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Background Knowledge

Find resources for building the background knowledge students need to understand complex texts, topics, and concepts. Explore content-rich instruction, literacy strategies, and classroom materials that help students connect new learning to what they already know and strengthen comprehension across subjects.

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Latest Background Knowledge Resources from Newsela

October 12, 2026

Formative Winter Holiday Toolkit

Content Calendar

October 1, 2026

November Formative Daily Activity Calendar

Content Calendar

October 1, 2026

November Newsela Daily Content Calendar

Latest Background Knowledge Blogs from Newsela

A glowing clay diya oil lamp sits at the center of a colorful rangoli design made with vibrant patterns during the Hindu festival of Diwali.

October 8, 2026

Diwali Activities for a Classroom Festival of Lights

Colorful blankets with geometric patterns displayed in rows, featured in a Native American Heritage Month books blog for K–12 ELA.

October 1, 2026

Native American Heritage Month Books for K–12 ELA

Close-up of a Hebrew prayer book and tallit for Yom Kippur activities in ELA and social studies

August 20, 2026

Yom Kippur Activities for ELA and Social Studies

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Newsela KWL Chart

Graphic Organizer

KWL Chart Graphic Organizer

Key elements to develop skilled readers

January 25, 2024

4 Key Elements To Grow Skilled Readers

Research-based learning resource

Efficacy Study & Validity Report

January 1, 2024

The Research Base for Newsela: Meaningful classroom learning: Grounded in the Learning Sciences and the Science of Reading

Building reading comprehension and meaning-making skills

Making Meaning: Building Comprehension into Reading

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Apples, honey, and pomegranates for Rosh Hashanah activities in ELA and social studies.

August 11, 2026

Rosh Hashanah Activities for ELA and Social Studies

Smiling worker in a hard hat operating a forklift for a Labor Day article about why the holiday is celebrated.

What Is Labor Day and Why Do We Celebrate It?

Teacher supports students reading and writing in a social studies classroom to help striving readers access content.

How to Support Striving Readers in Social Studies

Stacks of books in a cozy library for a National Book Lovers Day roundup of student-favorite titles.

15 Student-Favorite Titles for National Book Lovers Day

Children studying on a laptop together

Engaging Back-To-School Activities for Every Subject

Three students wearing lab coats and safety goggles conduct a science experiment with test tubes and laboratory equipment in a classroom.

Science Safety Rules for Every K–12 Classroom