As you read informational text, you should think about the main, or central, idea. The central idea is what the text is mostly about.

Explain that if the author doesn’t state the main idea in a sentence, readers have to infer, or figure out, what the main idea is. Point out the text clues that can help readers determine the main idea of a text.

Authors include details, or supporting evidence, to tell more about the main idea.

You can find the main idea of the whole text or just of sections of the text.

Focus on the Comparison/Contrast structure. Read the Purpose section.

Review that transition words can provide clues about the structure of a text. Read the transition words for a comparison/contrast structure.

Authors use specific text structures in order to make their ideas clear. The text structure can show the author’s purpose for writing the text. For example, if an author’s purpose is to inform readers about how dolphins and whales are alike and different, he or she will use a comparison/contrast structure.

Combine information from the text with what they already know to make inferences, or smart guesses, about the text.

Remind students that authors don’t always state everything directly in a text. Readers use clues from the text plus their background knowledge to make a smart guess about something that is not stated in the text.

An example of a real-world situations and then make an infer. For example: The teacher gave Carlos his test results. Carlos smiled and started jumping for joy. What can you infer? Discuss the text clues and background knowledge used to make the inference.

Authors may change how a word looks to emphasize the word, or make it stand out. Review the information about boldface and italic type on the Anchor Chart. Authors may also choose to use a different font to make a word stand out.

Authors use graphic features, such as illustrations or timelines, when they want to show a lot of information in a clear, visual way.

Text features may include headings, labels, and captions. Graphic features include timelines and photos.

Authors use text features to signal important ideas and to guide readers through a text. Labels are words on a photo or diagram that name something.

Graphic features explain ideas in a text by presenting them in a visual way. Draw attention to the information about timelines on the Anchor Chart. What does a timeline show?

I can evaluate details to determine their importance.

I can synthesize information to create a new understanding.

I can discuss the selection, listen actively and make relevant comments.

I can explain relationships among characters.

I can explain the influence of setting on plot.

I can write a response that demonstrates understanding of the text.

I can identify and explain the use of text and graphic features.

I can identify and explain the author's use of imagery and similes.