Thesis Throwdown
After students watch a brief video introducing thesis statements, they will create a class thesis statement checklist, use a prompt to write a personal thesis, compare theirs to others in their group while working to craft and revise a group thesis to present to the class after participating in a Gallery Walk where they provide and incorporate revision suggestions.
Teacher Introducing Lesson
The Magic of Words: Playing with Meaning
Students process the meaning of unknown words using a foldable that guides them through the stages of using context to predict definitions. In the first stage, students predict connotation and denotation of words in isolation. In the second stage, students read the same words used in a sentence to expose them to the word in context. In the third stage, students read the words in a passage, providing the greatest context. Students collaborate throughout the process, comparing and discussing differences in predicted meanings and connotations. Students ultimately compare their first, second, and third definitions to further understanding how context is important for word meaning.
4 Using Reading and Writing to Support Learning Across the Content Areas
This resource presents instructional writing and reading practices that support the content area learning of adolescent learners.
The Write for Texas guiding principles of effective writing instruction, developed for all teachers across disciplines, focus on building every student's understanding and ability to read, write, and think like experts—historians, mathematicians, scientists, and literary critics.
6 OnTRACK English I Reading: Reading and Vocabulary Development Across Genres
OnTRACK English I Reading, Module 1, Lessons 1–5 and Practice Lesson. Students will understand new vocabulary and use it when reading and writing.
4 OnTRACK English I Writing: Writing the Expository and Procedural Essay
OnTRACK English I Writing, Module 3, Lessons 1–4. Students write expository and procedural or work-related texts to communicate ideas and information to specific audiences for specific purposes
2 Online Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy Unit 1
The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academies help prepare middle school teachers to design appropriate instruction for all students, including those who are struggling with reading due to limited English proficiency, learning disabilities, dyslexia, and other risk factors for reading difficulties. The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy contains seven units. Units 1–3 are designed for all teachers; Units 4–7 are more appropriate for English Language Arts teachers. Credit-bearing courses are available at the links below. This binder contains Unit 1.
Tier I (Units 1–3)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA1+2016_T1/about
Tiers II/III (Units 4–7)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA2+2016_T1/about
3 Online Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy Unit 3
The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academies help prepare middle school teachers to design appropriate instruction for all students, including those who are struggling with reading due to limited English proficiency, learning disabilities, dyslexia, and other risk factors for reading difficulties. The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy contains seven units. Units 1–3 are designed for all teachers; Units 4–7 are more appropriate for English Language Arts teachers. Credit-bearing courses are available at the links below. This binder contains Unit 3.
Tier I (Units 1–3)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA1+2016_T1/about
Tiers II/III (Units 4–7)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA2+2016_T1/about
2 Online Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy Unit 4
The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academies help prepare middle school teachers to design appropriate instruction for all students, including those who are struggling with reading due to limited English proficiency, learning disabilities, dyslexia, and other risk factors for reading difficulties. The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy contains seven units. Units 1–3 are designed for all teachers; Units 4–7 are more appropriate for English Language Arts teachers. Credit-bearing courses are available at the links below. This binder contains Unit 4.
Tier I (Units 1–3)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA1+2016_T1/about
Tiers II/III (Units 4–7)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA2+2016_T1/about
2 Online Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy Unit 5
The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academies help prepare middle school teachers to design appropriate instruction for all students, including those who are struggling with reading due to limited English proficiency, learning disabilities, dyslexia, and other risk factors for reading difficulties. The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy contains seven units. Units 1–3 are designed for all teachers; Units 4–7 are more appropriate for English Language Arts teachers. Credit-bearing courses are available at the links below. This binder contains Unit 5.
Tier I (Units 1–3)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA1+2016_T1/about
Tiers II/III (Units 4–7)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA2+2016_T1/about
1 Online Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy Unit 6
The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academies help prepare middle school teachers to design appropriate instruction for all students, including those who are struggling with reading due to limited English proficiency, learning disabilities, dyslexia, and other risk factors for reading difficulties. The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy contains seven units. Units 1–3 are designed for all teachers; Units 4–7 are more appropriate for English Language Arts teachers. Credit-bearing courses are available at the links below. This binder contains Unit 6.
Tier I (Units 1–3)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA1+2016_T1/about
Tiers II/III (Units 4–7)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA2+2016_T1/about
3 Online Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy Unit 7
The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academies help prepare middle school teachers to design appropriate instruction for all students, including those who are struggling with reading due to limited English proficiency, learning disabilities, dyslexia, and other risk factors for reading difficulties. The Texas Adolescent Literacy Academy contains seven units. Units 1–3 are designed for all teachers; Units 4–7 are more appropriate for English Language Arts teachers. Credit-bearing courses are available at the links below. This binder contains Unit 7.
Tier I (Units 1–3)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA1+2016_T1/about
Tiers II/III (Units 4–7)
http://www.texascourses.org/courses/course-v1:TexasGateway+TALA2+2016_T1/about
4 Teaching Expository and Persuasive Texts
This resource presents instructional writing practices that support content-area learning with specific strategies for teaching the thinking skills, processes, and knowledge needed to effectively write a variety of expository and persuasive texts in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Some of the content is from the Texas Adolescent Literacy Academies: Focus on Writing professional development.
3 Teaching Revising and Editing Skills
This binder presents instructional practices that support content-area learning, with specific strategies for teaching the thinking skills, processes, and knowledge needed to effectively revise and edit written texts. Some of the content is from the Texas Adolescent Literacy Academies: Focus on Writing professional development.
3 Teaching Personal Narrative Texts
This resource presents instructional writing practices that support content-area learning, with specific strategies for teaching the thinking skills, processes, and knowledge needed to effectively write personal narrative texts. Some of the content is from the Texas Adolescent Literacy Academies: Focus on Writing professional development.
4 Complete "Red Book Series" Focused on Reading Instruction
This binder provides copies of the original "Red Book Series" titles and links to online resources created for today's classrooms. Educators can access basic research about reading, view videos, download lesson plans, and learn how to adapt materials to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Why Would They Say That?
Students will analyze multiple texts on the same topic to identify the text structures used and find each author’s purpose.
Teacher compares author's purpose in text to the purposes of eating utensils.
Home Is Where the Heart Is
Through teacher modeling, blended learning stations, self-monitoring, and developing and responding to questioning strategies of reciprocal teaching, students will be able to examine a variety of visual and written expository texts and compare how the authors achieved similar or different purposes.