Reading and Writing
Informational Text
Common Core Kickoff
October 21, 2011
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Donna Van Allen
Session Outcomes
• Understand meaning of informational text as
defined by NAEP
• Use sample performance tasks to identify
instructional implications for reading
informational text
• Use student writing samples to identify
instructional implications for writing
informational text
What Is Informational Text?
• Exposition
• Argumentation and persuasive text
• Procedural text and documents
What types of informational text
are included in your grade level
curriculum or subject area?
3
…
How are all students accessing
informational materials?
4
Informational Text
Structures and Features
“Text structures and features define the
organization and elements within the text.
The organization and elements refer to the
way ideas are arranged and connected to one
another. Features refer to visual and
structural elements that support and enhance
the reader’s ability to understand the text.”
National Assessment Governing Board (2011)
Reading Framework for the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress
5
Emphasis on Informational Text
The Standards aim to align instruction with this
National Assessment of Educational Progress
(NAEP) framework
6
Cynthia Shanahan, University of Illinois at Chicago
Activity
Work with a partner:
Read one grade span reading exemplar and its
sample performance task.
Consider the following:
1.
2.
3.
What will students need to know and be able to do in order to be
successful with this performance task?
Which of my students will find this task difficult?
What will my instruction need to look to ensure the success of all
students?
8
A Progression of Writing
The Standards cultivate three mutually reinforcing writing
capacities:
•To persuade
•To explain
•To convey real or imagined experience
Distribution of Communicative Purposes by Grade
in the 2011 NAEP Writing Framework
Grade
To Persuade
To Explain
To Convey
Experience
4
30%
35%
35%
8
35%
35%
30%
12
40%
40%
20%
Council of Chief State School Officials and National Governor’s Association (2010)
Common Core State Standards
9
• Narrative
• Opinions/Arguments
• Expository/Informational
Writing Applications
California ‘s 1997 Standards
1. Narratives
2. Expository Descriptions
3. Friendly Letters
4. Personal or Formal Letters
5. Response to Literature
6. Information Reports
7. Summaries
8. Persuasive Letters/Compositions
9. Research Reports
10.Fictional Narratives
11.Biographical/Autobiographical
Narratives
12.Career Development Documents
13.Technical Documents
14.Reflective Compositions
15.Historical Investigation Reports
16.Job Application/Resume
California’s Common Core Standards
1.Write Opinions (K-5);
Write Arguments (6-12)
2.Write Informative/Explanatory
Texts
3.Write Narratives
11
W2 CCR
Anchor Standard
Write informative/explanatory texts to
examine and convey complex ideas and
information clearly and accurately through
the effective selection, organization, and
analysis of content.
Menu: Types of Informative
Writing Assignments
• Basic paragraph •
• Essay (definition, •
descriptive,
cause/effect,
problem/solution,
etc.)
• Report
• Term paper
• Brochure/pamphl •
et
• Article
•
(newspaper,
•
magazine,
encyclopedia,
•
etc.)
•
Lab conclusions
Directions
(recipe, lab
procedures,
technical
instructions,
directions for a
game, rules for a
sport, etc.)
Diary entry,
journal, log, blog
Interview
Website
Documentary
Menu
• Biography /
autobiography
• Interview
• Advertisement or
label (explaining
a product or
service)
• Poster
• Review/critique
Organizational Structures
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Description
Cause/Effect
Problem/Solution
Definition
Classification
Chronological
Compare/Contrast
Informational Text Features
• Print Features
– Table of Contents
– Index
• Organizational Aids
– Bold Print
– Italics
– Bullets
• Graphic Aids
– Diagrams
– Graphs
– Maps
• Illustrations
– Photos
– Magnification
Science Text
Cynthia Shanahan, University of Illinois at Chicago
History Text
Cynthia Shanahan, University of Illinois at Chicago
Cynthia Shanahan, University of Illinois at Chicago
An Effective
Informative/Explanatory Writer:
• Understands the task and develops a clear and
precise thesis which identifies the writer’s central
purpose.
• Critically reads the text and makes thoughtful
decisions when selecting textual evidence to
support the thesis.
• Examines the effectiveness of connections between
selected textual information and the thesis.
• Organizes the information in a structure that
ensures the reader can effectively follow the writer’s
development of ideas.
Appendix C
Samples of Student Writing
What steps will you be taking next?