Step 6

1. Step 6 Headings And Paragraphs

2. Background You found a really good web page, with lots of information. But where to begin? I know I could be a reporter, by asking myself questions, then discover the answers, complete my KWL chart … but there must be another FASTER way. There sure is, let’s see how it works.

3. Objective By the end of this lesson you will know: • That headings are used to organize paragraphs and ideas. • That good paragraphs can tell you a lot of information in its first sentence. • Headings and paragraphs provide helpful clues to summarizing a web page’s content.

4. Lesson When we write notes, papers, etc we usually put a title at the top. The title is what the whole project is about, this is the main idea or theme. Most web sites do the same thing, so look out for titles when you visit web pages.

5. A web page might also have headings. This is a great way to organize ideas and paragraphs by themes, categories or ideas. Headings usually stand out by size, color or placement on the page. They can also be links to another web page, where information on that topic can be found.

6. Slough, LuAnne, “Welcome to Mrs, Slough’s Poetry Project.” Poetry Home. 2000. 4 March, 2004. <http://www.manassas.k12.va.us/round/ClassWeb/Slough/Poetry/poetrymain.htm>. Title Headings What is this web site about? How did you know? The title at the top, and then the headings tell me the types of poetry. A Poetry Project

7. Headings Links “Why Should I Vote?” Elections Canada On-Line. 2004. 4 March 2006. <http://www.elections.ca/content_youth.asp?section=yth&dir=bas/why&document=index&lang=e&textonly=false>. The information on this web site is clear and organized by headings and using links. Headings and links help me to locate information quickly and easily.

8. When writing a report, papers, or even our notes, we organize ideas or events that are similar into paragraphs. Web pages are no different, they too might include paragraphs. Most paragraphs start with a topic sentence. This is an introduction or explanation of what the paragraph is about. It directs the reader to what the topic of the paragraph might be about.

9. “Caring For A Dog.” Information and facts. 2005. 4 March 2006. <http://www.lookd.com/dogs/caring.html>. 1) Read the paragraph above. 2) What was the sentence all about, summarize it. 3) Read the topic sentence over, did it help to let you know what the paragraph was about?

10. Titles let you know what the whole web page is about. Headings let you find information quickly on the web page, all around a similar topic or theme. A topic sentences is the first sentence of a paragraph. This is usually a summary of what the whole paragraph contains.

11. Combine the strategies you have learnt so far: • Count to 5- Then Look Away • KWL • The 5 W’s and an H (Be a reporter) • 1-2-3 look Away • Headings and Paragraphs The strategies listed above, are tools to help you get as much information as possible from a web site. It is up to you to decide what important information you will WRITE down. The points you write down are a summary of what you have read.

12. Let’s Review • Pay attention to titles and headings. • Watch for links so you don’t miss other valuable information found on other pages. • Topic sentences can help you summarize the contents of a web page. Practice what you have learnt, by completing Activity Sheet Six.