Teaching With Text Sets

One of the great quandaries of secondary instruction is how we give students more voice and choice in their learning while still covering standards, deepening students’ understanding, and sharpening their critical analysis skills. Taking a text set approach for your English literature or content area classes may be the solution you have been looking for.

When teachers make the transition from textbook only classrooms to multi-text classrooms, the focus of study becomes concepts rather than the content of one particular book. Students gain both a broad perspective and an in-depth sense of the subject matter from reading many texts on the same topic. — Dr. Gail Ivey

Why Use a Text Set?

A text set utilizes a collection of texts and other materials on a particular topic or theme that allows students to access the same curricula from varying perspectives while building a shared understanding. Typically students select from multiple texts then read, discuss and confirm their thinking within book clubs or literature circles. Opportunities to share in a whole class setting are interspersed throughout the thematic or topical study as well as interactions with other materials within the text set to deepen students’ understanding.

There is no one way to use a text set. Our hope is that you will explore the variety of texts and materials provided and choose those that will best engage your students in discussions and critical thinking.

Four boys placing their hands on one who is visibly upset.

Curriculum & Instruction

Text Set: Compassion

Compassion is often described as a virtue, but to many tweens and teens, moralistic goals seem lofty and unattainable. By tuning into and building off of students’ empathy, we offer a pathway to developing compassionate teens and better humans. That seems like a goal we can all aspire to!

Group of five teens making silly faces and smiling into the camera

Curriculum & Instruction

Text Set: Friendship

Friendships can change quickly in tween and teen years and are often defining relationships in adolescence. It’s not surprising then that friendship has been an enduring and popular topic in Middle Grade and Young Adult literature. Let your students dive into the songs, texts, novels, and videos we have collected as they read and reflect on their evolving understanding of friendships.