The Exploros Social Studies and English Language Arts programs include article summaries and videos that support key learning standards.
Article summaries are usually one page or less and are written below grade-level Lexile to make complex topics easier for students to understand.
When you assign a learning experience, students may see different summaries or videos depending on the Reading Group they are placed in.
Using the Class Pack
The Class Pack is a library that includes all article summaries and videos from the course in one place. This makes it easy to locate and share resources with students.
Article summaries in the Class Pack include an additional feature:
Check for Understanding questions at the bottom of each summary.
These questions help reinforce the key ideas from the reading.
Accessing the Class Pack in Exploros (Gold Subscription)
If your class is licensed with a Gold Subscription for Exploros Social Studies or ELA, these summaries and videos are also available directly within the Class Pack (this video provides a guided tour). Follow these steps to preview the article and video library available in the Class Pack:
Select a Class – Choose the class you want to view.
Open the Class Pack – Click on the "Class Pack" option.
Browse Resources – Use the filters to explore the article and video library.
Managing Article Summaries and Videos in the Class Pack
Saving to Favorites
To save an article or video to your Favorites for quick access later, click the star icon next to the article name. This will add the item to your Favorites tab. You can view your list of saved articles by clicking on Favorites. To remove an item, simply deselect the star icon.
Sharing with Students
To share an article or video with students, click the eye icon. This will make the item visible in the Student View of the Class Pack. When students access the Class Pack, they will only see the shared items.
Important Notes:
Any article or video you share with students will automatically be added to your Favorites.
View the list of shared items by clicking the Student View tab.
To remove an article from the student view, deselect the eye icon.
The Student View only displays shared articles and videos—it does not include the full library or your Favorites.
Teaching Tips with the Class Pack
Article Summaries
Check for Understanding Questions: At the bottom of an article that is accessed via the Class Pack, you will find a few questions. The numbered questions are for reading comprehension. The answers will usually be fact-based, deriving from the article. The question indicated with the green question mark is more open-ended, and may require students to do research outside of the article to provide a thoughtful answer.
Model Annotation: Project the article on the whiteboard and demonstrate how to underline key details and text evidence using a dry-erase marker to support answers.
Print for Flexibility: Provide printed copies of articles and questions for students who don’t have access to devices. These can be completed with pencil and paper.
Homework Option: Assign article summaries and questions as homework to reinforce comprehension and prepare students for discussions.
Group Work: Have students work in pairs or small groups to read and discuss the article, then collaborate on answers.
Videos
Project and Discuss: Show videos to the whole class and pause at key points to discuss ideas and guide understanding. Encourage students to take notes as they watch.
Interactive Viewing: Provide graphic organizers or guided note templates to help students focus on main ideas during the video.
Watch and Reflect: Assign videos for homework and ask students to take notes and come prepared to discuss in class.
Video Journals: Have students write summaries or reflections connecting the video content to prior learning or classroom discussions.