Getting to the Core of Literacy for History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects, Grades 6–12
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Description
Literacy—it’s not just for English teachers anymore.
The new Common Core English Language Arts Standards aren’t just for English teachers. Fluent reading and writing are critically important to the study of history/social studies, science, and technical subjects, too. What’s more, the progress your students make is directly tied to their ability to process information they read and to express their ideas in writing.
So how do you make literacy a focus of your teaching . . . without taking time away from essential content? This practical resource—packed with teacher-tested, CCSS-based sample lessons—shows you how, using the Backward Design approach to set and meet your goals. Each lesson template includes
- The teaching strategies you’ll utilize
- Ways to incorporate technology and media
- Variations for differentiation and interdisciplinary connections
- Links to the work of major educational theorists
Following these models, you’ll set the CCSS in your sights and develop lessons that both meet standards and fit your classroom. Before you know it, you’ll be infusing reading and writing across your curriculum in purposeful and meaningful ways.
Contents
Introduction: How to Use This Book
- Overview of Chapters
- Lesson Format
- Lesson Selection
- Best Practices
Part I. Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
- 1. Understanding the CCSS: An Overview
- What Are the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas?
- How Can We Use Backward Design to Create Curriculum that Addresses the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas?
- How Do the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas and Backwards Design Relate to the Theories of Dewey, Bloom and Gardner?
- 2. The Benefits of the CCSS for the Teaching of Reading in the Content Areas
- 3. Reading Lessons in History/Social Studies 6-12
- Key Ideas and Details
- Nationalism: THe Good, the Bad, the Ugly (U.S. History, Grades 6-8)
- Craft and Structure
- Social Causes of New Imperialism (World History, Grades 9-10)
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
- Vietnam: The Human Face of an Inhumane Time (US History, Grades 11-12)
- 4. Reading Lessons in Science and Technical Subjects
- Key Ideas and Details
- Bonus Science Articles (Biology, Grades 11-12)
- Craft and Structure
- Vocabulary Videos (Computer Apps, Grades 9-10)
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
- Continental Drift (Earth Science, Grades 6-8)
Part II. Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
- 5. The Benefits of the CCSS for the Teaching of Writing in the Content Areas
- 6. Argument Writing Lessons
- Social Studies
- Mock Trial: Native Americans & European Colonization ( U.S. History, Grades 6-8)
- Science
- Boyle's Law (Chemistry, Grades 9-10)
- Technical Subjects
- Fantasy Basketball (Sports Marketing, Grades 11-12)
- 7. Informative/Explanatory Writing Lessons
- Technical Subjects
- Math in Everyday Life (Math, Grades 6-8)
- Science
- Earth Day (Earth Science, Grades 9-10)
- Social Studies
- The Montgomery Bus Boycott (U.S. History, Grades 11-12)
- 8. Ensuring Success With the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas
- What are Best Practices for Addressing the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas?
- Success Stories Involving Content Area Teachers Working Together
- Accessing Support Through Technology
- Ten Tips for Getting to the Core of the Common Core for Literacy in the Content Areas
- Conclusion
Additional materials
Description
Literacy—it’s not just for English teachers anymore.
The new Common Core English Language Arts Standards aren’t just for English teachers. Fluent reading and writing are critically important to the study of history/social studies, science, and technical subjects, too. What’s more, the progress your students make is directly tied to their ability to process information they read and to express their ideas in writing.
So how do you make literacy a focus of your teaching . . . without taking time away from essential content? This practical resource—packed with teacher-tested, CCSS-based sample lessons—shows you how, using the Backward Design approach to set and meet your goals. Each lesson template includes
- The teaching strategies you’ll utilize
- Ways to incorporate technology and media
- Variations for differentiation and interdisciplinary connections
- Links to the work of major educational theorists
Following these models, you’ll set the CCSS in your sights and develop lessons that both meet standards and fit your classroom. Before you know it, you’ll be infusing reading and writing across your curriculum in purposeful and meaningful ways.
Contents
Introduction: How to Use This Book
- Overview of Chapters
- Lesson Format
- Lesson Selection
- Best Practices
Part I. Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
- 1. Understanding the CCSS: An Overview
- What Are the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas?
- How Can We Use Backward Design to Create Curriculum that Addresses the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas?
- How Do the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas and Backwards Design Relate to the Theories of Dewey, Bloom and Gardner?
- 2. The Benefits of the CCSS for the Teaching of Reading in the Content Areas
- 3. Reading Lessons in History/Social Studies 6-12
- Key Ideas and Details
- Nationalism: THe Good, the Bad, the Ugly (U.S. History, Grades 6-8)
- Craft and Structure
- Social Causes of New Imperialism (World History, Grades 9-10)
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
- Vietnam: The Human Face of an Inhumane Time (US History, Grades 11-12)
- 4. Reading Lessons in Science and Technical Subjects
- Key Ideas and Details
- Bonus Science Articles (Biology, Grades 11-12)
- Craft and Structure
- Vocabulary Videos (Computer Apps, Grades 9-10)
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
- Continental Drift (Earth Science, Grades 6-8)
Part II. Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
- 5. The Benefits of the CCSS for the Teaching of Writing in the Content Areas
- 6. Argument Writing Lessons
- Social Studies
- Mock Trial: Native Americans & European Colonization ( U.S. History, Grades 6-8)
- Science
- Boyle's Law (Chemistry, Grades 9-10)
- Technical Subjects
- Fantasy Basketball (Sports Marketing, Grades 11-12)
- 7. Informative/Explanatory Writing Lessons
- Technical Subjects
- Math in Everyday Life (Math, Grades 6-8)
- Science
- Earth Day (Earth Science, Grades 9-10)
- Social Studies
- The Montgomery Bus Boycott (U.S. History, Grades 11-12)
- 8. Ensuring Success With the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas
- What are Best Practices for Addressing the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas?
- Success Stories Involving Content Area Teachers Working Together
- Accessing Support Through Technology
- Ten Tips for Getting to the Core of the Common Core for Literacy in the Content Areas
- Conclusion
Additional materials
Reviews
Getting to the Core of Literacy for History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects, Grades 6–12
May 2013 | 264 pages | Corwin
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paperback | 01/02/2026 | 9781452255446 | $37.95 |
| Lifetime | 01/02/2026 | 9781483331065 | $35.00 |
Literacy—it’s not just for English teachers anymore.
The new Common Core English Language Arts Standards aren’t just for English teachers. Fluent reading and writing are critically important to the study of history/social studies, science, and technical subjects, too. What’s more, the progress your students make is directly tied to their ability to process information they read and to express their ideas in writing.
So how do you make literacy a focus of your teaching . . . without taking time away from essential content? This practical resource—packed with teacher-tested, CCSS-based sample lessons—shows you how, using the Backward Design approach to set and meet your goals. Each lesson template includes
- The teaching strategies you’ll utilize
- Ways to incorporate technology and media
- Variations for differentiation and interdisciplinary connections
- Links to the work of major educational theorists
Following these models, you’ll set the CCSS in your sights and develop lessons that both meet standards and fit your classroom. Before you know it, you’ll be infusing reading and writing across your curriculum in purposeful and meaningful ways.
Table Of Contents:
- Introduction: How to Use This Book
- Overview of Chapters
- Lesson Format
- Lesson Selection
- Best Practices
- Part I. Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
- 1. Understanding the CCSS: An Overview
- What Are the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas?
- How Can We Use Backward Design to Create Curriculum that Addresses the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas?
- How Do the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas and Backwards Design Relate to the Theories of Dewey, Bloom and Gardner?
- 2. The Benefits of the CCSS for the Teaching of Reading in the Content Areas
- 3. Reading Lessons in History/Social Studies 6-12
- Key Ideas and Details
- Nationalism: THe Good, the Bad, the Ugly (U.S. History, Grades 6-8)
- Craft and Structure
- Social Causes of New Imperialism (World History, Grades 9-10)
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
- Vietnam: The Human Face of an Inhumane Time (US History, Grades 11-12)
- 4. Reading Lessons in Science and Technical Subjects
- Key Ideas and Details
- Bonus Science Articles (Biology, Grades 11-12)
- Craft and Structure
- Vocabulary Videos (Computer Apps, Grades 9-10)
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
- Continental Drift (Earth Science, Grades 6-8)
- Part II. Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
- 5. The Benefits of the CCSS for the Teaching of Writing in the Content Areas
- 6. Argument Writing Lessons
- Social Studies
- Mock Trial: Native Americans & European Colonization ( U.S. History, Grades 6-8)
- Science
- Boyle's Law (Chemistry, Grades 9-10)
- Technical Subjects
- Fantasy Basketball (Sports Marketing, Grades 11-12)
- 7. Informative/Explanatory Writing Lessons
- Technical Subjects
- Math in Everyday Life (Math, Grades 6-8)
- Science
- Earth Day (Earth Science, Grades 9-10)
- Social Studies
- The Montgomery Bus Boycott (U.S. History, Grades 11-12)
- 8. Ensuring Success With the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas
- What are Best Practices for Addressing the CCSS for Literacy in the Content Areas?
- Success Stories Involving Content Area Teachers Working Together
- Accessing Support Through Technology
- Ten Tips for Getting to the Core of the Common Core for Literacy in the Content Areas
- Conclusion