Building Critical Reading Skills with Short, Complex Texts [Ep. 73] Artwork

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Middle School Café – Strategies & Support for Middle School ELA Teachers

Building Critical Reading Skills with Short, Complex Texts [Ep. 73]

March 17, 2026 • Carolyn Wahl - Middle School ELA • Episode 73

0:00 | 12:04

As testing season approaches, many middle school ELA teachers feel pressure to shift everything into test-prep mode. But strong reading instruction is still strong reading instruction, even in the weeks leading up to state assessments. In this episode, I’ll explore how short, complex texts can help strengthen students’ critical reading skills without turning your classroom into a test-prep factory. Mid-year isn’t about introducing new standards. It’s about tightening the skills students have already been practicing, like identifying theme, making inferences, analyzing author’s craft, and supporting ideas with textual evidence.

Short stories and other short texts give teachers the opportunity to slow down and focus on the thinking behind reading. Because the text is manageable in length, students can reread, track patterns, analyze character motivation, and explain their reasoning more clearly. These shorter texts also support access for a wider range of learners while helping students move beyond surface-level responses and into deeper analysis. If you’re looking for ways to strengthen reading skills while keeping the focus on authentic learning, this episode offers practical ideas and encouragement for this time of year.