1. Presented by Stephanie M. Hamilton Author: Informational
Text Toolkit http://www.amazon.com/Informational-Text-
Toolkit-Research-based-Strategies- Teaching Informational Text:
Strategies and Websites
2. What is Informational Text? Informational text is a type of
nonfiction, but it is not all nonfiction. It could be a menu,
science book, or map. Informational text also has text structures
that might be unfamiliar to students: Cause and Effect, Sequence,
Problem and Solution, Description, and Compare and Contrast.
3. Strategies for Teaching .. Carousel Brainstorm A carousel
brainstorm allows students to share what they know about the topic.
Begin by forming groups of three or four. Have one student be the
recorder and give them a piece of chart paper and marker. Identify
three or four subtitles or key terms in the text to use as topics
for the chart paper. Assign each group a term to brainstorm. Get
your timer or watch ready. Tell students to brainstorm all the
words they can think of associated with their topic.
4. Graphic Organizers Graphic organizers are visual ways to
represent information. Mapping information can be done .. according
to main ideas, subtopics, and details; in sequence; to show
relationships between the different parts;
5. Jigsaw In the Jigsaw activity, each student in a group takes
responsibility for reading a specific part of the text. In addition
to reading, the student or group teaches the material to the class.
Students become masters of their part of the text. As each student
or group presents their part of the jigsaw, the pieces fit together
and the class solves the puzzle of the text.
7. Content Area Websites Americas Library
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/ The Library of Congress presents
"America's Library" as a public service as part of its mission to
provide as much access to its collections as possible. The Web site
contains many documents, prints, photographs, maps, recordings and
other materials from the past.
8. Content Area Websites Kids.gov for Science
https://kids.usa.gov/science/index. shtml Brought to you by
USA.gov, Kids.gov is the official kids' portal for the U.S.
government. We link kids, parents and teachers to U.S. government
information and services on the web from government agencies,
schools, and educational organizations, all geared to the learning
level and interest of kids.
9. Content Area Websites National Geographic Kids
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/ On the National
Geographic Kids website your child will have fun learning about
animals, science, nature and more - all in an age-appropriate
environment that encourages curiosity, wonder and exploration.
10. Content Area Websites Weather Wiz Kids
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/ Designed by meteorologist Crystal
Wicker especially for children to allow them to learn more about
the fascinating world of weather. Its also a wonderful educational
website for teachers and parents to give them the right tools to
explain the different types of weather to children.
11. Questions to Develop Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Skills . Rigor! Can you name three key points? Why are these so
important? Based on your key points, can you prepare a 1 minute
speech to convince a friend that this text is important? What did
you find interesting about this text? Do you want to know more?
Why? How has reading this text changed your opinion about this
topic? Have you ever experienced anything like (refer to
text)?
12. Read More .
http://www.amazon.com/Informational-Text-Toolkit-
Research-based-Strategies-ebook/dp/B00JF9I4LE Informational Text
Toolkit By Stephanie M. Hamilton eBook - $2.99
13. About me . 30 + years in education as a teacher, trainer,
professor, curriculum writer, and believer in children! Author of
Surviving the First Two Weeks of School eBook available on Amazon.
Contact me: stephaniehamilton706@gma il.com