EL Curriculum

EL text set template, sample sets, and worksheets

The first time through the historical research process can be overwhelming for everyone. This process has the potential to be more so for English Language Learners. They may become frustrated with an overabundance of sources at inappropriate reading levels, or sources that may not lead them in the right direction.

These text set templates, sample sets, and accompanying worksheets were designed to focus the research process. The template provides a small set of initial sources that cover the entirety of a topic and its impact in history:

• Attention-Grabbers: Sources selected to introduce students to a topic, affirm their interest, and get them excited
• Overview: Sources that cover the “big picture”
• During: Sources that go more in-depth on the main events of a topic
• Before: Sources that focus on the historical context and people, ideas and events that influenced the topic
• After: Sources that help to show how the topic changed history

Each section also includes accompanying digital worksheets for students to copy and complete. The links to the accompanying worksheets are included right in the text set, so students can work through the Google Slides presentation.

How to use

This has been designed to be a flexible framework for you to adapt as necessary for your students. 

• Use à La Carte: Use any portion of worksheets without the larger template as a guide. Include them into the activities you are already using.
• Pre-packaged: Select one of the samples we have created that already include links to documents and sources.
• Create Your Own: You or your students can create their own text set. Use the blank template and add your own links to sources.

Next steps: project creation

These resources are designed to guide students through a modified research process, but do not include project creation tools. Visit the Minnesota History Day website for information on project creation.

IMPORTANT: STUDENT ACCESS

These files are all available in Google Docs, with permissions set to be viewable by anyone. To use:

Make a copy of these documents (File > Make a Copy) before sharing with students. Your school may restrict student access to Google Drive links outside of the district. Set the permissions on your files so that students can access, but will need to make their own copy before editing. Note: If your school restricts access, you may need to update the links within the template to your own files before sharing

Students should then make a copy of their own before editing. Be sure to help them set-up a file system so they can find these documents later. Suggestions: Have them change the general template link in the text set to a direct link to their own file after they make a copy! e.g. the link to the thesis worksheet on slide 3 or 14 could be changed from the template to their own document. 

Thank you!

Minnesota History Day would like to thank the following teachers who worked with us to create the framework of this project: Sarah Black, Caleb Brown, Aaron Cuthbert, Grace Diaz, and Ellen Morehouse.

Top banner photo credits

• Cesar Chavez: Cesar Chavez, National Portrait Gallery
• Fannie Lou Hamer: Fannie Lou Hamer, Harvard Law Association
• Zoot Suit Riots: Britannica.com
• Brown v. Board of Education: Mrs. Nettie Hunt and daughter Nikie on the steps of the Supreme Court, 1954. Library of Congress