The first step in writing an informational text on the topic of students' choice is helping the student choose a topic of interest. Students will brainstorm ideas that will be possible final topics.

Students will conduct a short research project about a topic. This lesson focuses on how to find the information needed on their chosen topic.

Links to 175 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard SL.3.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Links to 31 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard SL.4.5: Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance to development of main ideas or themes.

Students will learn the importance questioning has on comprehension of a text. Students will use sticky notes and an interactive reading notebook while working with an informational text.

This video, effective for engaging students with significant cognitive disabilities, shows a classroom doing Big Paper Writing.

In this lesson plan students will be able to focus on the main events of a book by drawing a storyboard. Lesson plan indicated for 2nd grade and above.

In this video, effective for engaging students with significant cognitive disabilities, watch how a students uses an individualized comprehensive communication system to tell about her drawing.

Students explore the concept of identity and what makes a person who they are by reading the core texts Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel and My Name is María Isabel.

Students explore the rise and fall of the ancient Roman Empire and Roman civilization, its various leaders, routines, and rituals, while practicing multiple informational reading strategies.

Why do people alter digital photos and videos? The web is full of photos, and even videos, that are digitally altered. And it's often hard to tell the difference between what's real and what's fake. Help your students ask critical questions about why someone might alter a photo or video in the first place. Approximately 45 mins.

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Recognize that photos and videos can be altered digitally. Identify different reasons why someone might alter a photo or video. Analyze altered photos and videos to try to determine why.

What makes a strong online community? Belonging to various communities is important for kids' development. But some online communities can be healthier than others. Show your students how they can strengthen both online and in-person communities by creating norms that everyone pledges to uphold. Approximately 45 mins.

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Define what a community is, both in person and online. Explain how having norms helps people in a community achieve their goals. Create and pledge to adhere to shared norms for being in an online community.

Students explore the power of oral storytelling in African-American and Hispanic cultures through folktales that have been passed down within families and communities for generations.

How can a strong password help protect your privacy? Stronger, more secure online passwords are a good idea for everyone. But how can we help kids create better passwords and actually remember them? Use the tips in this lesson to help kids make passwords that are both secure and memorable. Approximately 45 mins.

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Define the term "password" and describe a password's purpose. Understand why a strong password is important. Practice creating a memorable and strong password.

What should you do when someone uses mean or hurtful language on the internet? As kids grow, they'll naturally start to communicate more online. But some of what they see could make them feel hurt, sad, angry, or even fearful. Help your students build empathy for others and learn strategies to use when confronted with cyberbullying. Approximately 45 mins.

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Understand that it's important to think about the words we use, because everyone interprets things differently. Identify ways to respond to mean words online, using S-T-O-P. Decide what kinds of statements are OK to say online and which are not.

This lesson plan uses the text "Granddaddy's Gift" in order to develop and improve comprehension, prediction, and discussion skills. Included in the lesson plan is an overview, practice, objectives, resources, preparation, and more.

Students learn about the Pilgrims and the first Massachusetts colonies, including why the Pilgrims came to the New World, their relationship with the Native peoples, and the truth behind the first Thanksgiving.

How does what I post online affect my identity? From selfies to social media, many of us create unique online identities for ourselves, and our students are no different. But do kids always understand how others might perceive what they post? Help your students think critically about the online identities they're creating. Approximately 45 mins.

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Consider how posting selfies or other images will lead others to make assumptions about them. Reflect on the most important parts of their unique identity. Identify ways they can post online to best reflect who they are.

How do digital citizens take responsibility for themselves, their communities, and their world? Teaching digital citizenship is all about helping kids think beyond themselves and recognize the ripple effects of their actions. Personal responsibility is important, but understanding their responsibilities to others can help kids unlock new ways to learn and connect with their communities -- and even change those communities for the better. Approximately 45 mins.

LESSON OBJECTIVES: Examine both in-person and online responsibilities. Describe the Rings of Responsibility as a way to think about how our behavior affects ourselves and others. Identify examples of online responsibilities to others.