How to Choose Texts for Students

When planning a content-based lesson, consider the following items to make the best selection for your students:

Check out the Appendix A of the CCSS; there are some fabulous suggestions for all grade levels.
Determine the quality of the text. Why did the author choose to write this piece? Does it have multiple layers of meaning?
Do the students need more or less prior knowledge than they already have to tackle this text?
What types of vocabulary will the students be encountering in the text?
What is the Lexile of the text?
Is the text developmentally, emotionally, and socially appropriate for your students?
Throughout the year, you should be measuring your students' reading levels and progress on tested items.
Teach shorter text that students can read and reread in a relatively short amount of time.
Include different types of texts—expository, literary nonfiction, etc.—in your selections.
Make sure that all questions are text-dependent.
Give students the opportunity to compare and contrast texts on a similar topic.
Make sure that your questions follow a logical sequence.