Reading Topics

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Awesome Girls Brain Breaks | Amazing Kids Brain Breaks

Awesome Girls Brain Breaks | Amazing Kids Brain Breaks

Can Girls Thrash, Carve, Ollie, Frontside 540, Mc Twist, Radicle Vert, Get Gnarly, Shred the Clover, Gleam the Cube and Compete with the BOYS?

Dedicated to my All Girl, 1st Place O.M. Stack-able Structure Team! 



 

NJ Ask Reading Test Passages

NJ Ask  Reading Test Passages 
Grade 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 New Jersey Reading Test Passages | Free Printable NJ ASK Reading Passages PDF

Grade 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 NJ ASK Critical Thinking READING TEST Passages | Inference, Main Idea, Authors Purpose, Sequencing, Summary, Character Traits, Fiction and Non-Fiction (nonfiction) | NJ ASK ONE PAGE Printable CRITICAL THINKING Reading PASSAGES ALIGNED TO the New Jersey Assessments of Knowledge and Skill, and the COMMON CORE ELA Standards from Depaul University http://teacher.depaul.edu More Resources

2nd-3rd Grade NJ ASK Reading Test Practice
NJ ASK Grade Level Fiction Passages 
2nd-3rd Grade Reading Level
The Ants and the Grasshopper

NJ ASK Grade Level Nonfiction Reading Passages 
2nd-3rd Grade Reading Level

After the Chicago Fire sequence and summarize 
American Explorers evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Animal Studies infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Block Clubs infer and support the main idea of a passage 
The Captain's Job infer and support the main idea of a passage
Chicago Changes identify and support the main idea in nonfiction texts
Chicago Fire sequence events, infer  motive, and write about nonfiction 
Chicago Legacy, DuSable's Choices and Changes locate and use information to analyze a situation, then write about it English / Spanish
Chicago's First Leader infer and support the main idea of a passage 
The First Flyers infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Grant Park write an extended response about a nonfiction reading 
Learn about Ghana infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Letter to the Mayor evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea
Natural Gas: An Energy Resource infer and support the main idea of a passage 
A New Park evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Pigeon Creek infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Pioneer Families infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Prairie Ecology analyze information in a nonfiction text 
Read to Learn about Symbols, Maps, and Art evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Saving Your Family's Energy Dollar infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Settlement infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Staying in Phoenix summarize a passage 
Transportation Changes infer and support the main idea of a passage 


NJ ASK 4th Grade Reading Level Passages
A New Day  Realistic Fiction about the Election of Barack Obama and Civil Rights
A Proud Flight   The story of Icarus

Grade Level Nonfiction Passages 
4th Grade Reading Level
 Traveling West evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
What is a Fable? evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea
Working at the Hospital evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
 Breaking the Food Chain infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Chicago Changer, Jane Addams infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Chicago High Schools evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Chicago Legacy: Burnham's Plan locate and use information to analyze a situation, write about a topic English / Spanish 
Chicago Legacy, DuSable's Choices and Changes locate and use information to analyze a situation, then write about it English / Spanish 
City Government infer and support the main idea of a passage 
The Early Chicago Environment and People classify information and summarize a nonfiction topic 
Learn about Egypt infer and support the main idea of a passage 
The Football Team identify the main idea 
A Garden in Lawndale evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea (4th grade reading level)
Illinois Pioneers and Prairies infer while reading a history 
Learning about the Solar System identify the main idea of a passage, write an extended response about a nonfiction passage 
Natural Gas: An Energy Resource infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Pilsen, A Community Changes identify causes and effects 
Plants and Places infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Prairie Changes identify an author's purpose, write an extended response 
Prairie Changing the Ecosystem with Multiple Choice Questions analyze information in a nonfiction text 
Seasons on the Prairie infer and support the main idea of a passage
Settlement infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Space Food infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Staying in Phoenix infer and support the main idea of a passage
Today's Telephone infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Transportation Workers evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea
What is a Fable? evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Working at the Television Station evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea
Working at the Hospital evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
The Working Tools of Insects infer and support the main idea of a passage 

5th Grade Reading Level
Columbus and the Egg  historical fiction

Grade Level Nonfiction Passages 
5th Grade Reading Level
 American Explorers infer and support the main idea of a passage
Animal Studies infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Better Living in Chicago: Jane Addams restate a situation presented in text; write to communicate about a situation (5th grade reading level)
Chicago Changes infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Chicago Fire infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Chicago Legacy: Burnham's Plan locate and use information to analyze a situation, write about a topic English / Spanish 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I can infer the author's purpose 
Election Choices infer and support the main idea of a passage 
From Many Places evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Learn about Ethiopia  infer and support the main idea of a passage )
How Have Students Made Community Progress? analyze a problem and solution in a text, identify and support the main idea 
Prairie Keepers analyze information in a nonfiction text
Public Transportation evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Read to Learn about City Systems evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Read to Learn about Elections evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
The Recycle Center evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Reversing the Chicago River identify cause-effect relations and infer predictions 
Seasons on the Prairie analyze information in a nonfiction text 
Settlement infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Valley Forge infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Who Am I sequence events, infer  motive, and write about nonfiction 

6th Grade Reading Level
Community Progress    realistic fiction about a mural
A Good Student realistic fiction about starting high school
His First Dollar historical fiction about Abraham Lincoln

Grade Level Nonfiction Passages 
6th Grade Reading Level
Before Chicago infer and support the main idea of a passage
Chicago's First Leader infer and support the main idea of a passage 
The Early Chicago Environment and People classify information and summarize a nonfiction topic 
Election Choices infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Labor Day Address--Barack Obama Speech infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Learn about Zambia infer and support the main idea of a passage
Nutrition Lesson evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Plants and Food infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Prairie Ecology evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Settlement analyze information in a nonfiction text 
Seasons on the Prairie infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Traveling West infer and support the main idea of a passage 

7th Grade Reading Level
Columbus and the Egg historical fiction about an event showing Columbus as a smart person
A Good Student  realistic fiction about starting high school

Grade Level Nonfiction Passages 
7th Grade Reading Level
Honest Abe infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Labor Day Address--Barack Obama Speech infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Learn about Kenya infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Learning about the Solar System infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Pilsen--A Community Changes identify causes and effects
Prairie Keepers infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Settlement infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Today's Telephone infer and support the main idea of a passage 

8th-10th Grade Reading Level



Grade Level Nonfiction Passages 
8th-10th Grade Reading Level
 An African Heritage in Chicago identify and support the main idea in a nonfiction passage 
Bold Plans, Big Dreams, City Progress identify and support the theme of a text  
Changing the Ecosystem infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Chicago is a City of Possibilities: Deval Patrick, Leader for Chicago analyze a text and write an extended response based on it 
Deval Patrick's Acceptance Speech infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Honest Abe infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Inaugural Address by John F. Kennedy evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea
Labor Day Address--Barack Obama Speech infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Learn about Physical Therapists evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Learn about South Africa evaluate information, summarize, and identify and support a main idea 
Maintaining Cultural Continuity infer and support the main idea of a passage 
New Leadership analyze a speech 
Settlement infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Transportation Changes infer and support the main idea of a passage 
What is Your Own Big Plan? (Barack Obama speech) analyze a text and respond to the issues it presents, write an extended response to a persuasive text 
What Values Have Shaped Chicago? identify the main idea of a passage  
Why is Community Service Important? identify the main idea and supporting information 
Chicago High Schools infer predictions 
Chicago Legacy: DuSable's Choices and Changes  infer and support the main idea of a passage 
Deval Patrick's Acceptance Speech infer and support the main idea of a passage 

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Drawing Conclusion Test Questions

Drawing Conclusion Test Questions |  Grade 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Drawing Conclusion Test Questions and Worksheets | Free Drawing Conclusion and Making Inference worksheets. 

Making Inference: an idea that is suggested by the facts or details in a passage 
Drawing Conclusion: a decision about what may happen or about the result an event may have

Drawing Conclusion Test Questions | Informational Text and Literature
[PDF]Drawing ConclusionsText Clues ... draw conclusions about it by deciding for yourself what the information means. Directions: ... answer the questions that follow. ... Research and Study Skills: Evaluate Information/Draw Conclusions ... Elementary Test Prep Center.

Drawing Conclusion Online Quiz

Drawing Conclusion Test Questions Printable PDF

Drawing Conclusions - A Cricket in Times Square

Drawing Conclusions - Iditarod Dream

Drawing Conclusions - Sarah Plain and Tall

Drawing Conclusions - Sarah, Plain, and Tall

Drawing Conclusions - The Fun They Had

Drawing Conclusions - The Talent Show

Drawing Conclusions - We'll Never Forget You Roberto Clemente

Making Inferences/Drawing Conclusions Mini Test

Evaluate Information and Draw Conclusion

Primary Assessment (Worksheet) Drawing Conclusion and Making Inference

Drawing Conclusion Complete Lessons and Unit

Drawing a Conclusion Worksheets with Answers

Inference from Cartoons

Drawing Conclusions Worksheet Doc


Great Materials From ReadWorks.org
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS FROM INFORMATION CHART

Drawing Conclusions 4th Grade Unit - ReadWorks.org

Lesson 1: Explicit Information versus Drawing ... - ReadWorks.org

Lesson 2: Drawing Conclusions from Historical - ReadWorks.org

Drawing Conclusions from Historical Fiction - ReadWorks.org

Drawing Conclusions 2nd Grade Unit - ReadWorks.org

Drawing Conclusions - ReadWorks.org

Making Inferences Test Practice

Making Inferences – Practice 1

“MAKING INFERENCES: READING BETWEEN THE LINES” Work Shop

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Thinking, Fast and Slow in Your Classroom!

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman | "System 1 Thinking" is fast, reactionary, impassioned, emotional thinking that qualitatively is prone to errors and biases. A stab in the dark or blind guessing (Dionysian); "System 2 Thinking" is a slower, more deliberative, deductive, logical, reasoned, and analytical approach (Apollonian). The Apollonian and the Dionysian are philosophical concepts represented by a dichotomy, or dialectic, between the greek figure of Apollo who is ruled by logic and the mind, and Dionysus who is ruled by the heart and passion. Why does it matter? Inspector Clouseau vs. Sherlock Holmes, who is running the learning, thinking, and problem-solving in your classroom? 

Is unexamined untrained fast-thinking part of a systemic problem in classrooms today? Students may make "System 1" fast automatic (Hurestical) responses that can and are often wrong, or biased, yet never engage "System 2" slow thinking processes due to a lack of instructional structures, tactics, and strategies (Practiced and Logically Trained Heuristics). Classroom teachers may give priority to fast thinking processes over slow thinking processes because of a lack of instructional time or understanding of the Socratic, Heuristic, and/or the Praxis processes. Understanding the thinking process and Hurestics is the first step in monitoring students thinking and seeking a greater depth of knowledge. Understanding Heuristics and new developments in the neurosciences and brain research will improve teacher performance and student outcomes. System 2 or slow thinking models need to be built into classroom lessons and curriculum (Socratic Seminars). The fast-thinking systems should be examined, tested, improved, and implemented in many academic areas including math (Singapore Math Method. 13 Heuristic in mathematics)

     Using Mortimer Adler treatise on How to Read a Book as a foundation for incorporating System 2 (slow) thinking is one key to developing higher-order thinking in students. Using the latest brain research to develop curriculum and instructional strategies with a focus on developing higher orders of analytical reading and Syntopical reading will help students prepare for college and career-ready goals. Sean 

The Levels of Reading | How to Read a Book by Mortimer Alder 
A. Elementary: "What does the sentence/book say?"
B. Inspectional: "What is the book about? What kind of book is it?"
C. Analytical: "What does the book mean?"
D. Syntopical: "How does it compare with other books?"

   
Thinking, Fast and Slow  by Nobel Memorial Prize winner in Economics Daniel Kahneman which summarizes research that he conducted over decades, often in collaboration with Amos Tversky In the book's first section, Kahneman describes the two different ways the brain forms thoughts:
System 1: Fast, automatic, frequent, emotional, stereotypical, subconscious
System 2: Slow, effortful, infrequent, logical, calculating, conscious 

  The Video below gives a quick overview of fast and slow thinking, and should give all teachers something to think about. Sean

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Common Core Math Word Problems Test Practice

Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 CCSS Math Word Problems Test Practice

Grade 1| 1st grade common core math word problems
Grade 2| 2nd grade common core math word problems
Grade 3| 3rd grade common core math word problems
Grade 4| 4th grade common core math word problems
Grade 5| 5th grade common core math word problems
Grade 5| Answers 5th grade common core math problems
Word Problem Strategy Cards!










CCSS Math Story Problems | The Game Cards are designed to make learning to read and understanding the different and difficult types of story problems FUN! The cards have trick questions with no correct answers and cards with both answers correct. The cards can be used with Hot Dots as a learning center and formative self correcting activity.

CCSS MATH Word Problem Resources

Strategies for Solving word problems PDF PPT 




Problem Type



Joining  Problems

Word Problem

 

Result Unknown

Mr. Taylor had 5 board games. Jesus gave him 8 more board games.  How many board games does Mr. Taylor  have all together?


Change Unknown

Mr. Taylor has 5 board games.  How many more board games does he need to have 13 board games all together?
Start Unknown

Mr. Taylor had some classroom board games.  Anthony donated 5 more board games.  Now he has 21 board games.  How many board games did Mr. Taylor have to start with?

Separating

Problems
Word Problem
Result Unknown

Basic 
Mr. Taylor had 13 board games.  He gave 5 to Ryan.  How many board games does Mr. Taylor have left?

Advanced 
Mr. Taylor had 41 probability board games and 67 stratagem board games.  He gave 7 stratagem board games to Ryan.  How many board games does Mr. Taylor have left all together?
Change Unknown

Mr. Taylor had 13 board games.  He gave some to Danna.  Now he has 5 board games left.  How may board games did Mr. Taylor give to Danna?
Start Unknown

Mr. Taylor had some board games.  He gave 5 to Henny.  Now he has 8 board games left.  How many board games did Mr. Taylor have to start with?

Part-Part-Whole

Word Problem

Whole Unknown

Mr. Taylor has 5 strategy board games and 8 chance board games.  How many board games does he have?
Part Unknown

Mr. Taylor has 14 board games.  ¼ are strategy board games and the rest are chance board games.  How many strategy board games does Mr. Taylor have?

Comparing

Word Problem
Difference Unknown

Mr. Taylor has 13 board games.  Alex has 5 board games.  How many more board games does Mr. Taylor have than Alex?
Compare Quantity Unknown

Roxanne has 10 board games.  Mr. Taylor has 50% more than Roxanne.  How many board games does Mr. Taylor  have?
Reference Unknown

Mr. Taylor has 24 board games.  He has 75%  more board games than Jason.  How many board games does Jason have?



  

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Grade 4 Nonfiction Close Reading Question Stems

Grade 4 Nonfiction Close Reading Test Questions Stems | Grade 4 Close Reading Task Cards Question Stems 

Grade 4 Common Core Close Reading Steps | Socratic Seminar Close Reading Task Cards
The Grade 4 Close Reading Task Cards are compiled from the Denver Public Schools CCSS-ELA 4th Grade Scope and Sequence. 
  1. Use short passages that inspire deep thinking
  2. Have a question or questions in mind when reading
  3. Rereading and questioning during 
  4. Read and take notes while reading and rereading
  5. Examine and discuss text that is confusing 
  6. Discussing the text and questions with peers 
  7. Responding with open ended text-dependent questions 


Close reading describes, in literary criticism, the careful, sustained interpretation of a brief passage of text. Such a reading places great emphasis on the single particular over the general, paying close attention to individual words, syntax, and the order in which sentences and ideas unfold as they are read. Wiki