How to Teach Second Graders to Read Informational Text

Read informational texts with your kids to help reinforce comprehension techniques.

Most kids begin reading fiction grounded in fantasy that sparks the imagination. But they also need to learn to read text that contains information about the world around them. Such texts, generally called informational texts, include magazines, newspapers, pamphlets and directions. Second-graders can learn to comprehend informational texts by focusing on key topics and identifying pertinent information. To teach informational text to second-graders, use real-world examples that they can relate to.

Things You'll Need

• Magazine clippings
• White board
• Markers

Instructions

1. Define "informational texts." Students may be confused when trying to understand the difference between informational text and other forms of nonfiction. Begin by explaining that the purpose of informational text is to present information on such topics as nature and society. Differentiate between informational text and other forms of nonfiction by explaining that informational text is not about people or things that might change but rather facts about people and nature in general.

2. Give examples of informational text. Use a pamphlet on bats or other animals as an example of informational text, or have your students read a paragraph that explains why the sky is blue.

3. Discuss other components of informational texts, such as graphs, glossaries or illustrations that provide general information.

4. Give your students copies of various informational texts. Ask them to think about what they already know about a subject and note any bold, italicized or highlighted text.

5. Direct your class to write down the things they learned, things they found interesting and any questions they still have about the text. This helps students synthesize and retain information.

References

• Scholastic: Informational Texts
• Reading Recovery: Making Informational Texts Accessible; Terri Beeler
• Jordan Elementary: Informational Text Features; Laurie Larsen
• Education Zone: Informational Text: What's it All About?; Rita Maddox; April 2005
• Read Write Think: Reading Informational Texts Using the 3-2-1 Strategy; Melissa Welmer