Primary English: Reading Information Texts — Tutor Lesson Plan (scanning, headings, tables)

2026-10-28

Tutor lesson-prep guides · Primary English

Information texts should not be read word by word. Three moves: check the headings and tables, scan for keywords, answer in full sentences.

Objectives — the student can predict content from headings, locate answers by scanning, and separate fact from opinion.

01 Prerequisites (3-minute check)

If any of these fails, fix it before the lesson starts.

Skill	Quick check	Pass mark
Word classes	Identify nouns and adjectives	Can label them
Numbers	Read 1,250 and 12.5%	One thousand two hundred fifty; twelve point five
Sentences	Write a complete sentence	Subject and verb

02 Lesson flow (45 minutes)

Time	Stage	Tutor does	Student does
0-8 min	Read the structure	Headings, subheadings, tables	Circle three features
8-18 min	Scanning	Locate keywords	Find three answers in two minutes
18-28 min	Fact and opinion	Checkable against stance	Sort six sentences
28-38 min	Practice	Answer four questions	Work alone
38-42 min	Correction	Too long, copying whole paragraphs	Rewrite two answers
42-45 min	Exit check	Three questions marked	Finish alone

03 Teaching script (read it out)

Scene 1: Structure first, text second

The title gives the topic, subheadings show the sections and tables carry the numbers.
One minute on structure beats three paragraphs of reading.

Student circles a title, a subheading and a table.

Scene 2: Scanning means hunting keywords

If the question asks how many students join, scan for students and a number.
Stop at the number and read one sentence either side.

Student times themselves finding three answers.

Scene 3: Fact is checkable, opinion has a stance

Fact: the club has 120 members.
Opinion: the club is the best in Hong Kong.
Answers need a subject and a verb unless the task says otherwise.

Note: answers must be traceable to one sentence in the text.

04 Question types and worked steps

Type	Example	Steps	Answer
Predicting	read the title	Guess the content	One sentence prediction
Scanning	How many members?	Find the number	120
Fact or opinion	The club is the best.	Stance present	Opinion
Answering	Why do students join?	Full sentence	Because they want to make friends.

Sanity check (teach this): Every answer must be traceable to a sentence in the text; if it is not, it is invented.

05 Independent practice (3 questions)

Question	Answer	What to watch
A fact question, can you answer with opinion?	No	Answers must be checkable
Should scanning read everything?	No, hunt keywords	Time control
Do answers need full sentences?	Usually yes	Follow the instruction

06 Common mistakes and what to say

Mistake	Student writes	Say this
Reading every word	runs out of time	Structure then scan.
Overlong answers	copies a paragraph	Key information only.
Fact and opinion mixed	treats advertising as fact	Check for stance.
One-word answers	writes 120 only	Unless the task says short answer.

07 Homework (paper, section and question numbers)

Primary English chapter index — Use the three tasks on this page

08 Exit check (last 5 minutes)

Question	Answer	Decision
What do you scan for?	Keywords	All right: move to listening
Fact against opinion	Checkability	One wrong: re-teach
Answer form	Full sentences	Two wrong: repeat scene 3

09 Tutor FAQ

Memorise vocabulary?

Topic words yes; the rest from context.

Table questions?

Read the title and units, then the largest and smallest.

Can pupils copy from the text?

Yes, the right sentence.

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A TutorZone lesson-prep guide. Written by the TutorZone team; questions and lesson flow are original and are not taken from any school or publisher material.