Using Text Features to Understand the Meaning of Informational Text
During this 10-day introductory unit, students will learn about text features and how readers use them to further their understanding of information presented in informational text. They will learn about different text features in print and electronic form--what they are and how they are used in both formats--through online activities, a scavenger hunt and collage creation.
Students will then use text features to find pertinent information to answer specific comprehension questions in guided reading. The targeted focus of guided practice will be on recognizing how frequently readers use text features to seek information. [Skimming and scanning skills can also be taught, depending upon students’ abilities.] This will be followed by finding the main idea and supporting details within informational text and how text features help a reader identify these components of the text.
Students will share their learning with one another through online applications as they identify text features of a selected text and how they used the features to find pertinent information.