Includes video transcripts for TED Talks.

"21st Century Reading was created through a partnership between TED, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading ideas through short, powerful talks and National Geographic Learning. 21st Century Reading provides the ideal forum for learners of English to make connections with topics ranging from science to business to global issues. Using TED Talks as the springboard to share ideas, this new four-level reading series shows learners how to understand and respond to ideas and content in English.

Featuring extraordinary stories presented by inspiring thinkers and doers, TED Talks ignite curiosity and introduce learners to ideas which can change the world.

TED Talks use authentic language, delivered by experts in their field, providing learners with models of English that are real and relevant to their academic studies.

Critical and Creative Thinking skills – including analysis, evaluation, synthesis, reflection, inference, and problem-solving – are fully integrated into every unit, to help learners develop academic skills.

Scaffolded reading and vocabulary tasks guide learners to a better understanding of the key ideas, skills, and language." -Publisher's website

SCOPE AND SEQUENCE:

UNIT 1 : STARTING UP (Interdisciplinary)

Lesson A

Reading:
Inspired Leadership: Magazine-style article

Reading Skills:
Getting the main ideas
Identifying supporting ideas
Understanding references
Getting meaning from context

Critical Thinking:
Reflecting on own experience
Applying ideas to other contexts

Lesson B

TED Talks:
How to Start a Movement / Derek Sivers

Academic Skills:
Understanding main ideas and key details
Identifying tone and attitude

Critical Thinking:
Evaluating information
Reflecting on own experience
Synthesizing information

Project:
Researching other movements

UNIT 2: FRAGILE FORESTS (Conservation)

Lesson A

Reading:
Trouble for the Air Plants: Scientific article

Reading Skills
Getting the main ideas
Understanding key details
Scanning for information
Getting meaning from context

Critical Thinking
Reasoning solutions
Interpreting a writer’s statement

Lesson B

TED Talks
Conserving the Canopy: Nalini Nadkarni

Academic Skills
Understanding main ideas and key details
Recognizing purpose
Recognizing supporting evidence

Critical Thinking
Inferring reasons
Synthesizing information

Project
Researching a sustainability project

UNIT 3: BRIGHT IDEAS
Health / Innovations

Lesson A

Reading
Big Problems, Simple Solutions: Magazine-style article

Reading Skills
Getting the main ideas
Understanding key details
Understanding visuals
Making inferences
Getting meaning from context

Critical Thinking
Evaluating and justifying an opinion

Lesson B

TED Talks
A Warm Embrace that Saves Lives: Jane Chen

Academic Skills
Understanding main ideas and key details
Identifying solutions
Visualizing a process

Critical Thinking
Predicting solutions
Synthesizing information
Interpreting a statement

Project
Researching low-cost innovations

UNIT 4: GAME CHANGERS
Sociology / Technology

Lesson A

Reading
Is Gaming Good For You?: Research report

Reading Skills
Getting the main ideas
Understanding key details
Analyzing pros and cons
Understanding data
Getting meaning from context

Critical Thinking
Inferring reasons
Reflecting on own experience

Lesson B

TED Talks
Gaming Can Make a Better World: Jane McGonigal

Academic Skills
Understanding main ideas and key details
Summarizing
Recognizing tone and message

Critical Thinking
Inferring statements
Reflecting on own experience
Evaluating information

Project
Creating a proposal for a new game

UNIT 5: LESSONS IN LEARNING
Psychology / Education

Lesson A

Reading
Engaging Learners: Research report

Reading Skills
Getting the main ideas
Understanding key details
Supporting ideas with evidence
Finding similarities and differences
Getting meaning from context

Critical Thinking
Reflecting on own experience

Lesson B

TED Talks
The Key to Success? Grit: Angela Lee Duckworth

Academic Skills
Understanding main ideas
Understanding overall message
Understanding terms
Summarizing the talk

Critical Thinking
Evaluating information
Synthesizing information
Reflecting on own experience

Project
Preparing a survey on success

UNIT 6: FOOD FOR LIFE
Food / Health

Lesson A

Reading
Food Revolution: Magazine-style article

Reading Skills
Getting the main ideas
Identifying problems and solutions
Understanding infographics
Getting meaning from context

Critical Thinking
Applying information
Reflecting on own experience

Lesson B

TED Talks
Teach Every Child About Food: Jamie Oliver

Academic Skills
Understanding main ideas and key details

Critical Thinking
Inferring meaning
Evaluating information
Reflecting on own experience

Project
Planning an event to promote Food Revolution Day

UNIT 7: BODY SIGNS
Behavior / Psychology

Lesson A

Reading
Power Poses: Research report

Reading Skills
Getting the main ideas and details
Recognizing text structure
Getting meaning from context

Critical Thinking
Analyzing statements
Reflecting on own experience

Lesson B

TED Talks
Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are: Amy Cuddy

Academic Skills
Understanding main ideas and key details
Recognizing sequence
Identifying purpose
Summarizing

Critical Thinking
Reflecting on own experience
Inferring statements
Reasoning ideas

Project
Practicing power poses

UNIT 8: ENERGY BUILDERS
Energy / Engineering

Lesson A

Reading
Kite Power: News report

Reading Skills
Getting the main ideas
Scanning for specific information
Making comparisons
Getting meaning from context

Critical Thinking
Evaluating and justifying an opinion
Reflecting on possible solutions

Lesson B

TED Talks
How I Harnessed the Wind: William Kamkwamba

Academic Skills
Understanding main ideas
Visualizing a process
Understanding causes and effects

Critical Thinking
Inferring meaning
Synthesizing information

Project
Researching solutions to energy problems

UNIT 9: CHANGING PERSPECTIVES
Engineering / Art

Lesson A

Reading
Thinking in Pictures: Biographical article

Reading Skills
Scanning for information
Getting the main ideas
Understanding key details
Getting meaning from context

Critical Thinking
Inferring meaning in statements
Reflecting on possibilities

Lesson B

TED Talks
Deep Sea Diving. . . in a Wheelchair: Sue Austin

Academic Skills
Understanding main ideas and key details
Recognizing tone and message

Critical Thinking
Inferring meaning
Comparing information

Project
Researching people who challenge our assumptions

UNIT 10: DATA DETECTIVES
Statistics / Economics

Lesson A

Reading
Information is Beautiful: Magazine-style article

Reading Skills
Getting the main ideas
Understanding infographics
Getting meaning from context

Critical Thinking
Inferring meaning in statements
Reflecting on own experience

Lesson B

TED Talks
The Beauty of Data Visualization: David McCandless

Academic Skills
Understanding main ideas and key details

Critical Thinking
Analyzing information
Reflecting on own experience
Interpreting a speaker’s statement

Project
Creating an infographic

Level(s): Low-intermediate (US), Intermediate, High-intermediate, B1, B2