Grades 3–5
Text Features Fact Page
Kids build a nonfiction page with a heading, a labeled picture and caption, a fact box, a bold word and a glossary.
Writing worksheet · Informational writing
Main Idea and Details Table
The tabletop organizer: one main idea, three supporting details and a closing sentence for an informational paragraph.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Informational writing, Research and note-taking, Text structure, Writing facts in your own words
What kids do
“A main idea is like a tabletop. The details are the legs that hold it up. Plan a paragraph that teaches.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Main idea (the tabletop) What is the big thing you want to teach?
- Closing sentence Say the main idea again in new words.
Teacher tip
Draw a table on the board: the top is the main idea, and the legs hold it up.
How to use it
- Show a nonfiction book that uses the same structure or text feature first.
- Gather a stack of library books on the topic before kids start.
- Read the directions aloud so the sheet is about writing, not decoding the directions.
Watch for
Copying sentences straight from the book. Have kids close the book, then write.
Talk about it
- How would a reader find information in your piece?
- Where else do writers use this skill?
Take it further
Turn finished pages into a class nonfiction book for the library.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More informational writing worksheets
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Grades 2–3
How-To Writing: Teach the Steps
A how-to planner: what you need, then four steps to draw and write with first, next, then and last.
Grades 4–5
Write a News Article
A newspaper page to fill: a headline, a photo with a caption, a lead sentence, a quote and the article.
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