Connect Reading Passages with News Articles on ReadWorks to Enhance Background Knowledge

Ignite student learning and spark even more curiosity in the classroom! We're excited to introduce an additional free resource through a new partnership with a fellow learning resource News-O-Matic.

Through this new partnership, we will prepare a selection of knowledge-building texts that align with News-O-Matic's news articles to teach students 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, media literacy, and global awareness. In line with ReadWorks’ mission and the scientific study of reading, this routine will build background knowledge and enhance vocabulary to improve reading comprehension.

Each week, we will provide, free through our partnership, a hand-selected and timely News-O-Matic article with levels for grades 2-8. We will also curate nonfiction ReadWorks passages to help students build background knowledge and vocabulary to support the comprehension of the news article. Teachers can choose to print or digitally assign the related ReadWorks' texts to support explorations and discussions of the news article. The Book of Knowledge tool is also a great tool to continue the post-reading reflection process. 

Check out the first paired articles and texts about the President’s Visit to Maui after Fires.
Download our easy one-page guide for linking reading, writing, and speaking!

Written by:
​Melissa Calder, Director of Marketing and Engagement