informational text improving content-area comprehension chapter 12 cohen & cowan
TRANSCRIPT
Informational TextImproving
Content-Area Comprehension
Chapter 12
Cohen & Cowan
What is informational text?
(expository text)
Presents facts, concepts and information
Newpapers lists
Magazines directions
How-to guides reference books
Informational Text
• 85% of all material read
• 96% of all material on internet
• Menus, encyclopedias, computer software, advertisements, schedules……..everyday text
Research
• Young children are curious
• 4th grade: drop in test scores– Textbooks too difficult– Informational text should begin earlier
Research
• 1st Graders who read …– 1/3 informational– 1/3 narrative– 1/3 poetry or other genres
…write better and read for comprehension better
ELL and LD students
• Learn to read better when given a choice of informational texts to read.
• (also with a choice of writing expository)
Benefits
• Promotes student achievement in content areas
• Vocabulary enriched
• Builds prior knowledge
• Learn lifelong skills
Key Words
• Learn to use (usually highlighted in text)
• Ask them as informational content questions
• Use table of contents and index
• Write expository sentences
• Answer content questions
Text Features
• Table of contents
• Index
• Print features
• Graphic aids
• Organizational aids
Text structure
• Descriptive
• Listing
• Cause-effect
• Problem-solution
• Comparison
Reading Steps
• Step 1: Preview and prequestion
• Step 2: Skim and scan
• Step 3: Read for meaning
Key Words
• Teach students to locate them, to phrase them as informational content questions.
• Need to retell, summarize or in some way use the keywords to learn them.
Key Words Example:
• Where do penguins live?• They live in the South Pole.• They live in very cold
climates.
• “Penguins live in cold climates in the South Pole.”
During-Reading Strategies
• Scaffolding• Graphic organizers• Thinkmarks (notes/reminders in text)• Highlight key concepts• Text-to-Text connections (self, world)• Create captions• Pause and Reflect• Scavenger Hunt• Monitor comprehension• Click or clunk? (comprehension checks)
Postreading
• Generate own questions• Graphic organizers• Literature circles• Discusson groups• Role-playing • Drama• Creative Writing• Projects
Helping ELL Learners
• Non-threatening
• Hands-on
• Small groups
• Direct vocabulary instruction
• Inquiry-based
• Clear examples/passages
Helping LA Students
• Hands-on• Clear examples• Direct instruction• Frequent modeling• Clear task sequence • Frequent, extensive feedback• Continuous practice• Graphic organizers
Metacognitive Strategies
Knowing
how to
learn
about learning
Learning how to Learn
• Study Skills
• Time Management• Organizing• Retaining Info.• Locating Info• Test Taking• Writing
Learning to Learn
• DRTA• SQ3R• PREP• Guided Lecture• 2-Column Notes• Outlining• Visual Tools
Internet and Informational Text
• Visual literacy skills• Graphic Organizers• Primary Sources• EvaluateWebsites
What is an Investigation ?
• A child’s planned inquiry into a chosen topic … to learn about informational texts and the research process…
• Presented on poster or paper --visually
Key Terms
Expository text
Text features
Cause/effect (causation structure)
Problem/solution (response structure)
Comparison text structure
Scaffolding
Skimming
Scanning
Thinkmarks
Metacognitive strategies
K-W-L
PAR
Trade books
Questions to recall
1. What is informational text and why use it?
2. Why is it important for children to understand text features?
3. What is an investigation?