Teaching Challenging Texts shows how to increase reading comprehension and enhance student engagement, even with the most challenging texts. Every chapter features ready-to-use, research-based lessons, replete with explicit instructions, handouts, Common Core correlations, and assessments.

Table of ContentsForewordChapter 1Reading as a Social ActivityRules of the GameAdolescenceSlaying the DeerGood MAP and Bad MAPReading by ChoiceThe Common CoreHow to Use This BookReading to the BRIMSChapter 2Exploring the Future in High SchoolA Fresh StartLesson 1: Clues about CharacterLesson 2: Word ChoiceEnvironmental EffectsLesson 3: Ethics and ActionsLesson 4: The Note-DraftLesson 5: Synthesizing DataIntroducing 1984Lesson 6: One Minute JoltLesson 7: Understanding Words in ContextLesson 8: ConnotationsLesson 9: Rewriting the ConstitutionLesson 10: Rewriting the Gettysburg Address1984, Part TwoLesson 11: Character CluesLesson 12: The Future of OceaniaLesson 13: The U.S. and the Next 100 Years1984, Part ThreeLesson 14: Character TransformationLesson 15: Film CrewTranscendent Man Research ProjectLesson 16: The SingularityHow Long Will You Live? Research ProjectLesson 17: How Long Will You Live?Exploring the Future HandoutsHandout 1: Clues about CharacterHandout 2: Action Verbs in Lord of the FliesHandout 3: Scenario 1Handout 4: Scenario 2Handout 5: America's WarsHandout 6: Deaths in Historical PerspectiveHandout 7: Excerpt from 1984 by George OrwellHandout 8: Cool Names for a Band, UncoolNamesHandout 9: Rewriting Lincoln's GettysburgAddressHandout 10: Getting to Know WinstonHandout 11: Getting to Know JuliaHandout 12: The Future of OceaniaHandout 13: Facts about the United StatesHandout 14: The United States and the Next 100YearsHandout 15: Evaluation for the United States andthe Next 100 YearsHandout 16: The Evolution of WinstonHandout 17: The Evolution of JuliaHandout 18: Checklist and Assessment for FilmCrewHandout 19: Directions for Film CrewHandout 20: Kurzweil AI Summary ReportHandout 21: How Long Will You Live?Exploring the Future, Free Resources and Correlations to the Common CoreChapter 3Understanding the Power of One in Middle SchoolIntroduction to ChainsLesson 1: Quick NarrativeEveryday journalsTech-y Check-insLesson 2: Courtroom Debate PrepLesson 3: Courtroom DebateLesson 4: So You Think You Can Dance, 1776Lesson 5: A Guide Map of New YorkLesson 6: Lyrical Message MysteryLesson 7: The Great New York Fire of 1776Lesson 8: A Scar is Worth a Thousand WordsA Day in the Life: Research ProjectTackling Victor HugoLesson 9: Satire Night LiveLesson 10: Frollo: Friend or Foe?Lesson 11: Character Yin-YangsLesson 12: Mythological AllusionsLesson 13: Charter Speed-DatingLesson 14: The Hunchback of Notre DameReal to ReelDigging Through the DirtLesson 15: Archaeology Say What?Lesson 16: What's Your Story?Lesson 17: Fossil BiographiesLesson 18: Archeological VocabularyLesson 19: Symbolism: Cave ArtLesson 20: Look Who's TalkingLesson 21: Annotating OtziUnderstanding The Power of One HandoutsHandout 1: Courtroom Debate Prep Day 1Handout 2: Courtroom Debate Prep Day 2Handout 3: New York: A Guide MapHandout 4: Lyrical Message Mystery 1Handout 5: Lyrical Message Mystery 2Handout 6: The Great New York Fire of 1776Handout 7: Body BiographiesHandout 8: A Day in the Life Research ProjectHandout 9: Satire Night LiveHandout 10: Character ChartsHandout 11: Frollo: Friend or Foe?Handout 12: Character Yin-YangsHandout 13: Mythological AllusionsHandout 14: Character Speed DatingHandout 15: Reel to Real QuestionsHandout 16: Symbolism: Cave ArtHandout 17: Look Who's TalkingHandout 18: Annotating OtziHandout 19: Annotation AidsUnderstanding the Power of One, Free Resources and Correlations to the Common CoreReferences