Table of Contents Teacher Resources

The front of a book matters, especially when doing research. And one of the most important pages found at the front of a book, especially informational text books and nonfiction books, is the Table of Contents. By checking the Table of Contents, researchers can quickly determine if a particular text has what they are looking for.

It’s never too early to introduce learners to the parts of a book. A worksheet that illustrates the Table of Contents for a book about space is a great way for primary graders to explore text features. Second and third graders use the Table of Contents for a book about deserts to find answers to questions posed by the teacher or discuss the differences between nonfiction and fiction text features.

Activities, lessons, and materials for older students are designed to show learners how to use the Table of Contents as a comprehension tool. Whatever your subject area, a great way to introduce your textbook is to model how to use your text’s Table of Contents.