Description
Make sense of nonfiction faster. That is the goal.
Older struggling readers often miss the structure of a text. They read every sentence the same way. They lose track of what matters. That slows comprehension and makes writing harder.
When you teach nonfiction text structures explicitly, you give students a way to organize ideas as they read.
They can:
- predict what’s coming next
- spot key details and signal words
- connect ideas across sentences
- summarize more accurately
- write with clearer structure
This one-page reference set keeps those supports in front of students while they read and write.
What’s included
Each text structure page gives students exactly what they need in the moment:
- clear definition
- common signal words
- simple graphic organizer
- focused thinking questions
- writing frames to get started
Text structures covered
- description
- compare / contrast
- cause / effect
- problem / solution
- sequence
- chronological order
- narrative nonfiction
Why do we separate sequence and chronological order? Because we read them differently! Read more about that on THIS BLOG POST.
Why this works for older striving readers
- Reduces overwhelm by narrowing the focus
- Builds organization from the sentence level up
- Strengthens summarizing and written responses
- Supports grade-level text access with clear entry points
- Reinforces academic vocabulary and syntax in context
Formats and options
- 8.5 x 14 for wall display and modeling
- 8.5 x 11 for binders, notebooks, and small groups
- color tie-dye and grayscale printing options
- editable versions with THINK ABOUT and WRITE ABOUT sections so you can tailor prompts to your content
Ways to use
- introduce a structure before reading
- keep on desks during close reading
- use as a guide for small group instruction
- support constructed responses and short writes
- add to study notebooks for quick reference
If your students can decode but still struggle to make sense of nonfiction, this is the missing layer. It gives them a plan for how to read and how to respond.
This is the perfect reference resource for secondary reading classrooms, MTSS & RTI groups, study notebooks, and more!
Purchase safely on this site or on Teachers Pay Teachers.
