A poetry form in which students write, vertically on a page, a word or phrase that is central to their poem and then use each letter to begin a line of the poem that describes or refers to the topic.

A long-term inquiry-based activity in which teachers and students select an intriguing story from a news source to use as the basis for inquiry and examination.

An inquiry-based research method in content area study that encourages students to go further in their research beyond general knowledge about a person, event, invention, discovery, or topic.

A project-based teaching idea in which students take on the identities of people actively involved in an event or era they have chosen to research.

An informal writing activity in which students communicate their reflections with peers. A student selects an “I wonder” section from his or her Investigative Journals and shares it with another student in writing. The latter reacts to what was shared and continues the correspondence by raising any questions.

A progression within the act of writing that is comprised of several stages including drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.

An inquiry-based writing activity in which students record their virtual visits to countries wherein a novel they are reading is set, a language they are studying originates, or a historic event has occurred. Travelogues can be created in various formats including a travel journal, a PowerPoint presentation, or a video.

A step in the writing process in which students modify the content based on feedback provided by peers, teachers, or their own opinions.

An informal writing tool which allows students to summarize, respond to, or further explore their ideas about what they have read.

A strategic model for active thinking during the reading process which is used to demonstrate other reading comprehension strategies including monitoring, visualizing, and summarizing.