Teaching young minds to navigate the pages of informational texts is a crucial skill that will empower them to become independent readers. In this blog post, we’ll explore effective strategies to introduce nonfiction text features, conduct engaging mini-lessons, and provide free graphic organizers to support your students’ learning journey.
What are Nonfiction Text Features?
The definition of nonfiction text features is “the elements within a nonfiction text that enhance comprehension and provide additional information beyond the written words.” In more kid-friendly terms. they are parts of a nonfiction book that help us understand more about what the author is telling us. These features play a crucial role in helping readers navigate and understand the content effectively.
Introduce Nonfiction Text Features
To kick off your exploration, begin with a discussion about what makes nonfiction books unique. Highlight the purpose of these features, explaining that they help readers understand and absorb information more effectively. Consider creating an anchor chart with common text features such as headings, captions, bold print, and labels. Use real examples from nonfiction books to illustrate each feature.
I created this video to help introduce and explain the purpose of each text feature. You can watch it on YouTube here: Nonfiction text features video
Nonfiction Text Features Posters
There are a lot of cute nonfiction text feature posters out there! I have used free ones from TpT in the past. But, the most meaningful posters you can use are student-created ones! Assign each student or partners a text feature. Have them draw it, or cut it out (if possible). I like to keep old Scholastic News issues on hand for this activity. Then, they can label it and write a definition. These will be SO helpful for your students to reference during your study of text features.
Books for Teaching Nonfiction Text Features
Introducing nonfiction text features through carefully selected books can be an engaging and effective strategy to enhance students’ comprehension. Choosing age-appropriate books that showcase these features not only deepens content understanding but also cultivates a curiosity for the world around them. This approach not only equips students with essential reading skills but also lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Some of my favorite picks for teaching nonfiction text features include:
- texts by Gail Gibbons
- National Geographic Kids
- Sharks! by Sally Morgan
- Scholastic News
- TIME for Kids
- Ride that Roller Coaster by Louise Spilsbury
Mini-Lesson Ideas
Headings and Subheadings: Teach students how headings provide a sneak peek into the topic of a section. Encourage them to identify headings and discuss how they help organize information.
Captivating Captions: Explore the role of captions in providing additional information about images. Model how reading captions enhances understanding and encourages curiosity.
Bold Print Bonanza: Show students how bold print emphasizes important words or phrases. Have them practice identifying and reading bolded words to enhance comprehension.
Labels Galore: Discuss the purpose of labels in identifying parts of images. Bring in books with labeled diagrams and engage students in labeling activities.
Table of Contents Treasure Hunt: Introduce the concept of a table of contents and guide students in using it to find specific information in a nonfiction book.
Free Graphic Organizer
To support your 2nd graders in applying their knowledge of nonfiction text features, we’ve created free graphic organizers. These tools are designed to enhance comprehension and provide a visual aid for understanding the different elements of informational texts.
I love having plenty of graphic organizers to use with ANY nonfiction book! I typically use one of them and model during our shared reading lesson. Then, they use the SAME graphic organizer with their small group reading book.
Download a FREE Graphic Organizer
Teaching features of nonfiction texts can be an exciting journey that opens up a world of exploration for young readers. By introducing these features, conducting engaging mini-lessons, and providing graphic organizers, you’ll empower your students to confidently navigate the informational landscape. Happy exploring!
Do you want to read more blog posts about comprehension skills? Check out these!
