Scouting Slides Scouting the Text
Info Quest: Lesson 1
Our Mission
1
Identify Text Features
Find the "road signs" that help us navigate a text.
2
Skim & Scan
Read fast to find the main idea (Skim) or specific facts (Scan).
Text Features: The Map
Headings
Tell us what the next section is about.
Captions
Explain what is happening in a photo or picture.
Bold Words
Important vocabulary we need to know.
Diagrams
Drawings that show the parts of something.
Speed Reading Skills
Skimming
Read quickly to get the "Big Idea" or the gist of the story.
Look at titles and first sentences!
Scanning
Look for a specific word , date, or number.
Look for CAPITAL letters or numbers!
Speed Scouting Race
Can you find these 3 things in 60 seconds?
A heading about Habitats .
A Bold Word that starts with 'A'.
The year a famous explorer was born .
Scavenger Hunt Guide Scavenger Hunt Guide
Teacher Resource • Lesson 1: Scouting the Text
Info Quest
Activity Overview
This activity is designed as a fast-paced "hook" to demonstrate the power of text features. Students will race to find information in a text they haven't read before, using only the visual cues (headings, bold words, etc.).
Preparation
Select a non-fiction article (from a magazine like Time for Kids or National Geographic Kids ).
Ensure the article has at least: 3 headings, 2-3 bold words, and 1 image with a caption.
Do not let students read the article before the race begins.
The Scouting Race: Step-by-Step
1
Set the Timer
Give students exactly 3 minutes. Explain that this is a SCANNING mission, not a reading mission.
2
Issue the Commands
Call out specific targets one by one, or write them on the board:
"Find a heading that mentions an animal's home."
"Find the caption for the picture of the desert."
"Find the definition of the bold word 'evaporation'."
3
Debrief the Strategy
Ask: "How did you find it so fast? Did you read every word?" Lead them to realize they used the structure of the page.
ESL Support
Visual Aids
Point to the posters of text features around the room as you call out the targets.
Partner Up
Pair lower-fluency students with a peer to help them scan for keywords visually.
Feature Map Worksheet Text Feature Map
Lesson 1: Scouting the Text
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Mission Instructions
Open your assigned article. Use your "Scouting Skills" to find and label the text features. In the boxes below, write what each feature tells you about the article.
Heading
What does it say?
What will this section be about?
Caption
Find a picture. What does the caption say?
What extra info did the picture give you?
Bold Word
Write the bold word here:
Can you guess the meaning from the sentence?
Visual Aid
Is there a diagram, map, or chart?
What does it show or explain?
The Skimming Challenge
Now, spend 30 seconds skimming the article. What is the BIG IDEA or gist of the article in just one sentence?
Blueprinting Slides Blueprinting Notes
Info Quest: Lesson 2
The Research Trap
Problem: Information Overload
"I'm trying to write everything down, but I can't keep up!"
Solution: Keywords
Don't write full sentences. Build a blueprint of facts.
The beautiful blue butterfly lives in the rainforest.
Butterfly → Rainforest
Note-Taking Tools
Concept Map
Best for: Showing how different ideas connect to one big topic.
Topic
T-Chart
Best for: Comparing two things or sorting details into categories.
Category A
Category B
Fast Facts Race!
I am going to read a story VERY FAST .
Mission: Write only 3 words per idea!
No Sentences
Just Facts
Fast Facts Script Fast Facts Script
Teacher Resource • Lesson 2 Hook Activity
Info Quest
The Purpose
This activity demonstrates why writing in full sentences during research is impossible and inefficient. It forces students to rely on keywords and symbols to capture information quickly.
How to Deliver
Tell students to prepare a blank piece of paper.
Explain that you will read a short text about a "Mystery Animal."
Read at a brisk, steady pace. Do not slow down or repeat yourself.Remind them: "Don't write sentences! Just capture the big facts!"
Read the text below:
"The Axolotl is a very strange creature found only in Lake Xochimilco near Mexico City. Unlike other salamanders, it spends its entire life underwater. It has feathery pink gills that stick out from its head to help it breathe. Axolotls are carnivores, which means they eat meat like small fish, worms, and insects. They have an amazing superpower: they can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even parts of their heart! People often call them 'water monsters' because of their funny faces and wide smiles."
Post-Activity Discussion
The Struggle
"Who tried to write every word? How many facts did you miss? Why was it hard?"
The Keyword Strategy
"Who used just one or two words? (e.g., 'Mexico', 'Pink Gills', 'Regrows limbs'). How many facts did you get?"
Exemplar "Blueprint" Notes (Keyword Style):
Mexico City Lake Underwater Pink Gills Carnivore (Meat) Regrows Limbs
Lab Notes Organizer Lab Notes Organizer
Lesson 2: Blueprinting Notes
Researcher Name: _________________
Date: ___________________________
Blueprint Rule:
No Sentences! Use Keywords Only
Target: 1-3 words per bullet
Blueprint 1: The Concept Map
Big Topic
Detail 1
Detail 2
Detail 3
Detail 4
Blueprint 2: The T-Chart
1
Category: ________________
2
Category: ________________
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Voice Swap Slides Voice Swap
Info Quest: Lesson 3
The "Copycat" Problem
Plagiarism
Taking someone else's words or ideas and pretending they are yours.
It's like stealing a brain!
The "Read-Hide-Write" Trick
1. Read
Read the sentence 2 or 3 times until you understand it.
2. Hide
Close the book or cover the text with your hand.
3. Write
Explain it to a friend using your own voice .
How to Change a Sentence
Synonyms
Trade big words for simpler ones you know.
Enormous → Huge
Sentence Order
Move the pieces of the sentence around.
"Because it was cold, the bear slept." ↔ "The bear slept because it was cold."
Your Turn!
Original Sentence:
"The mighty lion stalks its prey silently through the tall grass."
How would you say it?
Copycat Case Files Copycat Case Files
Teacher Discussion Guide • Lesson 3
Case #003
The Hook Activity
Display two "student" paragraphs on the board. One is the original from a book, and the other is a direct copy (plagiarism). Ask students to spot the difference.
Source Text (The Book)
"Penguins are flightless birds that spend about half of their lives on land and the other half in the sea."
Student Paper (A)
"Penguins are flightless birds that spend about half of their lives on land and the other half in the sea."
Case Study Scenarios
Read these "Case Files" to the class and have them debate: Is it Plagiarism?
Case #1: The Word-for-Worder
Level: Easy
"Marco found a great sentence on Wikipedia. He thought it sounded so smart that he copied it exactly into his report. He didn't use quotation marks."
Verdict: Yes. He used the exact words without giving credit.
Case #2: The Synonym Swapper
Level: Medium
"Sara read that 'Cheetahs are the quickest mammals on earth.' She wrote 'Cheetahs are the fastest animals in the world.' She changed two words but kept everything else the same."
Verdict: Likely Yes (Patch-writing). She didn't change the sentence structure or the "voice."
Case #3: The Researcher
Level: Pro
"Leo learned that polar bears have black skin under their white fur. He closed the book and wrote: 'Did you know that underneath all that white hair, a polar bear actually has black skin?'"
Verdict: No. This is successful paraphrasing! He processed the fact and shared it in his own voice.
The Golden Rule
"If the book is open, your pencil should be down. If your pencil is up, the book should be closed!"
Paraphrase Practice Worksheet Voice Swap Practice
Lesson 3: The Art of Paraphrasing
Researcher Name: _________________
Date: ___________________________
The 3-Step Swap
1. READ IT
Read 3 times!
2. HIDE IT
Close the book!
3. SWAP IT
Use your voice!
1
Original Sentence
"Many species of sea turtles are endangered because of plastic pollution in the ocean."
Your Voice Swap:
2
Original Sentence
"Honeybees communicate the location of flowers to their hive mates by performing a complex dance."
Your Voice Swap:
3
Original Sentence
"Ancient Egyptians constructed massive stone pyramids as tombs for their powerful kings, known as pharaohs."
Your Voice Swap:
Big Picture Slides The Big Picture
Info Quest: Lesson 4
Summary: The Gist
Whole Story
Lots of pages, lots of details, lots of time.
Summary
Only the most important parts!
The Summary Recipe
WHO
Identify the main character or subject.
WHAT
Describe the most important action or fact.
SO WHAT
Explain why this information matters.
Tweet It!
Info Architect @researcher
"Write your summary here... but keep it short! Only 280 characters allowed."
Post Summary
Tweet Summary Cards Tweet-a-Summary
Lesson 4: Summarizing Mastery
Handle: @_______________________
The Challenge
A summary must be short . For each passage below, write a summary "Tweet." You must use the Who + What + So What formula and stay inside the box!
Source Text
"The Great Wall of China was built over hundreds of years to protect the country from invaders. It stretches thousands of miles across mountains and deserts. Today, it is one of the most famous tourist sites in the world."
Info Architect @researcher
Who + What + So What...
280 / 280
Source Text
"Recycling helps save the Earth by reducing waste in landfills. When we recycle paper, we save trees from being cut down. Plastic recycling keeps our oceans clean and protects sea animals from getting sick."
Info Architect @researcher
Who + What + So What...
280 / 280
Summary Quality Check:
Check your work before "posting"!
Who is in it?
What happened?
Why does it matter?
Idea Fusion Slides Idea Fusion
Info Quest: Lesson 5
Synthesis: Mixing Ideas
Book 1
Fact A + Fact B
Book 2
Fact C + Fact D
=
Your Report
One Great Story!
The 3 Fusion Steps
1
Collect
Take notes from both sources using your blueprint skills.
2
Connect
Find things that both authors say. Group similar facts together.
3
Create
Write one paragraph that uses the best info from both.
Fusion in Action
Author 1 says:
"The sun is a star."
Author 2 says:
"The sun provides heat for Earth."
Your Synthesis:
"The sun is a powerful star that gives the Earth the heat it needs to survive."
(Both ideas, merged into one better sentence!)
Fusion Project Lab Worksheet Fusion Project Lab
Final Quest: Synthesis
Head Researcher: _________________
Date: ___________________________
1
The Collection: Blueprint Notes
Source A Facts
Source B Facts
2
The Fusion: Your Synthesized Report
Combine your facts into one strong paragraph:
Used Source A
Used Source B
Original Voice
Synthesis Rubric Synthesis Scoring Rubric
Info Quest Assessment Guide
Final Mission
Skill Expert (4) Researcher (3) Trainee (2-1) Information Gathering Uses 3+ clear facts from BOTH sources. Notes are keywords only. Uses 2 facts from both sources. Notes are mostly keywords. Misses one source or writes in full sentences for notes. Voice & Paraphrasing Words and sentence structure are completely original. No "copycat" errors. Most words are original. Only 1-2 small "patch-writing" spots. Copies many phrases exactly from the text. Fusion (Synthesis) Ideas from both sources are blended perfectly into one story. Ideas are all present, but feel like two separate lists put together. Only uses information from one source in the final report. Organization Paragraph has a clear topic sentence and flows logically. Paragraph is mostly organized but needs better flow between ideas. Hard to follow or lacks a main idea.
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