Reading for Information: Non-Fiction

Non-fiction reading connects to the Cultural curriculum and teaches children that reading is a tool for learning about the real world.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Language
• Learning area: Reading
• Level: Ages 5-6

Objectives

• Read non-fiction text for information
• Use text features (captions, headings, index)
• Distinguish fact from opinion
• Take notes from reading

Materials

• Age-appropriate non-fiction books (animals, science, geography)
• KWL chart (Know, Want to know, Learned)
• Note-taking paper
• Highlighters

Instructions

1. Present non-fiction book on topic of interest. 2. Preview: cover, table of contents, headings. 3. 'What do you already know?' (K column) 4. 'What do you want to learn?' (W column) 5. Read together or independently. 6. Record learned facts (L column). 7. Discuss and share discoveries.

Educator tip

Follow the child's interests! A child passionate about dinosaurs will read far above their 'level' when the topic captivates them.

Assessment

Child reads non-fiction text and extracts key information using text features and note-taking.

More from Language

• Silent Sustained Reading
• Poetry Reading and Appreciation
• Grammar Symbols: Introduction to the Noun
• Grammar Symbols: Introduction to the Article
• Grammar Symbols: Introduction to the Adjective
• Grammar Symbols: Introduction to the Verb
• Grammar Symbols: Introduction to the Adverb
• Grammar Symbols: Introduction to the Preposition