Middle School English Language Arts Instructional Guide

to conflict or how the speaker reflects upon a topic, and summarize the text. (RL) b. ​ When reading texts, including those from diverse cultures, determine the main idea of a text, explain how they are supported by key details and summarize the text. (RI)

those from diverse cultures. ●​ Students will learn to analyze characters' responses to conflicts and speakers' reflections on topics in literary texts. ●​ Students will develop the ability to summarize literary texts accurately. ●​ Students will understand how to determine the main idea in informational texts. ●​ Students will learn to explain how key details support the main idea in informational texts. ●​ Students will develop the ability to summarize informational texts accurately. Success Criteria: ●​ I can determine the theme of a text, including those from diverse cultures. ●​ I can analyze how characters respond to conflicts in a story. ●​ I can analyze how a speaker reflects upon a topic in a text. ●​ I can summarize a literary text. ●​ I can determine the main idea of an informational text. ●​ I can explain how key details support the main idea of an informational text. ●​ I can summarize an informational text.

Nouns (Know)

Verbs (Do)

●​ Texts ●​ Cultures ●​ Theme ●​ Characters ●​ Conflict ●​ Speaker ●​ Topic ●​ Summary ●​ Main idea ●​ Key details

●​ Determine ●​ Respond ●​ Reflect ●​ Summarize ●​ Explain ●​ Support

Sample Question Stems and Prompts for Assessment

Literature (RL): ●​ "What is the theme of the story? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer." ●​ "How does [character] respond to the conflict in the story? Cite specific examples." ●​ "What reflections does the speaker offer on the topic? How do these reflections shape our understanding of the text?" ●​ "Can you summarize the main events of the story?"

Informational Text (RI): ●​ "What is the main idea of the text? How do you know?" ●​ "Which key details support the main idea of the text? Provide examples." ●​ "Can you summarize the main points of the text?" ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Sample Formative Assessments Sample Formative Assessments for the Standard (RL)

Last Updated June 2nd, 2026 Secondary ELA, Page 104