Navigating Non-Fiction Features

Active learning builds confidence with non-fiction features because students practice skills in context. When children hunt for information, teach peers, or construct a book, they see how headings, glossaries, and indexes save time and improve understanding.

• Year 2
• English
• 3 activities
• 20 min–35 min

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the purpose of headings, glossaries, and indexes in non-fiction texts.
2. Compare and contrast the functions of a picture and its accompanying caption in an information report.
3. Explain how specific text features, such as headings or a glossary, help locate factual information.
4. Demonstrate the ability to find a specific fact within an information report using its index or headings.

Inquiry Circle

⏱ 25 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The Information Scavenger Hunt

Give small groups a non-fiction book and a list of questions. They must use the table of contents and index to find the page numbers for the answers, recording which feature helped them most for each question.

Prepare & details

What is the difference between a picture and a caption in a non-fiction book?

Facilitation Tip: During the Scavenger Hunt, place texts around the room and give each pair a list of questions that require different features to answer.

Setup: Groups at tables with access to source materials

Materials: Source material collection, Inquiry cycle worksheet, Question generation protocol, Findings presentation template

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Peer Teaching

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Peer Teaching: Feature Experts

Assign each pair a specific feature, such as 'Captions' or 'Glossaries'. They must find three examples in different books and then explain to another pair how that feature helps a reader understand the topic.

Prepare & details

How do headings help you find information in a non-fiction book?

Facilitation Tip: When students become Feature Experts, provide clear role cards that name their feature and give a short explanation for the class.

Setup: Presentation area at front, or multiple teaching stations

Materials: Topic assignment cards, Lesson planning template, Peer feedback form, Visual aid supplies

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Simulation Game

⏱ 35 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game: The Book Builder

Provide students with a set of 'raw' facts and images. They must work together to create a layout that includes a heading, a sub-heading, and a captioned diagram, explaining why they chose those specific spots for each feature.

Prepare & details

Can you point to a fact in the book and explain what it tells you?

Facilitation Tip: For the Book Builder simulation, supply blank pages, sticky notes for headings, and a glossary template so students build a complete text feature set.

Setup: Flexible space for group stations

Materials: Role cards with goals/resources, Game currency or tokens, Round tracker

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Decision-Making

Teaching This Topic

Teach features in small, explicit chunks with real examples. Model how to use the index by thinking aloud as you locate a fact. Avoid assuming prior knowledge; many Year 2 students need guided practice with alphabetical order and keyword matching.

What to Expect

Students will locate information quickly using headings and indexes, use captions to find extra facts, and explain why text features matter. They will articulate that non-fiction is meant to be explored, not always read cover to cover.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During the Information Scavenger Hunt, watch for students starting at page one and reading straight through.

What to Teach Instead

Remind students to use the index or headings first to find the exact page. Praise pairs who jump straight to the right section and finish fastest.

Common Misconception

During the Caption Match activity, watch for students skipping captions because they focus only on paragraphs.

What to Teach Instead

Point out that captions often contain facts not repeated in the main text. Ask students to share one fact they only found in a caption during the discussion.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

After the Information Scavenger Hunt, ask students to circle all headings in a new text, underline one glossary word, and find one fact using the index or table of contents.

Exit Ticket

During the Feature Experts activity, give students a question card. They must write which feature they would use and why, then swap cards to peer-check the answers.

Discussion Prompt

After the Book Builder simulation, present two pages about the same animal. Ask students to explain which page is easier to use and how the headings and glossary helped them locate facts.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge students to create an index for a short text they have never seen before, using only the headings and bold words.
• For students who struggle, provide a word bank for the Scavenger Hunt and highlight key words in headings.
• Deeper exploration: Have students compare two glossaries on the same topic and explain which words are most helpful and why.

Key Vocabulary

Heading	A title or short description that introduces a section of a book or other text, telling the reader what the section is about.
Glossary	An alphabetical list of words found in a book or document, along with their definitions, to help readers understand unfamiliar terms.
Index	An alphabetical list of names, subjects, etc., with references to where they occur, typically found at the end of a book.
Caption	A short explanation or title that accompanies a picture, diagram, or chart, providing context or additional information.