While instruction in early elementary grades emphasizes “learning to read,” this focus shifts in middle school to “reading to learn.” By middle school, students encounter more texts in the content-area disciplines and must apply literacy strategies to learn new information. This can be particularly challenging for students who struggle in reading and responding to informational and narrative texts.

The self-paced lessons in this initiative use a standard format to lead students through a set of activities in which they can engage with and learn grade-appropriate content. They watch short videos, read carefully composed informational text, learn key content vocabulary through repeated encounters with relevant concepts and related terms, and write responses to both reading and viewing. Note taking, online quizzes, and interactive activities serve as formative assessments, informing both students and teachers of progress in learning. A summative essay writing assignment at the end of each self-paced lesson allows students to demonstrate and apply what they’ve learned from the lesson. The approach of these lessons is aligned with the content and practices of the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards.

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