Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your child is currently working on the literacy strategy, Use text features to learn important information (titles, headings captions, graphic features), which helps with the overall goal, Comprehension.

Non-fiction texts contain information that is true. They also contain features such as titles, headings and subheadings, captions, maps, diagrams, charts and graphs, legends, bold and italicized text, glossaries, indexes, and cutaways. These features are a common part of non-fiction reading that we often use or reference to help gain understanding of what is being read. As experienced readers, we do this without notice.

When students read nonfiction material, they will also encounter text features that are different from those they come across when reading fiction. Students who have had experience and know the purpose of text features improve their comprehension of the text.

How can you help your child with this strategy at home?
  1. When reading with your child, tune in to these features and think out loudwhen you use them. For example, when coming across a word in bold print you might say, “I notice this word is darker than the rest of the words. It is in bold print. I bet the author wanted me to notice this word because it stands out. I need to make sure I know what this word means.
  2. Break it down into individual text features to bring awareness to your childabout these features in text. Begin by asking your child to look for words in bold. Then, have your child list any words in italics. You can also have your child look for titles, headings, charts, legends, glossaries, and captions.
  3. Guide your child in using their background knowledge about textfeatures to aid in comprehension. Have your child read a non-fiction selection to you, stopping when a text feature is used. Ask your child to explain their thinking about that text feature to you.
Thank you for your continued support at home!

—Mrs. Boushey

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