This document provides information about the Weekly Informational Text (WIT), which is used to teach middle school students reading comprehension and writing skills. The WIT involves having students read short articles and answer text-dependent questions in complete sentences using evidence from the text. Following specific steps helps students learn to find evidence, write with their own words, and revise their work. Teachers say the WIT connects to other classwork, allows thematic teaching, improves student skills, and differentiates instruction. Sample WITs are provided on various topics for different grade levels and subjects. Student feedback indicates the WIT has helped them read better, learn new vocabulary, and strengthen writing abilities.

1. Surviving the Weekly
Informational Text:
OutWIT, Outplay, Outlast
Amanda Hobbs
Krystle Williams
Central Middle School
Gatesville, NC

2. A teacher’s philosophy
“We need to teach our students to read like
writers and write like readers.” -Kelly
Gallagher

3. What is the WIT? What does it look like?
The Weekly Informational Text
Article
Questions aligned with CCSS
Critical thinking
Textual evidence
Effective writing skills
Rubric for revision
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4. Steps to completing a WIT:
1. READ the article in it’s entirety
2. ANSWER in complete sentences (restate,
capitalize, punctuate)
3. PROVE it: Underline and number textual
evidence (TE)
4. STATE TE using quotation marks (don’t
plagiarize!)
5. CHECK off the rubric

5. Benefits of the WIT
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Connects to reading and other assignments
Allows thematic teaching
Suitable for all content areas
Differentiation, reflection, revision
Improved academics

6. Theme: Courage
Text: “Ribbons” by Lawrence Yep
WIT

7. Why not design a WIT about...
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potential to kinetic energy in
roller coasters?
(7th gr. Science)
the food customs of
Greece? (6th gr. SS)
an opinion piece about
Math in real life?
(8th gr.
Algebra)
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the evolution of women’s
roles in society?
(Home Economics)
the tribulations of a past
composer or popular
musician? (Band/Chorus)
the “no pass, no play” rule?
(Health/PE)

8. WIT in Health/PE
Compliments of Jacob Harrell: harrelja@gatescountyschools.net

9. Differentiate through revision!

10. It’s your turn!
With a neighbor:
1. Read the article
2. Read the WIT directions
3. Answer the question with
textual evidence
4. Fill out the rubric
YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES!

11. Your WIT should have looked like...

12. Great minds think alike!
The Article of the Week
by Kelly Gallagher
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Students must build their prior knowledge
to succeed when reading
30-45 articles a year

13. “It is not enough to simply teach
my students to recognize themes in
a given novel; if my students are to become
literate, they must broaden their reading
experiences into real-world text.”
-Kelly Gallagher

14. Development and implementation
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The WIT takes practice
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Teachers = development
Students = mastery
WEEKLY Informational Text
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Choose one day a week to give the WIT
Use your resources
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Current articles
Thematic teaching

15. Taking it a step further...
Britannica School: WIT Leveled Passages
Another active approach inspired
from "Article of the Week"
Use these stems to write your WIT questions!
Common Core Question Stems, 6th Grade
Common Core Question Stems, 7th Grade
Common Core Question Stems, 8th Grade

16. From our students to you
“The WIT helps me by understanding how to word [my answers] and restate.” -Javier
(Inclusion)
“The WIT helped me get focused on stories and to go back and reread every
sentence.” -Rayvon (Inclusion)
“The WIT has helped me because I have learned some new words. I have read better
because of it. It has taught me to do better on the Mock EOG. This is how it has
helped me.” -Haven
“What I like about the WIT is that it helps with my reading and writing.” -Donald

17. “The WIT has helped me be a better writer and make sure that I have done everything I
am supposed to do.” -Imani
“It has fun facts and new info each week.” -Madison (Honors)
“The WIT helps me show how to find textual evidence for the answer so you don’t take it
for plagiarism. That’s how the WIT has helped me.”
-Rick (Honors)
“I personally really do like the WIT. (Besides the fact it is work.) It has improved my
English skills. It taught me about giving credit to the author, providing textual evidence,
having quotations, page numbers, restating my questions, making complete sentences,
etc. I also learned to use my context clues to help me answer the questions.” -Jetta
(Honors)

18. THANK YOU for coming today!
Questions? Comments?
Contact us!
Amanda Hobbs HobbsAK@gatescountyschools.net
Krystle Williams WilliamsKW@gatescountyschools.net