Reading Lesson: Text Features / Grade Level: 4
Lesson Summary:Students will learn to use a table of contents, glossary, and index to locate information. The teacher will ask students to examine these features in some of the class texts that they have with them. Students will practice locating page numbers for topics chosen by the teacher in these texts. The teacher will then explain the use of a glossary and an index. Students will read the selection. The teacher will provide questions about where certain topics might be found in the selection, and students will identify the section as noted in the table of contents. Students will use the Activity Worksheet for Independent Practice and review answers for closing. Advanced learners will provide glossary entries for words of their choice and the teacher will work with struggling learners to locate text features and use a glossary.
Lesson Objectives:
The students will know…
  • that text features can be used to give an overview of the contents of text.
  • that text features can be used to locate information.
The students will be able to…
  • identify a table of contents, glossary, and index in a book.
  • understand how to use a table of contents, glossary, and index to locate information.

Learning Styles Targeted:
Visual / Auditory / Kinesthetic/Tactile
Pre-Assessment:
1)Ask students to turn to the front of one of their textbooks (science or social studies work well).
2)Ask them to find the table of contents.
3)Ask them to explain what it is and how to use it.
4)Note students who have little or no knowledge of a table of contents or how to use it.
Whole-Class Instruction
Materials Needed: a copy of the Activity Worksheet* for each student, a copy of the table of contents for “Learning to Play the Piano”* for each student, textbooks, and pencils
Procedure:
Presentation
1)Using the textbooks from the Pre-Assessment section, point out the parts of the table of contents: headings, part and chapter titles, and dot leaders to page numbers.
2)Give students a topic listed in the table of contents and ask them to find the correct page number. Repeat for several more topics.
3)Show students how to find the glossary at the back of the textbook. Tell them that the glossary defines important words that appear in the book. Give them a term to find and read the definition.
4)Show students how to find the index at the back of the textbook. Tell them that the index helps you find the page number where a term or topic is found in the book. Give them a term or topic and ask them to locate it on the textbook page where it is found.
Guided Practice
5)Give each student a copy of the table of contents for “Learning to Play the Piano.”*
6)Ask the students to identify this text (a table of contents).
7)Give students questions, and ask them to decide in which chapter the answer might be found.
  • Should I keep the top of the piano open or shut? (Chapter 2)
  • How do I get my fingers to hit the right notes? (Chapter 6)
  • How do I know what notes to play? (Chapter 4)
  • What should I do to get ready to play the piano? (Chapter 3)
  • What kind of piano do I need? (chapter 1)
Independent Practice
8)Give each student a copy of the worksheet*. Explain that for each item they will choose the letter of the text feature that will work best in answering the question.
Closing Activity
9)Go over the answers to the worksheet. Ask students to explain why they chose certain text features to answer the questions.
Advanced Learner
Materials Needed: Access to a library or teacher-supplied short, familiar trade books, paper, and pencils
Procedure:
1)Remind students that a glossary gives definitions for important words found in a book.
2)Tell students they will be writing 5 glossary definitions for a book of their choice. They need to find the words and define them as they are used in the book.
3)Allow students time to locate the words they want to define and write their glossary entries.
4)Students may share their glossary entries with the group.
Struggling Learner
Materials Needed: textbooks
Procedure:
1)Each student should have a copy of the same textbook.
2)Ask students to quickly find the table of contents, index, and glossary. Give assistance and reteach as needed.
3)When students are proficient at finding these text features, have them locate page numbers for topics in the table of contents and index.
4)Have them find and read glossary entries.

*see supplemental resources

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