Tackling Tough Texts: A Research-Based Guide to Scaffolding Learning in Grades 6-12, Book

Filling a crucial need, this book provides concrete ways to support all students in
grades 6–12 as they engage with rigorous grade-level texts in English language arts,
science, and social studies. The authors offer fresh insights into adolescent reading and
what makes a given text "tough" - including knowledge demands, text structure and
complexity, vocabulary, and more. Research-based, step-by-step strategies are
presented for explicitly scaffolding these challenges in the context of purposeful
learning activities that leverage students' individual strengths and interests. The book
includes planning tips, text selection guidelines, sample text sets, and vivid case
studies from culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. Fourteen reproducible
forms and handouts can be photocopied or downloaded for use with students.

•Research-based, highly practical guide to selecting and teaching challenging
grade-level texts to students ages 11–17 (grades 6–12).
•Strengths-based approach leverages the abilities and knowledge students already
have.
•Multifaceted–– addresses the need to support motivation as well as reading skills,
comprehension, and disciplinary learning.
•Offers doable strategies for teaching tough texts in English language arts, science,
and social studies.
•Designed for utility–– includes detailed examples of scaffolding in action plus 14
reproducible/downloadable tools.