Lounge Skills Posters The Research Loop
Research isn't a straight line—it's a cycle of discovery!
1. Ask
Turn your topic into a strong question.
2. Search
Use keywords to find information.
3. Check
Evaluate if the source is trustworthy.
4. Share
Cite your sources and explain your thinking.
Trust Meter
Is your source a green light or a red flag?
A
Authority
Who wrote this? Are they an expert?
B
Bias
What is their goal? Are they trying to sell or persuade?
C
Currency
When was this posted? Is it still accurate?
Language Lounge
Power up your academic voice!
Sharing Opinions
>> "I believe this source is..."
>> "One reason I chose this is..."
Citing Evidence
>> "According to the article..."
>> "The author states that..."
Explaining Choices
>> "I changed my search because..."
>> "This source is more reliable due to..."
Info Flow Slides Info Flow
Lesson 1: The Information Ecosystem
The Ecosystem
Information is everywhere. We get it from many different places or sources.
Why it matters?
Knowing where your info comes from helps you decide if you can trust it.
Think: What apps do you use for news?
Where does info come from?
Social Media
Quick updates from people or brands.
TikTok
X
Insta
News Outlets
Professional reporting and investigations.
CNN BBC LOCAL
Academic Sites
Experts, universities, and research.
.EDU JSTOR SCHOLAR
TELPAS Checkpoint
Turn & Talk
"I found information from ______."
Challenge
Name two places you saw news today. Were they social media or professional news?
Pro-Tip
Listen to your partner's answer before you share!
Case Closed: Exit Task
Turn to your workbook and answer:
"Which source would you trust and why?"
Use your sentence stems!
Info Flow Worksheet Info Flow
Language Lounge • Lesson 1
Name:
Date:
Source
Where information comes from.
Reliable
Something you can trust.
1. Source Sort
Word Bank: SOCIAL NEWS EXPERT
TikTok Post
NY Times
Uni Paper
Instagram
Write the category from the word bank on the line.
2. The Big Question
Exit Task
Which source would you trust and why?
Language Support
Beginning: This is a ________.
Intermediate: I found info from ________.
Advanced: One source is better because ________.
Advanced High: This is more reliable due to ________.
Turn & Talk
Read Vocabulary
Complete response using stems
Info Flow Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 1: Info Flow
TELPAS Focus: Listening & Speaking
Language Objective
Students will describe and compare information sources using academic vocabulary.
Essential Question
Where does information live in our world?
Instructional Script
Hook
"Welcome to the Language Lounge! Today we are looking at our information ecosystem . Think of an ecosystem like a forest—it has many different parts that work together. In our digital world, information comes from many 'habitats' like TikTok, news websites, and university reports."
Direct
"Look at the screen. Not all sources are the same. A TikTok post from a random user is different than a report from a scientist. We call professional creators reliable sources because they check their facts."
TELPAS Checkpoint
Teacher Action:
"Before you write, we are going to practice our academic voices. Follow the checkpoint steps below."
1. Listen
Students listen to their partner's example of a source they used today.
2. Share
Students share orally using the stems: "I found information from..."
3. Script
“Use the sentence stem to explain your thinking.”
Differentiation Strategies
Beginning / Intermediate
Provide printed icons of apps to help with classification.
Allow pointing to sources on the screen before naming them.
Model the matching task twice on the board.
Advanced / Advanced High
Encourage use of complex conjunctions (because, due to, since).
Ask students to rank sources from "least" to "most" reliable.
Challenge them to define "reliability" in their own words.
Search Sparks Slides Search Sparks
Lesson 2: Questions & Keywords
Zoom In
The Broad Topic
"Careers"
Too big! Millions of results.
The Spark Question
"What education do I need to be a nurse?"
Perfect! Specific and searchable.
Keyword Hunting
Search engines don't read like humans. They look for Keywords—the most important words in your question.
1
Identify the main nouns and verbs.
2
Remove small words (to, the, a, do).
3
Example: Nurse education requirements
TELPAS Checkpoint
Speak Your Spark
"My keywords are ______."
Choose a Career Topic:
Engineering Cooking Mechanics Video Game Design
Search Sparks Worksheet Search Sparks
Language Lounge • Lesson 2
Name:
Date:
1. Keyword Hunter
Write 3 keywords for this career: Video Game Designer
2. My Spark Question
Choose your own career. Write a specific research question about it.
My Career:
My Topic:
My Research Question:
Language Support
Beginning: My topic is ________.
Intermediate: My keywords are ________.
Advanced: A strong question is ________.
Adv High: This is effective because ________.
Turn & Talk Read Tips
Transform topics into questions
Search Sparks Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 2: Search Sparks
TELPAS Focus: Listening & Writing
Language Objective
Students will formulate questions using academic vocabulary related to research and keywords.
Essential Question
How do I talk to a search engine?
Instructional Script
Hook
"Yesterday we looked at our information ecosystem. Today, we are learning how to find exactly what we need within that ecosystem. Imagine you are in a library but don't know the name of any books. You need a keyword —a spark that starts the fire of your search!"
Direct
"Search engines like Google are powerful, but they aren't mind readers. If I type 'jobs,' I get everything from acting to zoo keeping. But if I type 'nurse education requirements Texas,' I get exactly what I need. That is the power of a specific research question ."
TELPAS Checkpoint
Teacher Action:
"Turn to your neighbor. You are going to practice saying your keywords clearly. Use the stems on your worksheet."
1. Listen
Students listen to their partner's career interest and keywords.
2. Share
Students share orally: "My keywords are ______." or "This question is effective because..."
3. Script
“Use the sentence stem to explain your thinking.”
Scaffolding for Success
Keywords to Questions
Provide a word bank of career titles and educational degrees (Associate's, Bachelor's, Certificate).
Graphic: Topic -> Keywords -> Question
Peer Review
Advanced students can evaluate their partner's question using the 'Effective' stem to provide constructive feedback.
Query Quest Slides Query Quest
Lesson 3: Advanced Searching
The Search Loop
Your first search is almost never your last search.
If you don't find what you need, you must pivot.
Too many results? Add keywords.
No results? Simplify keywords.
Wrong info? Change synonyms.
Where are you looking?
Social Search
• Use #hashtags
• Good for current events
• Fast, but check for rumors!
Web Search
• Use specific phrases
• Good for deep facts
• Filters by date and type
TELPAS Checkpoint
Explain Your Strategy
"I changed my search because ______."
The Scenario:
You are searching for info on renewable energy but only see results for solar panels. What do you do?
Query Quest Worksheet Query Quest
Language Lounge • Lesson 3
Name:
Date:
1. The Search Pivot
A search for "Weather" gives too many results. Pivot to be more specific!
Try adding location:
Try adding a date:
2. My Search Journey
Choose a current event. Describe how you would search for it.
First Search Term:
Why did you change it? (The Pivot):
Language Support
Standard: I searched for ________ because ________.
Advanced: I revised my search terms to include ________ because ________.
Turn & Talk Read Results
Master the art of the pivot
Query Quest Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 3: Query Quest
TELPAS Focus: Reading & Speaking
Language Objective
Students will explain search strategies and justify changes in their search queries.
Essential Question
What do I do when my search fails?
Instructional Script
Hook
"Searching is like a game of Hot and Cold. Your first search might be 'cold'—too many results or the wrong information. Today, we are learning how to get 'warmer' by changing our words. We call this a Search Pivot ."
Direct
"Look at Slide 2. If you search for 'Climate Change' and see 2 billion results, that is too cold! You need to add more keywords like 'solutions' or 'Texas.' If you get NO results, you are also cold—you might need to simplify your words."
TELPAS Checkpoint
Teacher Action:
"Show a search result for a popular trend. Ask: 'Is this what we wanted?' Have students explain their thinking."
1. Listen
Students listen to partner explain a time their search didn't work.
2. Share
Students share orally: "I changed my search because ______."
3. Script
“Use the sentence stem to explain your thinking.”
Strategic Support
Visual Search
Use the 'Images' or 'News' tabs in Google to show students how different filters change the results. This helps Beginning learners see the difference without reading dense text.
Synonym Bank
Provide a small list of synonyms for common topics (e.g., Environment / Nature / Ecology). This supports Advanced learners in finding more scholarly results.
Trust Test Slides Trust Test
Lesson 4: Evaluating Sources
The ABCs
A
Authority
Who wrote this? Are they an expert on college or jobs?
B
Bias
Are they trying to sell you a degree or help you find one?
C
Currency
Is the info new? Salary data from 1990 is a red flag!
Spot the Expert
Example 1
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
"Official government data on job growth and pay."
High Trust
Example 2
"GetRichQuick" YouTuber
"My secret method to earn $1M in one month!"
Low Trust
TELPAS Checkpoint
Prove It!
"This source is trustworthy because ______."
Challenge:
Tell your partner why you trust a university website more than a random social media post.
Trust Test Worksheet Trust Test
Language Lounge • Lesson 4
Name:
Date:
1. The Expert Eye
Circle the source you trust MOST for college information.
Texas Education Agency
(.gov website)
Viral TikTok Video
(@CareerCoach99)
2. Justify Your Choice
Why did you pick that source? Give one reason (Expert, No Bias, or New Info).
Language Support
Standard: This source is trustworthy because ________.
Advanced: I trust this source more than others because ________.
Turn & Talk Read Details
Analyze details to find the truth
Trust Test Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 4: Trust Test
TELPAS Focus: Listening & Justifying
Language Objective
Students will evaluate sources using evidence and justify their credibility using academic structures.
Essential Question
Who has the right to give me advice?
Instructional Script
Hook
"Today we are putting our information to the Trust Test . When you are looking for college or career info, the stakes are high. If you follow bad advice, you could waste time or money. We need to find the experts."
Direct
"Look at these examples. A government website ending in .gov or a school website ending in .edu usually passes the Trust Test. They have authority . A random person on social media might have good ideas, but they don't have the same proof."
TELPAS Checkpoint
Teacher Action:
"I'm going to show you a 'Degree in 1 Week' ad. Listen to how I talk about it. Then, you will tell your partner if you trust it."
1. Listen
Students listen to the teacher's evaluation of a high-bias source.
2. Share
Students share orally: "This source is trustworthy because ______."
3. Script
“Use the sentence stem to explain your thinking.”
Scaffolding for Evaluation
Visual Cues
Help students look for "locks" in the URL bar and .gov/.edu extensions. These are visual symbols of trust for Beginning learners.
Deep Dive
Advanced students can search for the author of an article to see if they are a real person with a professional background in the field.
Side Stories Slides Side Stories
Lesson 5: Bias & Perspective
The Balance
Fact
Something that can be proven with evidence.
"The sun rose at 6:45 AM today."
Opinion
A personal belief or feeling about something.
"The sunrise was beautiful today."
Understanding Bias
Bias is a strong lean toward one side of an argument. It happens when a source only tells one side of the story.
Look for "Load Words"
Words like terrible, amazing, failure, hero.
Look for "Missing Voices"
Does the source interview people with different ideas?
TELPAS Checkpoint
Bias Hunt
"This source shows bias because ______."
Social Media Scenario:
You read a post that says: "Only lazy people don't go to university." Does this show bias? Why?
Side Stories Worksheet Side Stories
Language Lounge • Lesson 5
Name:
Date:
1. Fact vs. Opinion
Mark F for Fact or O for Opinion.
University takes four years to finish.
Every student should go to university.
2. Bias Breakdown
Analyze this headline: "New Job Rules are a Total Disaster." Why is it biased?
Language Support
Standard: This source shows bias because ________.
Advanced: The author's perspective is biased because they use ________ words.
Turn & Talk Read Headlines
Spot the slant in the story
Side Stories Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 5: Side Stories
TELPAS Focus: Bias Analysis
Language Objective
Students will analyze perspective and bias in social media and news reporting using evidence-based reasoning.
Essential Question
Why doesn't everyone agree on the truth?
Instructional Script
Hook
"Have you ever seen two people describe the same car accident differently? Each person has a perspective —a way of looking at things. Today, we are learning how to spot when a source is only telling one side of a story. We call this bias ."
Direct
"Look at Slide 2. Facts are things we can prove, like numbers or dates. Opinions are feelings. Bias happens when a writer uses very strong 'loaded words' to make you feel a certain way. If a news story calls someone a 'hero,' that is an opinion. If they call someone a 'criminal' before a trial, that is bias."
TELPAS Checkpoint
Teacher Action:
"Read two headlines about the same event—one neutral and one biased. Ask: 'Which one is trying to make you angry?'"
1. Listen
Students listen to partner explain their opinion on a career choice.
2. Share
Students share orally: "This source shows bias because ______."
3. Script
“Use the sentence stem to explain your thinking.”
Scaffolding Perspective
Emoji Coding
Have Beginning learners label statements with a 🧐 (Fact) or a ❤️ (Opinion). This reduces the reading load while building conceptual understanding.
Loaded Word Bank
Provide a list of "judgment words" for Advanced learners to find in social media posts. Challenge them to rewrite a biased headline to be neutral.
Credit Code Slides Credit Code
Lesson 6: Ethical Information Use
The Plagiarism Trap
Information is like property. Using someone else's ideas without credit is called Plagiarism.
It's not just "copy-paste." It's stealing the credit for hard work.
Common Mistakes:
🚫 Copying a TikTok script
🚫 Translating a text and not citing
🚫 Using an image without permission
How to Cite
A Citation is a shout-out to the original author.
Direct Quote
Using exact words.
"The climate is changing fast," says Dr. Smith.
Paraphrase
Using your own words.
According to Dr. Smith, our weather patterns are shifting.
TELPAS Checkpoint
Ethics Talk
"You should cite because ______."
Discussion:
If you found a perfect sentence for your essay, but it was from a TikTok video, how would you give them credit?
Credit Code Worksheet Credit Code
Language Lounge • Lesson 6
Name:
Date:
1. Spot the Shout-out
Underline the citation in the sentence below.
"According to the Department of Labor , job growth is high in the medical field."
2. Why Give Credit?
Why is it important to use citations? Explain in your own words.
Language Support
Standard: You should cite because ________.
Advanced: Citations are necessary in academic writing because ________.
Turn & Talk Read Citations
Show respect for every idea
Credit Code Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 6: Credit Code
TELPAS Focus: Ethics & Citations
Language Objective
Students will explain ethical information use and identify citation structures in academic texts.
Essential Question
How do I show respect for ideas?
Instructional Script
Hook
"If you spent a whole day writing a song, and then your friend posted it and said they wrote it, how would you feel? Information is a type of property. Today, we are learning the Credit Code —how to give respect to the people who create the facts we use."
Direct
"When we use someone's words or ideas, we must use a citation . It's like a shout-out. You can use their exact words in quotes, or you can use your own words (paraphrase). Both ways require a citation so people know where the information lives."
TELPAS Checkpoint
Teacher Action:
"Show a text without a citation. Ask: 'Where did this come from?' Then show the same text with a citation. Ask: 'How does this look different?'"
1. Listen
Students listen to teacher's examples of plagiarism vs. ethical use.
2. Share
Students share orally: "You should cite because ______."
3. Script
“Use the sentence stem to explain your thinking.”
Scaffolding for Ethics
Color Coding
For Beginning learners, have them highlight the author's name in one color and the idea in another. This makes the components of a citation visible.
AI Ethics
Challenge Advanced learners to discuss if using AI counts as plagiarism. Have them debate if AI 'creates' or 'remixes' existing information.
Mind Map Slides Mind Map
Lesson 7: Organizing Information
The Overload
Finding facts is easy. Managing them is the hard part.
If your notes are a mess, your final project will be a mess too.
The Solution?
Categories! Grouping similar ideas together.
Pick Your Style
Lists
Bullet points for facts. Simple and fast.
Webs
Bubbles that connect. Good for seeing patterns.
T-Charts
Pros vs. Cons. Best for making a choice.
TELPAS Checkpoint
Explain Your Choice
"I organized my notes by ______."
Task:
Show your partner how you grouped your career research. Did you use a list or a map?
Mind Map Worksheet Mind Map
Language Lounge • Lesson 7
Name:
Date:
1. Category Sort
Draw a line to match the fact to its category.
Fact: $70k Salary
Category: Pay
Fact: 2-Year Course
Category: Education
2. My Notes Map
Organize your research below. Use bubbles, lists, or columns.
Language Support
Standard: I organized my notes by ________.
Advanced: I chose this organizational style because it helps me see ________.
Turn & Talk Read Notes
Clean up the chaos of info
Mind Map Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 7: Mind Map
TELPAS Focus: Sorting & Organizing
Language Objective
Students will organize information clearly and explain their organizational choices using academic language.
Essential Question
How do I make sense of my research?
Instructional Script
Hook
"Imagine your bedroom is a mess. You can't find your shoes because they are buried under books and clothes. Information research is the same way. If we don't organize our facts, we can't find the answers we need. Today, we are cleaning up our notes."
Direct
"Look at Slide 3. There are many ways to organize. Some people like lists , which are fast and clean. Others like maps , which show how ideas connect like a spider web. Your job today is to pick a style that helps your brain think clearly."
TELPAS Checkpoint
Teacher Action:
"Walk around as students organize their worksheet. Ask individuals: 'Why did you put this fact in that box?' Listen for their justification."
1. Listen
Students listen to partner explain their chosen organizational style.
2. Share
Students share orally: "I organized my notes by ______."
3. Script
“Use the sentence stem to explain your thinking.”
Sorting Support
Pre-Sorted Cards
For Beginning learners, provide the facts on physical cards they can physically move into boxes. This removes the writing barrier while teaching the concept of categorization.
Complex Chains
Challenge Advanced learners to show 'Cause and Effect' in their mind maps (e.g., Degree -> Salary -> Lifestyle). This uses higher-order thinking and extended academic language.
Case Closed Slides Case Closed
Lesson 8: Argument & Synthesis
Building a Case
Synthesis is like being a chef. You take different ingredients (sources) and mix them to create something new (your claim).
One source is a fact. Two sources is a pattern. Three sources is a Powerhouse Argument.
The Claim Recipe:
1. My Opinion
+ 2. Evidence Source A
+ 3. Evidence Source B
= Strong Academic Claim
Power Up Your Voice
Beginning
"I think nursing is a good job."
Advanced
"My claim is supported by salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics."
Advanced High
"Evidence from multiple sources suggests that nursing offers both financial stability and high job growth."
TELPAS Checkpoint
Defend Your Claim
"My claim is supported by ______."
The Challenge:
Tell your partner one career you think is better than another. Give at least ONE reason from a source we looked at.
Case Closed Worksheet Case Closed
Language Lounge • Lesson 8
Name:
Date:
1. Synthesis Puzzle
Combine these two facts into one strong claim.
Fact A: Medical jobs are growing fast.
Fact B: Medical training takes 2 years.
My Combined Claim:
2. Build Your Case
Defend one career choice using at least TWO pieces of evidence from your notes.
Language Support
Beginning: I think ________.
Advanced: My claim is supported by ________.
Intermediate: Nursing is good because ________.
Adv High: Evidence from multiple sources suggests ________.
Turn & Talk Review Evidence
Close the case with synthesis
Case Closed Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 8: Case Closed
TELPAS Focus: Argument & Synthesis
Language Objective
Students will construct claims using evidence from multiple sources and defend their reasoning using complex academic structures.
Essential Question
How do I prove my point with proof?
Instructional Script
Hook
"Welcome back to the Language Lounge. We have asked questions, searched for info, and checked for trust. Now, we are entering the final stage: Synthesis . Imagine you are a lawyer. You have different pieces of evidence—fingerprints, a video, a witness. You must put them together to close the case!"
Direct
"Look at Slide 2. A strong academic voice doesn't just say 'I think.' It says, 'My claim is supported by this fact and that fact.' When you use more than one source, you are synthesizing. This is how you reach the highest levels of proficiency on your TELPAS assessment."
TELPAS Checkpoint
Teacher Action:
"I'm going to give you two facts about college. Listen. Now, you tell your partner one thing those facts tell us together. Use your academic voice."
1. Listen
Students listen to teacher's examples of combining two sources into one claim.
2. Share
Students share orally: "My claim is supported by ______."
3. Script
“Use the sentence stem to explain your thinking.”
Scaffolding Synthesis
Graphic Scaffolds
For Beginning learners, use a '1 + 1 = 2' graphic. (Fact A + Fact B = My Claim). This helps them see the logic of synthesis without getting lost in the words.
Counter-Arguments
Challenge Advanced High learners to include a counter-argument (e.g., 'While some believe X, evidence from Source B suggests Y'). This is the gold standard for academic writing.
World Wise Slides World Wise
Lesson 9: Real-World Application
The Skills in Action
Research is not just for school. It is a Superpower for your life.
Use your skills to make big life choices about your future, your community, and your world.
Finding a career you love.
Voting on important issues.
Helping your family with facts.
The Power of "Because"
In the real world, you have to Justify your decisions.
"I chose this career because the job growth is high and it matches my skills."
"I believe this news story because I checked three different reliable sources."
TELPAS Checkpoint
The Final Decision
"I chose ______ because ______."
One Last Challenge:
Tell your partner which research skill you will use the most in your life after school.
World Wise Worksheet World Wise
Language Lounge • Lesson 9
Name:
Date:
1. Real World Scenario
Career Crossroads
"You want to work in Medical Imaging. Path A costs $40,000 and takes 1 year. Path B costs $5,000 and takes 2 years. Research shows Path B has a higher job placement rate."
Which path do you choose?
Path A
Path B
2. The Wise Choice
Justify your choice. Use facts from the scenario to explain your thinking.
Language Support
Beginning: I chose Path ________.
Intermediate: I chose Path B because ________.
Advanced: I selected Path B because of ________.
Adv High: Path B is a more logical choice due to ________.
Turn & Talk Read Scenario
Apply research to decisions
World Wise Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 9: World Wise
TELPAS Focus: Application & Justification
Language Objective
Students will apply research skills to real-world decision-making scenarios and justify their decisions using evidence-based reasoning.
Final Question
How will I use these skills for the rest of my life?
Instructional Script
Hook
"Congratulations! You have mastered the Research Loop . You can ask great questions, hunt for keywords, and test for trust. Today, we aren't just doing 'school work.' We are applying these powers to real life . Life is full of big choices, and research is the lamp that lights the way."
Direct
"Look at Slide 2. Research helps you choose a career, buy a house, or even help a family member with health facts. Today, you will see a life scenario. You must look at the facts, make a choice, and most importantly—justify it . Being 'World Wise' means knowing 'the why' behind your 'what.'"
TELPAS Checkpoint
Teacher Action:
"Tell students: 'Today is your final test. I want to hear your academic voice one last time. Why did you choose Path B?' Listen for specific evidence."
1. Listen
Students listen to partner's justification of their final career choice.
2. Share
Students share orally: "I chose ______ because ______."
3. Script
“Use the sentence stem to explain your thinking.”
Capstone Reflections
Oral Fluency
Have students record themselves answering the final justification prompt. This provides a great data point for TELPAS speaking growth at the end of the unit.
Life Map
For Advanced High learners, ask them to identify one 'real world' question they have (e.g., 'How do I start a business?') and list the 3 sources they would check first.
