Article provides excellent tips and strategies for building comprehension and critical thinking skills in Social Studies. It describes some of the challenges students have with reading and understanding their textbooks.

This activity and discussion guide uses the book "Picture Day Perfect" to teach multiple common core state standards for language arts. Included in this instructional activity are discussion questions, a craft project, printable...

A short explanation of how summarize an informational text. Click on the Model link to see an example summary with explanation.

A short explanation of the difference between a firsthand account and a secondhand account.

This series of four video segments features a social studies teacher and a chemistry teacher demonstrating the integration of academic vocabulary into their classrooms. These segments feature the incorporation of general vocabulary (Tier...

This is a complete study guide for the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee including chapter-by-chapter guided reading questions (aligned to specific Common Core Standards), discussion questions, various writing prompts, and...

Here is a collection of our common core aligned worksheets for core standard L.1.6. A brief description of the worksheets is on each of the worksheet widgets. Click on the images to view, download, or print them. All worksheets are free...

Students in Grades 4 through 8 will benefit from these research skills activities. This resource provides several learning activities and tips. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7 Conduct short research projects

At this site from the University of Edinburgh, the author claims that planning and control produce good communication. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.1

Integrating speaking and listening builds a positive classroom community with less bullying, increased self-confidence, and greater independence, along with the ability to work with all students. This article gives ideas for projects or...

Twig lives as a sky pirate alongside his famous father, Cloud Wolf, until the Stormchaser is damaged due to Twig's inexperience. A furious Cloud Wolf leaves Twig behind on their next quest for the sacred material stormphrax. Not knowing...

Explicitly teach a collection of competencies that will help students think through, think about, and think with pictures.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A site with links to 6 lessons that can be downloaded and printed for student use while building skills with standard SL.4.1.B: Follow agreed upon rules for discussion and carry out assigned roles.

Links to 57 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard SL.4.1b: Follow agreed upon rules for discussion and carry out assigned roles.

Links to 36 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard SL.4.1a: Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to...

What kinds of evidence best support the points you make in a paper? Where can you find the evidence you need? This handout answers all these questions and more, including the difference between primary and secondary sources. You'll also...

Extensive examination of the Modern Language Association (MLA) format of writing papers, making reference to the works of others, citations, and notes. W.9-10.8 Sources, L.9-10.3a Standard Format; CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.8 Gather...

Extensive information on how to use the American Psychological Association (APA) format for citations. Information is provided on general format, referring to other works, reference list, notes, and examples in the APA format. W.9-10.8...

This in-depth article analyzes how teachers can effectively teach students that written language does not always correspond to spoken language. Sample lesson ideas are included. SL.9-10.6 Adapt to task/formal. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.1,...

Moving away from the fantasy worlds of video games, No Way draws middle schoolers into a compelling real-life scenario in which they are editorial interns at a science-themed website. This classroom activity on electricity offers a fun...

In this science-themed literacy lesson, students read for and differentiate between qualitative and quantitative information.

In this science-themed literacy lesson, students learn how to read for and differentiate between qualitative and quantitative information.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about a meteor that fell to Earth in 2013 and the witnesses who documented it. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

A definition of theme or central idea along with a link to a practice activity. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.2