📖 ReadingGrade 3Lesson 17
← Back🔒 PDF with full access

Read Nonfiction About Science and History

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Identify key features of nonfiction text including headings, bold words, and captions
  • 2Use text features to locate information quickly in a nonfiction passage
  • 3Answer fact-based comprehension questions using evidence from a nonfiction text
📘

Mini Lesson

Nonfiction text gives us true information about the real world. Science books explain how things work — like volcanoes, the water cycle, or the human body. History books tell us what happened in the past — like ancient civilizations, famous explorers, or important events.

Features of Nonfiction Text

  • Headings — bold titles that tell you what each section is about.
  • Bold words — important vocabulary that is often defined in a glossary.
  • Captions — sentences beneath photos or diagrams that explain what you see.
  • Diagrams and labels — visual aids that show how something works.
  • Index and glossary — tools at the back of the book for finding and defining terms.

How to Read Nonfiction

  1. Read the heading first — it tells you the topic of the section.
  2. Scan for bold words — these are key terms worth remembering.
  3. Study any diagrams or photos and read their captions.
  4. Read the text carefully and look for facts, dates, and names.
  5. After reading, ask yourself: What are the most important facts?
Nonfiction text features diagramFive nonfiction text features shown as labeled boxes: heading, bold words, captions, diagrams, and glossary.Nonfiction Text FeaturesHeadingsTell you the topicBold wordsKey vocabularyCaptionsExplain photosDiagramsShow how it worksGlossaryDefine terms
Steps for reading nonfictionFive numbered steps: read heading, scan bold words, study diagrams, read carefully, reflect on key facts.How to Read Nonfiction1Read the heading first2Scan for bold words3Study diagrams and captions4Read the text for facts5Ask: What are the key facts?
💡

Nonfiction uses precise language. Look for signal words like "because", "as a result", "for example", and "however" — they show how facts are connected.

Vocabulary
Nonfiction
Writing about real events, people, or factse.g. A book about the solar system is nonfiction.
Heading
A title that introduces a section of texte.g. The heading "Volcanoes" tells you the section is about volcanoes.
Caption
A short description below a photo or diagrame.g. The caption explains what the photograph shows.
Glossary
An alphabetical list of key words and their meaningse.g. The glossary at the back defined "erosion".
Evidence
A fact or detail from the text that supports an answere.g. The evidence from the text showed the volcano erupted in 79 AD.
Free · 7 days · No credit card

Unlock the full HSEA system for 7 days.

Add your first kid profile and your 7 days start: every lesson in every grade, saved progress for each child. Nothing to set up, no card required, nothing to cancel.

  • ✓ All 1,680 lessons, Grades 1–6, every subject
  • ✓ Profiles + saved progress for every kid
  • ✓ Printable lessons with answer key
Start your 7-day free trial →
← Lesson 16: Discuss Story Morals or ThemesLesson 18: Identify Facts vs Opinions →