What others say
Description
Ignite student curiosity and critical thinking with this engaging bundle of five Hot Topics Informational Text Reading Comprehension Lessons—designed to make close reading meaningful and relevant. Each no-prep lesson includes authentic, rich expository texts, standards-aligned comprehension tasks, writing prompts, and extension activities—everything you need for an impactful and complete classroom experience, with answer keys included. Updated 2025!
Current Event Topics/Nonfiction Articles in This Bundle:
- Protesting
- Skin Color
- Vaping
- Teen Dating
- College Admissions
Student Experience: Students will dive into a high-interest passage with a hook that immediately grabs their attention and frames the issue. Before reading, they’ll preview and practice key vocabulary to build confidence. As they work through the authentic text, they’ll engage in Thinking Like a Reader activities to deepen comprehension and Thinking Like a Writer tasks that uncover craft, structure, and rhetorical moves. A focused skills drill gives students targeted practice on an essential standard, and then they apply their learning with a writing prompt that encourages critical thinking and personal response. Extensions and differentiation options ensure every student—from struggling readers to advanced writers—can access the content, take ownership of their learning, and push their thinking further.
Included:
-Lesson Plans
-Questions/Answers
-Sub Plan
-Writing Prompts
-Standards
-Links to articles and videos
-Extension/Project Ideas
-PDF format
Best For:
- RTI and Intervention – targeted practice with skills and strategies
- Sub Plans – ready-to-go, engaging lessons that require little prep
- Weekly Article Study – consistent routine for nonfiction reading
- Homework – independent, meaningful practice outside of class
- Bell Ringers / Warm-Ups – quick daily engagement with high-interest texts
- Test Prep – builds skills for standardized reading and writing assessments
- Literacy Centers or Stations – flexible activities for small groups or rotations
- Enrichment / Extension – challenges advanced students with deeper analysis
Teach AP Language and Composition? These lessons offer a variety of benefits:
- Ideal for building essential skills for Question 3 (Open Argument).
- Meaningful practice with multiple-choice comprehension and synthesis passages.
- Several lessons include “Thinking Like a Writer” questions that develop students’ understanding of rhetorical style and analysis
Classroom success stories from other teachers who have tried these lessons:
♥ "Very timely topic!"
♥ "Good resource on an important topic. Thanks."
♥ "Highly engaging"
♥ "Very intriguing topic that students responded well to in discussion."
♥ "Engaging and fun!"
♥ "Julie's products are always thoughtful, well-organized, visually appealing, and robust. This product is no exception."
♥ "Great resource! Used as a sub plan!"
♥ "Another great lesson from Julie! This lesson was engaging, and my students loved the discussion. "
♥ "I absolutely love all of Julie's products! I use them throughout the year as resources in several of my lessons constantly! This resource was amazing! I plan to use it in the first week of school this year to get my students back in the practice of reading and answering questions!"
♥ "I was thinking of showing Luvvie Ajayi's "Get comfortable being uncomfortable" TED Talk, and then I saw this. I think I'll do both! Thanks!"
♥ "This lesson became the foundation for deep conversations in small groups on a timely and sensitive topic. Viewing dating from a different lens created an opportunity for students to peer and self-reflect. My juniors loved it so I am definitely using this source next year. Thank you for your thoroughness and practicality."
♥ "My tenth graders loved this! I used it for one of my main observation lessons, and administration loved it also! The content helped them open up about what they were currently going through in their own relationships but will also help them make better decisions in the future. Thank you!"
Binge My Content On Hot Topics Lessons:
Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies, and product launches. Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to FOLLOW ME. Voila! You will now receive email updates about my store.
For more ideas and inspiration:
Julie's Classroom Stories on Instagram
Julie's Classroom Stories on Facebook
Teaching Middle and High School English Facebook Group
Yearbook and Journalism Facebook Group
Email List for English and Yearbook Teachers
Terms of Use: Please one classroom use only. Not to be shared online without proper security. Additional licenses sold at a discount at checkout. Art and Images credited inside file.
Nonfiction English Reading Comprehension Passages | Current Events | BUNDLE #3
Highlights
What others say
Description
Ignite student curiosity and critical thinking with this engaging bundle of five Hot Topics Informational Text Reading Comprehension Lessons—designed to make close reading meaningful and relevant. Each no-prep lesson includes authentic, rich expository texts, standards-aligned comprehension tasks, writing prompts, and extension activities—everything you need for an impactful and complete classroom experience, with answer keys included. Updated 2025!
Current Event Topics/Nonfiction Articles in This Bundle:
- Protesting
- Skin Color
- Vaping
- Teen Dating
- College Admissions
Student Experience: Students will dive into a high-interest passage with a hook that immediately grabs their attention and frames the issue. Before reading, they’ll preview and practice key vocabulary to build confidence. As they work through the authentic text, they’ll engage in Thinking Like a Reader activities to deepen comprehension and Thinking Like a Writer tasks that uncover craft, structure, and rhetorical moves. A focused skills drill gives students targeted practice on an essential standard, and then they apply their learning with a writing prompt that encourages critical thinking and personal response. Extensions and differentiation options ensure every student—from struggling readers to advanced writers—can access the content, take ownership of their learning, and push their thinking further.
Included:
-Lesson Plans
-Questions/Answers
-Sub Plan
-Writing Prompts
-Standards
-Links to articles and videos
-Extension/Project Ideas
-PDF format
Best For:
- RTI and Intervention – targeted practice with skills and strategies
- Sub Plans – ready-to-go, engaging lessons that require little prep
- Weekly Article Study – consistent routine for nonfiction reading
- Homework – independent, meaningful practice outside of class
- Bell Ringers / Warm-Ups – quick daily engagement with high-interest texts
- Test Prep – builds skills for standardized reading and writing assessments
- Literacy Centers or Stations – flexible activities for small groups or rotations
- Enrichment / Extension – challenges advanced students with deeper analysis
Teach AP Language and Composition? These lessons offer a variety of benefits:
- Ideal for building essential skills for Question 3 (Open Argument).
- Meaningful practice with multiple-choice comprehension and synthesis passages.
- Several lessons include “Thinking Like a Writer” questions that develop students’ understanding of rhetorical style and analysis
Classroom success stories from other teachers who have tried these lessons:
♥ "Very timely topic!"
♥ "Good resource on an important topic. Thanks."
♥ "Highly engaging"
♥ "Very intriguing topic that students responded well to in discussion."
♥ "Engaging and fun!"
♥ "Julie's products are always thoughtful, well-organized, visually appealing, and robust. This product is no exception."
♥ "Great resource! Used as a sub plan!"
♥ "Another great lesson from Julie! This lesson was engaging, and my students loved the discussion. "
♥ "I absolutely love all of Julie's products! I use them throughout the year as resources in several of my lessons constantly! This resource was amazing! I plan to use it in the first week of school this year to get my students back in the practice of reading and answering questions!"
♥ "I was thinking of showing Luvvie Ajayi's "Get comfortable being uncomfortable" TED Talk, and then I saw this. I think I'll do both! Thanks!"
♥ "This lesson became the foundation for deep conversations in small groups on a timely and sensitive topic. Viewing dating from a different lens created an opportunity for students to peer and self-reflect. My juniors loved it so I am definitely using this source next year. Thank you for your thoroughness and practicality."
♥ "My tenth graders loved this! I used it for one of my main observation lessons, and administration loved it also! The content helped them open up about what they were currently going through in their own relationships but will also help them make better decisions in the future. Thank you!"
Binge My Content On Hot Topics Lessons:
Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies, and product launches. Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to FOLLOW ME. Voila! You will now receive email updates about my store.
For more ideas and inspiration:
Julie's Classroom Stories on Instagram
Julie's Classroom Stories on Facebook
Teaching Middle and High School English Facebook Group
Yearbook and Journalism Facebook Group
Email List for English and Yearbook Teachers
Terms of Use: Please one classroom use only. Not to be shared online without proper security. Additional licenses sold at a discount at checkout. Art and Images credited inside file.
