Understanding Key Details in Informational Texts
Understanding Key Details in Informational Texts Objective: Students will be able to identify and describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
Learning Objectives
- Identify two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
- Describe how these two elements are connected.
- Use details from the text to support the description of the connection.
Materials Needed
- A short informational text appropriate for 1st grade (e.g., a simple article about animals or plants)
- Paper and pencil
- Highlighter or colored pencils
Key Vocabulary
- Informational Text
- A type of writing that gives facts about a real topic, like animals, places, or events.
- Details
- Small pieces of information that help explain or tell more about the main idea.
- Connection
- How two things are related or linked together.
Detailed Activities
Read and Identify Key Details
- Read the selected informational text aloud with the student.
- Ask the student to point out two important things or people mentioned in the text.
- Discuss what each detail tells us about the topic.
Describe Connections
- Help the student think about how the two details are related.
- Use guiding questions, such as ‘How do these two things work together?’ or ‘What does one tell us about the other?’
- Write a simple sentence together describing the connection.
Highlight and Draw
- Have the student highlight or underline the two details in the text.
- Ask the student to draw a picture showing the connection between the two details.
- Discuss the drawing and how it helps show the connection.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- This lesson focuses on helping your child understand how information in a text is connected, which builds comprehension skills.
- Encourage your child to talk about what they read and ask questions to deepen understanding.
- Use simple, clear language and be patient as your child practices these new skills.
Assessment Questions
- Can you tell me two important facts or people from the story?
- How do these two details go together?
- Can you show me where these details are in the text?
Extension Ideas
- Find another short informational text and practice identifying connections together.
- Create a simple chart listing pairs of details and their connections.
- Use everyday life examples, like explaining how plants and sunlight are connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by identifying just one detail together, then gradually work toward finding connections. Use pictures or drawings to help visualize relationships.
Look for early reader books about simple topics like animals, weather, or community helpers. Many libraries and educational websites offer free resources.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may confuse details with the main idea; clarify that details support or explain the main idea.
- Children might focus on unrelated parts of the text; guide them to find relevant information.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use texts with fewer details and simpler sentences.
- Provide visual aids or graphic organizers to help organize information.
For Advanced Students:
- Challenge them to find three or more connections.
- Ask them to explain why the author included these details.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend extra time on reading the text and discussing vocabulary if needed.
- Allow pauses for the student to think and respond during activities.
- Adjust the number of details to identify based on the student’s comfort and progress.
Standards
- 1.RI.8 — Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text.
Printable Worksheet
Plan Your Own Lesson
Looking for a custom lesson plan? Try our Lesson Planning Generator — create standards-based plans for any topic, instantly!
Common Core Aligned Lesson Plans
Looking for another common core lesson? See all of the lesson plans here.
More Free Lesson Plans
We’re adding more every week! Check back soon or explore all our lesson plans here.
Leave a Reply