How do you write a winning statement of purpose? This is a clear and comprehensive explanation of how to approach and write an essay from the San Jose State University. Practice exercises are given at the end.

A video screencast [1:45] on using a graphic organizer to identify the key details in a story.

A to Z Teacher Stuff offers a lesson, submitted by a teacher, using different sized post-it notes to discuss summarizing, note taking, main idea, and details. RI.11-12.2 Central IdeaS/Anal/Summ

This lesson focuses on using statistics as supporting details. It explains why statistics make powerful supporting details, however, these can be skewed to show different outcomes. It suggests looking carefully when using statistics to be sure they are not biased. This information is offered in text and in audio formats. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.1, W.11-12.1b claims/evid/aud, W.11-12.2b Topic/support/audience. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.1.b

In this activity, students choose the correct category to which details belong. Being able to categorize helps students to identify the difference between main ideas and details.

In the Treaty of Versailles, the Allies punished Germany for the war. [6:19]

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

In this modeled lesson, second graders work in groups to create "video dictionaries," using a tablet and an app. Students complete graphic organizers then find images online to illustrate their words. They write their own sentences, completing the project by recording their own voices and adding extras, such as backgrounds and special effects. The dictionary is placed online to share with others and refer to for future use. [4:19]

Student teams act as engineers and learn about systems thinking and scale by reassembling the separated pages of the engaging picture book, “Zoom,” by Istvan Banyai. The book is a series of 31 wordless pictures that start very close-up and then zoom out—from a rooster’s comb to outer space. Like a movie camera, each subsequent page pulls back to reveal the context of the previous scene as something different than what you originally thought. When the 31 un-numbered pages are jumbled, it is a surprising challenge for teams to figure out how the pictures connect. The task prompts students to pause and look closer so as to adjust to new points of view and problem solve to find a logical sequence. It requires them to step back and take a broader view. Students learn that engineers work together as teams and look at things very closely so that they see different things and come up with more than one solution when problem solving. To conclude, students go outside and practice their skills by imagining and then drawing their own Zoom-like small booklet stories inspired by items found in nature. The classic duck/rabbit ambiguous drawing is provided as a kickoff visual aid.