In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Future Food," by Rebecca Mordechai. The article explains what lab-grown meat is and the potential impact it could have on the environment. Students write a Summary Paragraph providing details from the article and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 580.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Justice for All" about the Little Rock Nine. The article explains school segregation and how the teens in Little Rock helped to end it. Students are asked to provide details from the article in an Informative Paragraph and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 560.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Law of the Land," by Brian S. McGrath. The article covers the functions and creation of the Supreme Court, as well as a landmark decision by the Court. Students are asked to write a speech using information in the article and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 590.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Mars Explorer," by Brian S. McGrath. The article discusses NASA's Mars Rover and its mission to the red planet. Students use their imaginations and details from the article to write a fictional Journal Entry from the perspective of the first astronaut to land on Mars. This assignment gives students practice writing in the Narrative genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 560.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Jungle Life." The article explains why tropical rain forests are important, as well as why they are in danger. Students use their imaginations and details from the article to write a Short Story about an adventure in the jungle. This assignment gives students practice writing in the Narrative genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 580.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Pass on Salt." Students read the article to learn how eating salty foods could affect their health. Students then write a Short Article that provides details from the reading and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 590.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Toy Story." The article discusses stores separating their toys according to gender stereotypes. Students write an Opinion Letter arguing for their stance on the topic and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Argument genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 550.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "What's Up Dog?" The article explains how scientists have found that dogs can communicate, count, and understand the passage of time. Students write a Summary Paragraph providing details from the article and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 530.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Safe Travels." The article examines wildlife crossings and how these help animals and people. Students write an Op-Ed explaining why they believe their city should build a wildlife crossing and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Argument genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 650.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Lifesaving Drones," by Aryn Baker. The article details how the start-up Zipline is saving lives with their delivery drones. Students write a Blog Post explaining what they read and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 500.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "A Safer Sport," by Brian S. McGrath. The article covers why flag football has become a popular alternative to tackle football among families. Students write a Summary Paragraph providing details from the article and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 720.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Holding on to Hope," by Jaime Joyce. The article details how some children live on the U.S.-Mexico border as they wait to receive asylum. Students are asked to write a Friendly Letter to a student living on the border and make connections to the article by writing in the Narrative genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 690.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Waste Not," by Shay Maunz. The article examines how school cafeterias are a major cause of food waste and some potential solutions. Students write an Op-Ed explaining what they believe their school should do to cut down on food waste and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Argument genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 800.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Stepping into History," by Shay Maunz. The article discusses the Moon landing and the astronauts who were part of the Apollo 11 mission. Students write a Fictional Retelling from the perspective of an alien creature on the Moon and use details from the article in their Narrative writing.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 760.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Hope for Tigers," by Brian S. McGrath. The article explains how tigers became an endangered species and the ongoing efforts to save them. Students are asked to provide details from the article in an Informative Paragraph and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 700.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "The Problem with Plastics," by Brian S. McGrath. The article discusses plastic pollution and its effects on the environment. Students write an Opinion Letter arguing for their stance on the topic and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Argument genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 730.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Sweet Solutions," by Shay Maunz. The article details how climate change is putting chocolate production in danger and what scientists are doing to solve the problem. Students write a Blog Post explaining what they read and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 720.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Rebuilding History," by Rebecca Katzman. The article covers the fire that destroyed Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris as well as the ongoing efforts to rebuild it. Students write a Descriptive Paragraph and practice writing in the Narrative genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 660.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Speak Fido," by Shay Maunz. The article looks at how new technology could let dogs communicate with humans. Students write a Story Scene inspired by the article and practice writing in the Narrative genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 700.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Turning the Tide," by Shay Maunz. The article discusses how artificial reefs help the ocean's ecosystem as natural reefs die. Students are asked to write a speech using information in the article, and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 800.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Teacher's Pup," by Rebecca Mordechai. The article details how dogs are being brought into schools and classrooms to help children learn empathy and other important lessons. Students are asked to provide details from the article in a Summary Paragraph and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 890.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Recess Reform," by Rebecca Mordechai. The article explains how some students and their families are pushing schools for more recess breaks throughout the day. Students write a short Persuasive Speech and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Argument genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 890.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Food for Good," by Shay Maunz. The article discusses how World Central Kitchen brings together volunteers to feed survivors of natural disasters. Students write a presentation using information in the article and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 810.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Cool to be Kind," by Rebecca Mordechai. The article explains how an incident of bullying was turned into an opportunity to teach children kindness. Students are asked to write a short Personal Narrative and practice writing in the Narrative genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 900.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Wildlife Lessons," by Brian S. McGrath. The article explains how a conservation group is trying to teach villagers in Botswana to coexist with wild elephants. Students write a Blog Post explaining what they read and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 790.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Tough Choices," by Jamie Joyce. The article discusses the lives of children at a school in Honduras, where many children have family members who've immigrated to the United States. Students write a Video Summary for a potential documentary on the subject and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 870.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "City of Trees," by Rebecca Katzman. The article details how urban forests help to keep cities in Pakistan cool during heat waves. Students write an Opinion Paragraph providing details from the article and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Argument genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 830.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Making Sense of the Media," by Lina Mai. The article tells about a program to teach media literacy to kids. Students write a Persuasive Letter arguing for the importance of media literacy and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Argument genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 940.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Top of the World," by Rebecca Katzman. The article examines how Wheel the World makes it possible for people with disabilities to travel the world. Students write a Job Posting and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 900.

In this assignment, students read the nonfiction article "Building Green," by Jaime Joyce. The article details how recycled plastic is being used to build schools in Côte d'Ivoire. Students write a Summary Paragraph providing details from the article and demonstrate their understanding by writing in the Information genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 920.