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 PopulationsThe 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 Historical Detective Work What types of informational text is the teacher using?

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.

ENGAGE Characteristics of Informational Text Use the “6/3 Shifts” chart, 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 ColumbusRead, Write, Think MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: New York Times, The Learning Network – Current Events – click on “Lesson Plan” iconCurrent Events C-E-R Article Analysis Template – to use with Mandela article C-E-R Article Analysis Template Complete the Chart on your Agenda: Describe one new way you could incorporate this lesson-type into your practice. CONNECT Informational 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 ClassroomVisual Literacy, Ch. 3, Media Literacy in the K-12 Classroom REVIEW: Visual LiteracyVisual Literacy VIEW: Visual Literacy Across the CurriculumVisual 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? CONNECT Another way to connect with Informational Text…What does this LOOK like? Popular Graphic Arts, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs, LC-USZC

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 HistorianRead Like a Historian Economics Council for Economic Education – ResourcesCouncil for Economic Education – Resources Informational Text Strategies - K-5 Teaching & Learning StrategiesK-5 Teaching & Learning Strategies 2009 National Council for Social Studies Ways to teach about informational literacyWays to teach about informational literacy Harvard Graduate School of Education Artful Thinking Artful Thinking Macomb ISD Reading Strategies and Writing Stragegies Reading StrategiesWriting Stragegies ReadWriteThink K-12 Lessons Keyword Search Social Studies Keyword 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