Exploring Informational Text

Objective

By the end of this 20-minute lesson, 5th grade students will be able to:

• Identify features of informational text.
• Explain how these features help readers understand the topic.
• Use text features to locate and interpret key information.

Standards Alignment

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.5: Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.7: Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1: Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Materials

• A short informational article (1-2 pages) on an age-appropriate topic (e.g., “How Volcanoes Erupt”)
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Sticky notes or small index cards
• Markers or colored pencils

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Lesson Procedure

1. Warm-Up (3 minutes)

• Activity: Ask students: “What do you notice when you look at a nonfiction book or article? What makes it different from a story?”
• Purpose: Activate prior knowledge about informational text features.
• Teacher Tip: Jot down student responses on chart paper (e.g., headings, captions, diagrams).

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2. Introduction to Informational Text (5 minutes)

• Mini-Explanation: Define informational text as writing that gives facts and teaches about real-world topics.
• Highlight Genre Features: Point out common features such as:
  • Table of contents
  • Headings/subheadings
  • Bold or italicized words
  • Glossary
  • Diagrams, charts, captions
• Use the selected article to quickly point out these features in action.

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3. Interactive Reading and Feature Hunt (8 minutes)

• Activity Description:
  • Hand out the informational article to each student.
  • Guide students to silently read the article.
  • They use sticky notes or index cards to mark at least 3 different text features they notice (e.g., “caption,” “heading,” “diagram”).
• Engagement: Encourage students to write a quick note on their sticky (1-2 words) describing why the feature might help the reader.
• Check for Understanding: After reading, ask a few students to share one text feature they found and its purpose.

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4. Quick Synthesis and Assessment (4 minutes)

• Whole-Class Discussion: Write a simple chart on the board with columns: Text Feature | Purpose | Example from Article.
• Call on students to fill the chart—identify a feature, explain how it helps, and give an example from the article.
• Exit Ticket (Assessment): On the back of their sticky note, students write one sentence explaining why informational text features are important.

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Differentiation and Extensions

• For struggling readers: Provide a simplified informational text or read it aloud while students follow along.
• For advanced learners: Challenge students to compare the structure of this article with a different informational text or to identify the author’s purpose.

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Reflection Notes for Teachers

• Watch for students who can quickly locate text features and those needing support connecting features to comprehension.
• Consider using digital tools next time to explore interactive informational texts.
• Reinforce the use of informational text in real-life situations, such as reading instructions, manuals, or websites.

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This lesson combines reading, critical thinking, and active participation to help students master a fundamental ELA skill aligned with Common Core standards in an engaging, time-conscious way.