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Curricula and Teaching Materials

These research-based resources and lesson plans are designed for a variety of audiences to contribute to Pennsylvania national and core curriculum in support of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book's mission to promote books and literacy to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Color-coding suggests potential audiences: early literacy (blue), elementary (red), and secondary (green).

Cultural Tour​

CULTURAL TOUR
OF PENNSYLVANIA

Students design a regional
tour of Pennsylvania directing
travelers to landmarks,
features, and cultural figures
of the area. 

SECONDARY
Dinosaur Books​

DINOSAUR
MINI LESSONS

New readers engage with
dinosaur books to learn
vocabulary, participate in
imaginative play and practice     
telling each story. 

EARLY LITERACY

 

Missing Voices​  

MISSING VOICES:
BIOGRAPHY

Students explore the Cultural
Map of Pennsylvania, research
a Pennsylvania figure, and
compose a biographical essay. 

SECONDARY
Pittsburgh Hill​

PITTSBURGH
HILL DISTRICT

A digital learning tool
using primary sources,
historical maps, and biographies 
of leading cultural and literary 
figures from the early 20th century.
 

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

 

Family Literacy​

FAMILY LITERACY

Research-based emergent
literacy resources designed     
for parents and educators
working with parents and
young children. 

UNDER REVISION 
Photo of Blank Notebook​

MICRO ESSAY

Students practice short form
nonfiction writing by composing
a micro essay describing
how a piece of literature
has influenced their
understanding of the world
around them.

SECONDARY

 

Alphabet Mini Lessons​

ALPHABET
MINI LESSONS

Young readers engage with the
alphabet using illustrations,
familiar objects, and more.

EARLY LITERACY
Friendship Mini Lessons​

FRIENDSHIP
MINI LESSONS

New readers discuss
cooperation, belonging, and
compromise with inspiration
from friendship-themed books.

EARLY LITERACY

 

Wordless Mini Lessons​

WORDLESS BOOKS
MINI LESSONS

Readers of all levels apply
storytelling and critical thinking
skills to the visual narratives
of wordless books.

EARLY LITERACY
Counting Mini Lessons​

COUNTING
MINI LESSONS

Young readers identify numbers,
count, seek-and-find,
and more with books that
enhance numeracy. 

EARLY LITERACY

 

Vehicle Mini Lessons​

VEHICLES
MINI LESSONS

Young readers are invited
to participate in pretend
play and early literacy s
trategies with vehicle books. 

EARLY LITERACY
A Few Good Women​

A FEW GOOD WOMEN

Students explore the issues
and roles of women in the
government during the Nixon
administration via activities,
biographies, interview transcripts,
and primary resources.

UNDER REVISION

 

Additional education resources are available from the Library of Congress.