Research Labs®Reading, Writing, and Research Across the Content Areas
Leveled Text Sets
- Best books in print selected from 220+ publishers
- High-interest nonfiction titles, reading levels K–12th grade
- Leveled based on National Standards for Reading
- Customized to your students’ reading levels
Research Labs®
- Project-based learning in science or social studies for 25+ themes
- Backwards-design using core curriculum content standards
- Best-practices framework for research reading, writing, and discussion
- Final assessment project: Student-authored and illustrated book
9-Week Example for Westward Expansion
What are Research Labs?
Research Labs use project-based learning to stimulate, challenge, and empower students to become experts in their chosen topic within a shared unit of study. The labs are designed with a multi-disciplinary approach that combines reading, writing, and discussion, culminating in a Final Project: a student-authored and illustrated book. With their acquired expertise, students can say with confi dence, “Ask me anything!”
Students Will
- Demonstrate mastery of Core Curriculum Content Standards
- Read widely in the topics at their independent reading levels
- Write daily in a variety of formats
- Acquire technical vocabulary
- Develop problem solving and critical thinking skills
- Work with peers
- Draft, revise, edit, publish, present, and evaluate a final project
Student Final Projects
Teacher Pacing Guide
- Daily Lesson Plans
- Backwards Design
- Blackline Masters for Student Research
- Leveling Guidelines
- Readers’ and Writers’ Workshops
Reading Zone
Go at Your Own Pace
Common Core Standards for Reading
Learn about American Reading Company’s standards-based leveling system.
Refuel
Use Kid Energy
Available Themes & Levels
More than 50 thematic units are available for grades ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Choose from 30 Themes
Research Labs® Smart Start Classroom Module
For 30 students, 5 classroom minimum
- Teacher Pacing Guide
- Blackline Masters for Student Research
- Project Blank Books (30)
- Theme-Related Folders (30)
- Research Cards (up to 180)
- Writing Cards (120)
- Research Labs® Teacher Training
- 1 full day of professional development training included for 5–20 purchased modules
- 6 Theme Baskets (150 titles)
- You choose from available levels.
- Reference Library (15 titles)
- $2,200.00
- for 30 students
Teacher Pacing Guide
The Teacher Pacing Guide offers a detailed nine-week plan for completion of a full thematic inquiry project using a reading, writing, research workshop model. In addition to highlighting key concepts and essential components, the guide supplies a schedule for daily activities. It also provides a rubric for student grading and makes project expectations clear for teachers, students, and parents.
Blackline Masters for Student Research
Blackline masters provide graphic organizers to teach and scaffold students’ note-making, research reading, and writing skills.
Project Blank Books
Students independently draft, revise, edit, illustrate, and publish a book demonstrating what they have learned on their topic.
Theme Related Folders
Theme Folders are decorated, heavy-stock folders that allow students to keep their books, log sheets, Skills Cards, and research notes together, making transport easy between home and school.
Writing Cards
Writing cards support students through each step of the writing process: drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Each card details the steps students need to take to successfully complete one stage of the full writing process (e.g., drafting) before proceeding to the next step (e.g., revising).
Writing Cards
- Drafting
- Revising
- Editing
- Publishing
Professional Development
FREE Professional Development with the purchase of five or more classroom modules (or webinar with 4 modules or fewer.)
6 Theme Baskets/150 Titles
The Westward Expansion collection focuses on the events from 1800 to 1900 in what would become the American West. Students experience a region and time period marked by conflict, controversy, and adventure. The collection covers such topics as the Transcontinental Railroad, Chinese immigration, the Gold Rush, cowboys, buffalo soldiers, black pioneers, Native American resistance, the Mexican-American War, missions, the Pony Express, and slavery.
Reference Library
The reference library is a collection of 15 books selected to provide additional information for students as they conduct in-depth research on their chosen topics. Although the reading levels are challenging, the rich photos, maps, graphs, charts, and accessible layouts make these books appealing and useful for all students. This library also can be used for teacher read-alouds, reference, and follow-up discussions aimed at expanding students’ background information and understanding of a theme.
