Text Detectives Teacher Guide Teacher Case File
Subject: Distinguishing Text Types (Narrative vs. Informational)
Top Secret
Mission Objective
Students will identify key characteristics of narrative and informational texts and use 'clues' to categorize unknown texts correctly.
Operation Time
40 Minutes
(Intro: 5, Instruction: 10, Practice: 20, Closing: 5)
Detective Gear
Text Detectives Slides
Case File Evidence Worksheet
Final Verdict Exit Ticket
Magnifying glasses (optional)
1. Briefing the Agents (5 min)
Start by telling the class that a shipment of books arrived at the library, but all the covers were damaged! We don't know which ones are stories (Narratives) and which ones are for learning facts (Informational).
Key Question: "How do we know if a book is telling us a story or teaching us facts?"
2. Analyzing the Evidence (10 min)
Use the Text Detectives Slides to introduce the 'Clues' for each category:
Narrative Clues
Characters (People or talking animals)
Setting (Where and when)
Problem & Solution
Dialogue (Characters talking)
Beginning, Middle, and End
Informational Clues
Facts and Truth
Headings and Subheadings
Photographs with Captions
Glossary or Index
Diagrams and Labels
3. Field Training (10 min)
Project two short text samples.
Quick Scan: Have students do a "Thumbs up" for Narrative and "Hand flat" for Informational as you show each sample. Quickly discuss 1-2 clues for each.
4. Solo Case Work (10 min)
Distribute the Case File Evidence Worksheet . Students read and label passages. Encourage them to find the "smoking gun" clue for each one.
5. Final Verdict (5 min)
Hand out the Final Verdict Exit Ticket . Collect as they transition to the next activity.
Modifying the Investigation
Support
Focus on just one clue for each (e.g., Talking Animals vs. Real Photos) to keep within the tight timeframe.
Challenge
Ask students to identify a book they are currently reading as either type and name three clues.
Text Detectives Slides Text Detectives
Solving the Mystery of Genre
The Library Mystery
A shipment of books arrived, but the covers are gone!
Our mission: Read the clues inside to decide if the book is a Narrative or Informational.
"What is this book about?"
Clue Set A: Narrative
1
Tells a Story with a beginning, middle, and end.
2
Has Characters (who) and a Setting (where).
3
There is usually a Problem and a solution.
Common Phrases:
"Once upon a time..."
"Suddenly, he realized..."
"Long ago, in a forest..."
Clue Set B: Informational
1
Teaches Facts and real information.
2
Uses Text Features (headings, maps, captions).
3
Tells us How or Why things happen.
Look For:
Real Photographs
Bold Headings
Labels & Diagrams
Case #1: The Missing Acorn
"Pip the Squirrel woke up early. He looked in his hollow tree, but his favorite golden acorn was gone! 'Who could have taken it?' he squeaked. He put on his tiny blue hat and set off to find his friend, Barnaby the Bear."
What's the verdict?
Narrative
Informational
Case #2: The Life of a Squirrel
Habitat and Diet
Gray squirrels live in many parts of North America. They primarily eat nuts, seeds, and fruit. They store food in the ground to survive the cold winter months. A squirrel's nest is called a drey.
What's the verdict?
Narrative
Informational
Ready for your Solo Mission?
Read Carefully
Look for characters, a setting, or real facts and headings.
Circle Clues
On your worksheet, circle the words that helped you decide.
Agents, dismiss!
Text Detectives Case Worksheet Case File Evidence
Bureau of Text Investigation • Grade 3 Division
Agent Name: ________________________
Date: ________________
Mission Instructions
Below are three pieces of evidence found at the scene. Read each text carefully. Decide if the author's goal was to tell a story (Narrative) or give facts (Informational) . Check the box and circle three clues in the text that helped you decide!
Evidence Sample #A-102 Subject: Forest Ecosystems
The Temperate Rainforest
Temperate rainforests are found in cool, rainy climates. Unlike tropical rainforests, these forests have a long growing season and very tall trees, like the Sitka spruce. These trees can grow up to 300 feet tall!
Key Fact: Rainfall in these areas can reach over 100 inches per year.
Common Animals: Black bears, slugs, and bald eagles.
Verdict:
Narrative
Informational
Evidence Sample #B-205 Subject: The Lost Key
"I know it's here somewhere," Maya whispered as she pushed aside a pile of dusty boxes in the attic. Her heart was thumping against her ribs like a trapped bird.
Suddenly, her fingers brushed against something cold and metal. She pulled out a rusty iron key with a tag that said Room 13.
"Grandpa told me never to go there," she thought, looking toward the dark hallway. Maya took a deep breath, gripped the key tight, and stood up. She had to find the truth.
Verdict:
Narrative
Informational
Evidence Sample #C-311 Subject: Healthy Living
Fueling Your Body
1
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to get different vitamins.
2
Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day to stay hydrated.
3
Get 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night to help your brain rest.
Note: A healthy diet gives you the energy you need for school and play.
Verdict:
Narrative
Informational
Detective's Final Log:
Select your most certain verdict. Why are you 100% sure?
I know evidence sample #_____ is ________________________ because
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Plot Twists Exit Ticket Final Verdict
Exit Ticket
Detective Agency Exam
Agent Name: ________________________
1. Draw a line to match the clue to its Text Type:
Characters and Dialogue
Facts and Photographs
Problem and Solution
Headings and Diagrams
Narrative
Informational
2. In your own words, what is the BIGGEST difference between a story and a book that teaches facts?
Cut Here
Final Verdict
Exit Ticket
Detective Agency Exam
Agent Name: ________________________
1. Draw a line to match the clue to its Text Type:
Characters and Dialogue
Facts and Photographs
Problem and Solution
Headings and Diagrams
Narrative
Informational
2. In your own words, what is the BIGGEST difference between a story and a book that teaches facts?
Text Detectives Answer Key Answer Key
Text Detectives Mystery Lesson (With Visual Features)
Updated Case File Evidence Worksheet
Sample #A-102 (The Giant Sequoia)
Verdict: Informational
Visual Features: Bold Heading, Data Table ("Table 1.1"), Photograph placeholder with Caption, Figure label ("Fig A").
Text Clues: Numbers/Statistics (3,000 years, 3 feet), Scientific facts, and non-fiction tone.
Sample #B-205 (Chapter Four: Midnight Discovery)
Verdict: Narrative
Visual Features: Chapter Title, Subtitle, Narrative illustration (Feather icon).
Text Clues: Dialogue in quotes ("Is anyone there?"), Characters (Leo, Whiskers), Story plot, and descriptive adjectives (groaned, trembled).
Sample #C-311 (The Life of a Frog)
Verdict: Informational
Visual Features: Step-by-step cycle boxes, Glossary entry, Diagram layout.
Text Clues: Scientific sequence, vocabulary definitions (Gills), and factual explanation of biology.
Expert Detective Tips
Spotting Narratives:
Remind students to look for quote marks and chapter headers. Storybooks often use serif fonts and centered titles to set a "mood."
Spotting Informational:
Look for labels! If there is a box with a definition or a chart with numbers, it's almost always informational. Also, look for photos with small captions underneath.
Text Detectives Slides Updated Features Text Detectives
Solving the Mystery of Genre
The Library Mystery
A shipment of books arrived, but the covers are gone!
Our mission: Read the clues inside to decide if the book is a Narrative or Informational.
"What type of text is this?"
Clue Set A: Narrative
Characters & Dialogue
Setting & Scene
Problem & Solution
Chapter Titles
Story Features:
Illustrations (Drawings)
Quote Marks ("Hello!")
Plot Sequence
Clue Set B: Informational
Bold Headings
Photos & Captions
Diagrams & Labels
Glossary & Index
Text Features:
Bold or Italic wordsMaps and Sidebars
Real Facts & Data
Case #1: The Missing Acorn
"Pip the Squirrel woke up early. He looked in his hollow tree, but his favorite golden acorn was gone! 'Who could have taken it?' he squeaked. He put on his tiny blue hat and set off to find his friend, Barnaby the Bear."
What's the verdict?
Narrative
Informational
Case #2: The Life of a Squirrel
Habitat and Diet
Gray squirrels live in many parts of North America. They primarily eat nuts, seeds, and fruit. They store food in the ground to survive the cold winter months. A squirrel's nest is called a drey.
What's the verdict?
Narrative
Informational
Ready for your Solo Mission?
Read Carefully
Look for characters, a setting, or real facts and headings.
Circle Clues
On your worksheet, circle the words that helped you decide.
Agents, dismiss!
Text Detectives Case Worksheet Updated Features Case File Evidence
Bureau of Text Investigation • Grade 3 Division
Agent Name: ________________________
Date: ________________
Mission Instructions
Read the evidence below. Look for headings, captions, dialogue, and other clues. Label the type and circle three features that helped you decide!
Evidence Sample #A-102 Topic: Earth Science
The Giant Sequoia
Sequoia trees are some of the oldest living things on Earth. They are found in the snowy mountains of California. These massive trees grow thick bark that protects them from forest fires.
Table 1.1: Sequoia Data
Average Age: 3,000 years
Bark Thickness: 3 feet
Photograph: A sequoia tree in the forest.
Fig A: Habitat
Verdict:
Narrative
Informational
Evidence Sample #B-205 Topic: Chapter Book
Chapter Four
The Midnight Discovery
The old staircase groaned as Leo stepped toward the attic. He clutched his flashlight, its beam dancing against the cobwebs.
"Is anyone there?" Leo whispered. His voice trembled in the cold air.
Suddenly, a small grey cat poked its head out from behind a trunk. Leo let out a long breath and smiled. "You gave me a real scare, Whiskers!" he said, reaching out to pat the cat's soft head.
Verdict:
Narrative
Informational
Evidence Sample #C-311 Topic: Life Cycles
The Life of a Frog
1
Eggs
Female frogs lay hundreds of eggs in water.
2
Tadpole
Tadpoles hatch and use gills to breathe underwater.
3
Adult Frog
The tail disappears and the frog moves to land.
Glossary: Gills - organs used for breathing in water.
Verdict:
Narrative
Informational
Detective's Log:
Identify one TEXT FEATURE (like a heading or quote) and tell why it helped you.
I found a __________________________ in Sample _____. This helped me because ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Advanced Case Teacher Guide Teacher Case File: Day 2
Mission: Mastery Through Practice
Day 2 Practice
Mission Goal
Students will achieve mastery in distinguishing between narrative and informational texts through high-repetition practice and peer collaboration.
Mission Time
40 Minutes
(Warm-up: 5, Guided: 10, Stations/Sorting: 20, Exit Ticket: 5)
Evidence Kit
Day 2 Practice Slides
Text Sorting Cards Activity
Text Type Challenge Worksheet
Magnifying glasses (optional)
1. Evidence Recall (5 min)
Quick Fire: Teacher names a text feature (e.g., "Glossary", "Dialogue", "Map", "Character Problem"). Students stand up if it's Narrative, and sit down if it's Informational.
2. Analyzing "Tricky" Clues (10 min)
Use the Day 2 Practice Slides to model identifying text types with more varied samples. Focus on why a feature helps us: "I see a caption under this photo. Captions explain real images, so this must be informational."
3. The Great Text Sort (20 min)
Collaborative Sorting: In pairs or small groups, students receive a set of Sorting Cards (short text snippets). They must work together to sort them into two folders/piles: "Case N" and "Case I".
Detective Verification: After sorting, pairs must pick one card from each pile and explain the "smoking gun" clue to another pair.
4. Final Verdict (5 min)
Quick individual check-in using the Text Type Challenge Worksheet or a simple "one-clue" exit ticket.
Adjusting the Investigation
Support
Reduce the number of sorting cards to 4 clear-cut examples. Provide a visual "Clue Menu" for them to check off features as they find them.
Extension
Challenge students to find a "hybrid" feature—something that might appear in both (like a heading in a long narrative) and discuss which type it mostly is.
Advanced Case Slides Day 2 Day 2 Practice
Mastering the Investigation
The Clue Board
Narrative (Story)
Characters
Dialogue ("Quote marks")
Problem & Solution
Informational (Fact)
Bold Headings
Photos & Captions
Glossary & Index
Case File: Night Wings
Chapter 1: The Hollow Tree
"Luna the Owl flapped her wings. She looked down at the dark forest. 'Where did that mouse go?' she hooted to herself. Suddenly, she saw a pair of tiny glowing eyes near the roots of the old oak tree."
Spot the clues:
Character Name: Luna
Chapter Header
Dialogue (Hooted)
Narrative
Case File: Owl Facts
Hunting at Night
Most owls are nocturnal, which means they are active during the night. They have special feathers that allow them to fly silently. This helps them surprise their prey, such as mice and voles.
Spot the clues:
Bold Heading
Real Definition (Nocturnal)
True Information
Informational
Sorting Challenge
In your pairs, you will receive Sorting Cards. Sort them into two piles!
Case N
Case I
Text Sorting Cards Activity Sorting Cards Activity
Text Type Investigation • Station Material
Cut along the dotted lines
Card #001
Weather Patterns
A hurricane is a large, spinning storm that forms over warm ocean water. These storms bring heavy rain and strong winds. Scientists use satellites to track hurricanes and warn people to stay safe.
Key Fact:
Hurricanes can have wind speeds over 150 miles per hour.
Card #002
Chapter Six
"Hold on tight!" Ben yelled as the wind began to howl. He grabbed his dog, Scruffy, and pulled him under the kitchen table. Scruffy whimpered as the rain drummed against the roof like a thousand tiny hammers.
Ben closed his eyes and wished he was back in the sunny park. "It's going to be okay," he whispered.
Card #003
Map of Florida
Florida is a peninsula, which means it is surrounded by water on three sides. It is located in the southeastern United States. The state is known for its warm weather and sandy beaches.
Caption:
This map shows the location of major cities like Miami and Orlando.
Card #004
"I've never been to Florida before," said Daisy the Dolphin. She did a backflip in the warm blue water. Her friend, Finny, laughed and splashed her with his tail. "You're going to love the coral reefs!" he chirped.
Dialogue: "Said Daisy"
Characters: Daisy & Finny
