The Benefits of Teaching Informational Text in the Classroom

As educators seek ways to improve students’ reading skills, informational text has emerged as a tool for success. Informational text is non-fiction writing that gives factual information about a certain topic. It can include essays, encyclopedias, scientific journals, news articles, and websites. Teaching students how to read and understand informational text has many benefits that extend beyond just improving their reading skills. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most notable benefits of teaching informational text in the classroom.

1. Real-world relevance

Teaching informational text helps students to read and understand texts they might encounter beyond the classroom walls. It helps them to differentiate between opinion and fact and prevents them from falling prey to ‘fake news’ and misinformation. With the exponential growth in technology, there is a growing need for people to be well-informed and discerning consumers of information, and teaching informational text can play a vital role in developing these skills.

2. Enhanced critical thinking skills

With its fact-based approach, informational text can help students develop their critical thinking skills. Informational texts present complex ideas and arguments. Teaching students to dissect these arguments strengthens their analytical skills, enabling them to understand and evaluate texts more effectively.

3. Improved vocabulary and language skills

Informational text is rich in content-specific vocabulary, knowledge, and language use, which can be challenging for students to understand. Teaching informational text forces students to develop a more extensive vocabulary in specific fields, such as science, social studies, and technology. Deepening their vocabulary and advancing their language skills can better prepare them for future academic and professional opportunities.

4. Connecting with other subjects

Informational text provides a useful link between subjects such as history, science, and English. The use of diverse informational texts in other subject areas helps enrich students’ understanding and retention of concepts. For instance, while studying the history of African-American slavery, using an informational text can offer students deeper insight into the causes and impacts of slavery and foster a more holistic understanding of the subject.

5. Improving critical life skills

As students build their understanding of informational text, they develop skills such as identifying key details, understanding cause-and-effect relationships, and drawing conclusions. These skills are not only crucial in the classroom but also in later life. Understanding how to navigate and comprehend informational text can strengthen reading comprehension, allowing students to make informed choices in their personal and professional lives.

Conclusion

Teaching informational text can be a valuable addition to the classroom. It helps students to read and understand factual texts, enhancing their real-world problem-solving skills. Furthermore, it exposes them to new vocabulary, knowledge, and language use that can serve them well in their future academic and professional pursuits. The use of informational texts is an investment in students’ education and lifelong learning.

Speech tips:

Please note that any statements involving politics will not be approved.