An interactive activity that practices determining relationships between events and concepts.

An automated lesson will engage student's learning how to describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text. An introduction to the concept precedes a...

A 10-page handout that explains clearly what text structure is and four different types, with accompanying examples. Different types are then presented along with two pieces of informational text and a modeled analysis, then two other...

In this lesson, 5th graders learn how to identify a generalization in a text so that they can then spot lies or inaccuracies. Includes downloadable workbook with a generalization activity on page 53.

In this lesson, 5th graders analyze two nonfiction passages on Christopher Columbus to determine facts and author's bias and its influence on the readers.

Numerous links related to analyzing text structures are provided on this site. Lesson plans, PowerPoint slides, graphic organizers, rubrics, and quizzes related to text structures are also provided to support students while analyzing...

Read about strategies to help students integrate information across diverse media formats. Includes video. [4:18]

In this lesson, students will examine the ways in which a magazine cover's headlines and graphics express the main ideas of its articles. They will then use an interactive tool to create covers that summarize chapters of informational...

This resource from Kim's Korner for Teacher Talk defines various patterns of text organization and provides a brief essay example of each pattern.

A lesson plan in which students read a text and record the main ideas and supporting details on one of the graphic organizers provided. Materials are included. [PDF]

A lesson plan in which students read a text a complete a graphic organizer to identify the main ideas and supporting details. Materials are included.

A lesson plan in which learners look through a book to identify text features and complete a graphic organizer. Materials are included.

During this instructional activity learners begin to identify the main idea of a story they read or hear. Students use graphic organizers to discover the main idea of The Carrot Seed, by Ruth Krauss, and Marsupial Sue, by John Lithgow.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Lesson uses Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert to teach students to use picture cues and initial word sounds to identify unknown words. Ideas for direct teaching, guided practice, and independent...

Read a passage to discover how to retell a story then practice what you've learned.

This site provides many pictures of turn-of-the-century Newport, Rhode Island and a brief description of each.

Let the power of imagination and inference serve as a "time machine" to bring Benjamin Franklin into the classroom! History and science come to life in a dialogue with Franklin the inventor, developed through lesson activities that...

Lesson that attempts to help younger students understand and identify with Martin Luther King, Jr. through reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities. Encourages students to attempt to live out King's "Dream," in their own lives.

Critical thinking, comprehension and analysis skills are the focus of this physical activity. Good beginning to teaching different ways of looking at things.

Get an example of how to identify an author's main idea in a text on this site. Also, learn how to recognize supporting ideas to main ideas presented in a text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.2

Reading unit plan about endangered animals from the New South Wales, Australia, Department of Education and Training entitled "One World" (Forty-four page PDF file). It contains ten days worth of teaching suggestions that use a variety...

Read about six different ways to determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases, and follow the links to get more information on each way. Includes practice worksheets. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4

[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about different types of March weather including: clouds, blizzards, thunder, lightning, and rainbows. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in cause and effect.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about rebuilding after a disaster. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in comparing and contrasting.