Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Many Parts
Preparation for reading complex informational texts starts in K and First grade. Knowing the features of the genre, and how to navigate through it is one of the necessary stepping stones. This instructional activity introduces the...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Text Feature Diagrams
At the end of this instructional activity, students will be able to identify and create diagrams associated with informational text. Included is a link to an eSpark video on diagrams, rules for group work, multiple examples of diagrams,...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Comparing & Contrasting Inventors
What do inventors have that are alike? How are they different? Why do they invent? Learning about them may inspire you to invent new technology! In this instructional activity, students will compare and contrast key details in two texts...
CPALMS
Cpalms: Compare/contrast Life Cycle Texts
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students will learn to compare and contrast texts about life cycles using a Venn diagram. Then, using the Venn diagram, students will write an expository paragraph including an introductory sentence,...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Visual Representations in Informational Text
Students will look at examples of illustrations and diagrams in informational texts and discuss how each one helps enhance the text. Students gain the knowledge that sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words because a complex idea...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: What Shapes the Land?
In this lesson plan, the teacher will read a book about different landforms. The children will learn about the features of the landforms and how they were shaped by natural forces. Then text features will be discussed. The children will...
Reading Rockets
Reading Rockets: Stem Literacy
Learn about how to strengthen literacy, inquiry, and problem-solving skills, and how to connect kids with high-quality nonfiction and informational books. Provides videos, articles for parents and for teachers, webcasts for teachers, and...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Bat Versus Bird
Students compare and contrast two animals to recall learned information so they can share two facts using the informational text "The Best Nest". Included is a video explanation, a printable graphic organizer, samples of student work,...
CPALMS
Cpalms: Giraffes and Zebras Oh My!
[Free Registration/Login Required] For this lesson plan, students will be able to ask and answer questions about key details in a text. Additionally, students will also be able to identify, compare, and contrast characteristics between...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: A 40 Year Plan for Energy
In this intimate talk filmed at TED's offices, energy innovator Amory Lovins shows how to get the US off oil and coal by 2050, $5 trillion cheaper, with no Act of Congress, led by business for profit. The key is integrating all four...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Letter From Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
While in jail, King responded in a letter written on the margins of a newspaper, because it was the only paper available. King gave the letter to his lawyers, who published what is now known as the famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail."...
CPALMS
Cpalms: Connections and Concussions: Teens and Sports
In this interactive learning module, students read an informational text about teen concussions and identify the key individuals in the text. They then identify and use details about those individuals to make connections between them, as...
CPALMS
Cpalms: Structures and Skeletons
In this interactive learning module, students read informational text about dinosaurs and examine paragraph structure. They will learn about different types of text structure for informational paragraphs, identify the most effective...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: A Storm of Ideas
The first step in writing an informational text on the topic of students' choice is helping the student choose a topic of interest. Students will brainstorm ideas that will be possible final topics.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Impact of the Erie Canal on America
Students will learn how the creation of the Erie Canal changed the environment to be more advantageous. This transportation waterway impacted American culture, economics, politics, and more. It set America on a path of destiny, from a...
The Tech Interactive
The Tech Museum of Innovation: Animal Rescue [Pdf]
Scientists often need to gather information in order to form a deeper understanding of the problem. Can your team gather scientific evidence to help inform the design of a device that will help move endangered animals from one protected...
Ohio State University
Ohio State University: Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears: Reader of the Rocks
A nonfiction article where students read about Julie Codispoti, assistant curator at the United States Polar Rock Repository, located at Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center. The article provides an overview of Antarctic...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Molly of Denali: Field Guide Family Activity
Use this Field Guide to Birds from the PBS Kids series Molly of Denali to identify and learn more about birds in your neighborhood. Then seek out additional information and create your own pages to add to Molly's guide.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Molly of Denali: Fish Camp Game
Use this Molly of Denali digital game to extend and expand students' use of informational text as well as their knowledge of Alaska Native culture.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Molly of Denali: Bird in Hand Lesson Plan
This in-depth lesson, based on the 11-minute story "Bird in Hand" from the PBS Kids series Molly of Denali, helps children use strategies, such as examining the parts of unfamiliar words to figure out their meaning.
Thinkport Education
Thinkport: Read Like This: Using Informational Text Strategies
In this module practice working with informational text.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Teacher's Guide: Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum
Use this teacher's guide to plan how you'll integrate video clips, biosketch readers, and graphic organizers for Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum across your Grade 1-2 classroom curricula. From guided reading to a living wax museum,...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Write Expository Text That Synthesizes Ideas
[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] A learning module that teaches students how to bring ideas together in an expository text in four lessons: Introduction, Analyzing Our Sources, Pulling Out the Major Points...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Write Expository Text That Is Logically Organized
[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] A learning module that teaches students how to write an organized expository text in five lessons: Introduction, The Type of Burger: The Controlling Idea, Toppings: The...