ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (4) 32 :

32. Respond in writing to literature and informational text, including stories, dramas, poetry, and cross-curricular texts, both independently and with support, demonstrating grade-level proficiency.

[SS2010] ALA (4) 4 :

4 ) Relate the relationship of the five geographic regions of Alabama to the movement of Alabama settlers during the early nineteenth century.

•  Identifying natural resources of Alabama during the early nineteenth century

•  Describing human environments of Alabama as they relate to settlement during the early nineteenth century, including housing, roads, and place names

[ELA2021] (4) 9 :

9. Accurately interpret general academic and domain-specific words and phrases.

[ELA2021] (4) 14 :

14. Demonstrate comprehension of literary and informational text by utilizing its content when discussing or writing in response to the text.

This lesson looks at the natural resources that drew settlers to Alabama. Students will explore the 1818 letter from Joseph Noble to his friend, Samuel B. Bidgood, describing the town at Tuscaloosa Falls.  Students will explain ideas within this historical text based on specific information presented in this primary source.

Follow-up lesson - Alabama: A Boundless Field of Speculation

This lesson was created in partnership with the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (3) 13 :

13. Utilize new academic, content-specific, grade-level vocabulary to make connections to previously learned words and relate new words to background knowledge.

a. Make connections to a word's structure using knowledge of phonology, morphology, and orthography of the word to aid learning.

[ELA2021] (3) 16 :

16. Use knowledge of grade-level academic and domain-specific vocabulary to gain meaning from text.

[ELA2021] (4) 9 :

9. Accurately interpret general academic and domain-specific words and phrases.

[ELA2021] (5) 12 :

12. Interpret the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns as they are used in texts, including domain-specific and academic vocabulary and figurative language.

a. Locate similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idioms and interpret their meanings in context.

b. Explain the meanings of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

d. Explain how an author's vocabulary and style influence the tone and mood of a text and support his/her purpose for writing.

e. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meanings of words.

[ELA2021] (6) 27 :

27. Discover word meanings by analyzing word parts, examining connotation and denotation, or using print or digital reference tools.

[ELA2021] (7) 29 :

29. Determine word meaning through the use of word parts, context clues, connotation and denotation, or print or digital reference tools.

Examples: affixes, Greek and Latin roots, stems; dictionary, thesaurus, glossary

[ELA2021] (7) 30 :

30. Read and evaluate texts from science, social studies, and other academic disciplines to determine how those disciplines treat domain-specific vocabulary and content organization.

[ELA2021] (8) 28 :

28. Analyze word meanings through the use of word parts, context clues, connotation and denotation, and print or digital reference tools.

Examples: affixes, stems, Greek and Latin roots

[ELA2021] (8) 29 :

29. Read, analyze, and evaluate texts from science, social studies, and other academic disciplines to determine how those disciplines treat domain-specific vocabulary and content organization.

This resource contains 40 cards that include a Greek or Latin root word, a related image, and example words. These cards could be used as flashcards, a teaching activity, or classroom decor. In addition, all of the words are related to science and could be used to support the analysis of domain-specific text. This resource also includes informational material for teachers regarding teaching this concept.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (2) -3 :

R3. Expand background knowledge and build vocabulary through discussion, reading, and writing.

[ELA2021] (2) 6 :

6. Use visual aids and technology in oral presentations to present key ideas and details about a text or conversation, and add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify thoughts, feelings, and ideas.

[ELA2021] (2) 18 :

18. Use dictionary definitions and information found within the text to help determine meaning of unfamiliar or multi-meaning words.

[ELA2021] (2) 19 :

19. Identify new vocabulary and the use of word meanings in text to establish real-life connections.

[ELA2021] (3) -3 :

R3. Expand background knowledge and build vocabulary through discussion, reading, and writing.

[ELA2021] (3) 13 :

13. Utilize new academic, content-specific, grade-level vocabulary to make connections to previously learned words and relate new words to background knowledge.

a. Make connections to a word's structure using knowledge of phonology, morphology, and orthography of the word to aid learning.

[ELA2021] (4) -5 :

R2. Use context clues to determine meanings of unfamiliar spoken or written words.

[ELA2021] (4) 9 :

9. Accurately interpret general academic and domain-specific words and phrases.

[ELA2021] (5) -5 :

R2. Use context clues to determine meanings of unfamiliar spoken or written words.

The goal of this lesson is to introduce the academic vocabulary of economics and financial literacy through children's books. In Babymouse: Cupcake Tycoon, there are a variety of economics and financial literacy vocabulary words embedded in the text, which involve a school fundraiser. Through a think-aloud read-aloud, the lesson will illustrate how to introduce key economic concepts/vocabulary through the story. Students use puppets to conduct interviews about economics vocabulary in the story and then create vocabulary cards. As a final project, they create video posters, using either PowerPoint or Glogster.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (3) -1 :

R5. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres.

[ELA2021] (3) 13 :

13. Utilize new academic, content-specific, grade-level vocabulary to make connections to previously learned words and relate new words to background knowledge.

a. Make connections to a word's structure using knowledge of phonology, morphology, and orthography of the word to aid learning.

[ELA2021] (3) 34 :

34. Write informative or explanatory texts about a topic using sources, including an introduction, facts, relevant details with elaboration, and a conclusion.

[ELA2021] (4) -6 :

R1. Utilize active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings, following agreed-upon rules for participation.

[ELA2021] (4) -3 :

R4. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres.

[ELA2021] (4) 9 :

9. Accurately interpret general academic and domain-specific words and phrases.

[ELA2021] (4) 36 :

36. Write informative or explanatory text about a topic using sources, incorporating academic vocabulary, and including an introduction, facts, details with elaboration, and a conclusion.

[ELA2021] (5) -6 :

R1. Utilize active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings, following agreed-upon rules for participation.

[ELA2021] (5) -3 :

R4. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres.

[ELA2021] (5) 14 :

14. Write using grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases accurately, including those that signal contrasting ideas, additional information, and other logical relationships.

[ELA2021] (5) 35 :

35. Write informative or explanatory texts using multiple sources to examine a topic, conveying ideas and information clearly and incorporating a strong organizational structure, relevant details, and elaboration.

There are many back to school activities that take place to help create a classroom community. It is important for students to feel that they own the space and the learning that takes place in their classroom. Foster such ownership for students by collaboratively writing an owner's manual that describes the classroom's areas and procedures. Students begin by sharing thoughts and feelings about school so far and brainstorming a list of important classroom places, routines, and events. Next, they select an item from the brainstormed list and write a draft description of how their topic “works” in the classroom and after peer-review, make appropriate revisions. Then students use interactive tools to create their piece of the classroom owner's manual. Finally, students share their work and decide as a class how to share the information with others, such as an Open House or when new students join the classroom.