Module 26: Text Structures - Course Guide

Module Overview:

In this unit, students will learn some of the ways in which informational texts are usually organized. They will begin to apply an understanding of text structures to their own reading processes. Students will learn to distinguish among several of the most common text structures used to deliver information. Students will learn how to use paragraphs and the sections of an essay to organize information and ideas. Students will explore the importance of using precise, domain-specific word choices when crafting an informational essay.

Module Materials:

Lesson # Lesson Title Material(s)
1 Spelling 9: Practice 2 None
2 Patterns of Meaning independent reading book
pen or pencil
3 The Shape of Information independent reading book
pen or pencil
4 Organizing Your Own Ideas independent reading book
pen or pencil
5 The Right Words dictionary (print or online)
independent reading book
pen or pencil

Module Objectives:

Lesson # Lesson Title Objective(s)
1 Spelling 9: Practice 2
2 Patterns of Meaning
  1. Identify the features that distinguish various types informational text from other types of text.
  2. Identify and describe the overall structure of a text.
3 The Shape of Information
  1. Identify and describe the most common text structures used to deliver information.
4 Organizing Your Own Ideas
  1. Use knowledge of the basic structure of informational text to organize their own ideas.
5 The Right Words
  1. Identify the importance of precise language and domain-specific vocabulary when writing about a topic.
  2. Choose precise, domain-specific vocabulary to write about a topic.

Module Key Words:

Key Words Spelling Words
text structure
subtitle
heading
introduction
body
conclusion
chronological
comparison-contrast
cause-effect
problem-solution
thesis statement
vocabulary
word choice
 scientific
technical
introduction
chronological
phonetic
pronunciation
capacity
volume
gallon
dinosaur
fossil
structure
excretion
adapt
topography
environment
preview
longitude
coordinates
hemispheres

Module Assignments:

Lesson # Lesson Title Page # Assignment Title
4 Organizing Your Own Ideas 6 Planning Informational Text Assignment
5 The Right Words 3 Topic Vocabulary Assignment

Learning Coach Notes:

Lesson # Lesson Title Notes
1 Spelling 9: Practice 2 To prepare for the Spelling 9: Spelling Test, have your student practice their spelling words over the coming weeks.
2 Patterns of Meaning
3 The Shape of Information
4 Organizing Your Own Ideas
5 The Right Words

Module Guiding Questions:

When a student starts a lesson ask them questions to check for prior knowledge and understanding and to review concepts being taught. At the end of the lesson ask the questions again to see if their answer changes.

Lesson Title Question
Patterns of Meaning
  1. What is text structure?
The Shape of Information
  1. What are some types of text structures?
Organizing Your Own Ideas
  1. What are the different types of paragraphs included in a report or an essay?
The Right Words
  1. How do writers find the right words to share information?

Module Video Questions:

When a student watches a video take time to ask them questions about what they watched. Suggested questions for the videos in this module are listed here. Suggestion: Have the student watch the entire video first all the way through. Then have them watch the video a second time, as they watch it pause the video and ask the questions.

Lesson Title Video Question
Patterns of Meaning Finding Information with Thomas Jefferson
  1. What are some text organizers people can use to help them find information in a text?
  2. What are chapters?
  3. What are headings?
  4. What are subheadings?
The Shape of Information Story Structure: A Tiny Tale
  1. What is a cause and effect text structure?
  2. What is a compare and contrast text structure?
  3. What does it mean when a text is written chronologically?
Organizing Your Own Ideas Powerful Paragraphs
  1. What is a paragraph?
  2. What is the first paragraph of a report called?
  3. What does the first paragraph introduce?
  4. What are the next set of paragraphs in a report called?
  5. When do you start a new body paragraph?
  6. What does each body paragraph include?
  7. What is the last paragraph of a report or essay called?
  8. What is included in the last paragraph?

Module Suggested Read Aloud Books:

Take time to read to your student or have them read aloud to you. Read a different book each day. While reading the book point out concepts being taught. You may purchase these books or find them at your local library. Suggested things to discuss while reading the book:

  • What is the main idea?
  • What are three things new you learned?
  • How does this book relate to what you are learning about?

# Book Author Lexile Level

Module Outing:

Take some time to apply what your student is learning to the real world. Suggested outings are below.

# Outing