.
- Question
- A sentence that asks for information.
Detailed Activities
Read and Highlight Key Details
- Read the selected informational text aloud with the student.
- Discuss the topic of the text and what the student already knows about it.
- Ask the student to highlight or underline important facts or details in the text.
- Talk about why those details are important to understanding the topic.
Ask and Answer Questions
- Model how to ask questions about the text, such as ‘What is this about?’ or ‘Why is this important?’.
- Encourage the student to ask their own questions about the text.
- Work together to find answers to the questions using the text.
- Write down questions and answers on paper to review.
Summarize Key Details
- Help the student summarize the most important facts from the text in their own words.
- Encourage the student to explain why these details help us understand the topic better.
- Praise the student for their effort and understanding.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- This lesson is designed to build your child’s ability to focus on important information in nonfiction texts.
- Encourage your child to take their time and think about what they read instead of rushing through.
- Asking questions is a key skill for comprehension; try to make it a fun and natural part of reading together.
Assessment Questions
- What is the main topic of the text we read?
- Can you tell me two important facts you learned from the text?
- What questions did you have while reading? How did you find the answers?
- Why do you think these details are important to understanding the topic?
Extension Ideas
- Have your child create a simple drawing or diagram showing one of the key details from the text.
- Read another short informational text on a different topic and repeat the key details activity to build confidence.
- Encourage your child to explain what they learned to a family member or friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try reading the text together slowly and ask guiding questions to help them focus on important parts. Highlighting or underlining can also help make details stand out.
Choose informational texts about topics your child loves, like animals or space, and use visual aids like pictures or drawings.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may think every detail is equally important rather than focusing on key facts.
- Children sometimes guess answers without referring back to the text.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Read the text aloud multiple times and use pictures to support understanding.
- Ask simpler questions focusing on identifying the main topic before details.
For Advanced Students:
- Challenge the student to ask more complex questions about why details are important.
- Have the student compare details from two related informational texts.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend more time on reading and highlighting if the student is new to informational texts.
- Allow short breaks if attention wanes, then continue with the question and answer activities.
Standards
- 1.RI.4 — Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
Printable Worksheet
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