A typical English classroom includes students who read above grade level alongside students who find sustained writing difficult. Paper Towns is a good text for such a class because its story is engaging and its ideas can be explored at different depths. The challenge is to differentiate the writing assignments so every student is stretched without being overwhelmed. Thoughtful design allows the whole class to work on the same unit while receiving the support they need.

Differentiation does not mean giving some students easier standards. It means providing different routes to the same learning goals, such as writing a claim supported by evidence and explanation. A student who struggles with organization might use a paragraph frame, while a more advanced student might be asked to address a counterargument. Everyone is working toward the same skill but with scaffolds suited to their needs.

Start by identifying the core skills for the assignment and the common obstacles students face. For a character analysis essay, the core skill might be making a claim about Margo and supporting it with quotations. Obstacles might include difficulty generating a claim, choosing evidence, or explaining it. Knowing these helps you plan supports targeted to actual barriers.

Scaffolds That Support Without Capping Growth

Effective scaffolds are temporary and specific. Sentence starters help students begin a claim or explain a quotation, graphic organizers help them plan, and annotated model paragraphs show what a finished product looks like. As students gain confidence, the supports can be reduced. The goal is independence, so scaffolds should be designed to be removed gradually.

• Sentence starters for claims, evidence introductions, and explanations
• A planning organizer linking claim, quotation, and reasoning
• An annotated model paragraph highlighting each analytical move
• A checklist students use to self-assess before submitting
• Extension prompts that ask for counterarguments or comparison

Adjusting Feedback for Different Learners

Feedback should also differ. A student who has trouble writing a thesis needs a concrete suggestion for improving it, while a student who writes strong theses but loose evidence needs guidance on selection and explanation. Limiting feedback to one or two priorities per student prevents discouragement. This targeted approach respects each student's current level.

Doing this for a whole class is demanding, so efficiency matters. A rubric-aligned AI tool can generate initial feedback that highlights each student's most pressing area, giving you a starting point to refine. You can then add personalized notes for students who need more. This keeps feedback individualized without requiring you to analyze every paper from scratch.

Grouping and Conferencing

Flexible grouping based on need can make the most of class time. After scanning a set of drafts, you might pull a small group who struggle with explaining evidence while others continue independently. These short mini-lessons address specific gaps more effectively than whole-class instruction. Groups change from assignment to assignment as needs shift.

Brief conferences of three to five minutes can also be powerful. Ask the student to read a paragraph aloud and identify where it could be stronger, then offer a single next step. Students often catch their own errors when they hear them, which builds self-editing skills. These conversations also strengthen relationships and motivation.

Evaluating Fairly

When scaffolds differ, think carefully about what you are assessing. If the learning goal is analysis, a student using a sentence starter can still demonstrate analytical ability through the content that follows. Be clear with students about which supports are available and why. Transparency prevents resentment and ensures that grades reflect actual learning.

Track growth over time rather than relying only on a single performance. A student who moves from describing characters to making debatable claims has made significant progress even if the final essay is not perfect. Recognizing growth encourages continued effort. Differentiated assignments and thoughtful feedback together help every student move forward with Paper Towns.