Reading Informational Text Ideas
Black History in English Language Arts
Black history is our history. It's not some separate history to marvel. It's not a gimmick to gawk at in February. Still, while it's somewhat disappointing that it takes Black History Month to draw...
MLK in ELA: Reading & Writing About Martin Luther King, Jr.
Honoring MLK in ELA really is a no-brainer because there's a prolific amount of passionate writing you can find that's been written by, and about, Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a fantastic...
The New Year in ELA: Ideas for Reading & Writing in January
The New Year in ELA means new opportunities for reading and writing! Get your students pumped by providing activities that get them to embrace a growth mindset, develop a vision for the upcoming...
Winter Fun in ELA
It's that time of year when there's a nip in the air and a palpable sense of anticipation for all that winter brings. Not only are your students getting antsy, but so are you. Y'all just can't wait...
Fall in ELA: 20 Ideas for Reading & Writing in Autumn
Once your students return to school in the fall, it's time to grab their attention and get them excited about reading and writing again! Fall in ELA is perfect for reading and writing because there...
Earth Day in ELA – Ideas for Reading & Writing in April
Do you realize that every single day is designated as a special day? You know like National Hot Dog Day? But, just like in life, some days rise to the top. They get a lot of buzz, gain followers,...
St. Patrick’s Day in ELA – Ideas for Reading & Writing in March
It's your lucky day in ELA! That's because St. Patrick's Day is one more opportunity to incorporate an engaging, fun, multicultural topic into English language arts. It's another chance to set a...
5 Interesting Facts About the History of Valentine’s Day
Ah Valentine's, how I love thee and dislike thee all at once, lol. Let's just say I've had a love-hate relationship with Valentine's Day my whole life. Have you by any chance? Anyway, to focus on...
10 Interesting Facts About Pandemics & Vaccination
These 10 interesting facts about pandemics and vaccination may serve as: curiosity satisfiers, conversation starters, research topics, writing ideas, a-ha moments, bellringer activities, or simply...
Interesting Facts About Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is not just your average celebration. Also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, it is the grandest festival in China, and it lasts for days. The festival is dominated by...
“The Hill We Climb” Poem in English Language Arts
I am not touching politics here or now with a ten-foot pole, but I will say that the Biden Administration employing a poet laureate, 22-year-old Amanda Gorman, creates opportunities in your ELA...
3 Differences Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day
Your students (deep down inside) are wondering what the difference is between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. And those truly inquisitive students are wondering why Veterans Day doesn't have an...
5 Cool Facts About Ice Cream
Here are 5 Cool Facts About Ice Cream: 1. Long before modern refrigeration and freezers, around 200 BC, the Chinese enjoyed a frozen mixture of milk and rice sweetened with syrup. It was made frozen...
10 Graphic Organizers for Reluctant Readers and Writers
Sometimes it just takes one simple thing to get reluctant readers and writers motivated to start their task. That one simple thing could be a fun, creative graphic organizer. So simple, yet so...
10 Great Ways for Students to Research and Present Information
This year, when you are looking for ideas that go beyond the boring book report or essay, but you still want students to read informational text and present what they learned, try one of these ten...
How Chameleons Change Colors: An ELA Literacy in Science Lesson
This fun lesson combines science and ELA (a.k.a. literacy in science). Students read about why and how chameleons change color. They explain why chameleons change color in their own words. They make...
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes Reading Literature Lesson
I like to get students excited about reading literature by having them do a fun activity to go with the story. This is especially true when the book has sad or "heavy" subject matter related to war....
Labor Day in ELA
You're curious about Labor Day and, deep down inside, students are too. Here are a few interesting facts about Labor Day to satisfy your curiosity, and, if you are a teacher, to share with students...
100 Questions on Standardized ELA Assessment Tests
After having been an ELA teacher for 10 years, and then an assessment writer contracted with multiple Ed-Tech companies (while running my store Loving Language Arts) for about 10 years, I know all...
The 10 Reading Informational Text Assessment Test Targets (Progressing from Grades 4 to 12)
No matter which state (or U.S. Territory) you live in, your state’s ELA standards include these 10 Reading Informational Text Assessment Test Targets. It's important to know what they are, and how...