A short explanation of the importance of using precise word choice in writing and using context clues to help you understand the meaning of precise words when reading. Click on Model to for an example with explanation and then click on...

A short explanation of informational text structures. Follow links for more information on: chronological text structure, comparison and contrast text structure, cause and effect text structure, and problem and solution text structure....

A short explanation of using reasons and evidence as supporting details. Click the link to see a model of how to identify reasons and evidence in an informational text. Click on the Model button on the bottom right to see a model.

This professional development video is instructed by the National Reading Consultant, Marisa Russo. She provides explanations about what makes a complex text, why text complexity is important, and techniques to help student access...

One important aspect of the common core is to prepare students to be able to participate in conversations and contribute accurate and relevant information. In this lesson, students listening skills will evolve as they translate verbal...

A 7-instructional activity unit where students critically analyze how a film adaptation portrays a novel to see what impact it had on the retell of the story. They then design a movie DVD cover and write a DVD insert based on what they...

Find a rationale, practices and strategies, and resources for incorporating writing in all areas of the curriculum. Learn how to write clear assignments and some methods to make grading of writing more efficient and effective....

Well-integrated sources build credibility in several ways: Source material adds evidence and support to your argument, the signal phrase highlights the reputation and qualifications of the source, and effective citation makes it easy for...

This unit uses first- and second-hand accounts to explore the life of Ruby Bridges and revolves around the book "Through My Eyes" by Ruby Bridges. This detailed lesson includes a full literacy unit, tips for small group and independent...

Today we are picking apart this story and discussing it in great detail so that we can set the foundation for our comparing and contrasting activity on our Day 3 lesson plan.

This table offers 50 or so common roots, prefixes, and suffixes, their definitions, and sample words in the content areas. L.9-10.4b Patterns/word changes

Teachers often find the Holocaust to be an overwhelming subject to approach with their students. While the Holocaust offers important lessons to today's students, it can be a difficult to find the appropriate amount of information to...

[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage discusses the processes of weathering and erosion, along with their effects. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and...

This tutorial focuses on choosing credible sources for a research project. It offers two versions of a slideshow: a non-audio slideshow and an audio slideshow which explains the information as it is shown. They each define terms, offer...

This lesson focuses on building credibility by properly integrating source materials. It discusses three ways of improving credibility through integration, provides an example, and a practice exercise. SL.9-10.2 eval & integrate...

Contains many points to consider when analyzing someone's arguments and evidence, such as the hidden assumptions, cultural assumptions, and testability. Each is explained in a short paragraph with a link to additional discussions on...

The advantages to incorporating visuals into a multimedia presentation are explained. SL.9-10.5 Audio Visuals. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.5, SL.11-12.5 Audio Visuals

In this Boundless Communication, students will learn about the importance of credibility in public speaking. There are four sections: defining credibility, types and elements of credibility, building credibility, and ethical usage....

This lesson is a workshop for writers. This idea was taken from the Ralph Fletcher book: What a Writer Needs. Learners create a character, either real or fictional, and place that character in a scene in order to write about their...

This slideshow focuses on supporting details; it discusses their purpose, the audience, and the point to be made. It lists the five most common types of supporting details: facts, statistics, opinions, examples, and personal observations...

This slideshow tutorial focuses on adjusting writing style to fit the audience. It looks at audience characteristics and discusses how to adapt the vocabulary, sentence style, and tone to fit them. It provides an example using the topic...

This lesson allows middle schoolers to compare and contrast print text structure with that of an online site. Students work together and use worksheets in comprehending the informational text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.7 Conduct short...

A lesson plan in which students read short texts and sort them according to purpose: persuade, inform, entertain, and explain. Materials are included. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.6

This is a research-based article concerning how to best teach academic vocabulary. Research finds that most teachers assign and mention vocabulary, but to be effective, instruction must be direct and meaningful. Recommendations for...