Text Structure STEM Activity

Text structure is such an important concept for students to master - but it's often quite tricky! I use this simple, yet effective STEM activity to get my middle school and high school students thinking critically about text structure. Students will "build" houses out of pretzels and marshmallows just as writers "build" a text. They'll complete a station rotation activity where they will work on writing tasks, discussions, and tasks all relating to text structure. They'll literally be utilizing all 5 text structures in their own writing.

 

I've also included a presentation + mini flip book for students to take notes on and complete text structure activities. I've added in an article on tiny homes with questions that push students to analyze a text's structure rather than simply identify it. 

I've seen more growth and comprehension when using this activity out of all other things I've tried to use to teach text structure. I hope that your students love it as much as mine do! 

Keep in mind, you'll need to purchase supplies (napkins, pretzels, and mini marshmallows) in order to properly complete this activity. 

Includes:

- Instructions, suggestions, how-to

- Text Structure Presentation

- Mini booklet/flip book for students to take notes and practice

- Article for Text Structure practice

- Questions for text structure practice

- Detailed answer key