Informational text is a type of nonfiction, but it is not all nonfiction. It could be a menu, science book, or map. Learn effective strategies and locate great websites for teaching your grade K - 12 student. Strategies work well for college-age students too!

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.

6. Websites – Graphic Organizers
Education Place
Graphic Organizers
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/
TeacherVision
Graphic Organizers
https://www.teachervision.com/graphic-
organizers/printable/6293.html

7. Content Area Websites
America’s 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. It’s 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