Technical Reading
English Language Arts 4 - Module 25
Lesson Overview
We read different kinds of texts every day — stories, articles, directions, and even recipes. Some texts give us facts and information instead of telling a story. These are called informational texts. In this lesson, you’ll learn about technical reading — reading that helps you understand how something works, how something happened, or how to do something. You’ll also learn how to find important information in historical, scientific, and technical texts, and how to summarize them in your own words.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify different types of informational texts;
- Use simple strategies to read and understand historical and scientific texts;
- Summarize a short passage in your own words.
What is Technical Reading?
Technical reading means reading texts that give directions, explain how things work, or share facts. These texts are used in science, history, and technology.
I. Types of Information
When you read technical or informational texts, you will find different types of information. These help you understand how things work, look, or happen in the real world.
Technical texts can include many kinds of information. Here are the main ones in the next slide.
Technical texts can include many kinds of information. Here are the main ones:
II. Reading Strategies for Historical and Scientific Texts
Good readers use strategies to understand what they read — especially when the text is full of facts, dates, and steps.
Here are 5 easy strategies:
Click each arrow for its meaning
Preview the text
Look at the title, pictures, and headings before you start.
Look for key words
Pay attention to names, numbers, and bold words.
Ask questions
What is this about? Why did it happen?
Think about what you already know about the topic.
Make connections
After reading, tell the main idea and a few details in your own words.
Summarize
🟩 Example: Text: “In 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.” Key words: 1969, Neil Armstrong, first man, moon Question: What did he do in 1969? Summary: “Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon in 1969.”
example: The dog barked loudly at the mailman.
III. Summarizing Technical Texts
When you summarize, you make a short version of what you read that still includes the main idea and important facts.
How to summarize:
- Read carefully and find the main idea (What is it mostly about?)
- Pick out key facts or steps that are important.
- Use your own words to make it shorter.
- Leave out examples or small details that aren’t needed.
Here are some examples:
Example 1: Text: “Electricity is energy that powers machines. It is created from motion, light, or heat.” Summary: “Electricity is energy made from motion, light, or heat that powers machines.”
How to summari:
Example 2: Text: “Plants use sunlight, water, and air to make their own food. This process is called photosynthesis.” Summary: “Plants make food using sunlight, water, and air in a process called photosynthesis.”
Example 3: Text: “The heart pumps blood through the body. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients to help us stay healthy.” Summary: “The heart sends blood with oxygen and nutrients all over the body.”
Let's Practice:
Read the short passage below carefully and answer the questions. Click each questions for possible answer.
What is the main idea of this passage?
“Marie Curie discovered two new elements, polonium and radium. She worked hard in her lab and helped people understand how radiation could be used in medicine.”
The main idea is that Marie Curie made important scientific discoveries that helped medicine.
Write a one-sentence summary in your own words.
Which reading strategy can help you understand this better?
Marie Curie discovered new elements and used her work to help people through science and medicine.
I can look for key words like “discovered,” “elements,” and “medicine” to understand what the passage is about.
Technical reading helps us understand the world around us, from how things work to why events happen. By using reading strategies, looking for types of information, and summarizing what you learn, you can become a stronger reader in science, history, and beyond!
Good Job!
See you in the next class!
Module 25: Technical Reading
Joshua
Created on October 9, 2025
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Transcript
Technical Reading
English Language Arts 4 - Module 25
Lesson Overview
We read different kinds of texts every day — stories, articles, directions, and even recipes. Some texts give us facts and information instead of telling a story. These are called informational texts. In this lesson, you’ll learn about technical reading — reading that helps you understand how something works, how something happened, or how to do something. You’ll also learn how to find important information in historical, scientific, and technical texts, and how to summarize them in your own words.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
What is Technical Reading?
Technical reading means reading texts that give directions, explain how things work, or share facts. These texts are used in science, history, and technology.
I. Types of Information
When you read technical or informational texts, you will find different types of information. These help you understand how things work, look, or happen in the real world.
Technical texts can include many kinds of information. Here are the main ones in the next slide.
Technical texts can include many kinds of information. Here are the main ones:
II. Reading Strategies for Historical and Scientific Texts
Good readers use strategies to understand what they read — especially when the text is full of facts, dates, and steps.
Here are 5 easy strategies:
Click each arrow for its meaning
Preview the text
Look at the title, pictures, and headings before you start.
Look for key words
Pay attention to names, numbers, and bold words.
Ask questions
What is this about? Why did it happen?
Think about what you already know about the topic.
Make connections
After reading, tell the main idea and a few details in your own words.
Summarize
🟩 Example: Text: “In 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.” Key words: 1969, Neil Armstrong, first man, moon Question: What did he do in 1969? Summary: “Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon in 1969.”
example: The dog barked loudly at the mailman.
III. Summarizing Technical Texts
When you summarize, you make a short version of what you read that still includes the main idea and important facts.
How to summarize:
Here are some examples:
Example 1: Text: “Electricity is energy that powers machines. It is created from motion, light, or heat.” Summary: “Electricity is energy made from motion, light, or heat that powers machines.”
How to summari:
Example 2: Text: “Plants use sunlight, water, and air to make their own food. This process is called photosynthesis.” Summary: “Plants make food using sunlight, water, and air in a process called photosynthesis.”
Example 3: Text: “The heart pumps blood through the body. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients to help us stay healthy.” Summary: “The heart sends blood with oxygen and nutrients all over the body.”
Let's Practice:
Read the short passage below carefully and answer the questions. Click each questions for possible answer.
What is the main idea of this passage?
“Marie Curie discovered two new elements, polonium and radium. She worked hard in her lab and helped people understand how radiation could be used in medicine.”
The main idea is that Marie Curie made important scientific discoveries that helped medicine.
Write a one-sentence summary in your own words.
Which reading strategy can help you understand this better?
Marie Curie discovered new elements and used her work to help people through science and medicine.
I can look for key words like “discovered,” “elements,” and “medicine” to understand what the passage is about.
Technical reading helps us understand the world around us, from how things work to why events happen. By using reading strategies, looking for types of information, and summarizing what you learn, you can become a stronger reader in science, history, and beyond!
Good Job!
See you in the next class!