This article starts with interesting facts about corn. The two next sections focus on the history of corn as a cultivated plant and the multitude of corn varieties and adaptations. The text is written for native speakers age 8 and up.

This is a scientific report with supporting links and audio files. The discussed sections are: Big Bang, the creation of the universe, creation of the solar system and the planet earth. Two audio files describe different creation stories in different traditions and the search for a second planet Earth. The two supporting files deal with the hypothetical questions of what is beyond the universe and what exactly the Big Bang was. The text is written and spoken in child friendly language for children 8 years and up.

This scientific article discusses two aspects about the sphere shape of our planet: the Earth concept through history of science and gravity as the source for ball-shaped structures in the universe. The text is written in child-friendly language for native readers age 9 and up.

This scientific article touches several different flower features and functions. It starts with the color and the attraction to different pollinators. It then explains how colors are produced in flowers and how scents attract insects. It also discusses how the scent emission varies throughout the day and how different animals perceive different odors. The text is written in child-friendly language for native speakers of 8 years and up.

This scientific article describes how glaciers are being created and how it ends in the sea, in rivers or in lakes. Additional information is provided about icebergs and why only the tip of an iceberg is visible. The text is written for native speakers 8 years and up.

This scientific article describes the physical phenomenon of gravitation. Starting with the discovery by Isaac Newton, the article explains the principles of gravitation, but also finds answers to the questions how heavy our planet is and why we still can lift a chair. The text is written for native speakers age 9 and up in child-friendly language.

This scientific article explains the phenomenon of high tide and low tide. It also compares the tide differences in oceans, the Mediterranean, and lakes. The text is written in child-friendly language for native speakers and appropriate for childen 8 years and up

This scientific article gives a detailed overview over the structure and function of leaves. It explains which nutrients are being exchanged with the help of chlorophyll through process of photosynthesis. It also visualizes with picture support how, during fall, the green component is eventually being extracted from the leaves resulting in yellow, brown, and red color components becoming visible. The text is written for German native speakers age 10 and up.

This scientific article gives an introduction into mountain facts. It starts with the formation of mountains based on plate tectonics. It also provides information about the decreasing temperature in higher altitudes and how the height of mountains can be measured. Audio reports and links to pages with supportive knowledge make this a multi-media page. The language in the reading and audio section is child-friendly for children of 8 years and up.

This scientific article explains the historic, social, and economic implications of the invention of the steam engine. It also discusses how the industrial revolution made manufacturing plants independent from locations next to rivers. The last part describes the nostalgic use of historic steam engines. The text is in child-friendly language and appropriate for children age 8 and up.

This article provides a historic background to the fairytales of the fairytales collected by the Brothers Grimm. The original title "Children and Home Fairytales" was first published in 1812. It also focuses on the aspect of cruelty due to the fact they were originally not written for children but to educate common people. An audio link provides an extension of the information and a reflection on modern children stories. The text is written for native speakers age 8 and up. The audio text is spoken in natural language.

This activity for gifted learners follows close reading of Bats: Creatures of the Night by Joyce Milton and the poem “A Bat is Born” by Randall Jarrell.  At the end of the reading of Bats: Creatures of the Night and “A Bat is Born,” all students will complete a Venn diagram that is differentiated based on readiness, using the two texts.  This activity should be assigned to students who not only demonstrate a solid understanding of the book and poem, but also show a keen ability to make connections between the big ideas presented texts.  Students will analyze the non-fiction and poetry pieces, with a special focus on the commonalities between bats & humans and the commonalities between the texts, as well.  This will culminate in the creation of a triple Venn diagram.  This lesson was developed by NCDPI as part of the Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Instructional Resources Project. This lesson plan has been vetted at the state level for standards alignment, AIG focus, and content accuracy.

This cross-curricular lesson combines Social Studies and Language Arts to demonstrate how the study of an historical topic can be developed to make learning nonfiction more exciting, and also improve fluency and comprehension. This project about Benjamin Franklin includes a series of lessons in which the students: 1) read for information from multiple texts, 2) write a script for a Readers Theater play, 3) read for expression and fluency by using their script, 4) enhance their reading with visual arts, and 5) demonstrate dramatic interpretation through role-play. This approach engages students throughout in active participation and collaboration. Included are many supporting resources, such as a read-aloud rubric, an audition sheet, and ideas for student assessment and reflection.

The houses that Native American tribes constructed hundreds of years ago looked a lot different than the houses we’re familiar with today. In this informational text, Sarah J. Bell describes the different houses that Native Americans built. As studentsread, they take notes on how the environment affected the type of house Native Americans built.

In this informational text, Rachel Slivnick discusses the types of stories that Pixar tells. As students read, they take notes on what all Pixar films have in common.

Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948), also known as Mahatmas Gandhi, was an Indian activist and leader in the Indian independence movement against the British rule in India. In this informational text, Sara Wilson Etienne discusses Gandhi’s march to the sea to protest a law put in place by the British Empire. As students read, they take notes on how Gandhi peacefully protested against the British Empire.

Paraphrasing helps students make connections with prior knowledge, demonstrate comprehension, and remember what they have read. Through careful explanation and thorough modeling by the teacher in this lesson, students learn to use paraphrasing to monitor their comprehension and acquire new information. They also realize that if they cannot paraphrase after reading, they need to go back and reread to clarify information. In pairs, students engage in guided practice so that they can learn to use the strategy independently. Students will need prompting and encouragement to use this strategy after the initial instruction is completed. The lesson can be extended to help students prepare to write reports about particular topics.

In this informational text, Peter McDonnell discusses the land of Africa and the people that live throughout the continent. As students read, they take notes on the different ways people live in Africa.

In this informational text, Heidi Ayarbe discusses one girl’s experiences in the village. As students read, they take notes on the activities that Judica and her family take part in.