Sort the Facts to Build a Fact File

Facts are one of the most important components of informational texts. Learning to categorize facts can be helpful in teaching students how to create a well-structured report.

Introduce your students to the key role that facts play in informational writing with this hands-on fact sorting activity! To complete this activity, students will read 30 different fact cards, then sort them into the correct category. This activity helps students understand how to build a clear, fact-based description of a topic, laying the foundation for strong informational writing.

The topics included in this fact file activity are:

• Astronauts
• Sharks
• Smartphones

This resource promotes reading comprehension, critical thinking and supports students in organizing information logically. The hands-on nature of the resource makes it a perfect choice for small group, pair or independent learning.

Differentiate This Fact File Activity

If you’re looking for ideas when it comes to differentiating this fact file activity, look no further than the suggestions below:

• Support students by reducing the number of cards that need to be sorted for each topic. This makes the task less overwhelming and enables students to feel successful when they achieve the task’s objective.
• Extend students by encouraging them to research additional facts related to each topic. This helps them extend their research skills and deepens their knowledge of the topics presented.

Download This Fact Sorting Activity

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Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for safekeeping.

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Display this set of 5 informational text anchor charts in your classroom during your informational writing unit.