A lot of us start the school year a little rusty. What strategies do you use to master your classes? Share your insights to help other students and win great prizes!
If you submit a draft on or before September 19, we will give you feedback. All entries are due September 30, and we will mail prize money to the address provided by your parent in the sign-up form.
To get started, we have a reading for grades K-6 and a series of readings for grades 7-12 about the planning document called a business canvas. These readings and the answer keys are in the lesson plans below.
Help your fellow students do their best this year!
Grades 7-12
Best Study Strat for 2025
You have learned so many subjects, studied for so many tests, and completed so many projects. Time to share your insight!
In 1,000 words or less, describe the study strategy that helped you the most this year. Include when the strategy helped you, the steps to use your strategy, and an argument for why other students should use the strategy.
Think, write, edit, diagram, and submit by September 30. Have fun with it!
Due: September 30, 2025 at 11:59 ET
As part of your submission, create an infographic to show how others can use your great strategy, too. (Parental sign-up form required.)
There is a sign-up form and you upload your writing and drawings in one PDF.
2
Do I have to upload a draft?
No. In most jobs, you talk with the people you write and design for. In this competition, you can submit a draft by the 19th and receive feedback on your progress so you can provide the best possible draft by the deadline.
3
What is the prize?
edMe Learning will mail a check to the address of the person finishing in first place. In addition, edMe Learning will email certificates to students that provide high-level work.
4
Can my paper go over the limit?
Absolutely not. The paper, including the title, need to fit within the described limit. Any cited resources will not be counted against the word count.
5
Can I get help?
You need to write the paper, but there are lots of ways to get help. You can research the topic and cite your resources. You can have someone read a draft and give you feedback and help with grammar. You cannot have AI write this for you. We want to hear your voice–the way you tell stories is important!
Students will be responsible for their own finances soon. Give them the tools they need!
Financial Literacy for Students has ## readings describing key financial ideas and key events in their financial futures. Each reading is followed by questions that help them practice the reading strategies.
Students read engaging, informative texts about topics like:
Earning an income,
Making a budget,
Paying taxes,
Investing in stocks,
Buying a house,
And many more!
Forward to Financial Literacy for Students
Financial literacy is a broad range of critical skills that impact real-world living. These skills give students the tools they need to make smart choices that start today! Future employees must manage budgets, saving plans, credit, and taxes. With prices going up and more ways to spend money, it’s even more important to control income and avoid debt. Financial literacy helps avoid trouble with loans, credit cards, and bills while saving for the future. When people understand money, they can make informed decisions, reach their goals, and feel secure in their daily lives.
Learning financial literacy is especially important for students. It empowers them to make smart choices with money early in life. As youth start understanding how the world works, now is the perfect time to help them learn about earning, saving, and spending. Just like reading or math, they will use money skills for the rest of their lives. When students understand the basics—like setting a budget, saving for goals, or balancing needs and wants—they gain confidence and avoid common money mistakes later on.
This book includes over 50 high-value informational texts that teach the foundations of financial literacy. These texts provide real-world infographics, a variety of economic facts, realistic examples of finances, and opportunities to reflect on personal goals. Each reading improves understanding of important financial topics, builds strong vocabularies, and teaches critical text analysis. By the end of the book, students will be able to understand and apply a wide variety of topics to their real-world finances.
A unique set of assessment questions follows each text in this book. Questions are targeted to ensure understanding of key vocabulary terms and concepts from that specific text. They also include assessments of standards-based literacy skills, such as main idea, text structure, and author’s purpose. A complete answer key and glossary help students check their own understanding and make it easy to integrate this book into a classroom setting. Students will use these lessons to begin thinking about their own financial goals, plans, and priorities. We build students’ vocabularies so they can talk about money openly at home. They learn that handling money well is something they can do, too. These skills help them succeed in school, make smart decisions in life, and better understand complex issues in today’s world. Building these habits now can lead to a future where your child is more prepared, independent, and financially secure.
Can I see the table of contents?
Of course! Check out these amazing readings!
Side view of writing on clipboard while insurance agent examining car after accident, Selective focus
We look around and think, “it would be better if a business would do THIS.” edMe is giving you the opportunity (and tools) to describe that business. If you submitted a draft on or before November 18, we will give you feedback. All entries are due November 30, and we will mail prize money to the address provided by your parent in the sign-up form.
To get started, we have a reading for grades K-6 and a series of readings for grades 7-12 about the planning document called a business canvas. These readings and the answer keys are in the lesson plans below.
Entrepreneurs create new businesses. Plan the business you can imagine.
In 1,000 words or less, describe the business you would like to create. Include at least 2 criteria for your business to be successful, 2 resources you would need to start the business, and the customers you will serve.
Research, write, edit, cite, and submit by November 30. Have fun with it!
There is a sign-up form and you upload your writing and drawings in one PDF.
2
Do I have to upload a draft?
No. In most jobs, you talk with the people you write and design for. In this competition, you can submit a draft by Nov. 18th and receive feedback on your progress so you can provide the best possible draft by the deadline.
3
What is the prize?
edMe Learning will mail a check to the address of the person finishing in first place. In addition, edMe Learning will email certificates to students that provide high-level work.
4
Can my paper go over the limit?
Absolutely not. The paper, including the title, need to fit within the described limit. Any cited resources will not be counted against the word count.
5
Can I get help?
You need to write the paper, but there are lots of ways to get help. You can research the topic and cite your resources. You can have someone read a draft and give you feedback and help with grammar. You cannot have AI write this for you. We want to hear your voice–the way you tell stories is important!
Need further assistance?
Need help finding the answers you need? Let’s have a conversation.
Welcome to edMe’s competition with cash prizes! This website has the rubrics, readings and process descriptions to support your entry. You can use any of these resources or create your own entry without the support. If you submitted a draft on or before October 20, we gave you feedback. All entries are due June 30, and we will mail awards to the address provided by your parent in the sign-up form.
There is a sign-up form and you upload your writing and drawings in one PDF.
2
Do I have to upload a draft?
No. In most jobs, you talk with the people you write and design for. In this competition, you can submit a draft by the 20th and receive feedback on your progress so you can provide the best possible draft by the deadline.
3
What is the prize?
edMe Learning will mail a check to the address of the person finishing in first place. In addition, edMe Learning will email certificates to students that provide high-level work.
4
Can my paper go over the limit?
Absolutely not. The paper, including the title, need to fit within the described limit. Any cited resources will not be counted against the word count.
5
Can I get help?
You need to write the paper, but there are lots of ways to get help. You can research the topic and cite your resources. You can have someone read a draft and give you feedback and help with grammar. You cannot have AI write this for you. We want to hear your voice–the way you tell stories is important!
Need further assistance?
Need help finding the answers you need? Let’s have a conversation.
Use one or all of these lessons. They are organized into 2 one-week units, but are flexible enough for any classroom, club, or summer camp need.
This collection of curriculum materials connects kidney health to the classroom. Engaging informational and fiction texts bring to life knowledge about anatomy and healthy living. Each reading is paired with literacy-based questions to support students at all levels. Together, texts and questions allow students to explore kidney health while strengthening their literacy skills.
Each text is specifically written so that students can approach it with different backgrounds and reading levels. High school classes could use these readings with students needing more practice and support. Elementary and middle school students can use them to explore texts with on-grade level reading comprehension questions. Each reading is between one and two pages in length, accompanied by standards-aligned questions to gauge comprehension after reading. Question sets are aligned to the key reading comprehension standards that address vocabulary and main idea.
A list of suggested accommodations and modifications follows each lesson plan. These supports may help some readers with specific needs. For example, certain accommodations may benefit students who are learning English or students with learning disabilities. Additionally, suggested extensions could help students who need an extra challenge from their work. These adjustments are suggestions that can be used as needed to help your individual students. Each learner may benefit differently.
A detailed answer key and rubric set follow the texts and lessons. These resources allow educators to easily assess student learning. They can also be used by students to self-assess their own work.
Accommodations & Modifications
For struggling readers, use the PPT version of the texts and read aloud the text before students read the texts and accomplish the activities.
For students struggling taking notes, print the student workbooks and encourage students to mark-up the texts.
For students unfamiliar with graphic organizers, complete the graphic organizers together. The teacher or a student could lead the work.
Lesson plans following each text guide instructors on possible classroom uses for these readings. Lesson plans provide related standards, learning objectives, and assessment opportunities. They also detail procedures for the lesson in a guided release of responsibility structure. Lessons begin with active connection to prior knowledge, followed by several steps of group and individual skill practice. They conclude with brief discussions and formative assessments.
Lesson plans following each text guide instructors on possible classroom uses for these readings. Lesson plans provide related standards, learning objectives, and assessment opportunities. They also detail procedures for the lesson in a guided release of responsibility structure. Lessons begin with active connection to prior knowledge, followed by several steps of group and individual skill practice. They conclude with brief discussions and formative assessments.
Drafts can be uploaded up until October 20th for feedback. The final submissions must be uploaded by October 30th at 11:59pm ET. All questions can be sent to edme@myedme.com.
The second most common type of small business is home improvement services, like plumbing and painting.
Drafts can be uploaded up until October 19th for feedback. The final submissions must be uploaded by October 30th at 11:59pm ET. All questions can be sent to edme@myedme.com.
Be sure to write your log-in name on the paper. You are currently signed in
as: You are not logged in! Please log in so we can accept your image. Click "My Account!" above or use myedme.com/login/my-account).
Easiest for phones/tablets: You can upload a saved picture of the scratch work for these three questions or
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NOTE: This competition concluded in January 2025. Thanks to all who participated!
This website has the rubrics, readings and process descriptions. You can use any of these resources or create your own entry without the support. If you submit a draft before January 20, we will give you feedback. All entries are due January 31 and we will mail prize money to the address provided by your parent in the sign-up form.
Due: Jan. 31 11:59pm ET
Challenge: Design a safety suit that someone would use to stay safe while doing an important job. In your essay describe the risks that your suit addresses. Then, describe how your suit addresses those risks.
In 600 words or less, write an essay describing a problem that a safety suit can solve and the best design for the safety suit to solve those problems. To write the essay, you will need to design a safety suit that someone would use to stay safe while doing an important job. In your essay describe the risks that your suit addresses. Then, describe how your suit addresses those risks.
Include a cartoon with 2-8 pictures that show how your suit works.
In 1,000 words or less, write an essay describing a problem that a safety suit can solve and the best design for the safety suit to solve those problems. To write the essay, you will need to design a safety suit that someone would use to stay safe while doing an important job. Managing risks also includes exploring opportunities. Describe how your suit addresses those risks and the opportunities your suit creates.
Include two scale drawings that show how your suit works.
There is a sign-up form and you upload your writing and drawings in one PDF.
2
Do I have to upload a draft?
No. In most jobs, you talk with the people you write and design for. In this competition, you can submit a draft by the 20th and receive feedback on your progress so you can provide the best possible draft by the deadline.
3
What is the prize?
edMe Learning will mail a check to the address of the person finishing in first place. In addition, edMe Learning will email certificates to students that provide high-level work.
4
Can my paper go over the limit?
Absolutely not. The paper, including the title, need to fit within the described limit. Any cited resources will not be counted against the word count.
5
Can I get help?
You need to write the paper, but there are lots of ways to get help. You can research the topic and cite your resources. You can have someone read a draft and give you feedback and help with grammar. You cannot have AI write this for you. We want to hear your voice–the way you tell stories is important!
Need further assistance?
Need help finding the answers you need? Let’s have a conversation.
There are many ways to organize the engineering design process. Two of them are shown below with questions to help you understand them better. The video shows engineering design processes you may consider if the PDFs are too hard to understand.
If you have used another engineering design process before, feel free to use the one you have used before.
These activities guide you through engineering designs from different books that edMe Learning has published. The first example has you reimagine your workspace, just like Thomas Jefferson did. The second example has you design a way to keep ice cubes cold. The third example shows how to write about Geiger counters. It’s not a safety suit, but this safety device writing sample shows how to develop your ideas.
STEM and Workforce Literacy Materials (Available via Amazon Prime)
Maritime Marvels has 90 readings discussing famous ships and the professionals building these ships today.
There are lesson plans below to help educators integrate this into daily routines. These standards-aligned materials ensure that your students explore STEM careers and successes while building reading and writing skills.
The book has informational texts about 50 famous ships and 40 careers that support building the next famous ships.
This 234-page book includes 90 literacy readings, answer key, and writing rubric. These readings allow students to explore career paths and our naval history. Writing projects explore the writing process from outlining to editing while exploring compare-and-contrast paragraphs, persuasive writing, and summarizing informational texts.
Two weeks of classroom lesson plans below
Start a Workforce Club to inspire students after school
10 Free Lesson Plans
Lesson 1: Main Idea & Outlining
Read and explore a nonfiction text. Understanding the main idea is critical. Taking notes about the main idea and key supporting details can help students understand the text and write summary paragraphs more easily. (PDF download)
Identify main idea of a nonfiction text.
Support a nonfiction main idea using key details and text evidence.
Lesson 2: Comparing Readings with Venn Diagrams
Using two texts, read and explore two nonfiction texts about related topics.
Compare and contrast details in two texts using a Venn Diagram. Students could use two job-focused readings or two ship-focused readings. (PDF download)
Read and explore two nonfiction texts about related topics.
Compare and contrast details in two texts using a Venn Diagram.
Lesson 3: Reading & Writing Cause and Effects
Many informational texts use cause-and-effect relationships. These texts discuss historical cause and effects that are diagnosed with a notetaking strategy and the graphic organizer shown below. (PDF download)
Read a nonfiction text about a historical ship.
Identify cause-effect relationships in nonfiction.
Synthesize connections between details in a text.
Lesson 4: Persuasive Writing (Convince people to agree with you!)
Students will gain information from informational texts, then use these facts to support a claim. The graphic organizer helps students organize their information and create persuasive sentences. Then, students tie together the pieces into a persuasive writing. (PDF download)
Read and explore a nonfiction text.
Create a personal claim based on opinion.
Structure a persuasive argument with supporting details.
Lesson 5: Writing to Explain Problem and Solution
Many informational texts explain problems and solutions. These ship narratives often use these structures. This lesson shows how to annotate problems and solutions
Read and explore a nonfiction text.
Identify problem and solution connections based on a nonfiction text.
Connect a nonfiction text to real-world experiences.
Lesson 6: Summarize Texts by Creating a Classroom Job Fair
After reading about a few careers, students are ready to host their own classroom job fair. Students share information with each other to address: What is the job title? What do people do in this job? What skills or training help people in this job? (PDF download)
Read and explore a nonfiction text.
Summarize the key points of a nonfiction text.
Lesson 7: Building a Naval Timeline through Famous Ships
If you and your class LOVE ships, share your excitement with a timeline showing off key details of these famous ships. Our American naval history parallels many of the themes in our shared history: technology causing big leaps forward, trying to defend our shores, and supporting our allies across the world. (PDF download)
Read and explore a collection of nonfiction texts.
Make connections between multiple texts.
Create a timeline to show change over time.
Lesson 8: Exploring Author’s Purpose
Understanding why an author writes a text is a critical skill today. Students explore why someone would write these texts and explore the different reasons for writing texts. This lesson includes excellent extensions asking students to rewrite Maritime Mania texts in an engaging way. (PDF download)
Read and explore a nonfiction text.
Identify the author’s purpose based on key details.
Lesson 9: Summarizing the Text by Creating a Yearbook Page
We remember each other with yearbooks, let’s remember these ships by documenting their successes using a yearbook page. This creative lesson plan allows students to truly explore their creative abilities as they document the informational texts in Maritime Mania. (PDF download)
Read and explore a set of nonfiction texts.
Summarize the key points of nonfiction texts.
Lesson 10: Create your Resume!
Students start by completing a graphic organizer to document a career described as an informational text. Then, students can extend this learning to complete a similar graphic organizer to get their details together for their own resume. (PDF download)
You can download all 10 free lesson plans in this PDF. These lessons build annotating strategies that help students take the most useful notes. The lessons focus on building knowledge from informational texts while practicing strategies that are useful for state assessments and future careers.
We encourage students to annotate texts so their notes help them make the text their own!Informational texts have main ideas supported by texts.Cause and effects are critical to identify and understand.Many comprehension questions focus on names and dates. Sometimes these are the most important notes.
Start A Club
You can inspire students with a Book Club-like club focused on career exploration. Maintain motivation and interest by creating a regular cadence, give an initial taste of the readings, and encourage active participation. These books are organized so that the lower readability texts are in the beginning and higher readability texts are at the end. Allow students to choose readings that inspire them, but are on a common theme.
Before each meeting, have students sign-up for readings. Give students 5-10 readings to choose from and ask them to read 1-2 passages between each meeting. Start each meeting by having students review the answers to the text-dependent questions (or answer them together if pre-work is simply not achievable). Ideally, this happens in small groups so students can share their work on the same readings. After 15 minutes of text review, ask students to share a question or opinion with the group. Initially, students may struggle to start these conversations but reinforce that their opinions matter and this club is structured so they can fully explore the topics in the readings. Students could culminate this conversation by creating artistic artifacts that show their point of view about the topic or how it applies to their future.
Get started now! Teachers begin by choosing a time that works well for both students and staff, such as once a week after dismissal. They should select an engaging theme like “Sampling Future Careers”, “How We Can Build the Future”, or “Planning Our Future Goals”. Each book from edMe Learning is arranged from easiest to hardest readings. Organize small groups of four to six students to encourage active participation. A “tasting” of readings can help students preview and rank book choices, making grouping smoother and more student-driven. Teachers should also provide clear guidance on how to take notes, prepare for discussion, and speak respectfully in conversations. Most importantly, the teacher’s role should be to guide and support without dominating, focusing on building a love of reading rather than organizing every minute of discussion.
This book includes: 90 total nonfiction texts (50 on famous ships, 40 on careers) Almost 1,000 text-dependent questions 9 engaging writing activities 10 free lesson plans for educators available online You will read lots about the U.S. Navy. Different countries have different navies. A navy protects a country with ships. The United States Navy is […]
How to Build Important Things connects the classroom to the working world. This collection of nonfiction texts invites students of all ages to explore career paths while strengthening their literacy skills. Engaging readings pair with standards-based question sets to teach readers about welding, aircraft carriers, the history of the United States Navy, and many topics in between.
Learners from elementary to high school can benefit from these strategic texts. High school classes could use these readings with students who need more practice and supports. Elementary and middle school students can use them to explore career-based texts with on-grade level comprehension practice. Readings can be used to support a whole class of students, or they can be used in a one-on-one setting. You can use them to build individual skills, increase motivation, or assess learning progress. Regardless of your educational setting, this book can scaffold real-world learning to capture your students’ attention.
Each text is less than one full page in length, accompanied by 4-10 brief but strategic questions to gauge comprehension after reading. Question sets are aligned to the key reading comprehension standards for informational, or nonfiction, texts. The first half of the book features texts with lower readabilities and questions that focus on vocabulary and meaning-making. Afterwards, the readabilities slightly increase, and questions require more inferences.
Chapters in this book do not need to be read chronologically. Students can read from different areas of the book based on the goal of their reading experience or the texts they are most interested in exploring. Additionally, readings are designed to work flexibly with many lesson plans. Students can use them to collaborate on projects, discussions, and further research. Five complete lesson plans at the beginning of this book outline examples of how these texts can come to life in a classroom setting.
How to Build Important Things includes dozens of readings that explore how big things, like submarines and buildings, are constructed across the United States. These readings look at specific design processes, tools, techniques, and jobsites.
