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articles

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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leveled texts

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Improve your students' reading comprehension with ReadWorks. Access thousands of high-quality, free K-12 articles, and create online assignments with them for your students.

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IXL | Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish

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IXL is the world's most popular subscription-based learning site for K-12. Used by over 6 million students, IXL provides unlimited practice in more than 7,000 topics, covering math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. Interactive questions, awards, and certificates keep kids motivated as they master skills.

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Please allow me to briefly swoon over ﻿Newsela.﻿ Newsela offers high interest, current event articles at FIVE different reading levels. Meaning,

your students can all be reading the same article, but they are reading it at a level that is right for them! There are thousands of articles on the site and many of them even have quizzes that students can take after the quiz.
Basic Newsela is FREE and is seriously amazing. There is a PRO version that has some really neat extra features. Click HERE to see a comparison of the two.
My students LOVE Newsela and actually beg to use it in class. I cannot say enough good things about this site and its fascinating articles.

How is this free?! If you haven't been here, you are in for a treat. You need to create a FREE account and them you have access to thousands of reading passages, corresponding questions, and even lesson plans! The best part? You can search by skill, type of text, and reading level. Every time that I go on this site, I find something new. Spend some time checking out their resources. You won't regret it!Recently, they have also created a DIGITAL companion! You absolutely MUST check out

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Readworks Digital! You can create classes, assign articles and questions, and even track student progress. Again, this is all free. Helllllllllllo, gorgeous!

Great website that offers tons of reading passages up through 8th grade level! There is no sign up and it is FREE There are also a ton of other resources on this site as well, such as graphic organizers for nonfiction and even reading response topics. Check this out for sure!

WOW! Who knew Scholastic had this? Lots of

VERY high interest articles that are provided in three different reading levels! Not only that, but there are excellent quizzes and other resources to go along with the articles. There is also an option to hear the article read aloud! How great is that? My students really love these articles and ask to read them.
Chances are, your school has a subscription to Scholastic! With your teacher login, you are able to access even more archived articles. Interesting articles that are already differentiated for me? Yes, please!

Great website! These passages are broken down by grade level. It takes a bit to navigate through, but once you figure it out, this place is a gold mine! Totally free and requires no sign up!

Another FREE website! You can get a free trial to see more of their website, but they have a decent amount of reading passages available without even signing up! Woohooo!

English for Everyone
WHOA! Another awesome storehouse of reading passages that range from Grade 1 to Grade 12! Definitely check this site out. The reading passages are just a small part of the beauty of this site. Guess what else? It's FREE!

For The Teachers
I just discovered this site and have been blown away by their resources! Not only do they have both FICTION and NONFICTION written on a variety of reading levels (the same article is available on three different reading levels), but they also have a plethora of resources for differentiation and curriculum. You need to check this one out ASAP! Trust me...I've never led you astray before, right?

Y'all...I feel like I have failed you by not showing you this one sooner! It is absolutely amazing. Common Lit has HUNDREDS of fiction and nonfiction passages. Here's how it works: browse their library (you can sort by genre, theme, and a million other things) of hundreds of poems, articles, short stories, and historical documents, assign text-dependent reading and writing questions, and then you can analyze student performance for both reading and writing trends. Common Lit
Common Lit is 100% free! Use this. Like...today!

Super Teacher Worksheets
This teacher favorite has (among many other things) a plethora of reading passages at different levels! You can access many of the passages for free, but there is also the option to pay their membership fee (only $19.95) and get unlimited access! All passages come with corresponding questions as well! Sounds good to me!

Well this is just fantastic. Here is the breakdown: Daily HIGH INTEREST news articles, Lexile levels for K-12, self scoring quizzes by Lexile levels, critical thinking questions, student commenting, articles in Spanish, weekly lesson plans, weekly videos, and a weekly prep newsletter.Smithsonian Tween Tribune

Go sign up for your FREE account right now!

CSAL- Center for the Study of Adult Literacy NEW!
What a cool site! CSAL was created to help adult learners improve their reading skills. Stories are divided into easy, medium, and hard levels. The site is very straightforward and easy to use and features a ton of different areas, including health, food, families, advice, nonfiction stories, and fiction stories. I'm excited to learn more about this site and the great resources that the Center for the Study of Adult Literacy provides!

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Please allow me to briefly swoon over ﻿Newsela.﻿ Newsela offers high interest, current event articles at FIVE different reading levels. Meaning, your students can all be reading the same article, but they are reading it at a level that is right for them!

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https://www.nwea.org/

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Behavior Management Through Differentiation Presented by: Daryl Evans Essential Question What is the number one school / classroom behavior issue that you hope to manage more effectively? Differentiating Instruction Differentiated instruction is a process through which teachers enhance learning by matching student characteristics to instruction and assessment.

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Social Studies

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Differentiated Activities for Middle School Social Studies Stude... : Teaching Language Arts & More

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Use the visual writing prompt generator to excite and inspire your students in their writing lessons. With over 60 images to rotate through, there's a picture prompt for every classroom!

Stimulus Pictures for Writing

Randomly select one of the many pre-loaded images to get your students brains buzzing. These images are the ideal picture writing prompts for a variety of activities:

See the Whole Picture

You can choose to see these visual writing prompts with or without text. Simply launch the widget, and click "Inspire Me" to randomly select a new image. Click hide or show to reveal some suggested sentence starters.

You can also select the ℹ️ icon in the top right corner to reveal some suggested lesson prompts for each image.

Want more? Check out these fantastic resources to make the most of the Visual Writing Prompt Widget:

blog

Read about our free ULTIMATE collection of visual writing prompts and how you can use them in your classroom.

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teaching resource

A See, Think, Wonder Template is useful in encouraging students to make careful observations and interpretations.

1 page Years: 1 - 6

teaching resource

A workbook to help students explore common elements of poetry.

11 pages Years: 5 - 6

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Use the visual writing prompt generator to excite and inspire your students in their writing lessons. With over 60 images to rotate through, there's a picture prompt for every classroom! Randomly select one of the many pre-loaded images to get your students brains buzzing.

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Tips & Strategies for Effective Differentiation & Instruction.wmv

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Differentiated Instruction Video Series 1: What is it

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Article

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More than 1,300 years ago, seafaring raiders swept in from the north to strike the coasts of Europe and the British Isles. The era of the Vikings had begun.

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Have students try these games and activities to expand their knowledge and interest in Lewis and Clark.
History, Art

The U.S. Mint has commemorated the Lewis and Clark expedition in several ways. The Missouri quarter released in 2003 as part of the "50 States Quarter program," depicts Lewis and Clark's historic return to St. Louis. The "Westward Journey Nickel Series" for 2004 and 2005 show images of the expedition on the reverse side of the Jefferson five-cent coin, such as the Indian Peace Medal and keelboat used during the journey. Bring in a few of these coins to share with students. Ask students whether they think these are appropriate images for the expedition. Students can then draw an image that they feel could be used on a coin to commemorate the journey.
Math, Geography
Have students chart the Corps of Discovery's route on a map with a distance scale. Ask students questions about the geography of the route, such as "What major mountain ranges did the Corps of Discovery cross?" and "What cities are now located along their route?" Next, have students use the map's scale to answer questions about distances on the map, such as "How far did Lewis and Clark travel before they reached the Yellowstone River?" Students can then write their own questions and answers that use the scale and challenge each other.

Language Arts, Science
Have students work together in groups of four to six. Explain that they are the core members of a new expedition that will explore a remote area of the world for one month. Give groups a few minutes to select a remote area they want to explore, such as Antarctica, the Sahara Desert, the Amazon Rain forest, and Siberia. Students should then list the characteristics and abilities of the other people they would take on the expedition. Encourage students to look at the roles of the Corps of Discovery's team members as described in Profiles of Lewis, Clark, and Others.

Next, students should list food, equipment, and other materials the team should take for the month's expedition. They might refer to the list in Preparing for the Expedition for an idea of what Lewis and Clark took. Finally, teams should share and defend their lists with the class. Encourage students to make comparisons among the various groups' choices.

Language Arts
Have students imagine that they are members of the Corps of Discovery. Students may wish to select one of the team members described in Lewis, Clark, and Others. Have students write a diary entry for one day of the trip. Before they begin, encourage them to read the excerpts from Lewis and Clark's diaries found throughout the issue. Just as Lewis and Clark did, students should include in their entries information about the weather, the day's tasks, the animals and plants they encountered on the trip, their feelings, and so on.

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Games and Activities about Lewis and Clark - Kids Discover

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Have students try these games and activities to expand their knowledge and interest in Lewis and Clark. History, Art The U.S. Mint has commemorated the Lewis and Clark expedition in several ways. The Missouri quarter released in 2003 as part of the "50 States Quarter program," depicts Lewis and Clark's historic return to St.

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Article

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Have students try these games and activities to expand their knowledge and interest in Lewis and Clark.
History, Art

The U.S. Mint has commemorated the Lewis and Clark expedition in several ways. The Missouri quarter released in 2003 as part of the "50 States Quarter program," depicts Lewis and Clark's historic return to St. Louis. The "Westward Journey Nickel Series" for 2004 and 2005 show images of the expedition on the reverse side of the Jefferson five-cent coin, such as the Indian Peace Medal and keelboat used during the journey. Bring in a few of these coins to share with students. Ask students whether they think these are appropriate images for the expedition. Students can then draw an image that they feel could be used on a coin to commemorate the journey.
Math, Geography
Have students chart the Corps of Discovery's route on a map with a distance scale. Ask students questions about the geography of the route, such as "What major mountain ranges did the Corps of Discovery cross?" and "What cities are now located along their route?" Next, have students use the map's scale to answer questions about distances on the map, such as "How far did Lewis and Clark travel before they reached the Yellowstone River?" Students can then write their own questions and answers that use the scale and challenge each other.

Language Arts, Science
Have students work together in groups of four to six. Explain that they are the core members of a new expedition that will explore a remote area of the world for one month. Give groups a few minutes to select a remote area they want to explore, such as Antarctica, the Sahara Desert, the Amazon Rain forest, and Siberia. Students should then list the characteristics and abilities of the other people they would take on the expedition. Encourage students to look at the roles of the Corps of Discovery's team members as described in Profiles of Lewis, Clark, and Others.

Next, students should list food, equipment, and other materials the team should take for the month's expedition. They might refer to the list in Preparing for the Expedition for an idea of what Lewis and Clark took. Finally, teams should share and defend their lists with the class. Encourage students to make comparisons among the various groups' choices.

Language Arts
Have students imagine that they are members of the Corps of Discovery. Students may wish to select one of the team members described in Lewis, Clark, and Others. Have students write a diary entry for one day of the trip. Before they begin, encourage them to read the excerpts from Lewis and Clark's diaries found throughout the issue. Just as Lewis and Clark did, students should include in their entries information about the weather, the day's tasks, the animals and plants they encountered on the trip, their feelings, and so on.

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Games and Activities about Lewis and Clark - Kids Discover

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Have students try these games and activities to expand their knowledge and interest in Lewis and Clark. History, Art The U.S. Mint has commemorated the Lewis and Clark expedition in several ways. The Missouri quarter released in 2003 as part of the "50 States Quarter program," depicts Lewis and Clark's historic return to St.

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by TeachThought Staff

The best lessons, books, and materials in the world won't get students excited about learning and willing to work hard if they're not motivated.

Motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, is a key factor in the success of students at all stages of their education, and teachers can play a pivotal role in providing and encouraging that motivation in their students. Of course, that's easier said than done, as all students are motivated differently and it takes time and a lot of effort to learn to get a classroom full of kids enthusiastic about learning, working hard, and pushing themselves to excel.

Even the most well-intentioned and educated teachers sometimes can find it difficult to keep kids on track, so whether you're a new teacher or an experienced one, try using these methods to improve student motivation and to encourage them to live up to their true potential.

1. Give students a sense of control

While guidance from a teacher is important to keeping kids on task and motivated, allowing students to have some choice and control over what happens in the classroom is actually one of the best ways to keep them engaged. For example, allowing students to choose the type of assignment they do or which problems to work on can give them a sense of control that may just motivate them to do more.

2. Be clear about learning objectives

It can be very frustrating for students to complete an assignment or even to behave in class if there aren't clearly defined objectives. Students want and need to know what is expected of them in order to stay motivated to work. At the beginning of the year, lay out clear objectives, rules, and expectations of students so that there is no confusion and students have goals to work towards.

3. Create a threat-free environment

While students do need to understand that there are consequences to their actions, far more motivating for students than threats are positive reinforcements. When teachers create a safe, supportive environment for students, affirming their belief in a student's abilities rather than laying out the consequences of not doing things, students are much more likely to get and stay motivated to do their work.

At the end of the day, students will fulfill the expectations that the adults around them communicate, so focus on can, not can't.

See also 60 Non-Threatening Formative Assessment Techniques

4. Change your scenery

A classroom is a great place for learning, but sitting at a desk day in and day out can make school start to seem a bit dull for some students. To renew interest in the subject matter or just in learning in general, give your students a chance to get out of the classroom. Take field trips, bring in speakers, or even just head to the library for some research. The brain loves novelty and a new setting can be just what some students need to stay motivated to learn.

5. Offer varied experiences.

Not all students will respond to lessons in the same way. For some, hands-on experiences may be the best. Others may love to read books quietly or to work in groups. In order to keep all students motivated, mix up your lessons so that students with different preferences will each get time focused on the things they like best. Doing so will help students stay engaged and pay attention.

6. Use positive competition

Competition in the classroom isn't always a bad thing, and in some cases can motivate students to try harder and work to excel. Work to foster a friendly spirit of competition in your classroom, perhaps through group games related to the material or other opportunities for students to 'show off' their knowledge or skills.

7. Offer rewards

Everyone likes getting rewards, and offering your students the chance to earn them is an excellent source of motivation. Things like pizza parties, watching movies, or even something as simple as a sticker on a paper can make students work harder and really aim to achieve. Consider the personalities and needs of your students to determine appropriate rewards for your class.

8. Give students responsibility

Assigning students classroom jobs is a great way to build a community and to give students a sense of motivation. Most students will see classroom jobs as a privilege rather than a burden and will work hard to ensure that they, and other students, are meeting expectations. It can also be useful to allow students to take turns leading activities or helping out so that each feels important and valued.

9. Allow students to work together

While not all students will jump at the chance to work in groups, many will find it fun to try to solve problems, do experiments, and work on projects with other students. Social interaction can get them excited about things in the classroom and students can motivate one another to reach a goal. Teachers need to ensure that groups are balanced and fair, however, so that some students aren't doing more work than others.

10. Give praise when earned

There may be no other form of motivation that works quite as well as encouragement. Even as adults we crave recognition and praise, and students at any age are no exception. Teachers can give students a bounty of motivation by rewarding success publicly, giving praise for a job well done, and sharing exemplary work.

11. Encourage self-reflection

Most kids want to succeed, they just need help figuring out what they need to do in order to get there. One way to motivate your students is to get them to take a hard look at themselves and determine their own strengths and weaknesses. Students are often more motivated by creating these kinds of critiques of themselves than by having a teacher do it for them, as it makes them feel in charge of creating their own objectives and goals. See Metacognitive Prompts For Students To Reflect On Their Learning.

12. Model enthusiasm for learning!

One of the best ways to get your students motivated is to share your enthusiasm. When you're excited about teaching, they'll be much more excited about learning. It's that simple.

13. Know your students

Getting to know your students is about more than just memorizing their names. Students need to know that their teacher has a genuine interest in them and cares about them and their success. When students feel appreciated it creates a safe learning environment and motivates them to work harder, as they want to get praise and good feedback from someone they feel knows and respects them as individuals.

14. Harness student interests

Knowing your students also has some other benefits, namely that it allows you to relate classroom material to things that students are interested in or have experienced. Teachers can use these interests to make things more interesting and relatable to students, keeping students motivated for longer.

15. Help students find intrinsic motivation

It can be great to help students get motivated, but at the end of the day, they need to be able to generate their own motivation. Helping students find their own personal reasons for doing classwork and working hard, whether because they find material interesting, want to go to college, or just love to learn, is one of the most powerful gifts you can give them to improve student motivation.

16. Manage student anxiety

Some students find the prospect of not doing well so anxiety-inducing that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. For these students, teachers may find that they are most motivated by learning that struggling with a subject isn't the end of the world. Offer support no matter what the end result is and ensure that students don't feel so overwhelmed by expectations that they just give up.

17. Make goals high but attainable

If you're not pushing your students to do more than the bare minimum, most won't seek to push themselves on their own. Students like to be challenged and will work to achieve high expectations so long as they believe those goals to be within their reach, so don't be afraid to push students to get more out of them.

18. Give learning feedback and offer chances to improve

Students who struggle with classwork can sometimes feel frustrated and get down on themselves, draining motivation. In these situations, it's critical that teachers provide effective learning feedback to help students to learn exactly where they went wrong and how they can improve next time. Figuring out a method to get where students want to be can also help them to stay motivated to work hard.

19. Track progress

It can be hard for students to see just how far they've come, especially with subjects that are difficult for them. Tracking can come in handy in the classroom, not only for teachers but also for students. Teachers can use this as a way to improve student motivation, allowing them to see visually just how much they are learning and improving as the year goes on.

20. Make things fun

Not all classwork needs to be a game or a good time, but students who see school as a place where they can have fun will be more motivated to pay attention and do the work that's required of them than those who regard it as a chore. Adding fun activities into your school day can help students who struggle to stay engaged and make the classroom a much more friendly place for all students.

21. Provide opportunities for success

Students, even the best ones, can become frustrated and demotivated when they feel like they're struggling or not getting the recognition that other students are. Make sure that all students get a chance to play to their strengths and feel included and valued. It can make a world of difference and improve student motivation.

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21 Simple Ideas To Improve Student Motivation

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While guidance from a teacher is important, allowing students to have choice and control is a useful strategy to improve student motivation.