McGraw Hill
Mc Graw Hill: Informational Text: Determine Central Idea and Supporting Details
To understand a text, you must understand the central idea of the story. Learn how to recognize the central idea and supporting details with this article. Click the links at bottom right.
Curated OER
Mc Graw Hill: Part 2 Reading: Informational Text: Author Point of View
Learn four questions you can ask while reading an informational text to determine the author's point of view. Includes practice worksheet.
Other
Eduscapes: Themes & Literature Circles
This site provides guidance in creating literature circles based on cross-curricular themes that will help to improve literacy. The site emphasizes both theory and practice, with lots of practical suggestions.
Other
Kid Bibs: Effective Use of Textbook Features
Here, parents and teachers can find tips for helping young readers understand the expository writing found in textbooks.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Grammar and Literature Through Digital Storytelling
In this lesson students create digital stories in cooperative groups using multimedia tools to demonstrate comprehension of the elements of grammar, literature, and technology introduced in the lesson. Students become actively involved...
Grammarly
Grammarly Handbook: Body of the Text
This page explains how to write the body of the text from your outline (a link to "How to Write an Outline" is provided). The body must support the thesis and provide evidence and examples to support the thesis.
Other
Interacting Texts Directed Activities Related to Texts (Darts)
Want to improve your students' reading skills? This is a good place to find the types of directed activities, using a definition text, reconstruction/analysis activities, and advantages of using DARTs.
Grammarly
Grammarly Handbook: Analysis
This page explains that analysis is crucial to the success of a paper as it answers the questions how and why and shows the reader that the writing is knowledgable. Logic and development work together to make the analysis clear. Examples...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Nonfiction Pyramid
A printable pyramid for use with nonfiction texts while students identify the main ideas and supporting details within a text. Students also determine author's purpose and key vocabulary words. Directions on how to use this type of...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Guided Comprehension: Previewing
This lesson introduces students to the comprehension technique of previewing. Students use anticipation guides to preview and predict stories and work in small groups.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Guided Comprehension: Making Connections
Lesson introduces young scholars to the strategy of making connections. Students learn the three types of connections using a double-entry journal. A good resource for teachers.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: The Big Bad Wolf: Analyzing Point of View in Texts
In this lesson, students will research a fairy tale and analyze it based on the point of view. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.6
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Guided Comprehension: Semantic Analysis
Lesson introduces learners to comprehension of knowing how words work. Students learn semantic feature analysis and examine folktales, myths, and fables using this analysis to better understand these terms and texts.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Reading and Analyzing Multigenre Texts
This lesson plan deals with the process of analyzing a variety of literary texts from poetry and letters to diary entries and works of fiction. Included in the lesson plan is an overview, practice, objectives, resources, preparation, and...
Other
Writing & Reading Success Center: Summarizing Paragraphs [Pdf]
An explanation and example of summarizing a paragraph, especially helpful for taking notes on texts.
Other
English Companion: Reading Expository Text
Taken from "Reading Reminders: Tools, Tips, and Techmiques," the information on this website provides advice on how to read, understand, analyze, and write expository texts.
Other
Concepts and Practices for Writing Courses: Interpreting Literature
This tutorial surveys the way readers should interpret literature or text in symbols, syntax, meaning, and the like. The article features a Literary Toolkit for Analyzing Literature.
Other
Reading Quest: Strategies for Reading Comprehension: Power Thinking
Looking for an alternative to formal outline instruction? Power Thinking teaches the concept of outlining but on a somewhat simplified level. The site is good for basic note-taking from a text.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Character, Conflict, Resolution, Setting
This interactive activity allows young scholars to study and analyze the text concepts of character, conflict, resolution, and setting in a "Broadcast news," format.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Guided Comprehension: Summarizing
Lesson that introduces students to the comprehension technique of summarizing. Students learn using the QuIP (questions into paragraphs) method which involves organizing information and putting it in writing.
Capital Community College Foundation
Guide to Grammar and Writing: Developing a Definition
Not sure what a definition paper is? This is a great site from the Capital Community College to help you with developing a definition. Includes a sample essay and guiding questions.
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Science: Antarctica Research Center: Describe Different Weather Patterns
This module provides informational text about weather. Students will learn about precipitation and storm fronts. Students will also learn about different types of storms, including the following: hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons.
E Reading Worksheets
E Reading Worksheets: Main Idea Structure and Valentine's Day Worksheet
Written exercises related to identifying the main ideas and details are provided on this module. Students will enjoy learning about Valentine's Day in these text structure exercises.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Reading Reflections
An exercise consisting of three reflective questions that students respond to after completing an assigned reading in any curriculum area. The task promotes skills in critical thinking and self-assessment.