Using Information

Search for and Use Information: a within the text strategic action, readers notice and use information sources (meaning, language structure and visual information. 

Minilesson Resources

What is nonfiction? : Video from Brain-Pop (found on YouTube) to introduce nonfiction, the parts of a nonfiction book (table of contents, glossary, index, captions, bold type, labels), how to read a nonfiction book, the idea of taking notes while reading.

Nonfiction Text Features:  A collection of activities and anchor charts from Curriculum Corner

Using Scholastic New to Teach Nonfiction Text Features: from Lessons with Laughter, a second grade activity using Scholastic New magazines to explore text features

Learning About Nonfiction Text Features: Second Grade lesson

Determining Importance : lessons on distinguishing fiction from nonfiction, and determining importance of information.  From busyteacherscafe.com.

Anchor Charts

from a yearofmanyfirsts.blogspot.com

from shioshapefirstgrade.blogspot.com

from teachingwithamountainview.com

from youngteacherlove.blogspot.com

from www.readinglady.com

Grade Level Expectations

(from Continuum of Literacy Learning, Fountas and Pinnell, 2012)

PreK

• read left to write
• match one spoken word with one printed word
• search for more information in print and pictures
• point to match words with oral language
• reread to search for information
• use language structure and meaning to learn about print

Kindergarten

• notice details in pictures or photographs to understand text
• understand which character is being represented in dialogue and pronouns
• reread to search for information
• notice, search for, remember, and discuss information that is important to understanding
• use text meaning and language structure to to solve new words

First Grade

• use multiple sources together to solve new vocabulary words
• notice and use graphics (labels, captions, simple diagrams)
• use chapter headings and titles to foreshadow content
• use readers’ tools (table of contents, headings, glossary) to find information
• process long sentences (ten or more words) with many embedded phrases
• process text with a variety of dialogue
• understand how to use pictures and symbols

Second Grade

• notice and use graphics (labels, captions, simple diagrams)
• use readers’ tools (table of contents, headings, glossary) to find information
• process long sentences (fifteen or more words) with many embedded clauses (prepositional phrases, introductory clauses, series of nouns, verbs, or adverbs)
• process a wide range of dialogue, some unassigned
• respond to plot tension or suspense by reading on to seek resolutions to problems
• follow a sequence of actions from graphics
• understand how to use pictures and symbols

Third Grade

• search for and use graphics (labels, captions, simple diagrams, maps, charts)
• use readers’ tools (table of contents, headings and subheadings, glossary, index, references, call-outs) to find information
• process long sentences (fifteen or more words) with embedded clauses (parenthetical material, prepositional phrases, introductory clauses, series or nouns, verbs, adverbs)
• process a wide range of dialogue, some unassigned
• form implicit questions and search for answers while reading
• respond to plot tension or suspense by reading on to seek resolutions to problems
• sustain attention to a text read over several days, remembering details to revise interpretations as new events are encountered

Fourth Grade

• search for and use graphics (labels, captions, simple diagrams, maps, charts)
• use readers’ tools (table of contents, headings and subheadings, glossary, index, references, call-outs) to find information
• process long sentences (fifteen or more words) with embedded clauses (parenthetical material, prepositional phrases, introductory clauses, series or nouns, verbs, adverbs) that carry over several lines or pages
• process a wide range of dialogue, some unassigned
• form implicit questions and search for answers while reading
• respond to plot tension or suspense by reading on to seek resolutions to problems
• sustain attention to a text read over several days, remembering details to revise interpretations as new events are encountered
• process texts with a variety of complex layouts and with some pages of dense print
• remember the details of complex plots with many episodes
• process long stretches of descriptive language and remember pertinent information
• notice details in illustrations that convey action or provide insight into characters’ feelings or motives in graphic texts

Fifth Grade