Our three most popular paired passage sets

When you’re looking for new resources for the new year, make sure that you take the time to check out our three most popular paired passage sets for middle school ELA.

If you’re anything like me, then at the beginning of the year, when you’re planning your content and checking your list of standards, you’re also on the lookout for some great resources that you can use to supplement the learning you already have planned.

I love finding resources that I can use in lots of different ways, and for me, paired passages are one of the most multi-functional resources in my teaching toolbox.

The Pros of Paired Passages

Paired passages are awesome for the middle school classroom because the passages are grade-level appropriate, connected in content, and based on high-interest topics.

Since so many of the standards we focus on in middle school ELA require passages in order to practice, the more high-interest paired passages you can have available, the better.

Paired passages can be used to support writing assignments and skills, to practice reading comprehension skills and strategies, and to form the basis of communication lessons like Socratic Seminars.

Paired passages give sources for students to use to make points or as evidence in their writing or during speaking practice.

In addition to all the ways I listed above, we also wrote a post about NEW ways you can use paired passages in middle school ELA. Click here to read that blog post!

Our Three Most Popular Paired Passage Sets

For some people, going into The Sparkly Notebook store and sorting through the tens of different paired passage sets available can be a bit overwhelming.

Let’s make it easy by sharing a secret with you.

We’re letting you in on our top 3 most popular paired passage sets. These tried-and-true sets are super high-interest and great for use with middle school ELA. Although each of these is grade-level specific, we have many of the same topics available for all three grade ranges. 

Click on the images below to take a closer look at each of our top three passages.

#1 | Video Games

The first is a paired passage set that discusses video games. This set is for 4th and 5th grade students, but we also have video game sets for 6th and 7th grades as well as 8th and 9th grades. 

#2 | Social Media Effects

The second paired passage set is about social media. Social media is a hot and very popular topic of debate and discussion in middle school ELA. This set is awesome for introducing some new thoughts or points that students can use to support their position.

Again, this set is designated for 6th and 7th grade, but we have sets available for the other grade levels as well.

#3 | Phone-Themed Passages

Finally, rounding out our top three most popular paired passage sets are our phone-themed passages.

These passages about phones approach the topic of cellular devices from a couple of different angles. This particular set is for 8th and 9th grade students, but we have sets available for the younger grades as well.

Hopefully, you will find these paired passage sets as helpful and multi-functional as we do! To get the most bang for your buck, be sure to read our other blog posts that discuss our paired passages more in depth and how to use them in a variety of ways!

Have a great day!