Comprehending Texts Teacher Resources

Students summarize nonfiction text. After reviewing the correct way to read in order to summarize, students independently read a nonfiction article. They write a summary paragraph using the three step-process outlined by the instructor...

Students comprehend written text by teaching them how to think about the events in a story as they read. They make storyboards of their own. They need to make sure they put the events on the storyboard in the proper order.

Students practice the strategy of locating the topic sentence in a paragraph to increase their understanding of text as well as becoming better readers. They view and locate the topic sentence in paragraph 3, page 107, from "All About...

Young scholars explore human migration. In this human migration lesson, students investigate multiple factors contributing to the growth of major Arizona cities.  Young scholars discover the processes, patterns, and functions of...

Fourth graders label maps of Arizona and Mexico to show the people, goods, and ideas that have moved between the two places. In this Arizona and Mexico lesson plan, 4th graders summarize the effects of the movement on Arizona life.

Students create a layered book about the information they learn about the Western region of the United States. In this Western states lesson plan, students create a book about the land, economy, and culture.

Students explore how construction of a dam on the Gila River affected the lifestyle of Pima Indians. For this social studies lesson, students locate the Gila River and the Coolidge Dam. Students record dates on a timeline and discuss how...

Fifth graders practice making inferences on various types of reading material. As a class, they develop a definition of the word "theme" and discuss themes for some of their favorite stories. They use the context of the reading...

Students watch a video about a tall tale and list ten elements of a tall tale that they noticed in the movie. They begin with a KWL chart, and complete it as the movie and discussion progresses.

Second graders express emotions. In this personal health lesson plan, 2nd graders demonstrate how to express emotions and feelings in a positive manner, without hurting oneself or others.

Students explore the events and reactions surrounding the Dust Bowl crisis during the 1930's. They discuss how the events of the Great Depression affected America's democracy and how it transformed America.

Students investigate the benefits of rereading books to increase reading fluency and comprehension in this lesson. They practice saying site words orally as quickly as they can. They then work with a partner reading a story multiple...

Students research the journey west of 19th century emigrants. In this pioneer lesson, students read the letters and diaries of a fictitious family traveling on the Oregon Trail. They mark their route on a US map, create a chart showing...

Students read about the history and locate dams in Arizona. In this Arizona dams lesson plan, students write a summary about what they read focusing on word choice, ideas, conventions, and geography content.

Third graders examine good sentence structure and identify the subjects and predicates in a variety of sentences. They read the sentences on a handout and evaluate them for their structure, highlight the subjects and predicates, and...

Students read newspaper articles. In this social studies instructional activity, students locate the latitude and longitude of the location where the news article takes place. Students write a summary of the news article.

Students explore river routes. In this social studies lesson, students trace the route of a river from its source and discuss the Continental Divide. Students draw the route the river takes and name the states it flows through. Students...

Students make a brochure for Flagstaff, Arizona. For this geography lesson, students look at a map of Arizona and the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce sheet to find natural and human features of the city. They create a brochure describing...

Sixth graders read a given passage silently. The student then reads the same passage orally to a partner. The partner records the number of words pronounced incorrectly. The student then sets goals to increase oral reading speed and...

Students write paragraphs that compare and contrast the geographical characteristics of Arizona and the Southwest region. In this geographical characteristics lesson plan, students complete a diagram and discuss how Arizona differs from...

Students research the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. In this Gettysburg lesson, students analyze journals and letters written by the Gettysburg soldiers. Students define Civil War soldier vocabulary words. Students compare and...

Learners examine nonfiction text elements in preparation for writing a nonfiction book about Lewis and Clark. In this social studies/language arts lesson, students discuss the term research and complete a cluster map. Additionally,...

Learners explore the evolution of a town. In this social studies lesson, students discuss why Georgetown and the Georgetown Loop Railroad were developed and discuss life as a prospector. Learners write a letter explaining what life is...

Student increase their reading fluency through the use of various strategies. After reviewing chunking and decoding, students complete an initial read of a novel text. Working with the instructor, they complete a read of their passage to...