Asking and Answering Questions
The Asking and Answering Professional Development provides strategies to teach students how to ask and answer questions more effectively to improve comprehension in the classroom and on standardized assessments such as the STAAR.
Determining Importance & Summarizing Informational Text
Determining importance and summarizing is a complicated task for many readers. This professional development provides participants with instructional scaffolds that will help students comprehend informational text.
Six Syllable Types and Morphology
This set of videos is organized into two topics: Six Syllables Types and Morphology. The videos are edited from a six-hour professional development and may be used as a sequenced set of lessons or individually.
Texas Middle School Fluency Assessment (TMSFA)
Texas Education Code (TEC) §28.006(c-1) requires that students who do not meet the passing standard on the Grade 6 State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) reading test must be administered a reading assessment at the beginning of grade 7. The Texas Middle School Fluency Assessment (TMSFA) was developed with Texas students to be a valid and reliable instrument for determining students’ areas of instructional need.
The TMSFA is based on valid and reliable scientific research, thoroughly measures each domain of development, and is user-friendly. The following three domains of development are assessed using the TMSFA.
- Text Comprehension (Reading)
- Word Analysis
- Fluency
Language Arts Resources
LAR utilizes many techniques to help students learn the content. This is done by breaking the concepts down into smaller/targeted concepts, utilizing color coding, charts, mnemonics, graphics, audio clips, easy-to-grasp written and/or auditory explanations that students can internalize with ease; font size for emphasis; practice quizzes for students to self-check for understanding; level quizzes that progress from surface knowledge --> to connecting several concepts --> to applying the content to practical examples.
These learning techniques are especially beneficial for students who are English Language Learners (ELL), Limited English Proficient (LEP), English As Second Language (ESL), Special Education (SPED), and/or Sect. 504 students.
Visit the Language Arts Resources site to access student lessons, quizzes, and more!
Reading to Learn Academy, Grade 5 Additional Resources
Grade 5 additional resources
Explain the Influence of Setting on Plot Development in Literary Text/Fiction
You will learn how the setting in a story can influence the development of the plot.
Unit 1. Using the TPRI—Kindergarten
Kindergarten TPRI Administration Module
Unit 2. Why Use the TPRI?
TPRI Module 1: Unit 2 Used in Grades K-3
Beginning Reading Instruction
This resource outlines the components of research-based programs for beginning reading instruction and is for all educators who want to learn more about how to support beginning reading instruction in students of all ages. Links to videos, handouts, and sample lesson plans are included.
Promoting Vocabulary Development
This resource outlines the components of vocabulary development. Links to videos, handouts, and sample lesson plans are included.
Comprehension Instruction
This resource outlines the components of research-based programs for reading comprehension instruction and is for all educators who want to learn more about how to support reading comprehension for students of all ages. Links to videos, handouts, and sample lesson plans are included.
Understanding Drama
You will learn how to explain a playwright’s use of dialogue and stage directions.
Make Connections Between and Across Literary Texts
You will learn how to make connections between and across texts, including other media (e.g., film, play), and provide textual evidence.
Analyze (Describe) Point of View in Literary Texts/Fiction
You will learn how to analyze different points of view, including first-person, third-person omniscient, and third-person limited.
Tone is in the Fear of the Beholder: Reading and Writing Using Multimodal Mentor Texts
This resource is a demonstration lesson presented at the 2014 Write for Texas Summer Institute. It provides a snapshot of a four to five week unit that engages students in the reading and writing workshop model.
Understand New Vocabulary Using Roots and Affixes (English 6 Reading)
You will learn how to determine the meaning of grade-level academic English words derived from Latin, Greek, or other linguistic roots and affixes.
Understand New Vocabulary Within Context (English 6 Reading)
You will learn how to use context (e.g., cause and effect or compare and contrast organizational text structures) to determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar or multiple-meaning words.
Themes in Literary Texts (English 6 Reading)
You will learn how to infer the implicit theme in a work of fiction, distinguish theme from topic, and make complex inferences using textual evidence.
Imagery and Figurative Language
Using textual evidence, you will be able to explain how authors create meaning through stylistic elements and figurative language emphasizing the use of personification, hyperbole, and refrains in prose and poetry.