Getting Back to Basics

The basics could be reading, writing, and arithmetic, or perhaps the key concepts of architecture, ballet, or citizenship. Choose the basic skills you want to sharpen this month.

Do you have a favorite type of book you like to read? Maybe you are a fan of mysteries or science fiction or historical novels? Reading and Analyzing Multigenre Texts offers tips for seeing the connections among various book genres and applying the reading strategies that fit multigenre works.

Language Arts| Grades 6-8

Young and old alike benefit from understanding how families earn and spend their money and manage their financial affairs. The Family Money Matters: Exploring the World of Economics resource from the Literacy Network offers advice and a sample lesson plan to help parents and teachers introduce children to some basic financial concepts and vocabulary.

Economics | All Grades

Apply basic mathematics skills and become a Junior Architect as you design a clubhouse. In this four-lesson unit from Illuminations students will apply linear measurement skills, create scale representations, explore perimeter and area, and analyze the attributes of two- and three-dimensional shapes.

Math | Grades 3-5

Spice up your writing with similes, a basic literary device. In Recognizing Similes: Fast as a Whip you will analyze how Wordsworth, Derricotte, and Frost used similes to vividly communicate ideas to the reader.

Language Arts | Grades 9-12

Suppose you were not yet a citizen of the United States. Would you have the knowledge and basic skills to become one? Review this slide show that outlines the steps in this process and then try your hand at passing the New Citizenship Test.

Civics, Literacy | Adult Learners

In the Language of Ballet lesson you will discover why most basic ballet terms are in French and learn the body positioning that goes with each term. Then dance the Elements of Ballet, using simple movements that communicate ideas and feelings with your body instead of with words.

Arts | Grades 5-8

A triangle is one of the basic geometry shapes. Build triangles using either the online interactive Patch Tool or pattern block manipulatives as described in How Do You Build Triangles?

Math | Grades 3-5