Welcome to an exploration of some of the most effective critical reading tools available for English Language Arts (ELA) in secondary education. These tools are designed to enhance the learning experience by providing diverse resources that cater to various reading levels and learning needs. Let’s dive into three standout resources: Newsela, Think Circa, and Actively Learn.
Newsela is a versatile platform that aligns well with the Common Core’s emphasis on nonfiction. It offers a wide array of high-interest nonfiction articles, each tailored to different reading levels. This adaptability ensures that all students, regardless of their reading proficiency, can engage with the material. Newsela also includes assessment questions, making it an excellent tool for formative assessments.
One of the key features of Newsela is its customization options. Educators can align articles with their school’s writing process and instructional goals. For instance, teachers can prompt students to highlight vocabulary words or main ideas and add writing prompts to guide their responses. This approach allows for immediate, constructive feedback, fostering a supportive learning environment.
Think Circa offers high-quality nonfiction articles that are always free, making it a valuable resource for lesson planning. A notable feature of Think Circa is its audio options, which are particularly beneficial for students who struggle with reading or for English language learners. By listening to the articles, these students can still participate in the learning process and engage with the assessment components.
Actively Learn stands out by combining both fiction and nonfiction resources. It includes features such as vocabulary integration and primary source materials, enhancing the depth of learning. Educators can upload their own files and customize them to suit their students’ needs. The platform’s feedback system is based on proficiency levels, helping students track their progress and understand their learning journey.
These tools are just a few examples of the resources available to educators seeking to enrich their ELA curriculum. I highly recommend exploring Graphite, a free resource that helps educators discover valuable apps and websites for their classrooms. By creating an account, following other educators, and contributing reviews, you can join a community dedicated to sharing and enhancing educational resources.
Thank you for your interest in these critical reading tools. I hope this information proves useful in your educational endeavors!
Delve into Newsela’s customization options by selecting an article and adjusting its reading level to suit your proficiency. Highlight key vocabulary and main ideas, then create a short writing prompt based on the article. Share your insights with peers and discuss how these features can enhance classroom engagement.
Choose a nonfiction article from Think Circa and listen to the audio version. Reflect on how the audio support aids your understanding of the text. Consider how this feature could benefit English language learners or students with reading difficulties, and discuss your thoughts in a group setting.
Utilize Actively Learn to design a lesson plan that incorporates both fiction and nonfiction elements. Upload a document of your choice and integrate vocabulary exercises and comprehension questions. Present your lesson plan to classmates and gather feedback on its effectiveness and engagement potential.
Create an account on Graphite and explore its resources. Follow other educators and contribute a review of one of the critical reading tools discussed. Share your experience with the platform and discuss how being part of this community can enhance your professional development.
Organize a peer review session where you and your classmates present the critical reading tools you explored. Provide constructive feedback on each other’s presentations, focusing on how effectively the tools can be integrated into the ELA curriculum. Use this session to refine your understanding and application of these resources.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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My name is Michelle Norman, and I’m a high school teacher in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, which is about an hour and a half drive from here. I am not employed by Common Sense Media or Graphite.org; I am a regular classroom teacher like most of you. As our earlier poll suggested, I believe strongly in what Graphite does for educators, so when they asked me to come in and do a quick 15-minute session with you, I had to say yes. It was definitely worth the trip.
Today, we are going to look at some of the best critical reading resources for English Language Arts in secondary schools. The three resources I will discuss are Newsela, Think Circa, and Actively Learn. Most of these resources have free versions, but some may require additional subscriptions.
I won’t walk you through all the details of how to use these resources, but I will provide some case usage examples for how you can incorporate them into your teaching when you return to school in the fall.
First, let’s talk about Newsela. We know that Common Core emphasizes nonfiction, which is a shift for those of us who have been teaching English Language Arts for a while. Newsela does a great job of providing high-interest nonfiction articles that are tailored to different reading levels. This means that lower-level readers can access articles that meet their needs, while higher-level readers can be challenged.
Newsela also includes assessment questions, which serve as great formative assessments. You can use these articles for independent activities or revisit them as a class if you find something particularly relevant. One of the best features of Newsela is its customization options. You can align the resources with your school’s writing process and specific instructional goals.
For example, I can ask students to highlight vocabulary words or main ideas, and I can add writing prompts to guide their responses. This allows me to provide immediate, constructive feedback without being overly critical.
Next, let’s discuss Think Circa. This resource provides high-quality nonfiction articles that are always free, which is fantastic for planning. Think Circa also offers audio options, which can be especially helpful for students who struggle with reading or for English language learners. They can listen to the articles and still engage with the assessment components.
Finally, I want to talk about Actively Learn. This platform combines fiction and nonfiction resources and includes features like vocabulary integration and primary source materials. It allows you to upload your own files and customize them for your students. The feedback system is based on proficiency levels, which helps students understand their progress.
In conclusion, I highly recommend checking out Graphite. It’s a free resource that helps educators find valuable apps and websites for their classrooms. I encourage you to create an account, follow others, and contribute reviews to help build a community of educators sharing valuable resources.
Thank you for your time, and I hope you found this information helpful!
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This version maintains the core message while removing any informal language and personal anecdotes that may not be necessary for the main points.
Critical – Involving careful judgment or evaluation, especially in the context of analyzing information or arguments. – Developing critical thinking skills is essential for students to effectively analyze and evaluate complex texts.
Reading – The process of interpreting written language to extract meaning and gain understanding. – Reading academic journals regularly can enhance a student’s comprehension and analytical skills.
Tools – Resources or instruments used to enhance learning, analysis, or productivity. – Digital tools like citation managers and note-taking apps are invaluable for organizing research materials efficiently.
Nonfiction – A genre of literature that is based on facts, real events, and real people, such as biography or history. – Nonfiction books provide students with factual information and insights into various subjects, aiding in their academic growth.
Educators – Individuals who provide instruction or education; teachers or instructors. – Educators play a crucial role in fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages critical thinking and inquiry.
Vocabulary – The set of words within a language that are familiar to a person or group. – Expanding one’s vocabulary is fundamental to improving both written and verbal communication skills.
Resources – Materials or assets that can be used to support learning and development. – Online libraries and databases are excellent resources for students conducting academic research.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Continuous learning is vital for professionals to stay updated with the latest advancements in their field.
Assessments – Methods or tools used to evaluate, measure, and document the academic readiness, learning progress, or skill acquisition of students. – Formative assessments help educators identify areas where students may need additional support or instruction.
Engagement – The level of interest, enthusiasm, and commitment that students show towards their learning activities. – Interactive teaching methods can significantly increase student engagement and participation in the classroom.
