Common Core

Informational Text

The Common Core State Standards define Informational Text as a broad category of nonfiction resources. These resources include biographies, autobiographies, content area books, technical texts, and literary nonfiction.

More about CCSS Informational Text

Learning A-Z Products That Support CCSS Informational Texts

Reading A-Z

Reading A-Z offers an extensive collection of nonfiction books, including informational texts in a variety of genres covering an array of topics. Leveling Criteria ensure books gradually increase in complexity over 29 levels. The books are available in both printable and projectable formats.

Raz-Kids

Raz-Kids has hundreds of nonfiction texts in computer-based and mobile formats that can be read, listened to, and recorded by the student. Each book is accompanied by a quiz with quiz results, as well as teacher reports related to accuracy of comprehension skills.

Science A-Z

Science A-Z has a large collection of science informational texts, many of which are written to 3 levels of difficulty. Resources are organized by unit under each of the science domains: Life, Earth, Physical, and Process Science, and include Nonfiction Books, Investigation Packs, FOCUS Books, Quick Reads, and Science in the News.

Learn More About Informational Text

Informational text is designed to teach students about text structure and features that they will encounter through life and make it easier for the reader to find information. This includes using such eye-catching features as section heads, bold-faced terms, table of contents, glossary, captioned photos, art, and info-graphics (graphs, tables, charts and diagrams, etc.). The developmental appropriateness of the writing, clarity, and directness of the language is part of the instructional design.

Why Is Increasing The Reading Of Informational Text Important?

Traditional K-6 reading instruction has always relied heavily on literature and fictional text. Studies show that students spend only 7%-15% of classroom time studying informational text. Yet by sixth grade, most of what students are required to read is nonfiction. What's more, 80% of all adult reading is devoted to expository or nonfiction text.

If students are to better comprehend science, social studies, and math text — as well as meet the common core reading and writing requirements for graduation — then teachers need to increase their exposure to informational texts early in their formal schooling.

Teaching students the skills and strategies to successfully read and comprehend informational text is critical to their future success in higher education and the workplace.

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