CommonLit 360 CommonLit 360 Foundations: Supporting Rigor and Engagement with Thematically Focused Units

Here at CommonLit, we have four Guiding Principles that represent our foundational beliefs about teaching and learning. Our team of curriculum writers - all experienced former educators - have carefully developed CommonLit 360 to align with these guiding principles and ensure that each unit and lesson is designed to support the growth and success of all learners.

In this blog series, we have invited CommonLit’s Senior Curriculum Writers to share a bit more about the practices that support the design of our curriculum. This article is connected to Guiding Principle 1: Students can engage with and learn rigorous, grade-level content. We believe that all students are capable of achieving success with grade-level learning. As such, it is essential that all students access and engage with grade-level texts and learning activities. Learn more about our Guiding Principles in our CommonLit 360 Program Guide! 

How Thematically-Focused Units Support Rigorous Text Engagement

At the heart of CommonLit 360 is the foundational guiding principle that we truly believe students can engage with rigorous, grade-level material. One of the ways that we support students in this endeavor is through carefully selected, thematically-aligned texts that vary in range and volume. CommonLit 360 thematic units are intentionally designed to build knowledge, deepen comprehension, and scaffold students’ engagement with complex texts.

Thoughtful Text Selection: More Than Just Reading Level

Selecting texts for an ELA curriculum is about far more than finding pieces that match a specific reading level. It involves ensuring that the texts resonate with students, spark discussion, and contribute to a broader thematic understanding. 

Our Senior Curriculum Writers, Otylia Benson and Adrienne Zimmerman, bring years of classroom experience and curriculum development expertise to this work, ensuring that every unit is designed with both engagement and academic rigor in mind. 

Each CommonLit 360 unit features a thematic focus that pushes students to consider an essential question through the reading of rich, varied texts. This thematic alignment of the texts in each unit helps bridge gaps in background knowledge, providing students with the necessary context to analyze and interpret rigorous texts more effectively. 

When students encounter ideas across different genres, formats, and lengths, they develop a stronger grasp of complex concepts, which not only boosts achievement but also engagement. As curriculum writer Otylia Benson explained, “There’s nothing better than seeing students engage with a juicy text—watching their reactions, their realizations, and the debates that unfold. That’s what sparks a love of learning.”

When choosing texts, the CommonLit 360 team considers:

• Engagement Factor – Are the texts thought-provoking, emotionally resonant, or full of suspense?
• Relevance & Representation – Do they connect to students’ lived experiences or introduce them to different perspectives?
• Thematic Depth – Do they contribute meaningfully to the unit’s essential question and knowledge building arc?
• Skill Integration – Can the texts support the development of key literacy skills within the context of meaningful content?

“We have to love a text and believe that students will love it, too, for it to even be considered,” Benson emphasized.

Thematic Coherence as a Scaffold

One of the biggest advantages of thematic units is their ability to provide students with an intellectual framework for engaging with complex material. Instead of treating each text as an isolated skill-building reading exercise, thematic units create a scaffolded experience, where each selection builds upon previous readings and connects to future learning.

“The knowledge building is at the core of development,” curriculum writer Adrienne Zimmerman explained. “We anchor every single text to at least one, if not multiple, knowledge-building statements before we even start writing a lesson.”

This structured approach ensures that students are not only developing discrete reading skills but also gaining a deeper, layered understanding of key concepts. When students encounter similar themes across multiple texts—spanning genres, historical periods, and perspectives—they are better equipped to analyze and interpret complex material.

Rich Thematic Explorations Support Success

By curating texts that are thematically connected and carefully sequenced, CommonLit 360 ensures that students are not only learning to read but also reading to learn. “When we put rigorous, engaging texts in front of students with the right supports, we show them they’re capable of more than they may have realized,” Adrienne reflected. “It’s about giving all students access to meaningful, thought-provoking learning experiences.” With a curriculum designed to build knowledge, engage students, and develop essential skills, that’s exactly what we’re working to achieve.

Interested in bringing CommonLit 360 to your school?

Connect with our team to learn how you can bring CommonLit 360, rated all-green by EdReports, to your school or district today.