Which instructional materials is your district considering for reading instruction in middle school? Particularly if you are implementing the reading workshop model, consider Learning List’s review of Heinemann’s Units of Study in Reading Middle School Grades (Units of Study Reading).
Units of Study Reading is a supplemental reading product for students in grades 6 through 8. The program is primarily an instructional narrative for teachers and includes print and online teaching resources. Lucy Calkins’ workshop model underpins the framework for reading instruction focusing on developing avid readers who choose and understand increasingly complex texts. Units are not specific to a grade level which means district or campus staff sequence the units based on the district’s curriculum, availability of resources, and student needs or reading levels. Teachers without prior experience in teaching writing workshop will require significant professional development and time to study materials and resources to ensure successful implementation. [Read more. . . ]
Units of Study Reading dovetails with Heinemann’s Units for Argument, Information, and Narrative WritingTM, which Learning List has also reviewed. Both products use similar structures, instructional strategies, and vocabulary across grade levels and content areas to provide seamless transitions for students from grade to grade. Learning List’s alignment reports show how the material’s vertical alignment of skills guides teachers in supporting students at all proficiency levels.
Units address genres in young adult literature, such as dystopian fiction, that are popular with middle school students. As this product is primarily a teacher resource, student materials are limited. The product does not include texts for students to read, but students have multiple opportunities to select their own reading material. This series does not include test prep reading instruction, but the embedded flexibility in pacing instruction allows time for teachers to include separate test prep activities.
Learning List has completed a standard-by-standard alignment report, qualitative review of the instructional content and a review of the technology compatibility for each grade level covered by this material. To learn more about this product and thousands more PreK-12 instructional materials, contact Learning List for subscription information.
About Heinemann*
Heinemann is a publisher of professional resources and a provider of educational services for teachers, kindergarten through college. Heinemann strives to give voice to those who share our respect for the professionalism and compassion of teachers and who support teachers’ efforts to help children become literate, empathetic, knowledgeable citizens. Heinemann’s authors are exemplary educators eager to support the practice of other teachers through books, videos, workshops, online courses, and most recently through explicit teaching materials.
*Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Heinemann.