Britannica Academic - Teach Britannica

ACADEMIC TOOLKIT

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

UNIVERSITY

The Research Process

A guide to academic research. Learn to navigate key stages of conducting scholarly work, from crafting questions to sharing results.

ACADEMIC TOOLKIT

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

UNIVERSITY

Crafting Effective Research Questions

A guide to crafting focused, effective research questions, from topic exploration to question refinement.

ACADEMIC TOOLKIT

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

UNIVERSITY

Mastering Collegiate-Level Note-Taking

A guide to enhancing learning and retention through key strategies, from pre-class prep to post-lecture review.

ACADEMIC TOOLKIT

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

UNIVERSITY

Effective Search Queries

A guide to crafting effective search queries to uncover reliable, credible information, from initial keyword lists to advanced search techniques.

ACADEMIC TOOLKIT

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

UNIVERSITY

Source Credibility, Reliability, and Bias

A guide to evaluating sources for credibility, reliability, and bias. Learn to apply informational literacy to enhance research skills.

ACADEMIC TOOLKIT

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

UNIVERSITY

Primary and Secondary Sources

A guide to identifying, evaluating, and effectively utilizing primary and secondary sources in collegiate research and academic writing.

ACADEMIC TOOLKIT

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

UNIVERSITY

Strategies for Deep Reading

A guide to deep reading and analysis. Learn techniques for engaging with complex texts, from preliminary skimming to in-depth critical analysis.

ACADEMIC TOOLKIT

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

UNIVERSITY

The Right Cite

A guide to enhancing academic writing by mastering research citations. Learn to distinguish, select, and apply common citation styles.

ACADEMIC TOOLKIT

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

UNIVERSITY

Mastering the Literature Review

A guide to mastering the literature review process. Learn to conduct a comprehensive and effective literature review for your research project.

Assessment Item Analysis

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

New

2-Circle Venn Diagram

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

3-Circle Venn Diagram

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Active Reading Through Writing

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Cause and 3-Effects Web

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Cause and Effect

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Cause and Effect (2 Column)

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Cause and Effect Map

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Claim-Evidence-Reason

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Claim-Evidence-Reason Web

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Column Notes

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Compare Sources

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Critical Event Analysis

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Developing and Evaluating Designs

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Empathy Map

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Evaluating Evidence

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Evaluating Resources

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Events-Ideas-Reactions

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Evidence Wheel

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Expression Wheel

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Gantt Project Management

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Idea Funnel

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Idea Web

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Inverted Pyramid of Impact

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

K-W-H-L

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

K-W-L

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Language Domain +1 Matrix

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Paraphrasing & Original Thinking

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Problem and Solution

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Question It!

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Summarization Note-Taking

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, Univ

SWOT Analysis

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, Univ

The Step-by-Step Plan

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

Visual Note-Taking

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Summarize & Synthesize

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

New

Assessment Item Analysis

Annotating and analyzing assessment items and answer choices enhances students’ critical thinking skills, comprehension, and problem-solving abilities.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Acquire Vocabulary

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

New

Interactive Vocabulary Journal

Students create vocabulary journals that connect academic terms to visual elements, personal experiences, and cultural knowledge to build language.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Develop Language (MLL)

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

New

Language and Conversation Tracker

Students bridge informal and formal language through structured documentation, building awareness of language differences and academic vocabulary.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Organize Thinking

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

New

Visual Concept Mapping

Students create visual diagrams with drawings and labels to map relationships between concepts to help them understand and retain complex content.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Read Actively

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Active Reading Through Writing

Students actively engage with texts by writing reflections and insights before, during, and after reading to enhance their comprehension and critical thinking skills.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Read Actively

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Analyzing Images

Students analyze images to activate prior knowledge, elicit interest in a unit of study or topic, and deepen understanding and connections.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Read Actively

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Annotating Text

Annotation is a powerful active reading strategy in which students take notes, highlight, and pose questions to improve their understanding.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Summarize & Synthesize

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Build a Summary

Students unpack a text’s content by pausing after each section to think about, discuss, and write a one-sentence summary of the main ideas.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Read Actively

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Cause and Effect

Students use a cause and effect graphic organizer to demonstrate analytical understanding of the impacts of events, policies, or people.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Read Actively

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Close Reading

Students engage in repeated readings of the same text after the teacher models by think-aloud how to annotate for specific text features.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Acquire Vocabulary

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Collaborative Vocabulary Exploration

Students collaboratively complete a vocabulary exploration graphic organizer with definitions, sentences, and synonyms/antonyms for new lesson-specific words.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Read Actively

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Column Notes

Students use a column notes organizer for audio, video, or written content to organize their thoughts about what they have seen, heard, or read.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Conversation Circles

Conversation Circles facilitate discussion of text-inspired ideas in a structured format through movement and dialogue with peers.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Read Actively

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Critical Event Analysis

Students read an informational text and complete a graphic organizer to examine the impact of big moments, important figures, and significant innovations.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Discussion Café

Students circulate to different tables to respond to teacher-provided topics or questions and add on to the insights provided by classmates.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Read Actively

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Draw to Understand

Students use this strategy for reflection, processing new information, recalling key details, and identifying and organizing relevant information.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Read Actively

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Evaluating Evidence

Students will demonstrate understanding of a text by responding to a question with text-based evidence that they name, describe, and interpret.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Flash Debate

Students are assigned/given a position to defend using text evidence; they are then paired with a peer to discuss opposing perspectives and counterclaims.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Four Corners

Four Corners promotes listening, peer communication, and decision-making through movement as students take stands on controversial statements and ideas.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Acquire Vocabulary

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Frayer Model

Students use a Frayer Model, a four-square/quadrant graphic organizer, to activate background knowledge and foster vocabulary acquisition.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Gallery Walk

Students explore teacher-displayed prompts in groups, fostering active learning, critical thinking, and peer discussion on course topics.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Give One, Get One

Students engage in the reciprocal exchange of ideas by sharing their insights and observations with multiple partners about a question, image, or text.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Guided Image Observation

This directed visual analysis tool requires students to critically examine image components such as objects and lighting to form ideas.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Acquire Vocabulary

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Hexagonal Clusters

This strategy helps students link key terms visually, promoting vocab growth, critical thinking, and collaboration both pre- and post-reading.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Human Continuum

This metacognitive discussion tool asks students to be flexible and reflective listeners and thinkers and evaluate their statements about topics.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Organize Thinking

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Idea Funnel

Students brainstorm and thematically group ideas on a funnel graphic organizer and evaluate their contributions for alignment, impact, suitability, and viability.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Jigsaw

Jigsaw promotes collaboration and movement by assigning students to expert and home groups to facilitate the sharing of well-understood ideas.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Question & Inquire

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

K-W-L

K-W-L is a graphic organizer/chart system students use to determine what they already know, what they want to know, and what they learned during a lesson.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Develop Language (MLL)

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Language Domain +1 Matrix

Teachers use a structured matrix to plan comprehensive language supports across receptive and productive domains for MLL student success.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Acquire Vocabulary

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

List-Group-Label

This strategy helps students group words and find connections while boosting vocabulary, critical thinking, and comprehension.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Acquire Vocabulary

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Make It Stick!

Make it Stick! graphic organizers build vocabulary by asking students to analyze new vocabulary using images, examples, and contexts for words as they read.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Summarize & Synthesize

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing requires students to maintain the integrity of a passage or text by capturing the main ideas and details without directly quoting.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Portrait Sorting and Analysis

Students develop visual perceptual skills by analyzing and sorting portraits to uncover meaning behind artistic renderings of individuals and groups.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Question & Inquire

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Question It!

Students create and explore diverse questions about texts, enhancing comprehension through inquiry and discussion.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Question & Inquire

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Question Pyramid

Students create Who, What, Where, When, Why, How questions about an assigned or selected topic to encourage curiosity and analytical inquiry.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Question & Inquire

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

See-Think-Wonder

See-Think-Wonder graphic organizers help students unpack visual stimuli by documenting their observations, interpretations, and questions about images.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Acquire Vocabulary

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Semantic Feature Analysis

Students build vocabulary by examining how words and related traits connect to one another by charting their relationships on a provided matrix.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Summarize & Synthesize

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Summarization Note-Taking

Summarization through note-taking is an information management and processing tool that helps students engage with text to create concise understanding.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Discuss & Collaborate

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Think-Pair-Share

Students adequately develop ideas independently by being given ample time to consider a question or topic before pairing up to share ideas.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

Summarize & Synthesize

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Visual Note-Taking

Visual note-taking can be paired with traditional note-taking; students use simple symbols and drawings to capture key points.

Expedition: Learn! NEW Tools for Teaching

In the News

The Research Process

Crafting Effective Research Questions

Mastering Collegiate-Level Note-Taking

Effective Search Queries

Source Credibility, Reliability, and Bias

Primary and Secondary Sources

Strategies for Deep Reading

The Right Cite

Mastering the Literature Review

Assessment Item Analysis

2-Circle Venn Diagram

3-Circle Venn Diagram

Active Reading Through Writing

Cause and 3-Effects Web

Cause and Effect

Cause and Effect (2 Column)

Cause and Effect Map

Claim-Evidence-Reason

Claim-Evidence-Reason Web

Column Notes

Compare Sources

Critical Event Analysis

Developing and Evaluating Designs

Empathy Map

Evaluating Evidence

Evaluating Resources

Events-Ideas-Reactions

Evidence Wheel

Expression Wheel

Gantt Project Management

Idea Funnel

Idea Web

Inverted Pyramid of Impact

K-W-H-L

K-W-L

Language Domain +1 Matrix

Paraphrasing & Original Thinking

Problem and Solution

Question It!

Summarization Note-Taking

SWOT Analysis

The Step-by-Step Plan

Visual Note-Taking

Assessment Item Analysis

Interactive Vocabulary Journal

Language and Conversation Tracker

Visual Concept Mapping

Active Reading Through Writing

Analyzing Images

Annotating Text

Build a Summary

Cause and Effect

Close Reading

Collaborative Vocabulary Exploration

Column Notes

Conversation Circles

Critical Event Analysis

Discussion Café

Draw to Understand

Evaluating Evidence

Flash Debate

Four Corners

Frayer Model

Gallery Walk

Give One, Get One

Guided Image Observation

Hexagonal Clusters

Human Continuum

Idea Funnel

Jigsaw

K-W-L

Language Domain +1 Matrix

List-Group-Label

Make It Stick!

Paraphrasing

Portrait Sorting and Analysis

Question It!

Question Pyramid