Understanding Text Features in Informational Texts
Understanding Text Features in Informational Texts Objective: Students will be able to use text features such as headings, tables of contents, glossaries, and diagrams to locate key facts and information in a text.
Learning Objectives
- Identify common text features in informational texts.
- Explain how text features help find information quickly.
- Use text features to answer questions about a text.
Materials Needed
- Informational book or article suitable for 3rd grade
- Paper and pencil
- Printed worksheet with examples of text features
- Colored markers or crayons
Key Vocabulary
- Heading
- A title at the beginning of a section that tells what that part is about.
- Table of Contents
- A list at the beginning of a book showing chapters and the page numbers.
- Glossary
- A list of important words and their meanings found at the end of a book.
- Diagram
- A drawing or chart that explains information in a simple way.
Detailed Activities
Exploring Text Features
- Begin by discussing what informational texts are and why they have special parts called text features.
- Show examples of text features in a book or article, pointing out headings, table of contents, glossary, and diagrams.
- Give the student a worksheet with pictures of these text features and ask them to name each one.
- Read a short informational text together and practice locating facts using the text features.
- Ask the student to use the glossary to find the meaning of a new word from the text.
- Use headings to find specific information and answer simple questions about the text.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to always look at text features before reading to help understand what the text will be about.
- Help your child by guiding them to spot and name text features during reading time.
- Keep the activities short and fun to maintain interest, and praise your child for using text features independently.
Assessment Questions
- What is a heading and how does it help you when reading?
- Where would you find the meanings of new words in a book?
- How can a diagram help you understand the information in a text?
- If you want to know what topics are in a book, which text feature would you look at?
Extension Ideas
- Look through a favorite informational book at home and create a list of all the text features found.
- Make a simple booklet with your child that includes headings, a table of contents, and a glossary for practice.
- Use magazines or newspapers to find and cut out examples of text features to make a collage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Be patient and use lots of examples from books or articles you read together. Point to each feature and explain how it helps before moving on. Practice regularly in short sessions.
Yes, you can select simpler or more complex texts depending on your child’s reading ability and gradually increase difficulty as they improve.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may think text features are just decorations and not useful for understanding.
- Confusing the purpose of different text features, such as mixing up glossary and table of contents.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use very simple texts with clear and large text features.
- Work one-on-one to point out and name each feature repeatedly.
- Use visual aids and hands-on activities like matching games.
For Advanced Students:
- Challenge them to find multiple text features in longer texts.
- Ask them to explain the purpose of each feature in their own words.
- Encourage creating their own informational page using text features.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend the first 10 minutes introducing and discussing text features with examples.
- Use 25 minutes for guided reading and practice identifying and using text features.
- Reserve last 10 minutes for review, assessment questions, and discussion.
Standards
- 3.RI.5 — undefined
Printable Worksheet
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