Experiencing new adventures is an important part of becoming independent. Trying different things and going new places helps establish teens' sense of self. As educators, it is important to encourage our students to take on new challenges and experiences. That is why we have curated six lessons that center around

Middle and high school students are sure to love these texts about different sports! From soccer to basketball to baseball, sports are a meaningful part of many teens' lives. Reading about sports in the classroom is a great way to engage your students. This text set includes exciting short stories,

These meaningful texts by Chinese American Authors are sure to engage your students!It is essential to celebrate the diversity of voices in our classrooms. In order to do so, we are showcasing texts by prominent Chinese American authors. These nine powerful memoirs, short stories, and poems that highlight cultural

Our Earth is beautiful, but it is currently facing many challenges. From pieces of plastic dotting our oceans, to deforestation and disappearing species, the problems the Earth faces can often seem overwhelming to students. It is important to learn about these issues and empower students to make meaningful change in

Middle and high school students will love these suspenseful stories!Many teenagers are drawn to dark and twisty tales. Stories that utilize twist endings to shock the reader shed light on issues in society, providing an opportunity to have broader classroom discussions about morals, government, and more.   Here are seven

These classic and contemporary poems explore themes of identity and growing up.During adolescence, students begin to question and explore their identities, sense of belonging, and who they want to grow into. These difficult yet exciting questions are a critical part of growing up. Here is a collection of poems

These articles dig into important topics like happiness, stress, failure, and resilience.Some of the most important learning that happens in middle and high school goes beyond reading, writing, and math. As our students get older, they also need to develop key social-emotional skills like self-regulation and resilience. These nine

These texts about innovation are sure to get your students thinking creatively!Learning about new inventions and discoveries is a powerful tool to promote creativity and leadership with students. These informational texts about groundbreaking research will empower students to create solutions to problems they see in their communities and in

These powerful texts about spring will help your students connect with nature.As the days get warmer, new life springs up around us. This time of year provides us with an important opportunity to reflect on our connection to nature and the world around us. This multi-genre selection of texts

These nine funny and satirical stories are sure to amuse your students!Humor is a powerful literary tool that conveys important messages about life. Reading funny or satirical stories is a great way to make your students laugh and think critically at the same time! Here is a great selection

These engaging texts about exceptional women are sure to inspire your students!History often leaves women’s achievements out of the narrative. Women have made tremendous contributions to a variety of fields, often breaking barriers and changing the world. Reading about the achievements of influential women can help students envision

Celebrate romantic love with these 9 texts for middle and high school students.Nothing creates drama and excitement quite like the ups and downs of love and heartbreak, so it is no surprise that tales of love are so common. Popular narratives depict a fantasy in which two strangers are

Inspire your students with stories of courage, service, and excellence!Often when we teach Black history, we tend to discuss prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, or Malcolm X. While the influence of these agents of social change cannot be overstated, it is also important to learn

These twelve engaging texts celebrate the voices of Black kids and teens.It is essential to celebrate the diversity of voices in our classrooms. In order to do that, we’re showcasing texts that center Black teens and kids and show all the different ways they shine! This multi-genre collection

These compelling short stories are sure to engage your students! When it’s time to plan a new unit, it can be daunting to find high-quality, relatable short stories your students will enjoy. That’s why we’ve put together a roundup of engaging, thematically rich stories that high school

These compelling short stories are sure to engage your students!When it’s time to plan a new unit, it can be daunting to find high-quality, relatable short stories your students will enjoy. That’s why we’ve put together a roundup of engaging, thematically rich stories that middle school

Travel through stories with these ten exciting myths and folktales from around the world! In the past, myths and folktales were how people explained natural phenomena and dispensed wisdom from one generation to the next. Just as people in the past sought to explain the world around them using these

Here are eleven engaging texts about winter weather and holiday celebrations!The holiday season has just begun, and these last few weeks leading up to break can just fly by! We want to make the transition to break just a little bit easier with a collection of texts sure to

These ten texts will teach students about friendship and conflict in relationships!Adolescence is a time of change. As kids get older, they may find their friendships change with them. Reading about kids dealing with conflict from moving to a new town, navigating peer pressure, or feeling left out of

Check out these brand new high-interest and timely short stories, available only on CommonLit.Stories are powerful. They are formative experiences for children. It’s no wonder that every culture on Earth uses storytelling as a vehicle for educating children, and for passing along knowledge, traditions, culture, and values. Given

These 11 engaging texts to help students think about their roles in their different communities!As middle and high school students get older, they are figuring out their place in the world. They may have different roles in the classroom, their family, and their clubs or teams. Reading about different

Check out these twelve high-interest lessons for middle and high school students about identity!Adolescence is a time of growth and change. Students in middle and high school are figuring out who they are, who they want to be, and where they belong. As teachers, we want to support our