Teaching American History

Petaluma City Schools
Petaluma, California

Strategies for Improving Reading and Writing Skills

Internet Sites for Improving Reading
Internet Sites for Improving Writing *
Internet Sites for Improving Reading
  1. Teacher's Corner - has secondary reading strategies for comprehension, vocabulary, writing a report, and test taking. Step-by-step directions for each strategy is included, as well as samples and blank forms that can be copied and pasted into Word.
  2. Teachervision.com - provides a number of graphic organizers that can be used in all content areas. Printable versions can be downloaded and/or e-mailed. These graphic organizers can be used as Preparation, Assistance, and Reflection activities. There are also links to professional development, lesson plans, and other resources.
  3. Strategies for Reading Comprehension - a nice collection of proven reading strategies that can be useful in teaching Social Studies content.
  4. Teaching-Learning Strategies - a collection of strategies to develop fluent and proficient readers capable of comprehending a range of texts, then being able to interact with the texts, and to shape their responses based on their reading.
  5. Strategies for Reading in the Content Areas - contains strategies to strengthen students' abilities to read for information and to become strategic readers.
  6. Help! I Am Not A Reading Teacher - One teacher's tips on teaching reading and content; create a lesson for your content area that embeds quality reading instruction within the context of a lesson specifically for your content area.

Internet Sites for Improving Reading
Internet Sites for Improving Writing *

Internet Sites for Improving Writing

  1. National Commission on Writing - In an effort to focus national attention on the teaching and learning of writing, the College Board established the National Commission on Writing for America's Families, Schools, and Colleges.
  2. The Nation's Report Card - Writing - This site includes information on the writing achievement of American students as determined by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
  3. About.com -- Writing Instruction Resources for Secondary School Educators - Includes links to the following writing instruction resources:  Grammar, Style and Mechanics, Essay, Paragraph and Research Paper Instruction, and Multi-featured Internet Writing Resources.
  4. 6+1 Traits of Writing - A writing assessment model that identifies seven traits of successful writing. Provided by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory.
  5. How to Start a Writer's Workshop - This site includes information and advice from a district literacy trainer on running a writer's workshop.
  6. Journal Writing Every Day: Teachers Say It Really Works! - "Education World talked with teachers who use daily journal writing in their classrooms." This article also includes a thread for teachers to post ideas for writing prompts that work with their students.
  7. Young Authors Workshop - Provides students with resources to help them through the writing process.  Also includes some additional information for teachers.  Mainly intended for middle school students (Grades 4 through 7).
  8. A+ Research and Writing for High School and College Students - Sections include: Step by Step - guide to researching and writing a paper, Info Search - finding information in cyberspace and in your library, Links - to great online resources for research and writing.
  9. The Five Paragraph Essay - Instructions on writing a five paragraph essay for junior high school students. This site includes information on getting started, writing the essay, and editing/revising. There are also prompts for narrative, expository, and persuasive essays and a section with tips and techniques.
  10. Paradigm Online Writing Assistant - Information for all stages of the writing process. Also covers different types of essays. Developed by Professor Chuck Guilford of Boise State University.
  11. OWL - Online Writing Lab (Purdue University) - Information for students and teachers on writing concerns including ESL, grammar, documenting sources, and writing across the curriculum.
Internet Sites for Improving Reading
Internet Sites for Improving Writing *

* The Internet list for "improving writing" was provided by The Educator's Reference Desk.

Teaching American History
Susan Olds - Project Director
E-mail at: solds@pet.k12.ca.us

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