Article
CommonLit

Common Lit: "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Changing America" by Barbara Radner

For Students 4th - 6th
This is an informational article about how Martin Luther King Jr. worked toward changing America in the 1950s and 1960s. It includes a short bio of Dr. King and a reading purpose: As you read, take notes on the problems that African...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: After 40 Years, the Complete Pentagon Papers

For Students 9th - 10th
The Pentagon Papers are a history of United States' political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967. In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg released portions of the documents to the press. Forty years later, the complete set of...
Interactive
Other

Umuc: Secrets of My Research Success

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This 35-minute interactive tutorial models the research process via the story of Quentin, a UMUC student. It takes him through the various research process steps: understand how to locate background information on his topic by showing...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: A Thief Dines Out, Hoping Later to Eat in by Rick Bragg

For Students 9th - 10th
For most people, the threat of jail is enough to convince them to abide by society's laws. But for Gangaram Mahes, the promise of jail time is what prompts his criminal activity. In this New York Times article, Rick Bragg discusses why...
Handout
Other

Tonmo: Architeuthis Reproduction

For Students 9th - 10th
TONMO, the Octopus News Magazine Online, takes a close look at the giant squid, including its basic anatomy and behavior. This detailed account is supplemented with numerous photographs of actual giant squid.
Activity
FNO Press

Fno.org: Inspired Investigations

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
An article at From Now On about how to help students do better research by changing the focus of research assignments and teaching students to ask essential questions. Some suggestions include using mind mapping, and using Inspiration to...
Article
Leaf Group

E How: How to Write a Talking Points Paper

For Students 11th - 12th Standards
This article by Byron Walsh focuses on writing a talking points paper for a public speaker which consists of researched, accurate information provided in bulleted lists with follow up sentences on specific topics.
Article
Story Behind the Science

Story Behind the Science: Ice Ages, an Alien Idea [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Article describing the scientific evolution of theories about the ice ages and glaciation. The international efforts of scientists are noted, as well as the influence of societal mores on how long it would generally take for new ideas to...
Unit Plan
C-SPAN

C Span Classroom: Immigration Reform

For Students 9th - 10th
Learning module and lesson plan on the challenges of creating immigration policy. Includes all the materials students need for a well-informed opinion on immigration reform, C-SPAN video with background information, related articles,...