Understanding Text Features to Locate Information
Understanding Text Features to Locate Information Objective: Students will be able to use text features such as headings, tables of contents, glossaries, and indexes to locate information efficiently in informational texts.
Learning Objectives
- Identify common text features in informational texts.
- Use the table of contents to find specific chapters or sections.
- Use the glossary to understand the meanings of new words.
- Use the index to locate information quickly.
- Explain how text features help readers understand and find information.
Materials Needed
- A nonfiction book or article appropriate for 3rd grade
- Printed copies of a sample table of contents, index, and glossary pages
- Sticky notes or bookmarks
- Worksheet for recording information found using text features
- Pencils
Key Vocabulary
- Text Features
- Parts of a book or article that help you find information quickly, like headings and indexes.
- Table of Contents
- A list at the beginning of a book that shows the chapters or sections and their page numbers.
- Glossary
- A list of important words and their meanings found at the end of a book.
- Index
- An alphabetical list at the back of a book that shows where to find topics.
Detailed Activities
Exploring Text Features
- Introduce the concept of text features and explain why they are helpful.
- Show examples of a table of contents, glossary, and index using a sample book or printed pages.
- Ask the student to identify these features in a nonfiction book you provide.
- Together, pick a topic or question and use the table of contents to find the chapter that might have the answer.
- Use the glossary to look up a new word found in the text.
- Use the index to find pages related to a specific topic.
- Have the student record answers to simple questions using the text features on the worksheet.
Practice and Review
- Provide a short informational text with clear text features.
- Ask the student to find answers to questions by using the text features only, without reading everything.
- Discuss how using text features made finding information easier.
- Review vocabulary words and their definitions aloud.
- Encourage the student to explain how they used each text feature.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- This lesson helps your child become a more independent reader by teaching them how to use text features.
- Encourage your child to always look for these features when reading nonfiction books or articles.
- You can extend learning by exploring different types of books at home or the library and identifying text features together.
Assessment Questions
- What is a table of contents and how does it help you?
- How can you use a glossary when you find a word you don’t know?
- Where would you look to find all the pages about a specific topic in a book?
- Can you find the chapter about animals using the table of contents in this book?
- Use the index to find the page number for ‘volcanoes’ in this book.
Extension Ideas
- Create a mini-book with your child and include a table of contents, glossary, and index.
- Explore different nonfiction topics and practice locating information using text features in various books or online articles.
- Play a scavenger hunt game where your child finds answers using only text features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Encourage your child to read the glossary definitions slowly and talk about the meaning together. Sometimes using simpler words or examples helps.
Try to include short practice sessions regularly, such as once or twice a week, to build comfort and skill with using text features.
Yes! Knowing how to use text features helps in science, social studies, and any subject where finding information quickly is important.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Students may think the glossary or index is part of the story rather than a tool to help find information.
- Students might confuse headings with the actual content and not use them to locate information.
- Some students may skip using text features because they want to read the whole text instead.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use shorter texts with clearly labeled text features.
- Provide guided practice with step-by-step support.
- Use visual aids or highlight text features to draw attention.
For Advanced Students:
- Challenge students to compare information found in two different texts using text features.
- Ask students to create their own glossary or index for a small report or project.
- Encourage students to find additional text features like captions, diagrams, or bold words.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend 15-20 minutes introducing and exploring text features with examples.
- Use 20-25 minutes for guided practice and applying skills to actual texts.
- Allow time for questions, discussion, and review at the end.
Standards
- 3.RI.9 — Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic.
Printable Worksheet
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