Informational Texts
The Internet connects us to Googles of resources. Teachers are great researches, but don't always have the time to find the sources they need. For this reason, we built a Non-Fiction Source Reference. Although this is not a comprehensive list of sources, we do offer links to quality resources that teachers can use to find non-fiction texts to teach across content areas.
Once you find a text, use our Text Complexity Meter to measure how challenging a text might be for your students.
Resources
Pros and Cons of controversial issues
Promoting critical thinking, education, and informed citizenship by presenting controversial issues in a straightforward, nonpartisan, primarily pro-con format.
Academy of Achievement
Discover famous and ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. This resource is great for resource for biographies.
American Rhetoric
Find the top 100 speeches delivered in American history. Most of the speeches in the library include the text, video and audio.
BBC News
The British Broadcasting Corporation reports on world news and offers terrific articles for content area teachers.
Time
Time publishes articles on all subjects. This is a great resource for current events and thoughtful reporting.
CA Education and the Environment Initiative
This is a California based resource that gives teachers access to life science and biology curriculum K-12. The articles and photos are all free.
Science Daily
This resources offers science news articles on a wide range of topics. New articles are added everyday.
National Geographic Science
Find articles, videos, and photographs of people, places, things, and ideas from all over the world.
New York Times Science
Find dependable reporting on various scientific subjects and keep students current with today's scientific debate.
Washington Post Kids Post
Washington Post offers articles on issues and topics that kids care about. Find journalistic articles for grades 4-10.
Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears
Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears is an online magazine designed for elementary school teachers. The articles are written for grades 1-5.
Beyond Weather and The Water Cycle
Beyond Weather and The Water Cycle is an online magazine designed for elementary school teachers. The articles are written for grades 1-5.
NRICH Enriching Mathmatics
NRICH provides articles on the history of mathematics, as well as articles on mathematical topics and applications.
BIO Classroom
BIO Classroom provides free educational materials designed to encourage the use of biography in the classroom and to help students explore the lives of those who have shaped our world.
Reading Like A Historian
The Reading Like a Historian curriculum engages students in historical inquiry. Each lesson revolves around a central historical question and features sets of primary documents designed for groups of students with diverse reading skills.
Room for Debate
In Room for Debate, The Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues. Reader comments are moderated Monday through Friday.
NewsELA
Nonfiction literacy and current events.
Science News for Students
Freely accessible online publication provides interactive interfaces and science news to students, parents, and educators, and is designed to appeal to ages 9 through 14.
Greater Good
A newsletter from University of California, Berkeley, that offers articles on character values, mental health, and many other topics that help people live a meaningful life.
Genetic Science Learning Center
A nationally and internationally-recognized education program that translates science and health for non-experts. In addition to genetics, [they] address all areas of life science and health as well as other scientific fields.
