Middle School English Language Arts Instructional Guide

●​ "How does the print version of this text differ from the digital version in terms of your understanding?" ●​ "What elements in the digital medium enhance or detract from your comprehension of the text?"

Sample Formative Assessments

Medium Comparison:

●​ Activity: Students read a text in both print and digital formats and complete a graphic organizer comparing their understanding and experience of the text in each medium. They must identify specific features that influenced their comprehension.

●​ Objective: To assess students' ability to compare and articulate the effects of different mediums on their understanding of a text.

Multimedia Presentation:

●​ Activity: Students create a multimedia presentation that compares how a text is presented and understood across different mediums (e.g., print, digital, audio). They must discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each medium in conveying the text's message.

●​ Objective: To assess students' ability to analyze and compare the impact of different mediums on their understanding of a text.

Standard: Reading 13

Learning Intentions and Success Criteria

Learning Intentions: ●​ Students will learn to evaluate arguments and specific claims in a text. ●​ Students will understand how to distinguish claims supported by reasons and evidence from those that are not. Success Criteria: ●​ I can evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text. ●​ I can distinguish between claims that are supported by reasons and evidence and those that are not.

Evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not. (RI)

Nouns (Know)

Verbs (Do)

●​ Argument ●​ Specific claims ●​ Text

●​ Evaluate ●​ Distinguish

●​ Reasons ●​ Evidence

Sample Question Stems and Prompts for Assessment

Last Updated June 2nd, 2026 Secondary ELA, Page 117