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Newsela: Reading Comprehension of Current Events
Details
Activity Description
Newsela is a personalized reading service designed to help students master non-fiction literacy by providing daily news articles at multiple reading levels. Newsela makes it easy for an entire class to read the same article at their own reading level.
The teacher assigns an article(s) to the class. Many of the articles have quizzes available. "Write" is a feature that allows students to answer open-ended questions. The teacher can customize the prompt.
Newsela offers a free version and a premium for pay program called Newsela Pro. Pro includes many additional features including student tracking, annotation on articles, etc. June 30, 2023 Newsela offers Newsela Lite. Articles will still be available at multiple reading levels but each week four articles will be available to select from. The articles will be available for four weeks. Each week one will be replaced. When an article is selected the teacher will be able to see student actions and quiz results. It is free to any teacher. Review the new features.
Preparation
- Sign up for a teacher account, enroll your students.(see how-to)
- Select article(s) for your class to read. To do this, open the article you want to assign. Select the button "Assign". You can change the assignment title, allow students to change the reading level and assign it to different classes. Select the +Add Class. This gives you a list of classes you have made. If you have not made a class you can select Create a New Class. If you have not added students, you can share the class link or use the class code. You can print the step-by-step instructions. You can add instructions for the student or leave it blank. When you select Invite Students you will see a link to share with the class or a class code.Select Save
- There is a Write prompt for each article. You can assign this prompt or create your own.
- Or print a copy of the Example Document (above) titled Summary Writing Graphic Organizer.
- To assist student enrollment, print document, Newsela How To.
How-To
- Introduce the topic of current events.
- Demonstrate Newsela.
- Help students enroll . Give students the Sign-Up Code and instructions for Username and Password (see Example Document [above] titled Instructions on how the student can access Newsela.)
- Assign an article.
- If there is a quiz available, have students take it.
- If you are using the Write feature, demonstrate how students can enter their response to the Write prompt.
- Responses will be in your binder or distribute the Example Document and have students use the Summary Writing Graphic Organizer.
Teacher Tips
- Take a look at the Customize Assignments for suggestions.
- Students enjoy reading articles about current topics. If you do not have enough computers, print the article and hand it out to students.
Program Areas
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
- ESL: English as a Second Language
- ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation
- ASE: High School Diploma
- AwD: Adults with Disabilities
Levels
- Intermediate
- High
- Beginning High
- Intermediate Low
- Intermediate High
- Advanced
