Nonfiction Text Structures Activities, Passages, Lessons, Informational Text

Teaching nonfiction text structures can be extremely difficult and frustrating. This unit helps scaffold this skill to help even struggling students build a better understanding. It covers the following text structures:

• sequence / chronological
• compare and contrast
• problem and solution
• cause and effect
• description

This informational text structures unit starts by teaching each of the 5 text structures included in this resource in isolation. Students will be introduced to each text structure, and then practice identifying that text structure within sentences. Then, students will practice identifying that text structure within paragraph length texts before moving onto a 1 page text.

After students have a better understanding of each of the text structures individually, students will complete activities that have them practice distinguishing between the text structures in paragraph length texts.

Then, students will read a longer passage for each of the nonfiction text structures (sequence, compare and contrast, problem and solution, cause and effect, and description) and answer test prep questions geared towards text features.

These worksheets would be a great resource for introducing informational text structures to your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students in a mini-lesson format. It can also be used to help identify where students are struggling and help them develop a better understanding. There are a huge variety of activities, so you can use them to review, for homework, for literacy centers, for independent practice, and more.

This resource has students practice filling in graphic organizers related to the different text structures and, after practice, encourages them to draw their own graphic organizers.

A nonfiction text structure student reference sheet is also included.

A grading rubric and answer key is included. Check out the preview to see the entire resource so you know if it will be suitable for your students before you buy!

Note: This resource does not discuss signal words/key words that are commonly used when teaching text structures, as these can sometimes be misleading. The goal of this resource is to help students develop a solid understanding of informational text structures so that tricks like key words are not needed.

This resource is designed for students that are struggling with this skill, not for extra review. If your students already have a firm grasp of nonfiction text structures, then completing many of these activities would be unnecessary.