Non-Fiction Text Structures for Better Comprehension and Response

Non—fiction text structures organize information into comprehensible patterns. Knowing how to recognize and use these structures to navigate non—fiction text greatly improves students’ understanding of what they read. Gail Saunders—Smith simplifies the process by providing teachers of grades 4—8 with: ways to teach each of the five non—fiction text structures: compare/contrast, cause/effect, sequence/procedure, question/answer, and exemplification; engaging whole—class and small—group activities using written, verbal, image, three—dimensional, and technology responses; study skills for locating, recording, and using information; tools for assessing student understanding, and explanations of the text features that organize information within the text structures; and mini—lessons for whole—class, small—group, and independent application of students' text structure knowledge. Examples, photographs, student samples, and graphic organizers support your teaching, and a bibliography of professional books and resources for locating leveled non—fiction texts make this a complete, ready—to—use guide for improving student comprehension.