Welcome to the learning module
Instruction that adapts. Learning that grows.
Welcome to AdaptEd, an instructional resource hub for adapting learning materials to meet students’ needs. This module demonstrates scaffolded argumentative writing instruction through clear directions, visual models, vocabulary support, sentence frames, and guided practice. These supports can benefit diverse learners, including English Language Learners.
About this module
The instruction is designed to help 10th-grade English learners practice one writing skill at a time while working toward the same core learning objectives as their peers.
01
Identify
Find argumentative elements such as a claim, evidence, counterclaim, and rebuttal.
02
Build
Distinguish the parts of an argument and construct a complete claim supported by evidence.
03
Explain
Use reasoning to explain how different elements support your argument at hand.
Meet the designer and client
About the designer
This module and platform was developed by Mr. Ryan A. Allen, a high school English Educator and instructional technology design graduate student. His work focuses on making grade level instruction more accessible through purposeful scaffolds while preserving the original learning objective.
About the client
Client: High School ESOL Educator and Specialist, Mrs. Maria Lemus. Mrs. Lemus currently supports 9th-12th grade English Language Learners. The module responds to a need for explicit, accessible writing instruction for learners with varied English proficiency and prior schooling experiences.
Learning objectives
By working through the module, learners will practice how to:
- Identify argumentative writing elements in a text.
- Distinguish a claim, evidence, reasoning, counterclaim, and rebuttal.
- Write a complete claim that states a position.
- Select relevant evidence from a source.
- Explain in complete sentences how the selected evidence supports the student’s claim.
How to use this website: Start with the Module Overview, follow the steps in order, and use the linked AdaptEd platform for the student modules and visual resources. This is a prototype of the design in the making.
Instructional Sequence Guide
Module Overview
Complete the five learning modules in order. Each module focuses on one foundational argumentative-writing skill and includes direct access to the existing AdaptEd Student Studio.
1
IDENTIFYIdentify Argumentative Writing Elements
Find the claim, evidence, counterclaim, and rebuttal in an argument.
Success check: I can find the parts of an argument in a text.
2
DISTINGUISHDistinguish Argumentative Writing Elements
Tell the difference between a claim, evidence, counterclaim, and rebuttal.
Success check: I can explain what each element does and their purpose.
3
CONSTRUCTConstruct Complete Claims
Write one complete sentence that clearly states a position.
Success check: My claim states what I believe or argue.
4
SUPPORTSupport Claims with Relevant Evidence
Choose evidence from a text that supports the claim.
Success check: My evidence connects to my claim and comes from a reliable source.
5
EXPLAINExplain How Evidence Supports a Claim
Explain in two or three sentences how the evidence proves or supports the claim.
Success check: My reasoning explains the connection instead of merely repeating the evidence.
Before and after the modules
Before Module 1
Complete the baseline writing task without sentence frames, organizers, or visual guides. This will be where you witness your growth once done. Use a student assigned code rather than your name.
Open baseline task ↗After Module 5
Complete the final writing task and reaction survey. Compare the baseline and final responses to consider growth.
Open growth and evaluation area ↗IMPORTANT: The AdaptEd platform contains the instructional activities and evaluation tools. This companion website explains the sequence and links learners to those materials; it does not duplicate them.
Client instructions
Client Guide: Using AdaptEd
This guide explains how to access the adapted instructional resources and use AdaptEd to collect and review learner progress. The companion website provides directions; the AdaptEd platform is where you use the resources and manage progress information.
1. Access and review the adapted resources
- Open the AdaptEd platform.
- Open the Student Studio or the relevant instructional activity.
- Preview the adapted assignment and complete it to progress.
- Review the Adaptation AI Studio to choose the supports that fit the learner’s current needs on an assignment of your own to adapt it to a student in mind.
- Use the visual guide, vocabulary or word bank, sentence frames, or graphic organizer when they support the lesson objective.
- Share the appropriate activity and its directions with learners. Model an example when helpful and check that learners understand what to do.
- Once shared with students, allow AdaptEd to grade, model, and collect feedback from your student on your behalf.
2. Collect progress information in AdaptEd
Use AdaptEd—not this companion website—to record, review, and retain progress information for your own instructional monitoring.
- Open the platform’s growth or progress area.
- Follow the platform prompts to complete or record the appropriate baseline, learning activity, or final task.
- Use the available progress comparisons and student feedback to review what learners can do and which skills may need additional support.
- Keep the records in AdaptEd according to the platform’s available features and your school’s data-handling requirements.
Platform screens and available data features may change as AdaptEd is developed. Follow the controls currently available in your version.
Open AdaptEd progress and growth area ↗
3. Use the information to plan next steps
Look for strengths
Identify the argumentative-writing skills learners demonstrate, such as recognizing a claim, selecting evidence, or explaining reasoning.
Identify next steps
Use the progress information to decide whether to reteach a skill, provide another model, or offer additional vocabulary and sentence support.
Data and privacy reminders
Use approved data practices. Follow school and university requirements before entering real student information. Use anonymous or approved identifiers where appropriate, avoid entering sensitive information into public demonstrations, and confirm who can access any stored records.
Student directions
Learner Directions & Resources
Use these steps as you complete the writing module. Work at a steady pace, read the directions, and use the supports that help you explain your ideas.
Step 1. Complete the baseline task
Before you start the lessons, write a response to the baseline prompt. Try it on your own without the sentence frames or graphic organizers.
Step 2. Complete the five modules in order
Start with IDENTIFY. Then complete DISTINGUISH, CONSTRUCT, SUPPORT, and EXPLAIN. Read each objective and follow the directions on the screen.
Step 3. Use the supports
You may use the color-coded visual guide, vocabulary word bank, sentence frames, and Claim–Evidence–Reasoning organizer. These tools help you organize your thinking.
Step 4. Check your work
Before you submit or move on, ask: Did I answer the question? Did I write a complete sentence? Did I use evidence when asked? Did I explain how the evidence supports my claim?
Step 5. Complete the final task and survey
At the end, complete the final writing task and share feedback about what helped you learn and what could be clearer. Help me, help you!
Quick writing reminders
Claim
My position or answer.
Frame: I believe that ___.
Evidence
Proof from a text or source.
Frame: According to the text, ___.
Reasoning
How the evidence supports your claim.
Frame: This supports my claim because ___.
Counterclaim and rebuttal
The other side and your response to it.
Frames: Some people argue ___. However, ___.
Remember: It is okay to use a sentence starter or word bank while learning. Try to explain your own thinking and ask your teacher for help if a direction is confusing.
Learner reaction
Share your feedback
Your feedback helps your teacher understand whether the lesson was clear, easy to use, useful, and engaging. Answer honestly. There are no right or wrong answers.
Complete the reaction survey
The existing AdaptEd platform includes the reaction survey alongside the baseline task, final task, and growth comparison.
When you finish the modules, open the growth and evaluation area and choose the Reaction Survey tab.
Open AdaptEd reaction survey ↗If the survey tab does not open automatically, use the tab controls on the AdaptEd page to select “Reaction survey.”
What the survey asks about
- Your overall experience.
- How easy the website and activities were to navigate.
- Whether the directions were clear.
- Whether the content and writing supports were useful.
- Whether the instruction affected your confidence or willingness to learn.
- What you enjoyed most and how you engaged with the content or teacher.
- What could be improved.
Privacy reminder: Do not include your full name or sensitive personal information in a public demonstration. Follow your teacher’s directions for any class evaluation.
