A. Literacy Connections and Applications / C. Comprehension · Understanding What We Read and SeeStories and Fact Texts: Why We Read
C1.1 C1.2 C1.3 C1.4 C2.2 A3.1About 35 minutes
Learning goals- I can tell if a text is a made-up story or a fact text.
- I can say why I am reading: for fun or to learn something.
- I can use the title and pictures to help me understand.
- I can find text features like labels and symbols.
Words to know
text
Anything we read, listen to or look at to get a message. A book, a sign, a poem, a recipe and a video are all texts.
fiction
A made-up story. It comes from the writer's imagination.
non-fiction
A fact text. It gives true information about real things.
title
The name of a text. It is at the top or on the cover.
illustration
A picture that helps tell or explain the text.
label
A word or two that names a part of a picture.
Let's start with a question
Why do people read? Some people read a story at bedtime because it is fun. Some people read a recipe so they can learn how to make pancakes.
Today you will learn that there are different kinds of texts. Knowing the kind helps you understand it.
Two kinds of texts
Most texts you read in Grade 1 are one of two kinds:
- A story (fiction) is made up. It has characters, a place, and things that happen. We usually read stories for fun.
- A fact text (non-fiction) tells true information about real things. We usually read fact texts to learn.
Let's read one of each. A grown-up can read them out loud.
Read-aloud 1: Sam and the Snow Fort
It snowed all night. In the morning, Sam ran outside in his big red boots.
"I will build a snow fort!" said Sam. He rolled a big ball of snow. Then he rolled another one.
His dog, Pepper, jumped on the snowballs. Squish! The fort fell down.
Sam laughed. "Pepper, you are a silly dog. Let's build it again, together."
Read-aloud 2: Maple Trees
Maple trees grow in many parts of Canada.
In the fall, maple leaves change colour. They turn red, orange and yellow. Then they fall to the ground.
In early spring, people collect sap from sugar maple trees. The sap is boiled to make maple syrup.
A red maple leaf is on the flag of Canada.
| Clue | Sam and the Snow Fort | Maple Trees |
|---|
| Made up or true? | Made up (a story) | True facts |
| Has characters? | Yes: Sam and Pepper | No characters |
| Why would you read it? | For fun | To learn |
| What kind of text? | Fiction | Non-fiction |
Text features help readers
Writers add text features to help us understand. Look for these:
- A title tells what the text is about.
- Illustrations (pictures) and photos show what the words say.
- Labels name the parts of a picture.
- Symbols are small pictures that mean something, like a stop sign or a ❤️.
- Some texts tell things in order: first, next, then, last.
Worked exampleLet's sort a text together
A grown-up reads this: "Owls hunt at night. They have big eyes to help them see in the dark." Is it a story or a fact text?
- Ask: Are there characters with names who talk or do things? No.
- Ask: Is it telling true information about something real? Yes, it tells facts about owls.
- Ask: Why would I read this? To learn about owls.
It is a fact text (non-fiction). We read it to learn.
Worked exampleLet's use a picture to understand
In a book about winter, you read the word toque and you don't know it. The picture shows a girl with a knitted hat on her head. What is a toque?
- Look at the picture next to the word.
- The picture shows a knitted hat.
- Reread the sentence with that idea: "Put on your toque so your head stays warm." It makes sense!
A toque is a warm knitted hat. The picture helped us understand the word.
Ask two questions
Before you read, ask yourself: "Is this a story or a fact text? Why am I reading it?" If it is a story, enjoy it and picture what happens. If it is a fact text, get ready to learn something new.
Riddle timeWhat has a spine but no bones?
A book! 📚 (The spine is the edge you see on a bookshelf.)
Hands-on activityBook sort at home
You need: 6 to 10 books, magazines, flyers, recipe cards or cereal boxes from your home.
- Make two piles on the floor: Stories and Facts.
- Look at the cover, title and pictures of each one. Put it in a pile.
- For each one, say: "I would read this for fun" or "I would read this to learn."
- Find one label or symbol in a fact text. Show it to your grown-up.
Talk: "Which pile is bigger? Which one do you like reading most?"
Your turn
1Is Sam and the Snow Fort a story or a fact text? How do you know?
A story (fiction). It has characters (Sam and Pepper), things happen to them one after another, and the writer made it up for us to enjoy. It does not teach facts.
2Name one fact you learned from Maple Trees.
Any one of these: maple leaves turn red, orange and yellow in the fall; maple syrup is made from sap of sugar maple trees; sap is collected in early spring; a maple leaf is on Canada's flag.
3Why would you read a recipe: for fun or to learn how to do something?
To learn how to make something.
4What is the title of the second read-aloud?
It names a part of a picture, like "trunk" or "leaves".
6You see this symbol on a door: 🚻. What does it tell you?
That it is a washroom. A symbol is a small picture that means something.
7Choose a book you like. Is it a story or a fact text? Why do you read it?
Answers will vary. Look for: the child names the kind (story or facts) and gives a reason (for fun, to learn about animals, and so on).
More practice: warm-up
1Is a book called All About Snowplows most likely a story or a fact text?
A fact text. The title says "All About", so it will teach facts.
2Which kind of text is made up: fiction or non-fiction?
3What do we call a picture in a book?
An illustration (or a photo, if it is a photograph).
4Where do you usually find the title of a book?
On the cover (and at the top of the first page).
5What colours do maple leaves turn in the fall?
More practice: on your own
1"Once upon a time, a bear named Moose lost his hat." Story or fact text? Give a clue.
A story. Clues: "Once upon a time" and a bear with a name who wears a hat are made up.
2"Canada geese fly south in the fall." Story or fact text? Give a clue.
A fact text. It tells true information about a real animal, and there are no characters with names.
3Why might a writer put labels on a picture of a bicycle?
To show the names of the parts (like wheel, seat, pedal) so the reader learns them.
4In Maple Trees, what happens first: the leaves change colour, or the leaves fall to the ground?
The leaves change colour first. Then they fall. The text tells things in order.
5You want to know how to plant a seed. Which would help you more: a joke book or a gardening book? Why?
A gardening book, because it is a fact text that teaches how to plant. A joke book is for fun.
Challenge
1Can a story teach you something too? Think about Sam and the Snow Fort.
Yes. Stories are mostly for fun, but they can teach lessons. Sam learns to laugh and try again, and to work together with Pepper.
2A book has a photo of a real fox and the title Foxes in Winter. Another book has a drawing of a fox wearing boots. Which one is probably fiction? Explain.
The fox wearing boots is probably fiction. Real foxes don't wear boots, so it is made up. The photo and "Foxes in Winter" title suggest facts.
3Make up a title for a fact text about snow. Then make up a title for a story about snow.
Answers will vary. Example fact title: How Snowflakes Form. Example story title: The Snowman Who Wanted a Hat. A fact title tells the topic; a story title often hints at a character or problem.
Quiz
2. Why do we usually read a fact text?
4. In Maple Trees, what is made from maple sap?
5. Where is the title of a book?
6. A picture of a red circle with a line through a dog means "no dogs". This picture is a…
Big idea: Grade 1 readers learn to notice what kind of text they have (a made-up story, or a text with true facts) and to use features such as the title, illustrations, labels and symbols to understand it. They also learn to say why they are reading.
How to help at home:
- Before reading, look at the cover together and ask: "Do you think this is a story or a fact book? Why?"
- Point out symbols in daily life: road signs, washroom signs, recycling symbols, weather icons.
- Read a mix of stories and non-fiction. Many children love fact books about animals, trucks or space.
Common difficulties:
- Thinking any book with animals is fiction. Compare a photo book about real bears with a story about a bear who talks.
- Thinking stories can't teach anything. Stories are mostly for enjoyment, but many have a lesson. Both ideas are fine.
- Skipping pictures. At this age, illustrations carry a lot of the meaning. Encourage your child to "read the pictures" too.