How To Drive Secondary Literacy Growth Through Accessible, Content-Rich, Explicit Instruction

September 25, 2025
Pillar: Science of Reading

"Completing the Reading Rope": Driving Secondary Literacy Growth

Drive secondary literacy growth by addressing the unique challenges of instruction across content areas. This guide focuses on scaffolded texts, explicit skill instruction, and building background knowledge to ensure all students in 6th–12th grade can engage with complex, grade-level material.

💡

Expert Contribution

Features exclusive step-by-step literacy guidance and sample lessons from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Serravallo.

  • Support literacy growth with content-rich instruction that builds both vocabulary and conceptual knowledge.
  • Ensure access through differentiated reading levels that allow students to engage with the same grade-level concepts.
  • Reinforce skills using explicit instructional practices designed for the "Reading Rope" in secondary contexts.
  • Align literacy efforts across ELA, Social Studies, and Science for a unified school-wide approach.
  • Framework for scaffolding complex texts without lowering expectations for students.
  • Strategies for building background knowledge to increase overall comprehension.
  • Step-by-step guidance from Jennifer Serravallo on providing explicit instruction.
  • Sample lesson previews ready for immediate classroom application.

How To Drive Secondary Literacy Growth Through Accessible, Content-Rich, Explicit Instruction

ELA secondary literacy guide
Pillar: Science of Reading

"Completing the Reading Rope": Driving Secondary Literacy Growth

Drive secondary literacy growth by addressing the unique challenges of instruction across content areas. This guide focuses on scaffolded texts, explicit skill instruction, and building background knowledge to ensure all students in 6th–12th grade can engage with complex, grade-level material.

💡

Expert Contribution

Features exclusive step-by-step literacy guidance and sample lessons from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Serravallo.

  • Support literacy growth with content-rich instruction that builds both vocabulary and conceptual knowledge.
  • Ensure access through differentiated reading levels that allow students to engage with the same grade-level concepts.
  • Reinforce skills using explicit instructional practices designed for the "Reading Rope" in secondary contexts.
  • Align literacy efforts across ELA, Social Studies, and Science for a unified school-wide approach.
  • Framework for scaffolding complex texts without lowering expectations for students.
  • Strategies for building background knowledge to increase overall comprehension.
  • Step-by-step guidance from Jennifer Serravallo on providing explicit instruction.
  • Sample lesson previews ready for immediate classroom application.

Receive content

Download resource

Download this resource

Close
First name*
Last name*
Email*
State*
Role*
School/District Name*
Close
ELA secondary literacy guide

Success!

You’ll receive an emailed copy of thise resource shortly. You can also click the button below to view the content now.

Download
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Additional content

Ground skills practice in authentic content.

Ready to bring authentic, impactful instruction to your students?
Get in touch with our team
Role*
Your Details
Your First Name*
Your Last Name*
Your School Email Address*
Admin Details
Refer your admin and we will reach out and discuss options for bringing Newsela products to your school.
Referral First Name*
Referral Last Name*
Referral Role*
Referral School Email Address*
Oops! It looks like you've tried to use a personal email, please make sure to enter valid business email address and try again.
Referral State*
Referral School Name*
Share what you love about Newsela that you’d like us to pass on to your administrator*
First Name*
Last Name*
Work Email Address*
Oops! It looks like you've tried to use a personal email, please make sure to enter valid business email address and try again.
State/International*
School/District Name*
What are you interested in?*
Please select at least one option.
How did you hear about us?
This form is intended for individuals age 13 and older. If you are under 13, please do not submit this form. By submitting your information to us you acknowledge that you are 13 or older and that you have reviewed, and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Download Content
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form. Please make sure to enter valid business email address
Download