Annotated Reading on the Black Death for High School
A reading packet pairing an article and primary source on the 1348 Black Death with annotation instructions and critical thinking questions at DOK 3 and 4. It builds close reading, evidence-based argument, and analysis of how disease shaped trade, society, and historical sources, and is well suited to a 50-minute class block or a small-group discussion.
“annotation instructions and critical thinking questions, DOK 3 & 4”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Introduce the annotation codes (questions, connections, key claims) and model them on the first two paragraphs before students work independently.
- Discussion question: How did the Silk Road's trade networks both create and spread the conditions for the Black Death, and what does this suggest about the costs of global connection?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: provide a sentence frame for annotations, such as "This suggests ___ because ___," and pair them with a peer for the primary source section.
- Extension for advanced students: ask them to compare the primary source miniature with the article's account and evaluate how each represents the emotional and social impact of the plague.
- Estimated time: about 50 minutes for the reading and annotation, plus 15 minutes for the DOK 4 discussion questions.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free“annotation instructions and critical thinking questions, DOK 3 & 4”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Introduce the annotation codes (questions, connections, key claims) and model them on the first two paragraphs before students work independently.
- Discussion question: How did the Silk Road's trade networks both create and spread the conditions for the Black Death, and what does this suggest about the costs of global connection?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: provide a sentence frame for annotations, such as "This suggests ___ because ___," and pair them with a peer for the primary source section.
- Extension for advanced students: ask them to compare the primary source miniature with the article's account and evaluate how each represents the emotional and social impact of the plague.
- Estimated time: about 50 minutes for the reading and annotation, plus 15 minutes for the DOK 4 discussion questions.
Annotated Reading on the Black Death for High School
A reading packet pairing an article and primary source on the 1348 Black Death with annotation instructions and critical thinking questions at DOK 3 and 4. It builds close reading, evidence-based argument, and analysis of how disease shaped trade, society, and historical sources, and is well suited to a 50-minute class block or a small-group discussion.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free