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RI 3.5
Anchor Charts
Create the anchor charts with students. Start by adding a few examples and keep
them alive by adding more as text features are encountered with students. Features
should be found and used in context with books, online resources, writing, and in
conversation. Help students own their learning by using examples they identify
Examples of anchor chart models for this standard include:
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RI 3.5
(more samples can be found by doing an image search for text features anchor charts):
Sentence Stems students can use as they are discussing text features in 3rd
grade complex text (can also be used as exit tickets)
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The features in the text that help me find important information about what I am
reading are_______.
Sidebars help me by ______.
If I don’t understand the information, I will use ____.
The key words I am going to use for my search are _______.
The best place to find (topic) is _______.
The information that is most relevant is ________ because _______.
The text feature I found most helpful in understanding the text was ___ because ___.
I think the author included the photograph of ____ because _____.
The heading, photos, and text features support the text by _________.
Authentic Tasks
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This activity that can be done independently or in small groups. Students search
books to find examples of text features they’ve learned. A mix of informational
texts are placed in a basket. They record titles and write an example of the
feature to create this mini-book. Choose either the booklet or two sided pager
for students to capture their learning:
“Nonfiction Text Features Booklet” and “Nonfiction Text Features two
sided”
(PDFs with same names found in resources for this standard)
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http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/travelingterrain-comprehending-nonfiction-98.html (go to “Instructional Plan” tab then to
“Session 2”) Using grade level appropriate complex informational text, have students
complete a Text-Features Search. This lesson provides resources to guide students
through research on the Web including identifying text features of nonfiction text in a
web format. They will answer the sample questions provided in “Scavenger Hunt”
(PDF with same name found in resources for this standard)
Site for the online scavenger hunt at Missouri Botanical Garden is:
http://www.mbgnet.net/
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RI 3.5
Additional Resources for Formative Assessments
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“53 Ways to Check for Understanding” Gives additional ideas for formative
assessment. (PDF with same name found in resources for this standard)
http://www.theteachertoolkit.com/ “Engaging techniques for effective teaching”
Every tool has an explanation of what it is and how to use it. Also has templates
for students and some have videos modeling the use of tool. Choose the category
then click on the tool.