Informational Text Structures Unit - Nonfiction for Third, Fourth & Fifth Grade

This complete unit has everything you need to teach informational text structures in third, fourth, of fifth grade. It includes a PowerPoint presentation, 45 nonfiction paragraphs to analyze in worksheet and sorting formats, organizers, lesson plans, posters, and assessment.

Open the previews to take a closer look.

First, teach five informational text structures with the PowerPoint presentation.

• Colorful, interactive graphic organizers illustrate description (parts of a whole), sequence (chronological order), compare-contrast (similarities and differences), cause-effect, and problem-solution.
• For each, the teacher and students explore an example paragraph, its format, and transitions that signal the structure.

Second, ask students to practice with simple, one-paragraph texts.

• Four Level B worksheets in this packet work well for most students. They were written with simpler text and key transition terms.
• Corresponding Level A worksheets may be used for a greater challenge – or to discuss passages that have less obvious structures.
• Reference guides support students as they work.

Third, ask kids to sort the cards. For this, they’ll work at a desk or table.

• Along the top, they lay out cards for description, sequence, compare-contrast, cause-effect, and problem-solution.
• On the side, they position the five castles: Neuschwanstein, Mont Saint-Michel, Conwy, Prague, and Cinderella.
• Working in groups, kids read each card aloud. They naturally discuss the format of each nonfiction paragraph, as well as transition terms.
• Then they categorize each card by castle and informational text structure.

Fourth, assess students’ skills with a test.

As the year goes on, continue practicing with textbooks and trade books.

• On the first worksheet, students list page and paragraph numbers then identify the format.
• For the second practice sheet, they also provide evidence.
• Both work well with your social studies or science textbook and can be used throughout the year.

Files include everything you need:

• Lesson plans
• Introductory slideshow (available as a PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation)
• Exit ticket
• Introduction to basic paragraph format
• Two-page informational text structures reference guide
• Sample nonfiction paragraphs for each format
• Four differentiated worksheets
• Six pages of sorting cards (six cards per page – just print and cut)
• Assessment
• Answer keys
• Two pages to practice with your own text
• Links to digital worksheets and assessment (Easel Activities and Google Slides)

The unit can be used in a variety of ways.

• Whole class practice
• Test prep
• Small group work, remediation, or tutoring
• Homework
• Sub plans
• Homeschool

Your third, fourth, or fifth grade students will love this unit – and so will you!

• As kids’ confidence grows, they feel more comfortable with nonfiction texts.
• Working in groups seems more like fun than work. They’ll love the sorting activity.
• Students will discriminate between description, sequence, compare-contrast, cause-effect, and problem solution. Understanding of the role of transition terms will also grow.
• The activity meets the intent of your standards. For example, if you teach Texas TEKS LA.3.9.iii or LA.4.9.iii, kids will be able to recognize characteristics and structures of informational text.

Enjoy teaching!

Brenda Kovich

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I'm committed to continual improvement. This resource was updated and enhanced on August 31, 2022.