One of the best ways to strengthen reading comprehension is to build background knowledge. Students cannot fully understand what they read about a place, event, or culture if they don't already know something about it. This is one reason I love combining social studies, reading, and writing. Instead of treating writing as a separate subject, students can use writing to think about and process the information they are learning. For this resource, students explore six famous pl

Traditional literature is part of reading standards throughout elementary school and is an important foundation for reading comprehension in middle school and high school. When writers allude to Achilles' heel or the terrifying Baba Yaga, they assume readers have specific knowledge of the folk tales, fairy tales, and fables that make up traditional literature. In a knowledge builder, students get access to a slide deck where they have some choice about how they interact with

This month, my second graders are learning about culture. Culture is one of those things that is hard to understand in the abstract. Instead, kids find it easier to learn about culture through specific examples. To help my students understand culture, I created these slide shows on Mexican and Chinese culture. The slide shows teach about language, food, music, art, clothing, and holidays. Students can use these slide shows to compare and contrast the two cultures, or to discu

I am back to teaching second grade! I love teaching second grade. This is a huge year for building the foundational skills students will use for the rest of their lives. However, I have always struggled to make some of the social studies content meaningful for the kids. Our first social studies topic is good citizenship. This is a great way to start the year as students are learning to be good citizens in our classroom community. As simple as this topic may seem to adults, I

Kay Bailey Hutchison, a pioneering figure in Texas and national politics, broke significant ground as the first woman elected to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate, serving from 1993 to 2013. Renowned for her pragmatic approach to governance and bipartisanship, Hutchison tackled issues from national security to education reform. Her career extended beyond the Senate, including a notable role as the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, highlighting her influence in both dome

Dr. Hector P. Garcia emerged as a pivotal figure in the Mexican American civil rights movement, founding the American GI Forum to advocate for the rights of Mexican American veterans and broadening his activism to fight for equality across education, employment, and healthcare. His contributions, including significant roles in landmark civil rights cases and desegregation efforts, earned him national recognition, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Garcia’s enduring le

James Stephen Hogg, the first native-born governor of Texas, served from 1891 to 1895 and is remembered for his progressive reforms, including the establishment of the Texas Railroad Commission to regulate monopolies and protect consumers. His tenure emphasized regulatory reform, education, and public health, significantly impacting Texas’s economic and social landscape. Hogg’s legacy as a champion of fairness and public welfare continues to influence Texas governance and pol

Oveta Culp Hobby was an influential American leader known for her pioneering roles as the first director of the Women’s Army Corps during World War II and the first Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, making her one of the first women to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet. Beyond her public service, she significantly impacted journalism as a co-owner and manager of the Houston Post. Hobby’s trailblazing contributions across military service, public administration,

Manuel C. Gonzales was a pivotal figure in the Mexican American civil rights movement, dedicating his life to advocating for the rights and betterment of Hispanic Americans. Born in the late 19th century, his contributions have left an indelible mark on the struggle for equality and justice. In 1929, Manuel C. Gonzales co-founded the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), an organization that has played a crucial role in addressing the systemic inequalities faced b

Lulu Belle Madison White was a formidable civil rights activist in Texas, renowned for her leadership in the NAACP and pivotal role in the landmark Sweatt v. Painter case, which challenged educational segregation. Born into a family with a legacy of slavery, her upbringing and education at Prairie View A&M University fueled her commitment to fighting racial injustices. Through her tireless advocacy for the integration of public facilities and equal access to education, health

Jane McCallum was a key figure in Texas history, renowned for her leadership in the women’s suffrage movement and her transformative tenure as Texas Secretary of State. Through her advocacy, she played a pivotal role in the ratification of the 19th Amendment and modernized the state’s approach to public records and voting processes. McCallum’s dedication to ethical governance and civic responsibility also led her to campaign for reformist candidates, leaving a lasting legacy

Ann Richards, the 45th Governor of Texas, was a dynamic political figure known for her sharp wit and progressive policies, serving from 1991 to 1995. She championed inclusivity in government, education reform, and economic improvement, leaving a lasting legacy as a trailblazer for women and minorities in politics. Richards’ tenure highlighted her dedication to transforming Texas through a commitment to diversity, education, and public health, making her an enduring influence

Barbara Jordan was a groundbreaking American politician and civil rights leader, remembered for being the first African American woman elected to the Texas Senate and the first Southern African American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives. Renowned for her eloquent oratory and staunch commitment to justice and equality, Jordan’s career was highlighted by her influential role in the Watergate hearings and her tireless advocacy for civil rights, voting r

Miriam A. Ferguson, the first female governor of Texas, broke significant gender barriers in American politics during the early 20th century. Despite facing opposition from suffragists and battling allegations of corruption, her governance was notable for advocating educational reforms, improving infrastructure, and combating the Ku Klux Klan’s influence. Ferguson’s legacy is a complex blend of pioneering achievement and controversial administration, marking her as a key figu

Building background knowledge is a huge part of reading comprehension. Students need to know the basic vocabulary and ideas on a topic before they can comprehend what they read about it. Knowing about the continents helps students understand so much about world history and science topics. In Texas, our standards have us teaching about the continents starting in second grade. Instead of teaching haphazardly, we created a pattern that we used every day for the week we spent lea