6-12 Instructional Resources
Civil Discussion Speaking and Listening
Tips for Socratic Seminar: Socratic Seminar is a common practice in Language Arts classrooms. This Teaching Channel page gives a description of Socratic Seminar, and includes videos showing examples of students participating in civil discussion through Socratic methods. Standards based Discussion Rubric
Socratic Smackdown: This activity/game teaches and allows students to practice civil discussion.
Voice of America: los estudiantes de inglés pueden practicar con habilidades de escucha a través de estas lecciones secuenciales. Las lecciones se ofrecen en 3 niveles y cubren las habilidades de comunicación esenciales.
English learners can get practice with listening skills through these sequential lessons. The lessons are offered at 3 levels and cover essential communication skills.
Screencastify: Screencastify gives students and teachers a tool to easily record themselves, with or without video. The recordings can be uploaded to YouTube.
Edpuzzle: Teachers can upload videos (self-made or found on the internet) and embed questions. Students answer as they listen and watch.
Flipgrid: Students can make and respond to short videos. Teachers set the prompt and the video length requirement. Excellent for class/team building, sharing perspectives, etc..
Reading for School and Pleasure
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library: All TPS students have access to books at TSCPL. This page gives instructions for accessing digital, audio, and paper books.
Newsela: This resource is available to all teachers in TPS, and students will gain access through their classes. Students can also search the site on their own. The platform offers all kinds of nonfiction and fiction texts. Each text is available at 5 reading levels and many are available in Spanish. Students can search by topic to find articles that match their interests.
Reading Comprehension Tips: This article from UNC gives practical tips for actively engaging in reading. Parents who are working with struggling or disinterested readers will find suggestions for helping their student.
No Fear Shakespeare: This site has the full text of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets with a side-by-side translation. Whether reading Shakespeare for a class or pleasure, this resource makes Shakespeare understandable.
TPS School Libraries: Follow this link to log into your school library to explore and check out digital and audio books. Instructions for accessing the different resources offered by Topeka Public Schools Libraries can be found at this link.
Power in Writing Support and Practice
Research and Test Prep: The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library is offering free research and test prep sites to students. Any TPS student automatically has a library card and can access resources and services at TSCPL.
Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers tutorials and practices in English grammar and usage. This is an excellent resource for students who need extra practice.
Writing, Journaling, and Blogging for Students: Suggestions for several student-friendly websites where students can start their own blog or online journal. This gives students a chance to collaborate with peers and explore the power of the sharing through writing.
ESOL Writing Practice: Los aprendices de inglés pueden practicar la puntuación, la corrección de errores y escribir oraciones en este sitio web. También tiene enlaces a sitios de práctica de escritura adicionales.
English Learners can practice punctuation, error correction, and writing sentences on this website. It also links to additional writing practice sites.
NoRedInk: Use NoRedInk for all kinds of writing practice and assessment. It also has pre-tests for skills assessment in grammar and usage. Teachers can assign and assess writing, grammar, usage, and convention through this digital platform.