• Informational Multi-Paragraph Response: Middle School


    In this collection of Response to Reading assignments, middle-school students build proficiency in writing a well-structured, multi-paragraph reading response. Each assignment includes three differentiated prompts with leveled scaffolding that supports a gradual release to full independence. This assignment can be completed in one or two class periods, or can be worked on over a week-long period of writing with supported practice. The articles in this collection are part of the Science & Technology theme and are available at three different Lexile levels as well as in Spanish.

    • Substantial Scaffolds (Level 3): Students practice writing four paragraphs in response to a nonfiction article, with the help of guided supports and substantial scaffolding.
    • Moderate Scaffolds (Level 2): Students practice using evidence to support a main idea as they develop a multi-paragraph response to nonfiction, using moderate guidance and scaffolding.
    • Light Scaffolds (Level 1): Students complete a Graphic Organizer and independently write a well-structured Informative Essay in response to a nonfiction text.

  • Argument Multi-Paragraph Response: Middle School


    In this collection of Response to Reading assignments, middle-school students build proficiency in writing a well-structured, multi-paragraph Persuasive Speech in the Argument genre. After reading two texts expressing differing views on a topic, students state a claim and support it with reasons and evidence from the texts and from their own experience. Each assignment includes three prompts, with differentiated instruction featuring scaffolding that supports a gradual release from substantial support to full independence. This assignment can be completed in one or two class periods, or can be worked on over a week-long period of writing with supported practice. The titles in this collection are part of the Earth in Trouble theme and are available at three different Lexile levels as well as in Spanish.

    • Substantial Scaffolds (Level 3): Students practice writing a Persuasive Speech in response to nonfiction texts, with the help of guided supports and substantial scaffolding.
    • Moderate Scaffolds (Level 2): Students practice using reasons and evidence to support their position as they develop a Persuasive Speech. Students write in response to nonfiction texts expressing differing viewpoints, using moderate guidance and scaffolding.
    • Light Scaffolds (Level 1): Students complete a Planner in which they state their position and find reasons and evidence to support it. Then students work independently to draft a Persuasive Speech in response to nonfiction texts expressing differing points of view.

  • Informational Single-Paragraph Response: Middle School


    In this collection of Response to Reading assignments, middle-school students build proficiency in writing a well-structured, single-paragraph response. Each assignment includes three differentiated prompts with leveled scaffolding that supports a gradual release to full independence. The titles in this collection are part of the New Ideas theme and are available at three different Lexile levels as well as in Spanish.

    • Substantial Scaffolds (Level 3): Students practice writing a well-structured single paragraph in response to nonfiction, with the help of guided supports and substantial scaffolding.
    • Moderate Scaffolds (Level 2): Students practice using evidence to support a main idea as they develop a single-paragraph response to nonfiction, using moderate guidance and scaffolding.
    • Light Scaffolds (Level 1): Students complete a Planner and independently write a single-paragraph response to a nonfiction text.

  • Argument Single-Paragraph Response: Middle School


    In this collection of Response to Reading assignments, middle-school students build proficiency in writing a well-structured, argument paragraph supported by text evidence. Each assignment includes three prompts, with differentiated instruction featuring scaffolding that supports a gradual release from substantial support to full independence. The titles in this collection are part of the Cool Schools theme and are available at three different Lexile levels. Most titles also have a Spanish version.

    • Substantial Scaffolds (Level 3): Students practice writing an argument paragraph in response to nonfiction texts, with the help of guided supports and substantial scaffolding.
    • Moderate Scaffolds (Level 2): Students practice using reasons and evidence to support their position as they develop an argument paragraph. Students write in response to nonfiction texts, using moderate guidance and scaffolding.
    • Light Scaffolds (Level 1): Students complete a Planner in which they state their position and find reasons and evidence to support it. Then students independently draft an argument paragraph in response to nonfiction texts.