The following lesson on Text Features is from the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR)
Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading (FAIR) website.
The lesson and these graphic organizers may be used effectively with CTE textbooks:
• Use C.006.SS2 chart with a new textbook, manual OR before starting reading of any new
material, or if textbook or other material is not used often by students.
• If reading instructions, the Sequence Diagram C.006.SS1c may work best.
• For teaching properties of equipment or a process, use the Description Chart C.006.SS3f.
Implementation
Please remember that M-DCPS CTE highly recommends that any reading of CTE material should
be accompanied by teacher-planned activities BEFORE reading, DURING reading and AFTER
reading. (See website for more strategies, or use strategies shared by your school reading coach.)
CTE textbooks and operation manuals are generally written on a higher level than other high
school or even college textbooks. Students can be discouraged when reading the text, if they are
not given enough guidance or help. (Sometimes called scaffolding a lesson.)
Don’t assume that students will automatically understand how to read the “text features” or
format clues given in the CTE textbook, such as bold or italicized words, subheads, etc. Review
the format of the book with each reading session, OR do a short informal quiz to find out what
they remember about the textbook layout and how to find information.
Other Strategies
You might also have the students create a “help” chart on an index card or bookmark to use each
time they use the textbook to study; or create a wall poster with reminders or clues. (ex:
remember to read the text on sides of pages in blue boxes, for extra data)
Lesson supports practice of the following NGSSS benchmark
Benchmark LA.910.6.1.1 The student will explain how text features (e.g., charts, maps,
diagrams, sub-headings, captions, illustrations, graphs) aid the reader’s understanding.
Go to CPALMS for Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and resources.
The FAIR lesson with more graphic organizers is included on the Reading Resource Page.
For more information, go to http://teched.dadeschools.net/reading.htm
Or to http://eto.dadeschools.net/_private/Reading/HSReading_LA.htm
Or contact Pamela Lopez at [email protected]
Using Graphic Organizers
with CTE Textbooks
Comprehension
2010 The Florida Center for Reading Research6-8 Student Work Stations: Comprehension
Expository Text StructureGraphic Text Structures
Extensions and AdaptationsDiscuss text with partner and complete a graphic organizer together.Add questions. For example, What are the effects of the problem(Activity Master C.005.AM3)Choose two texts on same topic, but with different text structures and compare.Determine the text structure by answering questions (Activity Master C.006.SS2).Use other graphic organizers (Activity Master C.006.SS3a – C.006.SS3f ).
C.006
ObjectiveThe student will identify text srtuctures.
MaterialsExpository text Choose text within students’ instructional-independent reading level range.Choose a book or a passage that demonstrates one of the expository text structures (e.g., cause and effect, problem and solution, question and answer, compare and contrast, de-scription, and sequence). Note: Lists of expository books corresponding to various text structures can be found on the Internet. Student sheets (Activity Master C.006.SS1a – C.006.SS1f )Choose the text structure graphic organizer that corresponds to the selected text.Expository text structure reference card (Activity Master C.006.AM1)Pencil
ActivityStudents record information related to text structure using a graphic organizer. 1. Provide the student with a copy of the text, reference card, and a student sheet.2. Students read or reviews the text. 3. Notes the organization of the text and any words that are used to signal or cue the reader to the type of text structure. Use reference card, if necessary. 4. Completes graphic organizer. 5. Teacher evaluation
C.023.SS1a
Text Structure Reflection
causeeffect
Cause and EffectTitle:
causeeffect
causeeffect
causeeffect
causeeffect
Name
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
Text S
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.023.S
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Title:Compare and Contrast
Nam
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4-5
Stu
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2007 T
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topicdescription description
descriptiondescription
descriptiondescription
Text Structure Reflection C.023.SS1c
Description
Title:
Name
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research 4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
Problem and Solution
C.023.SS1dText Structure Reflection
Title:
Name
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
2006 The Florida Center for Reading Research
Attempted Solutions Results
End Result
Problem
Text Structure Reflection
C.023.SS1e
Title:
answer
answer
answer
question
answer
answer
answer
question
answer
answer
answer
question
Question and Answer
Name
2007 The Florida Center for Reading Research
4-5 Student Center Activities: Comprehension
24
6
C.0
23.S
S1f
Text S
tructu
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Title:Sequence
Nam
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4-5
Stu
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2007 T
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Name
6-8 Student Work Stations: Comprehension 2010 The Florida Center for Reading Research
Graphic Text StructuresC.006.SS2
Are there any signal words that give clues about the structure of the text?
What is the text about?
What are the signal words?
Based on the information above and the text, which best describes the text structure?
What are some of the text features?
What clues do these features give you about the structure of the text?
table of contents
index
headings
subheadings
print variations (e.g., italics, bold, underline)
pictures, illustrations, graphics, diagrams, captions
charts and maps
other
Title:
Yes No
cause and effect compare and contrast description
problem and solution question and answer sequence
Name
6-8 Student Work Stations: Comprehension 2010 The Florida Center for Reading Research
student sheet
Graphic Text StructureC.006.SS3f
Sequence
Title:
21
54
3
6
87 9
Name
6-8 Student Work Stations: Comprehension 2010 The Florida Center for Reading Research
C.006.SS1cGraphic Text Structures
student sheet
Description
Title:
topicdescription description
descriptiondescription
descriptiondescription