What are Paired Passages?
Paired passages are a set of text passages that are connected or similar in some way. Paired Passages are included in many state assessments as a way to increase common core rigor. Paired passages are accompanied by questions that require students to refer to both texts in their answers.
Create a Paired Passages Item
Click on the "+" icon
Choose "Paired Passages" from the Content types
By default two passages will be created, with the field for Passage One expanded for you to type in the text for the first passage (you can also copy/paste text from external sources)
Click on the carat next to "Passage Two" to expand the field and type in the text for the second passage
If you're in need of additional passages, click on 'Add Passage' to add up to 2 more passages to your item (at this time 4 passages is the maximum amount supported)
You can highlight any part of your text and use the text editor menu at the top of each field to adjust text color, bold, italicize, underline, add lists, add headlines, use super-script/sub-script, add hyperlinks, or even use LaTex
After adding texts to all passages, it is time to add questions to them. Continue reading to learn how!
Add Questions to Paired Passages
Questions added to Paired Passages will appear on the right. To add a question:
Click on the Blue plus button to the right of the Paired Passages texts
Choose the preferred question type from the list
Proceed to fill in the question fields, set up an answer key for automatic grading, and adjust the question's settings to your preference
Proceed to add as many questions as needed
AI-Generated Questions
You also have the option to use AI to generate questions for you:
Click on the AI (magic wand) icon to the right of the Paired Passages (next to the blue plus) to pull up the AI generator
Choose the question type from the available options
Enter a prompt
Adjust the grade level(s), subject(s) and the difficulty level desired
Click on "Generate" and allow the AI some time to process the request
Once AI presents you with the generated questions, un-check the box next to questions you do not want to include in your formative, and keep the checkmakrs next to questions you want to include
If you are not happy with any of the suggested questions, click on "Regenerate" and AI will come up with a few other options
Click "Add" and all the check-marked questions will be added to the Paired Passages
Add Content Items to Paired Passages
To further support student learning, you can also enhance Paired Passages with additional content items, to include:
Click on the hyperlinks above to learn more about each content item and the different options it presents.
To add content items to Paired Passages:
Click on the big blue plus button (or any of the smaller gray plus buttons) to the right of the Paired Passages
Choose the preferred Content Item from the list and follow the prompts
The Student Experience
When presented with Paired Passages students' will be able to navigate between the available passages by clicking on the appropriate tab at the top of the text. Questions will be presented to the right of the Paired Passages:
Student Highlighter Tool
Your students can use a Highlighter to annotate or mark text within a Paired Passage you provide them with. They simply select the text section with their mouse or touchpad, then click on the highlighter color of their choice from the 4 options offered. The text they selected will immediately be highlighted.
Pro-tip!
If you add a Drawing question to your Paired Passages, or a Show Your Work box (Silver/Gold) to any of the questions you add to your formative - your students will be able to add a screenshot of their annotated text for your review.
