Informational texts use text features to organize information: headings, bold words, captions, charts, sidebars and a glossary.
Let's learn
- Headings tell you the topic of each section.
- Captions explain images.
- Charts and graphs show data at a glance.
- Glossaries define key terms.
Watch out for
- Skipping charts and captions. They often hold key information.
Make it fit your reader
- Easier: Name four features in a textbook chapter.
- Harder: Explain what a graph adds that the text does not.
Practice activity
- Feature scavenger hunt: find eight text features in a textbook or magazine.
- Caption it: write a caption for a photo in an article.
Tip for grown-ups: Keep practice short and cheerful: 10 to 15 minutes is plenty for young readers. Praise effort, let your child point to the words, and stop while it is still fun.