Using Newsela for leveled informational texts
1 Introduce Newsela to Students
Teachers will need to create their classes on Newsela if they are using the paid version or trying out a free trial of Newsela. Next, teachers will need to assist students with creating their own accounts. Newsela provides a class code that can be emailed to students to help link their account to your already created class. Next, teachers will need to decide if they want to assign a specific article for students or if students have freedom to choose their own article to read. If you are assigning an article, browse the various Newsela articles and assign one for students to read.
Students will need to create their account on Newsela.
2 Previewing the Text
Once all students have logged on and articles have been selected, review the Newsela instructions with students. If you have assigned students an article, you can also type in the directions so they appear at the top of the article. Students should read the entire text. As they read, they should mark the text using previously taught text-marking strategies. Newsela allows students to highlight, annotate, and color code their annotations. I suggest no less than five annotations. As students encounter unfamiliar vocabulary words, they should use the Google Dictionary add on to find the definition of the word. They can then create an annotation that includes the unfamiliar word and definition.
Students will read the full article and annotate the article as they read.
As students encounter unfamiliar vocabulary words, they should use the Google Dictionary add on to find the definition of the word. They can then create an annotation that includes the unfamiliar word and definition.
3 Checking for Understanding
Once students have read the article in its entirety, they should take the short quiz that Newsela provides. They should also complete the written prompt assignment. Teachers using the paid version or a free trial can see quiz results and typed responses instantly. Teachers should review quiz scores and grade typed responses.
Once students have read the article in its entirety, they should take the short quiz that Newsela provides. They should also complete the written prompt assignment.
4 Checking in with students
Teachers should meet with students who did not pass the quiz or did not sufficiently complete the written prompt assignment. Review the directions and review their annotations to see what exactly needs to be reviewed. It can help to read a new article with the student and talk through the article as they annotate. Work with the student through the entire process (reading and annotating, taking the quiz, and completing the writing assignment) to ensure they understand and follow directions.