This presentation introduces young readers to several important text structures. Through examples, pictures, and practice, students will learn how to identify and use the text structures of sequence, description, compare and contrast, cause and effect, and problem and solution. For a study guide and ready-to-use classroom texts, purchase my unit at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Introduction-to-Text-Structure-451417

1. Text Structure A key to understanding nonfiction text

9. Description The playground at Northside Park is built for fun. There are plenty of ways to get to the top—a ladder, a stairway, and even a rock wall! Once at the top, kids can find plenty of things to play with, like a curved tube, two different steering wheels, and even a tic-tac-toe board. And two curved sliding boards make the perfect way to return to the ground.

10. Description The playground at Northside Park is built for fun. There are plenty of ways to get to the top—a ladder, a stairway, and even a rock wall! Once at the top, kids can find plenty of things to play with, like a curved tube, two different steering wheels, and even a tic-tac-toe board. And two curved sliding boards make the perfect way to return to the ground. What is this paragraph describing?

11. Description The playground at Northside Park is built for fun. There are plenty of ways to get to the top—a ladder, a stairway, and even a rock wall! Once at the top, kids can find plenty of things to play with, like a curved tube, two different steering wheels, and even a tic-tac-toe board. And two curved sliding boards make the perfect way to return to the ground. This paragraph is describing the playground!

12. Description The playground at Northside Park is built for fun. There are plenty of ways to get to the top—a ladder, a stairway, and even a rock wall! Once at the top, kids can find plenty of things to play with, like a curved tube, two different steering wheels, and even a tic-tac-toe board. And two curved sliding boards make the perfect way to return to the ground. Description paragraphs are written to put a picture in a reader’s mind.

16. Another text structure But sometimes authors don’t just want to describe. An author might want to tell about how to do something, or tell about how things change over time.

19. Sequence In the spring, toads lay their eggs in ponds, lakes, and puddles. Then, tiny tadpoles come out of the eggs. The tadpoles live in the water for several weeks. Next, the tadpoles start to develop back legs, and then front legs. Finally the tadpoles lose their tails. They are ready to come out of the water—as tiny, tiny toads!

20. Sequence In the spring, toads lay their eggs in ponds, lakes, and puddles. Then, tiny tadpoles come out of the eggs. The tadpoles live in the water for several weeks. Next, the tadpoles start to develop back legs, and then front legs. Finally the tadpoles lose their tails. They are ready to come out of the water—as tiny, tiny toads! Notice that this paragraph shows how toads grow up. What words does the author use to connect the ideas?

21. Sequence In the spring, toads lay their eggs in ponds, lakes, and puddles. Then , tiny tadpoles come out of the eggs. The tadpoles live in the water for several weeks. Next , the tadpoles start to develop back legs, and then front legs. Finally the tadpoles lose their tails. They are ready to come out of the water—as tiny, tiny toads! Notice that this paragraph shows how toads grow up. What words does the author use to connect the ideas?

23. Another structure Suppose that an author wanted to explain how these two swimming pools are similar and different .

24. Another structure The author would use the text structure of compare and contrast .

26. Compare and Contrast This structure helps a reader to understand similarities and differences.

27. Compare and Contrast The two backyard pools were very different. Yes, they both held water. And both could be refreshing on a hot day. But the small inflatable pool was only six inches deep. The rectangular pool was much deeper. It was a better place for floating and relaxing.

28. Clue words The two backyard pools were very different. Yes, they both held water. And both could be refreshing on a hot day. But the small inflatable pool was only six inches deep. The rectangular pool was much deeper. It was a better place for floating and relaxing. Which words help the reader to see the similarities and differences?

29. Clue words The two backyard pools were very different. Yes, they both held water. And both could be refreshing on a hot day. But the small inflatable pool was only six inches deep. The rectangular pool was much deeper. It was a better place for floating and relaxing. Which words help the reader to see the similarities and differences?

36. Cause and effect Sand castles do not last long on an ocean beach. The water levels change with the tide. When the tide is low, the waves don’t come all the way up the beach. When the tide “comes in”, at high tide, the water comes farther up the beach. As a result, sand castles get destroyed by the strong waves.

37. Cause and effect Sand castles do not last long on an ocean beach. The water levels change with the tide. When the tide is low, the waves don’t come all the way up the beach. When the tide “comes in”, at high tide, the water comes farther up the beach. As a result, sand castles get destroyed by the strong waves. Can you find the cause ? What is the effect ?

38. Cause and effect Sand castles do not last long on an ocean beach. The water levels change with the tide. When the tide is low, the waves don’t come all the way up the beach. When the tide “comes in”, at high tide, the water comes farther up the beach . As a result, sand castles get destroyed by the strong waves. Can you find the cause ? What is the effect ?

39. Cause and effect Sand castles do not last long on an ocean beach. The water levels change with the tide. When the tide is low, the waves don’t come all the way up the beach. When the tide “comes in”, at high tide, the water comes farther up the beach . As a result, sand castles get destroyed by the strong waves. Can you find the cause ? What is the effect ?

40. Cause and effect Sometimes, one cause can have multiple effects.

41. Cause and effect When a building is abandoned, nature takes over. Animals such as mice, snakes, and bats move in. Vines grow on the outside. Snow and rain cause wood to rot and beams to break. When the roof finally collapses, trees and weeds can grow inside the building.

42. Cause and effect When a building is abandoned, nature takes over. Animals such as mice, snakes, and bats move in. Vines grow on the outside. Snow and rain cause wood to rot and beams to break. When the roof finally collapses, trees and weeds can grow inside the building. What is the main cause in this paragraph?

43. Cause and effect When a building is abandoned , nature takes over. Animals such as mice, snakes, and bats move in. Vines grow on the outside. Snow and rain cause wood to rot and beams to break. When the roof finally collapses, trees and weeds can grow inside the building. What is the main cause in this paragraph?

44. Cause and effect When a building is abandoned, nature takes over. Animals such as mice, snakes, and bats move in. Vines grow on the outside. Snow and rain cause wood to rot and beams to break. When the roof finally collapses, trees and weeds can grow inside the building. What are some effects?

45. Cause and effect When a building is abandoned, nature takes over. Animals such as mice, snakes, and bats move in . Vines grow on the outside. Snow and rain cause wood to rot and beams to break. When the roof finally collapses, trees and weeds can grow inside the building. Notice that, in this paragraph, one cause leads to many effects!

82. The End