Standard 2: Reading Informational Text

Students will explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how generative AI models use Large Language Models (LLMs) and Natural Language Processing NLP to generate outputs. This grades 4-5 lesson is an integrated Computer Science, ELA and Math lesson designed for application of math and ELA content knowledge while exploring and using computational thinking to understand how generative AI works, making cross-curricular connections to understand emerging technologies.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #5 in the paired text unit series for The Great Seal of the United States by Terri DeGezelle and The Great Seal of the United States by Norman Pearl. In this lesson, students will learn about the “unalienable rights” expressed in the Declaration of Independence, compare the claims made and evidence provided by both authors in each text about the Great Seal of the United States, and explain how both author’s arguments support the idea that the Great Seal, a symbol of the United States, is a reminder of some rights expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Then students will write an expository essay explaining why the Great Seal of the United States was created and how this symbol of the United States is a reminder of rights conveyed in the Declaration of Independence.

This ELA/Civics Integrated Text Unit is designed to support students with the integration of civics into the ELA classroom through the reading and studying of Norman Pearl’s book The Great Seal of the United States. Throughout the unit, students will identify new vocabulary, describe both Florida and USA seals, as well as the importance of national symbols and their meaning. Using timelines, graphic organizers, worksheets, and other activities they will connect these symbols to other documents like the Declaration of Independence and the understanding of unalienable rights. Each lesson in this series leads to a culminating activity in which students will use their knowledge and understanding of symbols and relevant details to create their own Great Seal.

This resource uses books that you will need to obtain before implementing the resource. The Great Seal of the United States by Terri DeGezelle is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #6 in the text unit series for Hidden Figures. Students will review the powers of federal and state government in the context of the text. Additionally, students will analyze the author’s perspective of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and other mathematicians working at Langley.

In this text unit of Hidden Figures, students will explain how text features such as photos, captions and headings contribute to the meaning of the several chapters. Students will also explain how relevant details support the central idea of different sections. Throughout the text, students will determine the meaning of unknown words. Students will connect to civics by identifying civic duties and responsibilities of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson. Additionally, students will provide examples of powers given to the national government and those reserved to the states. The students will explain why the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the system and review previous Supreme Court rulings.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #7 in the text unit series for Hidden Figures. Students will determine how the relevant details support the central idea of the text. Additionally, they will learn about the Supreme Court and discuss how the Supreme Court Orders led to integration at West Virginia University.

In this text unit of Hidden Figures, students will explain how text features such as photos, captions and headings contribute to the meaning of the several chapters. Students will also explain how relevant details support the central idea of different sections. Throughout the text, students will determine the meaning of unknown words. Students will connect to civics by identifying civic duties and responsibilities of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson. Additionally, students will provide examples of powers given to the national government and those reserved to the states. The students will explain why the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the system and review previous Supreme Court rulings.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #5 in the text unit series for Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. In this lesson, students will practice determining the meaning of unknown words in chapters 7-8. Additionally, they will complete a writing assignment explaining how citizens preserved the United States constitutional republic through civic duties.

In this text unit of Hidden Figures, students will explain how text features such as photos, captions, and headings contribute to the meaning of several chapters. Students will also explain how relevant details support the central idea of different sections. Throughout the text, students will determine the meaning of unknown words. Students will connect to civics by identifying civic duties and responsibilities of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson. Additionally, students will provide examples of powers given to the national government and those reserved to the states. The students will explain why the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the system and review previous Supreme Court rulings.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #3 in the text unit series for Hidden Figures. Students will explain how relevant details support the central idea within the text. Additionally, students will identify civic duties and responsibilities Dorothy fulfills by working collaboratively with their groups.

In this text unit for Hidden Figures, students will explain how text features such as photos, captions and headings contribute to the meaning of the several chapters. Students will also explain how relevant details support the central idea of different sections. Throughout the text, students will determine the meaning of unknown words. Students will connect to civics by identifying civic duties and responsibilities of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherie Johnson. Additionally, students will provide examples of powers given to the national government and those reserved to the states. The students will explain why the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the system and review previous Supreme Court rulings.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #4 in the text unit series for Hidden Figures. Students will explain how text features contribute to the meaning of the text in a collaborative activity. Additionally, students will add new words to their vocabulary chart and discuss what may happen if a civil service oath is broken.

In this text unit for Hidden Figures, students will explain how text features such as photos, captions and headings contribute to the meaning of the several chapters. Students will also explain how relevant details support the central idea of different sections. Throughout the text, students will determine the meaning of unknown words. Students will connect to civics by identifying civic duties and responsibilities of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherie Johnson. Additionally, students will provide examples of powers given to the national government and those reserved to the states. The students will explain why the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the system and review previous Supreme Court rulings.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #2 in the text unit series for Hidden Figures. Students will continue their vocabulary chart and timeline, while learning about text features contributing to the overall meaning of text. Additionally, students will use the text to provide examples of powers granted to the national and state government.

In this text unit of Hidden Figures, students will explain how text features such as photos, captions and headings contribute to the meaning of the several chapters. Students will also explain how relevant details support the central idea of different sections. Throughout the text, students will determine the meaning of unknown words. Students will connect to civics by identifying civic duties and responsibilities of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherie Johnson. Additionally, students will provide examples of powers given to the national government and those reserved to the states. The students will explain why the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the system and review previous Supreme Court rulings.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #1 in the text unit series for Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. In this lesson, students will look through the book and predict the text structure. Additionally, they will begin a timeline and vocabulary chart that will be used throughout the text. This will begin the discussion of amendments and how the U.S. Constitution expanded civic participation.

In this text unit of Hidden Figures, students will explain how text features such as photos, captions, and headings contribute to the meaning of several chapters. Students will also explain how relevant details support the central idea of different sections. Throughout the text, students will determine the meaning of unknown words. Students will connect to civics by identifying civic duties and responsibilities of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson. Additionally, students will provide examples of powers given to the national government and those reserved to the states. The students will explain why the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the system and review previous Supreme Court rulings.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson 6 in the text unit series for The Great Seal of the United States by Norman Pearl, pages 12-19. Students will analyze the symbols used to create the Great Seal. Students will have a chance to explore artifacts such as the dollar bill, penny, and quarter with a magnifying glass. Students will add to background knowledge by continuing to discover how the Great Seal of the United States was created and what it stands for. Students will also create a great seal using symbols and explain the meanings behind the symbols.

This ELA/Civics Integrated Text Units is designed to support students with the integration of civics into the ELA classroom through the reading and studying of Norman Pearl’s book The Great Seal of the United States. Students will identify new vocabulary, describe both Florida and USA seals, as well as the importance of national symbols and their meaning. Using timelines, graphic organizers, worksheets, and other activities they will connect these symbols to other documents like the Declaration of Independence and the understanding of unalienable rights. Each lesson in this series leads to a culminating activity in which students will use their knowledge and understanding of symbols and relevant details to create their own Great Seal.

This resource uses a book that you will need to obtain before implementing the resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This lesson #4 in the text unit series for The Great Seal of the United States by Norman Pearl. In this lesson, students will read the text and pull out the relevant details and important dates. They will then create a timeline and use the information to write a summary about the creation of the Great Seal of the United States.

This ELA/Civics Integrated Text Unit is designed to support students with the integration of civics into the ELA classroom through the reading and studying of Norman Pearl’s book The Great Seal of the United States. Students will identify new vocabulary, describe both Florida and USA seals, as well as the importance of national symbols and their meaning. Using timelines, graphic organizers, worksheets, and other activities, they will connect these symbols to other documents like the Declaration of Independence and the understanding of unalienable rights. Each lesson in this series leads to a culminating activity in which students will use their knowledge and understanding of symbols and relevant details to create their own Great Seal.

This resource uses a book that you will need to obtain before implementing the resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #1 in the paired text unit series for The Great Seal of the United States by Terri DeGezelle and The Great Seal of the United States by Norman Pearl. In this lesson students will make observations about relevant details on The Great Seal of the United States, as a prereading activity. Then students will complete a graphic organizer to demonstrate what they see, what they inferred or predicted each symbol represents in regard to the United States, and what they still wonder about The Great Seal.

This ELA/Civics Integrated Text Units is designed to support students with the integration of civics into the ELA classroom through the reading and studying of both The Great Seal of the United States by Terri DeGezelle and Norman Pearl’s book The Great Seal of the United States. Students will identify new vocabulary, describe both Florida and USA seals, as well as the importance of national symbols and their meaning. Using timelines, graphic organizers, worksheets, and other activities they will connect these symbols to ither documents like the Declaration of Independence and the understanding of unalienable rights. Each lesson in this series leads to a culminating activity in which students will use their knowledge and understanding of symbols and relevant details to create their own Great Seal.

This resource uses books that you will need to obtain before implementing the resource. The Great Seal of the United States by Terri DeGezelle is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson 10 in text unit for Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz. After reading the text, this lesson will focus on the central idea that the U.S. Constitution is a recognized symbol of the United States, and details that support the central idea. Students will recognize that the writing and ratification of the U.S. Constitution was necessary for the United States to be a unified country rather than individual states. After reading Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution, students will identify the central idea of the text and specific details that support it using a graphic organizer. The lesson is introduced using fictitious digital media post as a platform to engage students to interact with the content.

This unit will help students understand why and how the Constitution was created, including: the original thirteen colonies and important historical figures present during the creation, the challenges and conflicts that state representatives faced during writing the Constitution, motifs and themes during the “Grand Convention,” and the relationship between state and national constitutions. Lessons will allow students to identify citizens’ civic duties outlined by the Constitution, the relationship between the federal and state Constitutions, and important historical symbols. Each part of the unit will include an in-depth dive into vocabulary and how it applies to the meaning of the text.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson 3 in the text unit series for Shh! We're Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz. This lesson allows students to interpret unknown words and figurative language including simile, metaphor, idioms, hyperbole, and personification within the text. Students will infer attitudes or perspectives reflected by state representatives toward the meeting, ideas expressed in speeches given by the state representatives, and challenges faced during the Grand Convention all while developing their understanding of figurative language.

This unit will help students understand why and how the Constitution was created, including: the thirteen states and important historical figures present during the creation, the challenges and conflicts that state representatives faced during writing the Constitution, motifs and themes during the “Grand Convention,” and the relationship between state and national constitutions. Lessons will allow students to identify citizens’ civic duties outlined by the Constitution, the relationship between the federal and state Constitutions, and important historical symbols. Each part of the unit will include an in-depth dive into vocabulary and how it applies to the meaning of the text.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson # 1 in the text unit series for 12 for the text SHH! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz. This lesson will introduce and teach vocabulary found in the text. Students will demonstrate understanding of the academic vocabulary as found in the text. The teacher will assess background knowledge students have about the Constitution. Students will also discuss why the U.S. Constitution was created while identifying the central idea of the selected text and how the relevant details provide support.

This unit will help students understand why and how the Constitution was created, including: the original thirteen colonies and important historical figures present during the creation, the challenges and conflicts that state representatives faced during writing the Constitution, motifs and themes during the “Grand Convention,” and the relationship between state and national constitutions. Lessons will allow students to identify citizens’ civic duties outlined by the Constitution, the relationship between the federal and state Constitutions, and important historical symbols. Each part of the unit will include an in-depth dive into vocabulary and how it applies to the meaning of the text.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson # 11 in the text unit series for SHH! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz. After reading the entire text, students will defend a claim on whether or not they would have ratified the Constitution.

This unit will help students understand why and how the Constitution was created, including: the thirteen states and important historical figures present during the creation, the challenges and conflicts that state representatives faced during writing the Constitution, motifs and themes during the “Grand Convention,” and the relationship between state and national constitutions. Lessons will allow students to identify citizens’ civic duties outlined by the Constitution, the relationship between the federal and state Constitutions, and important historical symbols. Each part of the unit will include an in-depth dive into vocabulary and how it applies to the meaning of the text.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #5 in the text unit series for Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz. Students will learn more about the preamble to the Constitution after reading pages 33-38 and 49. Using the text and the Declaration of Independence, they will answer text-dependent questions to deepen their understanding of the preamble and how it helped define their rights as citizens.

This unit will help students understand why and how the Constitution was created, including: the original thirteen colonies and important historical figures present during the creation, the challenges and conflicts that state representatives faced during writing the Constitution, motifs and themes during the “Grand Convention,” and the relationship between state and national constitutions. Lessons will allow students to identify citizens’ civic duties outlined by the Constitution, the relationship between the federal and state Constitutions, and important historical symbols. Each part of the unit will include an in-depth dive into vocabulary and how it applies to the meaning of the text.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson 6, students will read Shhh! We're Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz and review key vocabulary from the text to become proficient with the meaning of the vocabulary words. Students will also have the opportunity to recall the words throughout the text. The teacher will review chronological order as a form of text structure and have students arrange historical events from the story in the order they took place. The teacher will also discuss the compare and contrast text structure, as it applies to the text. While reviewing chronological order, students will explain the goals of the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The idea is that while reviewing the chronological order, students will use a graphic organizer to explain historical events as mentioned in the text. The teacher will do a mini lesson to review primary and secondary sources if necessary.

This unit will help students understand why and how the Constitution was created, including: the original thirteen colonies and important historical figures present during the creation, the challenges and conflicts that state representatives faced during writing the Constitution, motifs and themes during the “Grand Convention,” and the relationship between state and national constitutions. Lessons will allow students to identify citizens’ civic duties outlined by the Constitution, the relationship between the federal and state Constitutions, and important historical symbols. Each part of the unit will include an in-depth dive into vocabulary and how it applies to the meaning of the text.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #3 in the text unit series for Aaron and Alexander the Most Famous Duel in American History. As a final prereading activity for this text, students will read an article about the important documents, written as the framework for establishing the U.S. government. While they are reading, they will learn about the Bill of Rights, Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and how they helped establish the U.S. government. They will develop connections to who Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton were. Students will complete a collaborative activity to become experts about one of the founding documents and share with their peers. They will find the central idea and relevant details of their section of the article provided. To end the lesson, students will summarize the information they learned about the founding documents that helped establish the framework for the U.S. government.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will create a children’s book to explain Aaron Burr’s and Alexander Hamilton’s political participation and political views. Students will use carefully chosen text features and a specific text structure that best contributes to the overall meaning of the text. This is the culminating lesson in a unit using the text Aaron and Alexander: The Most Famous Duel in American History by Don Brown.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This lesson focuses on the life of Alexander Hamilton, his political participation during and after the American Revolution, and his impact on the foundation of the United States. Students will read a brief passage about Hamilton's life, identify each paragraph's central idea and explain how relevant details support the central idea. This is a prereading lesson, the 4^th lesson in a unit using the text, Aaron and Alexander; The Most Famous Duel in American History by Don Brown.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will read a text about the duties and responsibilities of U.S. Senators and Representatives. Then students will identify the central idea and explain how relevant details support this idea within the text. Students will then research the U.S. senators or U.S. representative that represents them at the national level and present their findings to the class in this integrated lesson plan.

Type: Lesson Plan

This is lesson #9 in the text unit series for Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly. In this lesson, students will learn about the role of the Supreme Court in the Brown vs. Board of Education case and analyze the impact of the ruling, based on the text. Additionally, students will work collaboratively to determine how text features contribute to the meaning of the chapter.

In this text unit of Hidden Figures, students will explain how text features such as photos, captions, and headings contribute to the meaning of several chapters. Students will also explain how relevant details support the central idea of different sections. Throughout the text, students will determine the meaning of unknown words. Students will connect to civics by identifying civic duties and responsibilities of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson. Additionally, students will provide examples of powers given to the national government and those reserved to the states. The students will explain why the U.S. Supreme Court is the highest court in the system and review previous Supreme Court rulings.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will read background information about the Revolutionary War. While they are reading, they will learn about the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts. In addition, the students will complete a jigsaw activity to find relevant details that support the central idea of the text. To end the lesson, students will write a summary, using the central idea and relevant details from the passage about the Revolutionary War.

This is the first lesson to use in the Aaron and Alexander text unit. This lesson should be taught before reading the book.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

After learning about The Revolutionary War and reading Aaron and Alexander: The Most Famous Duel in American History By Don Brown, students will write an essay either comparing and contrasting Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton's political participation or their political views. Students will engage in a cooperative learning activity to brainstorm, use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast and use a rubric to evaluate their final product.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

This lesson will cover pages 1-11 of the text Aaron & Alexander, the Most Famous Duel in American History. The teacher will read pages 1-11 and lead a discussion on the early life, political views, and civic participation of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Students will identify the text structure and how it contributes to the information in the text. Students will begin adding information to the unit’s graphic organizer.

This resource uses a book that is on the Florida Department of Education's reading list. This book is not provided with this resource.

Type: Lesson Plan

Students will read an excerpt of a firsthand account from a Patriot, Loyalist, or other colonist. Students will then decide which colonist they identify with most closely and analyze the author’s perspective about the Revolutionary War in this integrated lesson.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will observe a speaker and analyze a piece of informational text (an excerpt from Bill Clinton's 1993 Inaugural Address) to further develop their knowledge of summarizing, identifying central ideas and relevant details, and identifying claims and supporting reasons with evidence. Students will then play the role of the speaker and create their own writing on a topic they think would be important to kids, why they would be a good candidate for president, or how they might motivate other kids. At the lesson's end, students will present their speech to the class. A graphic organizer, student handouts, and rubrics are provided for the writing and speaking activities.

Type: Lesson Plan

This series includes four parts focused on the Challenger explosion. Students will read President Reagan’s address to the nation presented on the evening of the Challenger Space Shuttle explosion in January 1986. Students will then analyze the speech and determine which relevant details support Reagan’s central idea. Additionally, students will complete close reading activities individually, with partners, and in small groups as they prepare to draft an expository essay outlining the relevant details that support Reagan’s central idea.

Type: Lesson Plan

This lesson will engage students in discussions involving how two texts on the same event can be compared. Students will read one text on the Great Chicago Fire that is a primary source, and another text that is a secondary source. For the summative assessment, students will write a summary about the Great Chicago Fire that includes the central idea and relevant details from the texts, and the similarities in how each author describes the Chicago fire.

Type: Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students will be read the non-fiction article, "A Well-Kept Secret." The students will work to determine the meaning of selected vocabulary from the article and find evidence in the passage to answer a set of text-dependent questions. Students will also explain how the relevant details support the central ideas and summarize the article.

Type: Lesson Plan

This lesson is an instructional routine for informational text in which teachers provide guided practice and students practice comparing perspectives from multiple texts.

Culminating activity includes writing an expository essay to compare and contrast the journey of two travelers using evidence from multiple sources to support the response.

Type: Lesson Plan

Learn how to consider the perspective of others, and why considering the perspective of others is important when communicating in this interactive health education tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Learn how to draw information from multiple print sources to locate an answer to any research question quickly.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

In this activity, students will answer questions about the author's purpose.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will identify the topic and key details in informational text. As an extension, students may also compare and contrast the important details presented by two texts on the same topic.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will identify significant and minor details in text.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will write the parts of a plot on a graphic organizer.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will identify story elements (character, setting, events, problem, solution) and record them in a graphic organizer.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will answer questions related to story elements (characters, setting, plot, theme) and record their answers on a graphic organizer.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will summarize narrative text using a graphic organizer.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will locate text features and explain how they help the reader understand the text.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will identify text structures and complete corresponding graphic organizers. Multiple graphic organizers are provided, and a reference sheet is also provided that includes an explanation, signal words, and graphic organizer templates for each text structure.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will sort sentences based on their text structures. As an extension activity, students can write about a topic using each text structure.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will sequence events in a story using a graphic organizer.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will identify the author's purpose (persuade, inform, entertain, explain) by sorting passages.

Type: Student Center Activity

In this activity, students will identify the relationship between cause and effect. NOTE: This is an introductory activity for cause and effect. Students will need to extend their learning using text containing a cause/effect text structure to fully meet the expectations of the aligned standards.

Type: Student Center Activity

3...2...1...Lift-off. Engage students in discussions about aerospace themes with the Ariane 5: The Satellite Launcher eReader. The eReader is an informational text with various text features and facts about the Ariane 5 rocket.

Type: Text Resource

Ardian Zika grew up in communist Yugoslavia (now Kosovo). He immigrated to the United States, became a U.S. citizen, and was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2018.

Type: Video/Audio/Animation