Tools for Teachers:
Connecting Social Studies and the CCSS Informational Text
Session Objectives
As a result of this session, participants will…
• EXPLORE informational text• ENGAGE in identifying characteristics of
informational text• CONNECT informational text to classroom practice• REFLECT on how informational text impacts
teaching and learning
EXPLORE:How do we engage students using informational text in our
current practice?
Use the Characteristics worksheet you printed in the last lesson – add 3 to 4 characteristics on the worksheet.
Read the article and answer the question that follows:• ARTICLE: The Power
of Non-fiction: Using Informational Text to Support Literacy in Special Populations
• After reviewing the article, how does this clarify or enhance your definition of “informational text?”
View the lesson and answer the question that follows:• Historical Detective Work, Teaching
Channel Video
• What types of informational text is the teacherusing?
Watch the following video and answer the questions that follow:
1. What does “balancing informational text” mean?
2. What does it look like in the classroom?
3. What strategies could I use to build success with informational texts?
4. What challenges will I face as I build student confidence with informational text?
EXPLORE:How do we engage students using informational text in our
current practice?
Engage NY video - CLICK HERE
Use the Characteristics worksheet. Identify and Circle 3 characteristics for this learning session – on your agenda.
ENGAGECharacteristics of Informational Text
Use the “6/3 Shifts” chart, Video
Inquiry Group
Discussing Non-Fiction
1Text-
Based
2Build
Knowledge
3Write frm Sources
4Complex
Reflect on HOW you will incorporate the ideas viewed into your practice.
SAMPLE Literacy lessons at the grade bands:• ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Read, Write, Think – keyword search, Christopher Columbus
• MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: New York Times, The Learning Network – Current Events – click on “Lesson Plan” icon
• C-E-R Article Analysis Template – to use with Mandela article
Complete the Chart on your Agenda: Describe one new way you could incorporate this lesson-type into your practice.
CONNECTInformational Text to Classroom Practice
New York Times, The Learning Network – Current Events
Connecting ideas, read articles:
• READ: Visual Literacy, Ch. 3, Media Literacy in the K-12 Classroom
• REVIEW: Visual Literacy
• VIEW: Visual Literacy Across the Curriculum
• What ideas are connected in the graphic to the left?
How would this information benefit how you use visuals during classroom instrution?
CONNECTAnother way to connect with Informational Text…What does
this LOOK like?
Popular Graphic Arts, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs, LC-USZC2-2373
Using the Tools learned in this Module –
Identify ways instruction around Informational text is relevant to your teaching.Where will you begin to incorporate lessons learned?What support do you need to get started?
Time to Reflect
• Stanford Read Like a Historian• Economics
Council for Economic Education – Resources
• Informational Text Strategies - K-5 Teaching & Learning Strategies
• 2009 National Council for Social Studies Ways to teach about informational literacy
• Harvard Graduate School of Education Artful Thinking
• Macomb ISD Reading Strategies and Writing Stragegies
• ReadWriteThink K-12 LessonsKeyword Search Social Studies
Additional Resources
We would like to thank the following partners & contributors:
• MAISA – Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators, General Education Leadership Network (GELN) Project
• REMC Association of Michigan – Regional Educational Media Center for the funding of this project
• The Aspen Institute – PowerPoint graphics
• Teaching with Midwest Region – for the content references
CREDITS