Handout 5
Strong Teaching Tasks are:
 Are worthy of 2, 3 or 4 weeks of instruction
 Ask students to grapple with important content to the discipline
 Target grade specific Common Core literacy standards and content GLEs
 Evolve from a rigorous text-dependent question directly related to the content or standard(s)being taught
 Provide opportunities to read informational text of appropriate text complexity and content specific to the grade level
 Have students working in the most effective mode of discourse/text structure to demonstrate understanding and new
knowledge
 Involve products written for an authentic audiences
 Stay true to the wording of the template task
Important Note:
When looked at cumulatively, strong teaching tasks engage students in a balanced set of rich writing tasks over the course
of the year.
Copyright © 2013 Reach Associates
Sample #1: Social Studies – Grade 9
Module Title: Does Colonialism Continue to Impact Africa Today?
Module Description (overview): This module is intended to help students understand how colonialism continues to impact
Africa today; students will explore the current issues of genocide, AIDS, and hunger in Africa. The module is used as the final piece of
a unit on the history of colonialism in Africa and was created for high school freshman with low literacy skills.
Template Task (include number, type, level)
Task 14 – Informational/Description
[Insert question] After reading ________ (literature or
informational texts), write ________ (essay, report, or
substitutes) that describes ________ (content) and addresses the
question. Support your discussion with evidence from the text(s).
Teaching Task
Are effects of colonialism in Africa still seen today? After
reading informational texts, write an essay that describes
current issues of AIDS, hunger, genocide in Africa and
addresses the question. Support your discussion with
evidence from the texts.
Sample Task #2: ELA – Grade 6
Module Title: Weighing in On Adolescent Obesity
Module Description (overview): In this module students will learn about choices that students and schools could adopt to
positively impact a healthy lifestyle for adolescents. By reading articles, watching videos, exploring multimedia resources and
participating in classroom discussions, students will make a claim as to whether increasing access to physical activity or decreasing
access to unhealthy food in schools would have a greater effect on the physical and emotional health of adolescents. Students will
write an argumentative essay, citing logical and thorough text-based evidence to support their claim.
Template Task (include number, type, level)
Teaching Task
2 – Argumentative/Analysis
(Insert question.) After reading ______________ write ____________
that addresses the question and support your position with evidence
from the texts. L2 Be sure to include competing views. L3 Give
examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify
your position.
Which is a more effective strategy for schools to adopt to
positively impact a healthy lifestyle for adolescents: Increasing
physical activity within the school day or decreasing unhealthy
foods within the school day? After reading informational texts
and multimedia resources, write an essay that addresses the
question and support your position with evidence from the
texts. L2 Be sure to include competing views.
Sample Task #3: Science – Grade 8
Module Title: Cryobiology
Module Description (overview): Students have just finished units on States and Properties of Matter. They will take the concepts
learned and expound upon them by examining the field of cryobiology. Cryobiology is the study of living things at very low
temperatures. This science is filled with many technological advances. Students will examine the pros and cons of the techniques
used and formulate an argument based on scientific facts.
Template Task (include number, type, level)
Teaching Task
2 – Argumentative/Analysis
(Insert question.) After reading ______________ write ____________
that addresses the question and support your position with evidence
from the texts. L2 Be sure to include competing views. L3 Give
examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify
your position.
Should cryobiology techniques be used to preserve living
matter for future use? After reading texts on cryobiology, write
an article that addresses the question and support your
position with evidence from the texts.
Sample Task #4: ELA/Social Studies – Grade 6-8
Module Title: Treasure on the Bay
Module Description (overview): The development of the Tampa Bay Area started in 1845 when the area became part of the
United States. The region continued to grow even with the challenge of the Civil War. The success was primarily due to Henry Plant’s
railroad extension. Tampa’s cigar industry, agricultural business, and tourism facilitated growth that continues today. Students will
write a text-based informational essay that defines and explains the history and development of the Tampa Bay Area. (L2) Students
will draw implications for future development of Tampa.
Template Task (include number, type, level)
11—informational/Definition
After researching_______________________, (informational text) on
_____________________(content), write a _____________ (report or
substitute) that defines _____________ (term or concept) and
explains _____________________ (content). Support your discussion
with evidence from your research. (L2) What implications can you
draw?
Teaching Task
After researching the history of the Tampa Bay area, write an
essay that defines and explains how Tampa has changed and
what motivated people to settle in the Tampa Bay Area.
Support your entry with evidence from your research. (L2)
What implications for the future development of Tampa can
you draw?