Teaching text structure can feel like such a complicated task, but it really doesn’t have to be. Here are a few simple tips for making this topic simple to understand for your students.
1. Text Structure Basics
I love to start each of my lessons with an anchor chart. The anchor chart starts off very simple and we slowly add to it each day. I always try my best to let my students decide what should be added to the anchor chart as we go. Students will take more ownership of the information on the anchor chart if they have a hand in creating it. Here is a digital version of my “finished” anchor chart. Feel free to download it and use it in your own classroom!
CLICK the button to get my FREE Anchor Chart!
2. Look for the Signs
As you can see from my anchor chart, I teach my students to look for signal words to determine the structure of a text. Some texts are not always clear, but this can be a very useful tool in most cases.
3. Mentor Texts are a “Must”
I use a mentor text to introduce each text structure. Over the years I have changed the texts that I use. However, here are some that I have enjoyed!
4. Graphic Organizers are Gold!
With all of my students, no matter their ability level, I have learned that graphic organizers are key in teaching text structure. Graphic organizers allow students to make the structure of a text more concrete, and as a result, more obvious.
Here is a passage about Wolves. As you can see, the graphic organizer included lends itself to a cause and effect text structure. Having the organizer to work with greatly helps my students deepen their understanding of the text structure. Eventually, I require my students to choose their own graphic organizer for each text.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice!!!
The only way your students are going to get better at identifying and analyzing the structure of a text is by being exposed to various examples of each structure. Spend some time collecting non-fiction articles for your students to read. Here is a list of FREE online nonfiction websites with tons of great articles.
Once you have collected enough texts, split your class into small groups. Give each group a few texts to analyze. Have them work together to determine its structure, the clue words that helped them identify the structure, and why the author chose that structure. This activity will allow you to see exactly where your students are struggling.
Looking for some text structure resources? Check out my Nonfiction Text Structure Resource Pack for everything you will need! This pack includes student practice pages for each structure (including graphic organizers), a review game including numerous short texts, and an assessment.
