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Reading & Writing in Response to Text Sets
This collection bridges key reading and writing skills middle school students need to be successful in English language arts. Each assignment asks students to read a set of nonfiction articles on similar topics and answer comprehension questions aligned to reading skills. Then students write extended response essays synthesizing what they learned. Students gain practice demonstrating comprehension, responding to text, and citing evidence from more than one source as they write in the Information genre.
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Text Set: Winter Survival
Text Set: Winter Survival
In this assignment, students read two articles about winter survival strategies used by birds and insects. Students answer reading comprehension questions and then write an Informational Essay about how these animals survive cold temperatures. Students gain practice in close reading, gathering evidence from more than one source, and writing in the Information genre.
SKILLS (18):Analyze Author's Craft (IR), Analyze Author's Purpose & Perspective, Cite Evidence from Text (IR), Identify Main Idea and Details (IR), Make Connections (IR), Use Reliable Sources, Summarize/Paraphrase Text (IR), Synthesize, Synthesize (IR), Determine Word Meaning (IR), End with an Idea, Make Inferences & Draw Conclusions, Provide a Strong Introduction, Choose Words Carefully, Consider the Reader, Connect Ending, Elaborate (Info), Organize for Flow and LogicSTANDARDS:W.7.2.a, RI.7.8, RI.7.6, RI.7.2, W.7.4, W.7.2.d, RI.7.1, RI.7.9, W.7.9, RI.7.4, W.7.2.b, W.7.2.f, W.7.8FORMAT:EssaySkills in this Assignment
- Analyze Author's Craft (IR)
- Analyze Author's Purpose & Perspective
- Cite Evidence from Text (IR)
- Identify Main Idea and Details (IR)
- Make Connections (IR)
- Use Reliable Sources
- Summarize/Paraphrase Text (IR)
- Synthesize
- Synthesize (IR)
- Determine Word Meaning (IR)
- End with an Idea
- Make Inferences & Draw Conclusions
- Provide a Strong Introduction
- Choose Words Carefully
- Consider the Reader
- Connect Ending
- Elaborate (Info)
- Organize for Flow and Logic
Standards in this Assignment
- W.7.2.a
- RI.7.8
- RI.7.6
- RI.7.2
- W.7.4
- W.7.2.d
- RI.7.1
- RI.7.9
- W.7.9
- RI.7.4
- W.7.2.b
- W.7.2.f
- W.7.8
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Text Set: Astronauts in Space
Text Set: Astronauts in Space
In this assignment, students read two articles about astronauts in space. Students answer reading comprehension questions and then write an Informational Essay about how astronauts stay healthy in space. Students gain practice in close reading, gathering evidence from more than one source, and writing in the Information genre.
SKILLS (19):Analyze Author's Craft (IR), Analyze Author's Purpose & Perspective, Cite Evidence from Text (IR), Demonstrate Comprehension (IR), Identify Main Idea and Details (IR), Make Connections (IR), Use Reliable Sources, Summarize/Paraphrase Text (IR), Synthesize, Synthesize (IR), Determine Word Meaning (IR), End with an Idea, Make Inferences & Draw Conclusions, Provide a Strong Introduction, Choose Words Carefully, Consider the Reader, Connect Ending, Elaborate (Info), Organize for Flow and LogicSTANDARDS:RI.7.8, W.7.2.a, RI.7.6, RI.7.2, W.7.4, W.7.2.d, RI.7.1, RI.7.4, RI.7.9, W.7.9, W.7.2.b, RI.7.3, W.7.2.f, W.7.8FORMAT:EssaySkills in this Assignment
- Analyze Author's Craft (IR)
- Analyze Author's Purpose & Perspective
- Cite Evidence from Text (IR)
- Demonstrate Comprehension (IR)
- Identify Main Idea and Details (IR)
- Make Connections (IR)
- Use Reliable Sources
- Summarize/Paraphrase Text (IR)
- Synthesize
- Synthesize (IR)
- Determine Word Meaning (IR)
- End with an Idea
- Make Inferences & Draw Conclusions
- Provide a Strong Introduction
- Choose Words Carefully
- Consider the Reader
- Connect Ending
- Elaborate (Info)
- Organize for Flow and Logic
Standards in this Assignment
- RI.7.8
- W.7.2.a
- RI.7.6
- RI.7.2
- W.7.4
- W.7.2.d
- RI.7.1
- RI.7.4
- RI.7.9
- W.7.9
- W.7.2.b
- RI.7.3
- W.7.2.f
- W.7.8
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Text Set: Recycling
Text Set: Recycling
In this assignment, students read two articles about recycling. Students answer reading comprehension questions and then write an Informational Essay about the topic. Students gain practice in close reading, gathering evidence from more than one source, and writing in the Information genre.
SKILLS (17):Analyze Author's Craft (IR), Analyze Author's Purpose & Perspective, Cite Evidence from Text (IR), Identify Main Idea and Details (IR), Use Reliable Sources, Summarize/Paraphrase Text (IR), Synthesize, Synthesize (IR), Determine Word Meaning (IR), End with an Idea, Make Inferences & Draw Conclusions, Provide a Strong Introduction, Choose Words Carefully, Consider the Reader, Connect Ending, Elaborate (Info), Organize for Flow and LogicSTANDARDS:RI.7.8, W.7.2.a, RI.7.6, RI.7.2, W.7.4, W.7.2.d, RI.7.1, RI.7.4, W.7.9, RI.7.9, W.7.2.b, W.7.2.f, W.7.8FORMAT:EssaySkills in this Assignment
- Analyze Author's Craft (IR)
- Analyze Author's Purpose & Perspective
- Cite Evidence from Text (IR)
- Identify Main Idea and Details (IR)
- Use Reliable Sources
- Summarize/Paraphrase Text (IR)
- Synthesize
- Synthesize (IR)
- Determine Word Meaning (IR)
- End with an Idea
- Make Inferences & Draw Conclusions
- Provide a Strong Introduction
- Choose Words Carefully
- Consider the Reader
- Connect Ending
- Elaborate (Info)
- Organize for Flow and Logic
Standards in this Assignment
- RI.7.8
- W.7.2.a
- RI.7.6
- RI.7.2
- W.7.4
- W.7.2.d
- RI.7.1
- RI.7.4
- W.7.9
- RI.7.9
- W.7.2.b
- W.7.2.f
- W.7.8
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Reading & Writing in Response to Text Sets
This collection bridges key reading and writing skills middle school students need to be successful in English language arts. Each assignment asks students to read a set of nonfiction articles on similar topics and answer comprehension questions aligned to reading skills. Then students write extended response essays synthesizing what they learned. Students gain practice demonstrating comprehension, responding to text, and citing evidence from more than one source as they write in the Information genre.