1. Alyson Mitchell, June 2009
Try it!
You learned that access features are tools in many nonfiction books that make the
information more "accessible" and available to the reader. Remember we also learned
the importance of discussing this access features with children and teaching them how to
use them and why readers use them.
So, I would like for you to become familiar with access features frequently found in
informational books. For this section of the module you will need:
1. your textbook for this class
2. the trade book you purchased for this class
3. a magazine or catalogue
4. a website (any website is fine)
5. a water or drink bottle (coke, Gatorade, etc)
6+ OPTIONAL: any other materials with print (such as recipe, menu, newspaper,
cereal box, maps, postcards, etc).
The form that you will need to complete for this activity is on the next page of this
document. Print this off in order to complete the activity.
TEXT FEATURE SCAVENGER HUNT DIRECTIONS:
As you will note, I have numbered each of the items above. These numbers will coincide
with the numbers at the top of the hunt form. On the left side, there is a list of text
features. Begin with #1 (your textbook) and analyze which text features you see as you
browse through the book. Place a check under each appropriate square. Each number
will probably have several check marks (but not all). Continue on with 2-5.
You will become more familiar with text features as you analyze materials. You are
required to do numbers 1-5 but feel free to continue with 6 and so on.
You will be asked to discuss this activity on Discussion Board #2 so be sure to save this form
for this part of the module. Once completing this activity, you are ready for Step 5, Reflect
on it.
