| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | English |
| What topic | Informational text |
| What length (min) | 30 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 8 |
| Class size | 20 |
| What curriculum | |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Informational Text
Grade 8
English
30 minutes
20 students
This lesson plan aligns with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for reading informational texts.
| Step Number | Step Title | Length (minutes) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Informational Text | 5 | Briefly introduce the topic of informational texts, discussing its purpose and features. |
| 2 | Distributing Printable Cards | 5 | Hand out printable cards to each student that they will use to take notes during the lesson. |
| 3 | Reading Activity | 10 | Students read a sample informational text individually and use their cards to jot down key points. |
| 4 | Class Discussion | 5 | Facilitate a discussion about the text, asking students to share what they noted on their cards. |
| 5 | Collection/Random Checking | 3 | Collect the printable cards or randomly check some to assess students' understanding. |
| 6 | Assigning Homework | 2 | Assign homework related to informational texts without requiring any presentations. |
"Good morning, class! Today, we are diving into the world of informational texts. Can anyone tell me what an informational text is? Yes, that's right! Informational texts are meant to provide factual information about a particular subject. They can be found in textbooks, websites, newspapers, and more.
Today, we will discuss their main features, look at a sample text, and practice our note-taking skills. By the end of the lesson, you should be able to identify the key characteristics of these texts and summarize the information effectively. Let's get started!"
"Now that we have a good understanding of what informational texts are, I'm going to hand out these printable cards to each of you. These cards will be very useful for taking notes while we read the sample text.
Take a moment to look at your cards. You can jot down key points, important facts, or anything you find interesting as we go through the reading. Please raise your hand if you haven't received a card."
"Okay, it's time for our reading activity! I’ll pass out the sample informational text. I want you to read it silently to yourself. As you read, use your note-taking cards to write down important information.
Look for main ideas, facts, and key features like headings, subheadings, and bullet points. You have ten minutes to read. Ready? Go!"
"Now that we've all had a chance to read the text, let’s come together for a class discussion. I want to hear what you noted on your cards.
Who would like to share the main idea of the text? Great! And what key details did you write down? Remember, it's important to support your thoughts with evidence from the text. Let's get a few more contributions from different students."
"Thank you all for the fantastic discussion! Now, I want to collect your printable cards to check how well you understood the material.
I'll take a quick look at everyone’s notes to see the key points you've written. If you feel comfortable, you can raise your hand, and I’ll randomly check your card instead of collecting them all. This will help us identify any areas we need to review. Go ahead and pass your cards to the front when you're ready."
"Before we wrap up, I want to assign your homework. You will write a brief assignment focusing on the features of informational texts. Please remember to include key characteristics that help define them.
You will submit this written assignment in our next class. No presentations are required, just make sure to do your best and include everything we discussed today. Enjoy your evening, and see you next class!"
Define what an informational text is in your own words. Provide at least two examples of where you might find informational texts in real life.
List and explain three key features of informational texts. Why are these features important for the reader?
After reading a sample informational text, choose one main idea from the text and summarize it in one to two sentences. Include at least two supporting details to back up this main idea.
Create a graphic organizer that outlines the structure of an informational text. Include sections for headings, subheadings, and bullet points.
Reflect on your note-taking experience during the reading activity. What strategies did you use to identify important information? How did using the printable cards help you?
Think of a topic you are interested in that could be presented as an informational text. Write a thesis statement for your potential text and list three main points you would want to include.
Review your classmates' notes (if possible) from the printable cards. Identify one point that was consistently noted across multiple students. Why do you think this point was highlighted by many?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are informational texts meant to provide? | |
| Name three places where you might find informational texts. | |
| What are some key features of informational texts? | |
| How can headings and subheadings help in understanding an informational text? | |
| Why is it important to take notes while reading an informational text? | |
| What main ideas did you identify in the reading material? | |
| How did the bullet points in the text contribute to your understanding? | |
| Can you provide an example of evidence from the text to support your notes? | |
| What characteristics define an informational text? | |
| How can summarizing help in retaining information from an informational text? |