Newsela Social Studies

Find individual texts across social studies categories like primary sources, historical news, opinion pieces, and commonly taught topics.

From the Content Library

1. Click on 'Content Library' at the top menu.

2. Select 'Articles and texts' from the Explore content dropdown menu.

3. On the next page, select the Articles tab at the top (select another tab to view other types of content).

4. Utilize the filters on the left-hand to narrow down the display by language, reading levels, instructional features, reading skills, standards, and topics.   

5. Here you can explore content selections that are ready for the Social Studies classroom. 

6. Each article card will display the type of text it is (news, informational, fiction, etc.), the text’s recommended maturity level and reading level, as well as which reading skills checks are available within the article if applicable.

7. Click on any article card to access the full text and build your assignment. You can find grade level standards alignment on the article's Quiz.

   

From the Social Studies specific page

1. Click on 'Social Studies' at the top of any Newsela page.

2. Select a category from the left hand menu to be directed to that section, or scroll the page to locate it.

3. Click on a showcased collection or text set card to access it, or click on 'view more' at the bottom of the section to view all associated text sets and collections available within your account and click on your desired collection or text set card from there.

4. Utilize the categories menu on the left hand side to be directed to that section, or scroll the page to locate the category of your preference.

5. Click on a showcased article card to access it, or click on 'See more' at the bottom of the section to view all associated content available within your account and click on your desired article card from there.

   

Example Categories

Multimedia Find content to engage students across significant multimedia categories, including maps, art, cartoons, and photos. 

Primary Sources Use the Primary Sources category to browse by type of document, including Landmark Documents, Speeches, Supreme Court Cases, and Historic News. 

Geography Build students’ Geography skills and understanding with content organized by global regions, as well as texts to target Map Skills and Geographic Tools.

Text Sets and Collections are two ways that you’ll see articles organized on Newsela.

Text Sets: Groups of articles that share a common theme. You can create your own Text Sets or explore Text Sets created by other teachers and by Newsela editors.

Collections: Curriculum resources that contain content and instructional materials aligned with national social studies frameworks, and complete with instructional strategies to provide ideas for how to use the content to teach the standards. , that have been purchased for your school or district.

Browse all Text Sets and Collections

1. Click on 'Content Library' at the top of the page

2. Select 'Text Sets' from the dropdown menu

3. Utilize the filters on the left hand side to narrow down the display by language, reading levels, instructional features, reading skills, standards, and topics.   

4. Click on any text set or collection card to be taken to the its' landing page. Here you can read the overview, preview the sections or units, and locate instructional resources.

   

View Text Sets created by others

1. Click 'Content Library' at the top of the page

2. Select 'From my school' from the dropdown menu

3. Scroll the displayed page to locate Text Sets

4. Click on any text set or collection card to be taken to the its' landing page. Here you can read the overview, preview the sections or units, and locate instructional resources.

   

Using the Search Field

When you search on Newsela, Text Sets appear as one of the search tabs.

1. Enter a search term into the Search bar

2. Select the Text Sets tab above the search results

3. All Text Sets already curated by educators on that topic will be displayed

4. Utilize the filters on the left hand side to narrow down the display by language, reading levels, instructional features, reading skills, standards, and topics.

5. Click on any text set or collection card to be taken to the its' landing page. Here you can read the overview, preview the sections or units, and locate instructional resources.  

   

From the Social Studies specific page

1. Click on 'Social Studies' at the top of any Newsela page.

2. Select a category from the left hand menu to be directed to that section, or scroll the page to locate it.

3. Click on a showcased collection or text set card to access it, or click on 'view more' at the bottom of the section to view all associated text sets and collections available within your account and click on your desired collection or text set card from there.

4. Click on any text set or collection card to be taken to the its' landing page. Here you can read the overview, preview the sections or units, and locate instructional resources.

   

Example Collections and Text Sets

AP U.S. Government and Politics In collaboration with the College Board, Newsela offers differentiated, authentic texts that complement the AP U.S. Government and Politics curriculum.

C3 Inquiries: U.S. History Supports inquiry in the classroom via C3’s Inquiry Design Model and published Inquiries supported by Newsela’s differentiated, leveled content.

Complex Topics Collection of current events to open discussions and debates around complex topics including: School Safety; Race and Ethnicity; Immigration;  National Politics; Climate Change. 

Cornerstone Activities Curated set of activities designed as unit capstone projects, for units on: The United States; The Modern World; The Ancient & Medieval World; Civics; Religion; Career Fields.

Exploring World History Teach the Fall of Rome through the Age of Exploration and including unique materials like resources on medieval Japan. The Collection uses primary sources, current events, unheard perspectives, and geography content.

History Comes to Life Paired current events and primary source or historical documents with Lesson Spark recommendations for making connections between the two.

iCivics Content to align and provide context to iCivics resources, including units on Citizenship and Participation, State and Local Government, Politics and Public Policy, Foundations of Government, Road to the U.S. Constitution, and A Growing Nation. 

Rediscovering U.S.History Teach events from Native American heritage through the Cold War using primary sources, current events, unheard perspectives, and historical fiction.

Unearthing Ancient Civilizations Teach the legacies of familiar and lesser-known societies from around the world using primary sources, current events, unheard perspectives, and STEAM connections. 

Find articles across Newsela Social Studies categories by searching for keywords or subjects. To search, follow these steps:

1. Click into the Search field at the top left of any Newsela page.

2. Enter a keyword or subject. As you type, Newsela displays articles and Text Sets that match your search term(s).

3. Click on any of the suggestions to select it, or continue to type your own keyword then click Enter.

4. Use the tabs at the top of the page to narrow down your search results to a specific content type.

5. Utilize the filters on the left hand side to narrow down the display by language, reading levels, instructional features, reading skills, standards, and topics.  

   

From the article page, expand the Assignment Builder on the right side of the screen and locate the article Quiz and Write prompt. Click 'View' next to an activity to review its' components. Checkmark the box next to an activity to add it to your assignment.

Multiple choice quizzes​ address and enhance standards and assess student understanding of significant Social Studies concepts and skills. 

As we work to develop these further, social studies quizzes can be found in America’s Founding Documents, and Rediscovering U.S. History core content.

Customizable Writing prompts​ drive standards-based social studies skills, like argumentation, evaluation, and analysis. Find Social Studies Write Prompts in: All America’s Founding Documents; Rediscovering U.S. History; Exploring World History; Unearthing Ancient Civilizations core content.

Select an option from the My Content dropdown menu, under 'Content Library' at the top of any Newsela page, to locate your own saved content, original text sets, text sets created at your school and promoted content by your district.