National Math + Science Initative
Reading an Informational Text: "It All Started with Sputnik"
Sputnik was one of the greatest scientific advancements of the 1950s, and this reading lesson does it justice. Pupils start off with pre-reading questions and a video. They then read an excerpt from an article, which is accompanied by...
EngageNY
Close Reading of Bullfrog at Magnolia Circle: Main Ideas about the Bullfrog
As your class reaches the end of the book Bullfrog at Magnolia Circle, the seventh lesson in this literary unit helps third graders transition from reading narrative to expository writing. Scholars develop their note-taking skills as...
PBS
Reading Adventure Pack: Animals
Scholars explore the animal kingdom with help from two texts, Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey and A Bed for the Winter by Karen Wallace. The literature and informational text set the learning stage for thoughtful discussion and...
Curated OER
A Pill with a View
Learners brainstorm a list of potential uses for micro-video technologies. After reading an article, they analyze the development of a new pill-sized camera. In groups, they create a children's book that shows them the various systems of...
Thoughtful Education Press
Compare and Contrast
Encourage readers to compare and contrast the information that they find in informational text with a variety of reading passages and worksheets. Learners read all about subjects in science, social studies, and literature before...
National Park Service
Hibernation-Migration-Fascination
What's the difference between hibernation and a good nap? Find out with an engaging life science activity that compares the hibernation habits of grizzly bears and marmots. After learners read an informational passage about each mammal,...
Curated OER
Butterfly, Butterfly: Teaching Vocabulary
Kindergarteners practice new words through listening to and reading the science book Butterfly by Jenny Feely. The teacher will first choose words that are essential for understanding the text. Then, using pictures in the text, pupils...
Curated OER
Fungus Among Us- Non-Fiction Reading Comprehension Worksheet
In this fungus non-fiction reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 3 page selection that describes the characteristics and life of fungi. They answer 10 questions based on the reading which include true or false, multiple...
Curated OER
Insects
It's a fact: kids love bugs! With this instructional activity, young learners explore reading informational texts and conducting research while learning about their favorite insects. Spark learners' interest by reading a book about one...
Conneticut Department of Education
Instructional Strategies That Facilitate Learning Across Content Areas
Imagine 28 instructional strategies, appropriate for all subject areas and all grade levels. Directed Reading-Thinking Activities (DRTA), Question-Answer Relationship (QAR) activities, KWL charts, comparison matrixes, classification...
Curated OER
Pumpkins
Observe the differences between the inside and outside of a pumpkin. Learners discuss what pumpkins are used for and then view a pumpkin. Next, they view the inside of the pumpkin and draw the differences they see.
Curated OER
Non-Fiction Read-aloud
Students listen to the reading of a book about the area of science they are currently studying.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Attitude Determines Altitude
A fabulous lesson which combines mathematics with space science. Middle schoolers work in cooperative groups in order to research early astronauts and their accomplishments. They look at a variety of rocket and space shuttle designs, and...
Curated OER
Jane Goodall
Young scholars read about Jane Goodall and complete discussion questions after they read about her. In this Jane Goodall lesson plan, students discuss questions as a group or write answers individually.
Curated OER
Inventing and Presenting Unit 1: Analyzing Nonfiction and Inventing Solutions
Middle schoolers read about and identify patterns in the invention process. Students discuss and write about information learned from research. Middle schoolers compile a list of problems, choose one, write a problem statement, and...
Curated OER
Nocturnal vs. Diurnal Animals
First graders identify nocturnal and diurnal animals. In this animal lesson, 1st graders discuss the differences between animals that are active during the day and those that are active at night. Students write summaries about their...
Curated OER
Colorado Animals Newsletter and Directed Web Page
Students select a Colorado animal, develop a Directed Web page, and research their animal. Each member of the group combine their research and develop a Newsletter.
National First Ladies' Library
A Crippling Cough: Tuberculosis on a Rampage
Students use problem solving skills to examine symptoms, causes, and treatment of tuberculosis in modern times and in early 1900s. Students read patient case, work in teams to diagnose illness, and conduct Internet research to confirm...
Curated OER
I love penguins!
Students listen to stories and view video about penguins. In this penguins lesson, students research penguins in groups and present a report using their choice of technology or artwork presentation.
Curated OER
Wild Animal Investigation - Habitat Diorama
Students research wild animals in cooperative groups and use their information to construct habitat dioramas. They demonstrate competence in using different information sources, including those of a technical nature, to accomplish...
Curated OER
Identifying Clouds
Students work in groups to research and prepare a report on cloud types. They present their findings to the class and take a group quiz competing for points. Students go outside and determine which type of clouds are visible on that day.
Curated OER
Graphic Organizers Aid Comprehension
Students create story webs to aid comprehension of ecosystems. For this reading strategies lesson, students discover the importance of organizing information while reading a nonfiction text. Students produce story webs to communicate...
Curated OER
Because of Winn Dixie: Water Management Practices
Fourth graders read the book Because of Winn Dixie and define the characters, setting, and plot. In this Winn Dixie lesson plan, 4th graders also identify quality water management techniques addressed in the story.
Curated OER
Plant Diversity
In this nonfiction comprehension worksheet, students read the selection on plant diversity and answer 10 questions that include true/false, short answer, multiple choice, and fill in the blank.