Text Features

[dsmms]

Help! Does anyone have any clever ideas for a lesson on Text Features. I am drawing a blank! I have a cool powerpoint, but I would like a hands on activity to go with it. We're talking about sixth graders here...

[Boxcar]

What is Text Features? I'm thinking typing here. Is that right?

[dsmms]

It is the way the text is presented on the pages - Table of contents, index, glossary, Titles, subheadings, Bold or itallic font, Text boxes, diagrams, pictures, diagrams....

[Boxcar]

Oh, I see...

Maybe you could give the students a block of unformated text and let them move it around to look visually appropriate.

[SS Rocks!]

My only thought would be to have a text feature scavenger hunt in their textbook.

[Boxcar]

Could you make a class newsletter using the things you learned?

[dsmms]

Great Ideas! Thanks!

[David]

You could go to the school library and take out books that have different text features so the children can see how they are used in 'real " books.

[Brit]

graphic novels -- comics. they are GREAT users of font and word placement. There's a mac program that lets kids design their own comics. Don't know what it is called off the top of my head, but with a built-in camera, it's pretty fun.

Also, look at ads. how do ads use text features to entice people to buy? this can also count for media literacy.

[Boxcar]

Oooh, ad are a really clever idea! I like it!!! :)

[dsmms]

I copied several examples of text features from various magazines and nonfiction books. I have taped them to the wall on butcher paper in 5 different areas of my room. The students will go on a scavenger hunt to find specific text features on their board. I found the BEST text feature PowerPoint on www.authorstream.com! I will use that to introduce the Text Features to the students and then I will give them the list of things to find - and questions to answer. I think I will make it a challenge and the group that wins will get free homework passes.

Thanks for all the cool suggestions! It is amazing when people start talking and sharing ideas, it is so much easier to come up with something! Prior to my first post, I was having serious lesson block issues (lesson block is like writer's block only for teachers! HA!). My observation is tomorrow with the district reading supervisor. I will write back and let you all know how it went! Thanks again!

[Boxcar]

It is really cool when people brainstorm together. I love visiting all the areas - not just preschool - because I get so many ideas. If a high school level lesson inspires me, I can always alter it for my little ones. (Well, most lessons I can. I wouldn't teach my kids about drunk driving or something that isn't pertinant.)

[hweber]

I have done scavenger hunts too, kids like them alot. Also do SQ3R, that gets them used to looking at the subheadings.

[MrM]

I had my kids make their own ads. I had four different options for them: a bake sale, dance, carnival, or a car wash. They also had to have certain criteria on their advertisement(e.g. where do the proceeds go, start-finish, how much does it cost, etc.)

[upnorthteacher]

I always do scavenger hunts. We start with one using their social studies or science texts and also use another nonfiction book. Thanks for the link to the PowerPoint. It really looks great!