Grab-and-Go Lessons

Critical Reading

Explore lessons aligned with AVID’s critical reading process to engage students in deep learning through disciplinary literacy.

Who Takes Care of Our Forests? (Grades 1–2)

In this critical reading lesson, students will examine the interactive text “Who Takes Care of Our Forests?,” which focuses on career and technical education, college and career readiness, social studies, and STEM, using an Isolating Key Information strategy to develop a One-Page Report.

Lesson 60-90 min Grades 1-2 Resource by:

Who Takes Care of Our Forests? (Grades 3–6)

In this critical reading lesson, students will examine the interactive text “Who Takes Care of Our Forests?,” which focuses on career and technical education, college and career readiness, social studies, and STEM, using a Read Like a Content Expert strategy to develop a KWLA Chart.

Lesson 90-120 min Grades 3-6 Resource by:

Food for the Future (Grades 3–6)

In this critical reading lesson, students will examine the interactive text “Food for the Future,” which is written by Joe Levit and focuses on social studies and STEM, through Text-Dependent Questioning to engage in a Socratic Seminar.

Lesson 90-120 min Grades 3-6 Resource by:

Food for the Future (Grades 1–2)

In this critical reading lesson, students will examine the interactive text “Food for the Future,” which is written by Joe Levit and focuses on social studies and STEM, through a Double-Entry Journal to develop Storyboards and Timelines.

Lesson 60-90 min Grades 1-2 Resource by:

Simple Machines: Wedge It! (Grades 1–2)

In this critical reading lesson, students will apply “Simple Machines: Wedge It!,” written by Glen Phelan, through a Double-Entry Journal to develop a KWLA chart.

Lesson 60-75 min Grades 1-2 Resource by:

Simple Machines: Wedge It! (Grades 3–6)

In this critical reading lesson, students will analyze “Simple Machines: Wedge It!,” written by Glen Phelan, through Questioning the Text as a Content Expert.

Lesson 100-120 min Grades 3-6 Resource by:

What’s New? (Grades 3–6)

In this critical reading lesson, students will synthesize the interactive text “What’s New?,” written by Lynn Brunelle, through a Double-Entry Journal to create Found Poetry.

Lesson 60-120 min Grades 3-6 Resource by:

What’s New? (Grades 1–2)

In this critical reading lesson, students will apply the interactive text “What’s New?,” written by Lynn Brunelle, through 10-2-2 Note-Taking to engage in a Carousel Brainstorm.

Lesson 60-90 min Grades 1-2 Resource by:

Seeking Solutions (K–2)

Prepare students for a Socratic Seminar with a marking the text activity in this interactive, critical reading lesson, which focuses on math, science, and social studies.

Lesson 90 min Grades K-2 Resource by:

Seeking Solutions (3–6)

Explore “Seeking Solutions”—a critical reading lesson that examines an interactive text which focuses on math, science, and social studies.

Lesson 120 min Grades 3-6 Resource by:

Curing What Ails You

Use this interactive text from National Geographic to guide your students in grades K–2 through a lesson where they learn to engage the text in a structured dialogue.

Lesson 90 min Grades K-2 Resource by:

Curing What Ails You

Share this interactive text from National Geographic with your students in grades 3–6 and guide them through the creation of a poetic representation of their learning.

Lesson 120 min Grades 3-5 Resource by:

STEM Career Connections

Introduce students to career opportunities they may not know exist and help them develop the skills they need to be future-ready with this critical reading lesson from AVID Weekly.

Lesson 90 min Grades 6-8 Resource by:

Abraham’s Artifacts

Teach students how to develop an evidence-based claim organizer while evaluating “Abraham’s Artifacts” by Brenna Maloney.

Lesson 90 min Grades K-2 Resource by:

Saving History

Explore this interactive text from National Geographic and guide students through an activity using note-taking strategies to creatively engage with the text.

Lesson 90 min Grades 3-5 Resource by: