ReadWorks is a free site that lets  you choose and use readings for your students that relate to your subject and at the lexile you choose. Even better, you can sort by skill! Perfect for thinking skills, close reading, content-based reading, and more.

To use Readworks

1. go to Readworks.org
2. Select the blue tab called "reading passages"
3. search for the reading you want - sort by grade, lexile, topic, text type or strategy.
4. To save it, email it, add it to edmodo, etc just sign in or sign up using your school email and create a password- you will automatically be signed in.

So many choices. For example, here are 7th grade life sciences readings

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if you are a sixth grade teacher you can use any of the other blue tabs as well since they are K6, but only the Reading Passages tab is grade K-12
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This post was inspired by CMS's own Malik Richardson's (@mrich1191 on Twitter) tweet of this article:
http://www.edudemic.com/teachers-and-students-should-backchannel/
 
Ms. Burick (@NerdAlert497 on Twitter) devised a method of using backchannel in class with non-fiction reading that can work with any discipline anytime of the year. It also is a great first step at BYOT integration for teachers who are not sure how to use devices in class to increase learning. She simply opens a backchannel and projects it on her screen as student thumb through books on the topic she has provided. As students encounter facts they want to share, they post them for each other.  This can be done even with a textbook chapter, but students love to see a large selection of inviting library books in the room to pick from.

Not only does "Nerdalert Backchannel" allow all voices to be heard, Ms. Burick reports it motivates the students to read more as they challenge each other to come up with the "best" facts.  It allows sharing to happen at a convenient time for both the reader and the writer, so the entire class does not have to stop reading when someone wants to share a fact. Students can look up from their reading as they wish and contribute at their own pace. It also forces students to think through their thoughts a bit more than just raising their hands, and gives instant feedback for sharing in the form of "oohs and aaahs" from classmates!

Read this article with your students.
http://www.livescience.com/43455-lego-braille-printer.html
Curriculum connections:

•  practice close reading and annotation
• introduce Love of Learning, Genius Hour, or  Google 20% time project
• introduce Maker Movement project
• Tier 2 vocabulary

- I can also help you connect it to your specific content! send me an email or drop by.

This amazing acceptance speech is can become an interesting document for social studies primary source examination or any common core non-fiction reading. Students will be interested in discussing this. Besides close reading and tier 2 vocab analysis, here are a few connection questions? Would they do it? Do they agree with the move these famous women made back in 1974? How does it relate to what they know of awards in the news recently? (note: it is NOT prohibiited for students to share of their lives and thoughts in lessons despite what some have feared with Common Core).   Further connections could include feminism historically and today, poetry, the value of awards and competition and when it creates community versus shutting it down. http://www.nationalbook.org/graphics/2011_nba_poetry/1974/rich_accept_speech_74.pdf