Advanced Content Search in Newsela

Search for Content

You can find articles by searching for keywords, topics, or subjects at the top of the Newsela website

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To Search

  1. Enter a keyword or subject into the Search option on the top of your screen.

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  2. After entering a search term, teachers can either click enter on your keyboard, or click on one of the preloaded options that appear

  3. Multiple articles will appear that fit the search criteria. Narrow down your search by selecting your filters from the options listed above the articles gallery, including articles, worksheets, videos, or text sets.

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  4. Teachers can add additional filters on the left side of the screen (see below for more information on the filters)

  5. If your results are limited, try additional search terms. 

To Narrow Your Results: After you search for a topic, you can narrow a result with a filter. See the drop downs below for more information on the filters available.

Select your preferred articles order display from the drop down menu at the top right corner of the screen. You can sort by articles that best fit the search criteria, or articles that have been added most recently

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Use the Language filter on the left side panel to narrow down the display to only English or only Spanish content.

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Use the Reading Levels filter on the left side panel to narrow down your search results either by Grade Level or by Maturity Level

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Grade level

This filters the reading level of the content. For example, an article about the summer olympics has 5 levels for 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 12th grades.

Maturity level

This filters the maturity of the content. For example, an article about the summer olympics would have an Upper Elementary School – Middle School rating.

Selecting maturity levels with this filter will limit your results to articles that we have designated for the specified grade band

  1. Lower Elementary School: These are articles best suited for grades 2-4, often with visual supports for comprehension. They are chosen for younger readers and do not require  extensive background knowledge. Scary or Sensitive subject matter is never included in content that is marked as Lower Elementary.  Lower Elementary content is available at a range of article levels between 2-6. 

  2. Upper Elementary School: Articles best suited for readers in grades 4-6. These articles typically include a single main idea and sometimes require background knowledge. Scary or sensitive subject matter is never included in content deemed appropriate for Upper Elementary classrooms.  Upper Elementary content is available at a range of article levels between grades 2 and 12.

  3. Middle School: Articles best suited for grades 6-8. These articles may require background knowledge and are intended to facilitate awareness of global events and issues. Middle School content is available at a range of article levels between grades 2 and 12.

  4. High School: Articles in this group typically requires background knowledge and maturity and are often too complex for younger students.  We believe that Teachers and caretakers know their students best and so they still are able to assign any maturity of article to any student of their choosing.  High School content is available at a range of article levels between grades 2 and 12. are available at a range of article levels between grades 2 and 12.

Use the Instructional Features filter on the left side panel to narrow down the search results to articles that include these specific activities: 

  1. Power Words: Check mark this option to limit your search to only articles with the Power Words activity.

  2. Formative by Newsela: Check mark this option to limit your search to only articles that have ready-to-use Formative activities associated to them.

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Use the Reading Skills filter on the left side panel to narrow down your search results to content that quizzes students on each of the reading skills listed:

  • What the text says

  • Main idea

  • Key details

  • Summarization

  • Connecting people, events & ideas

  • Word meaning & choice

  • Text structure

  • Point of view & purpose

  • Interpret multimedia

  • Arguments & claims

  • Theme

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Use the Standards filter on the left side panel to narrow down your search results to content that has activities aligned with a specific standard

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Tip: Standards will display based on the school with which your account is associated and the classes you have created.  The school locations dictates what state standards you see.

Click here to read more about Newsela's Standards Alignment

Use the Topics filter on the left side panel to narrow down your search results to articles that include specific topics.

Click on 'View all' to pull up the full list of topics. Depending on the type of subject subscription you have, you'll be able to filter the full list by subject or even by skills. Check-mark your choice(s) and click 'Apply Filters' for the filter to apply to your articles search results view.

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