Mod 11 Discussion: Teaching Critical Literacy

ELA pairs so very well with Social Studies! Over the course of several weeks, my fifth graders studied the many components of the American Revolution through curriculum related lessons in our "Studies Weekly" Magazine. Toward the end of that course of study in Social Studies, our scope and sequence led us to the genre of historical fiction for ELA. The historical fiction piece ("The Scarlet Stocking Spy") was an awesome mystery that conjured up all of that background knowledge from the Social Studies unit that translated into powerful discussions and wonderful writings that synthesized the lessons by utilizing critical thinking.