Lesson 9

Exploring Text Features in Picture Books (Part 1)

  • Objective:
  • Identify and analyse different text features in picture books
  • Understand the roles and effects of narrative text, dialogue, descriptive language, sound effects, and onomatopoeia in storytelling
  • Develop critical thinking skills by examining the use of text features in picture books
  • Pre-Work for the Teacher:

Go through this  RESOURCE  below and ensure YOU understand the features first. Find picture books that show all these features.

  • Resources:

 

  • Time: 90 min
  • Introduction to Text Features (20 mins):
  • Begin the lesson by introducing the concept of text features in picture books.
  • Display examples of picture books featuring narrative text, dialogue, descriptive language, sound effects, and onomatopoeia.
  • Engage students in a discussion about the importance and impact of these text features on the reader’s experience. Focus on: (narrative text, dialogue, descriptive language, sound effects, and onomatopoeia.) 
  • Explain that they must consider these text features in their books when they design it.
  • Exploring Different Text Features (20 min):
  • Provide a selection of picture books with different text features.
  • Assign small groups of students to analyze two specific text features in an assigned book. Here is a worksheet that you can share with your students.
  • Have groups discuss and identify examples of the assigned text features in their picture book, highlighting its purpose and effect on the story.
  • Creating Text Feature Collage (30 min):
  • Divide students into pairs or small groups.
  • Provide magazines, newspapers, or printouts of online articles.
  • Instruct students to search for and cut out examples of text features (narrative text, dialogue, descriptive language, sound effects, onomatopoeia) from the provided resources.
  • Have students create a collage by arranging and pasting the collected text features on a poster or large sheet of paper.
  • Have each group present their text feature collages to the class, explaining their choices and discussing the impact of the text features they included.
  • Encourage students to be mindful of text features when reading picture books and to consider their impact on the storytelling process.
  • Applying to own book (20 min):
  • Ask students to think about their own story
  • Let them brainstorm which text features they think they could use in their story 
  • Let them select 3-4 and start writing down HOW they would use it in their own story.
  • Tips:
  • Discuss the intended audience and purpose of different text features, highlighting how they help convey information and emotions and create engaging stories.
  • Foster a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and interpretations of the text features in picture books.