Informational Text Features for Elementary Classrooms | Teaching Non-fiction | 3rd Grade Teaching Resources

Grab your informational text feature anchor charts HERE  and catch some compliments on your teaching bulletin board.

           

Informational Text Features

                     

Informational Text Features Anchor Charts

These anchor charts for informational texts help the reader make sense of the information they are reading. They are building blocks for text structure.  

When reading fiction, readers notice the different story elements (i.e., title, characters, setting, main idea, etc.). When reading non-fiction, they use informational text features.  

Post these bright, colorful, and informative anchor charts to learn reading strategies when reading non-fiction. Your students will learn these important text features and will gain knowledge on what they are and how they are used to help reading comprehension.   

These anchor charts will make an eye-catching interactive bulletin board that you can keep up for months.  Each text feature is explained in detail and illustrated.  Start putting them up in your classroom or writing corner as you discuss and learn each feature.  There are 17 informational text features that collectively make up your bulletin board that can be interactive and used as a reference when your students read informational texts. 

The 17 Anchor Charts on informational text features are:

• Titles . Headings. Subheadings. Table of Contents . Photographs . illustrations
• Diagrams . Captions. Types of Print . Timelines . Graphs . Maps . Index . Glossary . 
• Labels . Lists . Icons 

Here are some close-ups of some of the anchor charts:

Students can reference these each time they read informational text.    

Each anchor chart shows an informational text feature with a description of the feature and an illustration. Bright borders of blue and orange. 

Each anchor chart measures approximately 8" x 10.5".  No-Prep for the teacher. 

Yes, I want these anchor charts for Informational Text Features

Find these informational text feature anchor charts HERE  and catch some compliments on your teaching bulletin board. 

Text features improve comprehension of the information read.   Authors use maps, diagrams , and photographs to help the reader understand more easily what they are reading.  The reader can visualize and understand more fully by studying the informational text features provided within the text.  Text features also help the reader navigate the reading material with the use of a table of contents, an index , and a glossary.  Viewing a photograph that has been labeled gives the reader the support he needs to understand the text. 

Yes, I want these anchor charts for my classroom

Text features such as a table of contents or index provide the reader with easy access to the information they are seeking.  Special print can draw attention and enhance specific parts of the text, key words and phrases. 

Beginning readers can use photographs, headings, subheadings, and diagrams to help them read new words and text.  They are able to make predictions by using prior knowledge and text features.  

To illustrate the importance of these text features to the reading, type up only the text, eliminating all the text features.  Have your students read the text.  Talk about the reading.  Next, read the complete text WITH the text features.  Discuss the reasons why the text features were important to understanding and clarity.  

Find these Informational Text Feature Anchor Charts HERE. 

There are 17 anchor charts which make an interactive teaching bulletin board.

Refer to them often when teaching informational text. 

Yes, I want these anchor charts for Informational Text Features

Post a reference board on Informational Text Features in your classroom with these colorful and bold anchor charts. Borders are blue and orange. Each anchor chart measures approximately 8” x 10.5”. These will print easily on standard-sized paper, and you will have a bit of room to trim them to the borders.

Preview all 17 Anchor Charts HERE

Thanks for stopping by....  

Click below to see more

MrsQuimbyElementaryResources

Spring Packet | All About Rabbits | 2nd Grade

Spring Packet- All About Rabbits- 2nd Grade

                     Spring Break Packet for 2nd Graders ...All About Rabbits | ELA and Math Activities

Create a folder for your students' "spring break" math and literacy activities, 

which will engage them at school or at home!

Writing Prompts, Word Work, and Reading include:

• reading comprehension pages
• learning about rabbits
• book response pages
• writing - graphic organizers
• vocabulary
• graphic organizers for informational texts
• math pages
• addition and subtraction
• Double-digit addition and subtraction
• cut and paste
• number bonds
• color by number
• cover for your "Spring Break" Rabbits folder/ booklet
• parent feedback form
• teacher notes

         20 total pages

Choose the pages that you think are best for your students.   

This PDF file is ready to use and easy to download, print, and copy.

 You can see the preview HERE

More 'Spring Break' Packets:

Spring Break Packet | 1st Grade | Ladybugs

Spring Break Packet | 1st Grade | Flowers

Spring Break Packet | 1st Grade | Rain

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Rabbits

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Chickens

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Bees

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Birds

Would you like to know when I post new teaching resources? Follow ME on TPT

Click below to see more

MrsQuimbyElementaryResources

The Day It Rained Hearts | Felicia Bond | Book Companion | Valentine's Day

This book is a delightful story about imagination, creativity, and friendship. Cornelia Augusta finds herself in a rainstorm of hearts! What fun! There are 21 pages here to respond in writing to this cute valentine story. It's a favorite, and children love to find out who the Valentines are for. Book talk notes and teacher notes are included. You can easily assign these pages for distance learning and school-at-home.

*Teacher Tip:* Leave this book companion along with a copy of

The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond for your substitute teacher.

• Easy to plan
• Easy for your substitute teacher to follow
• Your students engage in a rewarding reading experience

Grab your book companion for The Day It Rained Hearts, by Felicia Bond. This teaching resource will support the development of vocabulary and can expand children's knowledge and language development. It also provides children with an opportunity for independent reading and writing practice. Teach literacy and life lessons with children's literature.  Read below to see some of the pages in this resource.  Preview the entire resource  HERE.

Focus Skills are:

• story events
• story sequence
• easy comprehension check
• writing about Cornelia
• "What if it really rained hearts? What would you do?"
• easy fill-in-blank activity
• character traits and adjectives
• making new words
• -ai- words
• cut and paste - match "Whose Valentine?"
• writing a list
• book talk notes for teacher
• teacher notes

Primary teachers find The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond, heartwarming and fun to read aloud because its imaginative premise immediately captures students’ attention while the gentle, rhythmic storytelling keeps them engaged. The idea of hearts falling from the sky invites rich discussion, sparks creativity, and naturally encourages student participation as children anticipate how each heart will be used. Beyond its charm, the book offers a meaningful life lesson: love and kindness are most powerful when they are thoughtful and personal. It teaches students that caring actions are not one-size-fits-all—true kindness comes from noticing others’ needs, feelings, and interests, and responding with intention.

Write about this wonderful book using this book companion.  A great pair for Valentine's week. 

  

Click below to see more

MrsQuimbyElementaryResources

Riddles for Young Thinkers | Building Reasoning, Logic and Critical Thinking Skills

  Riddles for Young Thinkers is Now on Amazon!

Riddles for Young Thinkers

I am happy to share some good news —my brand-new book, Riddles for Young Thinkers, is now available on Amazon!  

Riddles for Young Thinkers is the perfect brain‑boosting companion for curious children ages 6–9 as they read and solve 114 riddles. This book helps children develop logic, reasoning, and critical thinking skills.

Each riddle turns problem-solving into a playful adventure, with answers included so children can check their solutions and celebrate each success. Simply turn the page to view the answers.   Packed with fun, colorful, and whimsical clip art, this book helps beginning readers stay engaged and enjoy each riddle as they build essential thinking skills.

Riddles for Young Thinkers is a screen-free activity that supports reading and literacy skills. It's perfect for rainy days, travel, or gift-giving. It’s an excellent way to encourage children to think creatively, solve problems, and approach challenges with confidence.

If you’re looking for a fun way to support early learning while inspiring curiosity and imagination, this book is for you.  Click the link below to grab your copy on Amazon today and let the thinking adventures begin!

January Teaching Resources for Busy Elementary Teachers | Resources with a Winter Theme

All You Need for a Snowman - Book Companion

Book Companion and Spin-Off Lesson 

to use with All You Need for a Snowman, 

by Alice Schertle and illustrated by Barbara Lavallee. 

This book companion provides opportunities for thinking and writing after reading this entertaining picture book. These pages facilitate diversifying instruction. Assign this book companion for an independent reader response or school-at-home.

This book companion is to be used with the book,

All You Need for a Snowman, by Alice Schertle.

36 pages include:

• comprehension questions
• writing prompts
• graphic organizers
• making new words
• recalling story events
• making connections
• sequencing
• handwriting practice
• phonics
• spin off lesson - snow experiment
• ”What is Snow?” reading booklet
• “Snow” read and review
• pages for diversified instruction

This teaching resource provides students with an engaging way to respond to their reading. These reader-response pages offer numerous opportunities to think and write about the text.

*** Spin-Off Lesson*** is an effective way to engage students in a literacy activity. 

A spin-off lesson, a science experiment about snow, is included in this resource. In the story, the children build a giant snowman by working together. The story begins with one snowflake and expands to require eight million more. The children find this amusing, but it is a perfect place to segue into a science lesson about snow, weather, matter, liquid, and gas.

What is snow? And why does it melt? These pages include simple science lessons on snow. Your class can also make a graph. Class discussions on weather and snow follow naturally from reading this book. Students start to see the life lessons in literature when they dig a bit deeper into the text. This “spin-off lesson” is engaging and fun; there are several pages to get you started… ask and answer questions, hypothesize, make predictions, and draw conclusions. See snow melt! And if you are not in a place where there is snow… did you know you could make your own? Enjoying literature in this way teaches young readers to read and write with conviction. This book can also serve as a springboard to going outside and building your own snowman, if the weather permits.

This book companion is to be used with the book,

All You Need for a Snowman, by Alice Schertle.

Teacher Tip: Place this book companion and a copy of All You Need for a Snowman in a bin. Label this bin "For the Substitute Teacher. Your Substitute and your students will be delighted to enjoy this reading and writing activity.

More Resources for January:

 Roll and Read | Winter Theme | 

Literacy Station

Roll & Read - Literacy Pages - Winter Theme

Roll, Read, Write, and Color | Winter Theme

Roll the dice and read pictures, words, and sentences. Handwriting practice of winter words, phonics practice, and reading for fluency. Do you need literacy activities with a winter theme for reading groups? 

Roll and Read Pages :

• roll, read, write, and color - winter pictures
• roll and read words
• phonics practice for -at, -ed, -et, -ate, -ice, cr-, -ow, -ar- words
• roll and read simple sentences - winter theme

These pages would be perfect for a literacy station or teaching reading and fluency 

in small reading groups. Pictures and words are a winter theme. There are 16 total pages.

PreK- 3 January Teacher Resources | Morning Riddles | Book Companions

Happy New Year!  Wishing you the best year ever! 

January Teaching Resources that 

Make Your Students Smile

Engaging PreK-3 Teaching Resources for Every Subject

Click HERE

The following teacher resources will engage your classroom for the days after winter break.  They are tried-and-true resources in literacy and mathematics. 

Santa's Elves | Teach Work Ethic | Early Literacy Learning

Santa's Elves - Teaching Work Ethic

Teach Work Ethic

with Santa’s Elves

Academic practice pages that teach the importance of a good work ethic with a Santa's elves theme. These 17 pages give practice and review for literacy.

Focus skills include:

• keywords to understand the meaning of a good work ethic
• writing sentences for each keyword
• answering questions (short answer)
• writing prompts about work ethic at school
• Santa's elves as role models
• designing ornaments
• 4-square graphic organizer for the importance of work ethic
• elf job application

All seventeen pages have an elf theme. Fun and educational!

Teaching young children a work ethic helps them build habits that support success throughout their lives. When kids learn to take responsibility, follow through on tasks, and put in consistent effort—even when something feels challenging—they gain confidence in their own abilities. It also teaches perseverance, problem-solving, and pride in doing their best work. These skills not only help them in school but also lay the foundation for positive attitudes and strong character as they grow.

Other Christmas Resources You May Want:

Elf Cover Up [Addition Practice]

Reindeer Cover Up [Multiplication Practice]

Christmas Math Center - Write and Spin

Legend of the Poinsettia Book Companion

The Wild Christmas Reindeer Book Companion