March 29, 2026
Learning Context
Environment
The environment for this specific lesson would be a middle school (grades 6-8) English Language Arts Inclusion classroom.
Target Learners, Topic, Objectives
The learners targeted in this lesson are all seventh grade English language arts students in the inclusion setting. The lesson will span multiple class periods. The learning objectives are:
Students will be able to (1) analyze (identify and breakdown) scenarios that a typical teenager may encounter in their everyday life and make a connection to a common literary theme in literature- making a text to self-connection (2) use AI responsibly as a brainstorming tool to research novels with a literary theme similar to their chose theme, (3) write a narrative using descriptive wording, grade level spelling, and reflect on their learning prior to reading the novel (4) independently read and summarize a novel, analyze the main theme or supporting themes in the novel- identifying how this shapes a character. (5) use technology to produce a video narrative reflection that includes the title of the novel, theme, personal experience related to theme, and how the similarity between personal experiences shaped their opinion of the novel, clear concise speaking.
Authentic Assessment
Title
“Making Connections: Personally, Literary, and Digitally”
Task Description
The student will:
- Research possible situations related to friendship, family, courage, loss, or belonging using AI as a brainstorming tool. “What are everyday events that happen to 7th graders involving friendship, family, courage, loss, or belonging?”
- Determine what relates to them, similar situations they have been in personally.
- Choose examples from the list. Make the connection between the list and literary terms [side note: maybe helpful to have a list of commonly read class novels that hit each of those themes. For example: Fever 1796 (family, courage, loss); Code Talker (family, courage, loss, belonging). ]
- Use AI to brainstorm novels with similar themes to their personal experience. Narrow it down to their interest
- Write a brief narrative describing the: AI used, questions asked, novel chosen, & connection to self.
- Read the novel.
- Write a brief narrative to summarize the novel, state the theme and how it did and did not relate to their personal experience, and describe the personal experience
- Produce a 1-3 minute video using Canva to portray their personal experience, relation to the novels theme.
Final Product
The final product will be a video produced by the students of their narrative explaing how the book and its theme related to their life and retelling their personal experience, as well as how their experience did or did not change their outlook/perspective while reading the book.
Authenticity Description
This task is authentic because most seventh-grade narrative assessments are focused on identifying the theme of a novel, writing as if you are a character in the novel or retelling from a different point of view. One thing that has been noticeable as I taught seventh grade standards and narratives is that students have a hard time relating to “Code Talker” when we read it because of the differences in setting. While the main character of “Code Talker” has a strong sense of family, the students have difficulty relating to that then placing themselves in the characters shoes. Having the students research common themes and choosing one that relates to them, opens up how they can connect to the characters as well as open their background knowledge and have them understand or empathize with the character.
Sample Artifact
The following examples are not full samples of student artifact. Samples from each step were chosen to show the process.
Student AI Brainstorming
Question Asked: Brainstorm events that a student would encounter in everyday life that involves either friendship, family courage, loss or belonging.
Magic School Response:
Belonging: Feeling left out - Not being invited to something everyone else is doing.
Question: What are 10 young adult novels that have similar themes relating to belonging?
Magic School: ((List 10))
Question: of the 10 novels listed, what are the top 5 rated.
Magic School: … based on critical acclaim, popularity, and cultural impact, the most highly regarded:
Student Narrative
One of the themes that I noticed while reading the novel “Speak” By Laurie Halse Anderson is a theme of social pressure and belonging. Melinda is a social outcast all because of rumors and misunderstandings. This caused her reputation to be destroyed. This is similar to something I have experienced in my life. The first was when I was in 6th grade, a boy I liked made up a lie about me that was sexual in nature. I didn’t even know what it meant until someone explained it to me. This led to kids making up stories about things I had never done or even knew of, calling me names. I ended up keeping to myself and not talking to anyone the rest of the school year. It was so lonely because I felt like I had no friends.
Note, I have NOT read this novel. I did use MagicSchool AI to summarize the novel and themes to complete the student artifact portion of this assignment.
Student Video
I used YouTube. Students would upload theirs to Canva and edit in Canva.
Technology Integration
Technology Used
For this assignment, the following technology was used:
- MagicSchool AI: This appropriate because it can be a controlled AI environment set up prior to the assignment for students. This allows the teacher to limit what is or isn’t searched.
- Microsoft Co-pilot: This was used as the instructor to research potential authentic alternative assignments for students to complete.
- PhotoBooth App: This was used to record the video. A similar one could / would be used by students to record their video.
- YouTube: To upload the video for this assignment.
Supporting Learning
As previously stated, authentic learning is supported in this assignment because it helps move students from us telling them connections that could be made, to choosing connections and identifying how the themes in novels can actually relate to real life. Then apply that real life experience to choosing novel. Another arm of this assignment that could be done would relate to others who have experienced similar things. Opening their view of the world. This would support students in giving them background knowledge to make connections with books they may not have previously made a connection to.
The usage of technology deepens a student’s learning in multiple parts. The first part, using AI as a brainstorming tool, expands on most students’ current knowledge. Based on what I have experienced as well as colleagues comments and discussions- students are using AI primarily as a “do it for me” not a tool to help them. By integrating AI into this assignment in the beginning, students are able to see AI used as a brainstorming tool, correctly use AI with teacher guidance, deepen their understanding of using it for research, and learning how to refine questions and word them correctly. The second part of technology use is equally important for deepening learning. Many students are reaching middle school as below level readers. One thing I try to push is having students speak correctly even before they write something. By having an assignment that uses technology (a recording app), students who are below level can speak, practicing correct grammar usage, try again if needed, rerecord, etc. If they first speak it correctly it helps when they get ready to write, etc. Integrating technology allows them to have a higher level of success while still holding them to rigor. This act of feeling intrinsic success deepens their learning because they become more invested. The higher learners can dig deeper, use different aspects of technology, add different features and be challenged in different ways- thus expanding their learning as well.
Evaluating & Assessing
Standard Assessed
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 point
Theme & Personal Experience
Theme is clearly identified & developed. Personal narrative strongly connects to the theme from chosen novel. Clear insight given.
Theme is clear and connected to personal experience. Explanation may be uneven. Not
Theme is present but weak. Loosely connected to personal story / literary text.
Theme is unclear, missing, not connected to personal story / text.
Narrative Writing
Writing is well organized, clear beginning middle and end. Included vivid details, strong word choice, few to no grammar errors
Organization is clear; some descriptive details present; minor errors.
Organization is inconsistent; details limited/vague; errors effect understanding
Poorly organized; frequent errors; interfere with understanding.
Use of text evidence
References class text and clearly explains how it connects to personal experience and theme.
Uses relevant reference to a class text with some explanation of the connection.
Mentions text but little explanation of connection.
No clear reference to text or connection to theme.
Effective Use of Technology / Multimedia
Visuals, text, audio are used purposefully; enhance meaning, strengthens story.
Technology supports story. Mostly well chosen, minor errors.
Technology is used but does not add much to the story.
Little effort in technology used effectively; media distracts from the sotry or does not support the message.
Speaking / Presenting
Narration is clear, expressive, well paged. Engaging.
Narration is understandable. Good pacing, good tone.
Narration is uneven. Too fast or too slow. Difficult to hear.
Narration is unclear, incomplete, or missing.
AI Disclosure
Portions of this work were created with the assistance of MagicSchool AI and Microsoft Copilot to brainstorm authentic assessments in the middle grades for English Language Arts and brainstorming as if the author were a student for the purpose of mimicking the assignment. The content has been reviewed and edited by the author, who takes full responsibility for its accuracy and originality.
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