Help students analyze text features before reading a nonfiction book or narrative nonfiction text with this differentiated graphic organizer. This pre-reading activity guides students to examine headings, images, maps, and other features to build understanding before they begin reading, and can be used with any nonfiction, informational, or narrative nonfiction text. Includes two versions (standard and modified), plus print and digital formats for flexible use, and a completed exemplar from Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson.

This Nonfiction Text Features Investigation is designed as an anticipation activity to help students interact with informational texts in a purposeful way. As a bridge from a text features unit, it helps students transfer those skills into meaningful reading. Instead of simply identifying text features, students use them to make observations, ask questions, and build understanding before reading.

This activity works especially well with:

• narrative nonfiction books

• informational nonfiction texts

• history-based readings

What’s Included:

• Nonfiction Text Features Investigation (Standard Version)

• Modified Version for differentiated support

• Completed Exemplar (Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson)

• Print and Digital Versions of all materials

Why You'll Love This Resource:

• Two differentiated versions support a range of learners

• No Prep-- Print and go!

• Encourages meaningful use of text features, not just identification

• Easy to implement as a pre-reading activity