Making a Difference
Making a Difference: You Can Change the World
Have you ever looked around and thought, “Something needs to change”? Maybe it’s a problem at school, in your community, or even something bigger, like an environmental issue. The truth is, everyone has the power to make a difference. It might seem daunting, but even small actions can create big waves of change.
Identifying the Problem
The first step in making a change is identifying the problem you want to address. What bothers you? What do you think needs improvement? It could be anything from a lack of recycling bins in your school to a need for more after-school activities. Spend some time observing and thinking about what issues resonate with you.
Research and Planning
Once you’ve identified a problem, it’s time to do your homework. Research the issue to understand its complexities and root causes. Who is affected by this problem? What are the potential solutions? Gather as much information as you can. Next, create a plan. What specific actions will you take? Who will you need to help you? Set realistic goals and timelines.
Taking Action
- Momentum:
- The force that keeps something moving.
- Morale:
- The spirit or confidence of a person or group.
- Resonate:
- To affect or appeal to someone in a personal or emotional way.
- daunting:
- Seeming very difficult, frightening, or overwhelming to try to do.
- complexities:
- The different parts or details of an issue that make it hard to understand or solve.
- petition:
- A formal request signed by many people asking an authority or group to take action.
- obstacles:
- Things that block progress or make it harder to reach a goal.
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Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the first step in making a change in the world?
- 2Why is it important to research the problem you want to address?
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About this informational passage for Middle School
“Making a Difference” is a informational reading passage about Social Change, written for Middle School. It takes about 3 minutes to read (413 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.