Nonfiction Text Features

I’m working with my students on nonfiction text features this week. Our intermediate test scores all show that it’s a weakness in spite of all the nonfiction reading we do, so I decided to hit it hard and hit it early this year. I’ve been consciously pointing out all captions, headings, subtitles, bold words, etc. while reading. Our subscription to National Geographic Explorer has also helped by putting high-interest articles in my students’ hands once a month. 


In addition to all that, I planned nonfiction reading centers for this week. I have to confess that I was in a bit of a crunch last week as I was making this week’s plans though. It was a hectic week with an all-day field trip and more convocations (it was cultural week at our school) so I didn’t have much planning time. On top of that, I shipped my husband off to Hawaii for a conference so I was holding down the fort at home by myself.  

Fortunately, TpT saved the day. I love that teachers are making classroom-tested items for other teachers at more than reasonable prices. It saved me so much time and my students still receive quality instruction. It really is a win-win situation. 

Look at all these great nonfiction finds I‘m using this week. I’m so happy with them that I just had to give a shout out to their fabulous creators!

Nonfiction Reading Unit for Common Core by the fabulous Ashleigh I adore Ashleigh’s stuff! Seriously. I could easily buy her entire store, but then I’d have some explaining to do to my husband so I have to pace myself. =) This pack is over 100 pages, people! I love that this packet covers nonfiction text features and nonfiction text structures. It’s a two for one!



Nonfiction Cootie Catches by Runde’s Room  Alright, I love these! Each year, I’m amazed as my kiddos “discover” all the old-school foldables that they can make with notebook paper. They’re always so surprised to hear those foldables were around when I was in school too. =) Students are naturally drawn to these cootie catchers, but they’re educational so I don’t mind at all. Sneaky!

More with Magazines by Teach 123 I have a huge stack of magazines in our classroom library because I tend to be a bit of a hoarder collector. My students love flipping through them, but I‘ve never used them for instruction before. This packet is a perfect way to use them! I was able to throw together an educational center in minutes. Easy!

Nonfiction Text Features Task Cards and Informational Text Multiple Choice Task Cards by the task card queen herself, Rachel Lynette. I have several sets of Rachel’s task cards and you really can’t go wrong with any of them (I also love some of her math puzzles!). What I love so much about the cards is that I can use them in a center or use them for classroom games (scoot, scavenger hunts, or as replacements for traditional cards in board games). Multi-purpose love!

This final one is a freebie that I found outside of TpT: Beth Newingham’s Nonfiction Text Feature Posters. The heading image to the left is just one samples. There are 23 posters total. You can also download a blank version and have your students fill in the examples. There are a variety of other nonfiction goodies there too.

That’s it! We‘re still working on our anchor charts, but my students are well on their way to “getting it” with text features. What are you teaching in reading this week?