Article of the Week

Each week in Advanced Reading students will be assigned an article to read, annotate, and respond to a series of comprehension questions. The readings will be developmentally appropriate adaptations of current news articles from veritable organizations (e.g., LA Times, Smithsonian, Nature, New York Times etc.,).

Why do an AotW?

Regularly reading and reflecting on “real world” informational text serves several important purposes:

• First, it helps students to build foundational knowledge about the world around them. Foundational knowledge is a precondition to reading comprehension.
• Second, a weekly close reading and annotation assignment helps to reinforce the literacy behaviors and skills we are learning in the classroom.
• Lastly, regular exposure to real world texts helps students engage in the type of higher order thinking that will be required of them in their post-secondary education and careers. The articles will cover timely, relevant, and authentic issues.

About AotW:

The original Article of the Week series was created by educator Kelly Gallagher. I use a blend of: Mr. Gallagher’s approved articles; an adaption of Gallagher’s model by Vale Middle School; and my own collection of articles garnered from NewsELA and other sites.

Assignment & Submission:

The AotW will be made available in class and online every Saturday. Students must turn in their annotated text AND their responses to the comprehension questions on Friday.

***Each AotW counts as a quiz grade***

Class Discussion:

Each Friday we will dedicate the beginning of class to small group and whole class discussion of the AotW and comprehension questions.

See rubric below

Please Note: Per Bay Haven policy, late assignments are not accepted.