Common Core Tip Using Google Advanced Search: Reading Level

As my school is switching over to Common Core (and NGSS), I am trying to find more resources to integrate more texts and articles into my biology course.  I want students to learn the skills of analyzing science writing (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.1), finding the central ideas of a text, (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.2) , and analyzing the author's purpose (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.6).  

When searching online, there are lots of sources of scientific writing.  However, many are too advanced for high school students to read.  I want to find challenging articles, but at a level that my students could work with.

Using an Advanced Google Search tip can help teachers find writings and articles. Google allows you to sort through your searches by reading level.  Here's how.

How To

1.  Go to the the google search page.  (Rosalind Franklin is the Google Doodle today!)

2.  Type in what you are searching for.

3.  Click on the Settings Tab on the right of your screen.  Choose "Advanced Search". 

4.  Scroll to almost the bottom of the page, to "Reading Level".

5.  Choose annotate results with reading levels.  This will give you a list of all results, with each one labeled with the reading level.  

6.  You can also sort by reading level by clicking on the reading level near the top of the search.