[Link].
1
[Link].1 Parent Helper
asking and answering questions such as who, what, when, where,
why
I canand howanswer
ask and to demonstrate understanding
questions such as who, what,of keywhere,
when, details
whyinand
a
how to demonstratenonfiction textof key details in a text.
understanding
Your child is learning to respond to questions about
texts they have read.
Sample Questions To Ask Your Child: Vocabulary Terms:
Who is the text about? Question
Where does the text take place? Answer
Which of these details is really important to the text? Demonstrate
Where in the text did you find that key detail? Understanding
How do you know that it is a key (important) detail? Key Details
What is the author trying to tell me? Information
Why did the author include that detail? Text
Need more resources?
You can practice this standard with your child using any informatinal text.
It is important to remember that your child should be able to look back in
the text to find answers and should also be able to show you where they
found them.
You can also search for different informational topics on YouTube. After
your child listens to the video, have them answer the types of questions
listed above. Encourage your child to practice writing answers to these
questions and not just practice answering them aloud.
For example, you could have your child watch a biographical video about
Lebron James and then answer questions about what they learned. To
further your child’s understanding, you can read a book, an article, or a
magazine about him. Discuss the things your learned from both the video
and the text. Talk about why it is important to have more than one source
when learning about a topic.
©Thrifty in Third Grade 2016
[Link].2 Parent [Link].2 Helper
Identifying the main topic of a multi-paragraph text as well
I can identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text as well as the
as the focus
focusof specificparagraphs
of specific paragraphs
in theintext.
the text
Your child is learning to determine the main idea of
paragraphs and the topic of an entire text.
Sample Questions To Ask Your Child: Vocabulary Terms:
Main idea
What is the main idea of this paragraph?
Details
What details support the main idea of this paragraph?
Topic
What is the topic of the text?
Graphic Organizer
What details did the author provide to help us
Paragraph
understand ___?
Need more resources?
You can practice this standard with any multi-paragraph informational
text. You can use a graphic organizer such as the one below to help your
child visually represent the main idea and details of a paragraph.
Main idea:
Caterpillars go through a life
cycle to become a butterfly.
Detail: Detail: Detail:
Caterpillars eat Inside the Weeks later the
grow very large chrysalis caterpillar
and then form a caterpillars emerges as a
chrysalis. undergo a beautiful
change called a butterfly.
metamorphosis.
©Thrifty in Third Grade 2016
[Link].3 Parent
[Link].3 Helper
I can describe connections
understanding between
how big ideas in historical events,
a nonfiction scientific
text ideas
are related
or concepts, or steps in a technical procedure in a text.
Your child is learning to understand how things are
related when reading.
Sample Questions To Ask Your Child: Vocabulary Terms:
How did ___ impact history? What would the world Connection
be like if ___ hadn’t happened? If ___ hadn’t lived? Step
How did ___ effect our life today? Sequence
What step comes first? Last? What would happen if Compare/Contrast
this step was left out? Procedure
How does ___ related to ___? Events
Describe the importance of ___. Ideas
What would happen if you did not follow the steps in order?
Need more resources?
You can practice this standard with your child any time you are cooking.
Have your child read the recipe to you and discuss together the importance
of doing each step in order. What would happen if you left off a certain
step, or did them out of order?
You can also practice this standard when reading any science informational
texts and historical texts. This gives you an opportunity to talk to your child
about how something or someone has made an impact on the lives we lead
today. For example, inventions, discoveries, Civil Rights movement, wars,
women’s rights…etc.
You can also practice this standard when reading biographies. How did ___
make an impact on his/her community? What would our lives be like if
Martin Luther King Jr. never lived? What would our country be like without
George Washington? Etc…
©Thrifty in Third Grade 2016
[Link].4
[Link].4 Parent Helper
determining the meaning of unknown words in a second
I can determine the meaning
gradeof words
level and
textphrases in an informational
text on a second grade level.
Your child is learning to find the meaning of unknown
words in a text. Vocabulary Terms:
Sample Questions To Ask Your Child: Unknown word
Why did the author make this word bold? Where Bold print
might you be able to look in this text to find the Glossary
meaning of the word? Context clues
Let’s look at the word. Did the author give you Synonyms
an example of what the word means? Did the author Antonyms
define the word in sentences nearby? Did the author Examples
give a synonym? Did the author provide an antonym? Definitions
Need more resources?
You can practice this standard with your child using any non-fiction
informational text. As children are learning to read they often encounter
words that they don’t know the meaning of. It is important for them to
learn to use clues in the context of the paragraph to help them figure out
the meaning of the word.
What does agitated mean in What does agitated mean in
this sentence: this sentence:
Mom was agitated there The washer agitated the
were toys everywhere on clothes in the machine so
the floor. they could get nice and clean.
©Thrifty in Third Grade 2016
[Link].5 Parent
identifying and
[Link].5
Helper
understanding text features in an
I can identify and use various text features
informational text to locate key facts or
information in a text.
Your child is learning to use text features to help
them better understand an informational text.
Sample Questions To Ask Your Child: Vocabulary Terms:
What text features do you see on this page? Title
What text feature was most useful to you? Heading/Subheading
Look at the Table of Contents. If you wanted to Bold/Italics/Underlined
learn about ___, what page would you turn to? Table of Contents
What text feature would be helpful on this page? Glossary
Where do you find the glossary? The index? Index
What words are in bold print on this page? Why did Captions
the author make those words bold? Labels
Look at this diagram and read the labels. What is ___? Diagrams/Charts
Photographs
Need more resources?
You can practice this standard with your child using any non-fiction
informational text. It is important to remember that your child should be
able to look back in the text to find answers and should also be able to show
you where they found them. Children often look at graphics and illustrations
on pages, but avoid reading things such as captions. If you notice your child
is skipping reading these very important text features, ask them a question
that can only be answered if they read that text features. For example, did
the caption of a photograph included an interesting bit of information? Ask
your child about it and if they don’t know where you found that information,
have them reread the page. It is very important that your child get in the
habit of reading everything on the page.
©Thrifty in Third Grade 2016
[Link].6
[Link].6 Parent Helper
identifying the main purpose of a text, including what
I the
can identify
author thewants
main purpose of a text, including
to answer, explain,what
orthedescribe.
author wants
to answer, explain, or describe.
Your child is learning to identify why a text was
written by an author.
Sample Questions To Ask Your Child: Vocabulary Terms:
Main purpose
What question did the author ask and answer?
Author’s point
What did the author describe?
Describe
What did the author explain?
Explain
What information did the author give you?
Ask/Answer
Text
Need more resources?
You can practice this standard with your child using any non-fiction text.
When reading a book with your child, discuss what the author wants us to
learn in the text. Now, did the author ask a question then answer it? Did the
author explain something in detail, such as steps or a procedure? Did the
author describe something?
Here are some more examples:
Ask/Answer
Many people wonder what happens inside a butterfly’s chrysalis.
While inside the chrysalis the caterpillar undergoes a
metamorphosis to become a butterfly.
Describe
A caterpillar undergoes an amazing transformation while inside a
chrysalis. A few weeks later it reemerges as a beautiful
butterfly.
Explain
A butterfly first begins as an egg. After hatching from the egg
the caterpillar eats until it becomes many times larger. It then
forms a chrysalis in which it will undergo an amazing
metamorphosis. Finally, weeks later it will emerge as a butterfly.
©Thrifty in Third Grade 2016
[Link].7
[Link].7 and Parent Helper
explaining how specific images contribute to
I can explain how specificclarify a textto and clarify a text.
images contribute
Your child is learning to use graphics in an informational
text to better understand what they are reading.
Sample Questions To Ask Your Child: Vocabulary Terms:
How does the chart help you understand the text? Graphics
How does the diagram help you understand the text? Illustrations
How does the graphic help you understand the text? Charts
What information did you learn from the graphic that Maps
you didn’t learn from the text? What information did Graphs
you learn from the diagram? Chart? Map? Diagrams
Clarify
Example
Need more resources?
You can practice this standard with your child using any non-fiction text.
When reading a book with your child, cover up the words on a few pages
with post it notes. Have your child explain what they can learn based only on
the text features.
Example:
What can you learn about
the dolphin from the pictures?
What are the trainers doing
in the pictures?
©Thrifty in Third Grade 2016
[Link].8 Parent
[Link].8 Helper
I can how reasons support the point the author makes in a text.
Your child is learning to identify reasons the author
uses to make a point.
Vocabulary Terms:
Sample Questions To Ask Your Child: Reasons
What is the author’s opinion about ___? Opinion
What point is the author trying to make? Support
Why did the author tell you ___? Explain
What details did the author use to make their point? Details
Why did the author write this text? Author
Point/Purpose
Need more resources?
You can practice this standard with your child using any non-fiction text. It
is important to remember that your child should be able to look back in the
text to find answers and should also be able to show you where they found
them. By the end of second grade your child should be able to read and
comprehend texts that are on grade level. Check with your child’s teacher
to determine your child’s current reading level and how you can help them
move toward that goal.
There are many great non-fiction books for kids. Head to your local library
to check some out. It is important to remember to expose your child to
informational text, and not always just literature. Allow your child to read
magazines, catalogs, even recipes while you are cooking
Does your child understand?
The author’s point is what the author is trying to prove to the reader in the
text.
It is what the author feels or believes about something. It is usually an
opinion.
The author proves their point with specific reasons and details that are
found in the text.
©Thrifty in Third Grade 2016
[Link].9 Parent
[Link].9 Helper
I can compare and contrast the most important points presented by two
comparing and contrasting two texts on the same topic
texts on the same topic.
Your child is learning to compare and contrast two
texts on the same topic.
Vocabulary Terms:
Sample Questions To Ask Your Child: Topic
What is the key point the author is trying to make? Compare/Contrast
What is the topic of this text? This page? This section? Similarities
What is the difference between this text and this one? Differences
How are the texts alike? Key Details
What were the key details in this text? Illustrations
Text Features
Need more resources?
You can practice this standard with your child using multiple texts on the
same topic. As children get older and begin conducting research, it is
important for them to understand that one source will not give them all
the information they may need on a topic. Allow your child to check out a
book on a topic and also read an internet article on the same topic. You can
also watch educational videos about a topic and then read more about it. It
is important to expose your child to informational texts so they can
discover their own interests and passions.
Examples of informational text you can use:
Non-fiction books (science, technical, historical, biographical)
Magazine articles
Newspaper articles
Internet articles
Educational videos/News/Discovery channel shows
Cookbooks, recipes…etc
You can use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast
the two texts. Similarities go in the middle,
differences go in the outer circles, one for each text.
©Thrifty in Third Grade 2016
[Link].10 Parent
[Link].10 Helper
comprehending informational texts at a second grade level
I can read and comprehend informational texts.
Your child is learning to read and respond to second
grade level informational text.
Vocabulary Terms:
Sample Questions To Ask Your Child: Illustrations
Explain how the text features helped you Graphics
understand the text. Point to a text feature Text Features
and tell why you think the author included it. Informational Text
What questions do you still have after reading? Author
Comprehend
Need more resources?
You can practice this standard with your child using any non-fiction text. It
is important to remember that your child should be able to look back in the
text to find answers and should also be able to show you where they found
them. By the end of second grade your child should be able to read and
comprehend texts that are on grade level. Check with your child’s teacher
to determine your child’s current reading level and how you can help them
move toward that goal.
Non-fiction book series for second graders:
National Geographic Kids Readers
Let’s Read and Find Out Series
Magic Tree House Nonfiction Companions
Rookie Readers Science
Rookie Readers Geography
Rookie Readers Biographies
I Can Read! Series
Gail Gibbons’ Books
There are many great non-fiction books for kids. Head to your local library
to check some out. It is important to remember to expose your child to
informational text, and not always just literature. Allow your child to read
magazines, catalogs, even recipes while you are cooking! ©Thrifty in Third Grade 2016
