8th Grade Historical Literacy consists of two 43 minute class periods. Writing is one 43 minute block and reading is another. The teacher has picked themes based on social studies standards, and a read-aloud novel based on social studies serves as the mentor text for writing and reading skills. More social studies content is addressed in reading through teaching nonfiction reading skills and discussion. Standards reflect CCSS ELA, Reading, and Social Studies Standards for History.

This resource offers ELA teachers over 100 exercises to teach a variety of Common Core lessons.  The following are included:  reading comprehesion, figurative language, genre, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, point of view, text structure, and writing.  The exercises have standards attached, and often there is a power point to present the lesson.  It is also organized by grade level, making use for teachers extremely efficient.

This activity helps students understand that science writing is organized in identifiable patterns called text structures. Understanding and using these different text structures help refine students abilities to both read and write in science.