Toss the Text Structure Worksheets! Try a Sort Instead!

Use this resource to practice identifying a piece of text’s structure based on its characteristics.

Print out the resource on cardstock and cut out the sorting cards along the dotted lines. Store in a resealable bag to be used over and over, year after year! Looking to save on paper? Why not put a copy of the recording sheet in a dry-erase sleeve, allowing students to wipe it clean when they are done!

Use These Text Structure Examples to:

• Use this resource as a sorting activity in your reading center. Students will sort the cards and place them underneath the correct text structure heading. Then, have them record their answers on the recording sheet before scrambling the cards for the next set of students!
• Why not have a whole-class scavenger hunt in your classroom? Hide the 24 sorting cards around the room when your students are not around. Hand each student a recording sheet and set them loose! As soon as they find a card, they identify the text structure on their recording sheet, leave it in the same spot they found it, and then set off to find the others. NOTE: You may want to make a rule of only 1 student at a card at one time. If not, things could get a little crazy! 🤪
• Use a few of the task cards as a quick warm-up or exit ticket. Find the 2 or 3 cards you want to use and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Have them write the text structures on a sticky note along with their name for an easy formative assessment!
• Looking for a way to use this resource as a whole class? Why not hang the sorting cards up around the room and have your students complete a gallery walk. Assign a sorting card to each student and have them rotate around the cards (on your signal) until they have completed each one.

Examples of Text Structures

The text structures used in this resource include:

• Chronological order
• Description
• Cause and Effect
• Problem/Solution
• Compare/Contrast
• Advantage/Disadvantage

Use the drop-down menu to choose between the PDF or Google slides version. Activity instructions, a recording sheet, and an answer key are all included in the download.

This resource was created by  Kelli Goffredi, a teacher in Texas and a Teach Starter Collaborator.