Mini-Lesson

Functional Texts

Mini-Lesson: Grades 2-3

Objective: Students will create a functional text, such as an invitation, a schedule or a menu.

1. Start a discussion about different types of texts. Ask: Why do we read? (Answers may include for entertainment and for information.) Have students list examples of real-life situations in which they read for information. (Examples may include: reading a menu at a restaurant, reading directions to use a new product, reading an invitation, reading a schedule and reading a recipe.) Tell students that texts that help you in everyday life are called functional texts.

2. Pass out the timeforkids.com story, A Taste of India. Explain that this article describes an event at which kids learned about India’s culture. Challenge students to use information from the article to create a functional document, such as an invitation, a schedule or a menu, for the event. Encourage them to decorate their work. (Students creating an invitation might need the following information, not included in the story: The event took place on Thursday, November 19, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.)

3. Have students share the documents they created.

Extend Learning: Plan a Taste of Our Cultures Day for your class. Invite students to bring in dishes that represent their family or culture.