Missing Voices
About This Worksheet
This worksheet is an informational text analysis activity that focuses on identifying included and missing perspectives. It helps students understand that not all voices are always represented in a text. In grade 7, this skill builds critical thinking about bias and representation. Students read an article about a neighborhood rezoning project and examine whose viewpoints are shared. For example, city officials may be quoted, while residents’ concerns might be less visible.
Curriculum and Grade Alignment
This worksheet is designed for 7th grade students learning to evaluate perspective and bias in informational texts. The main goal is to help students recognize which voices are present and which are missing. Students should already know how to identify main ideas and supporting details. The next step is comparing multiple sources to get a fuller understanding of a topic. It aligns with Common Core standard CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.6 and RI.7.8, along with TEKS 7.10(E).
Student Tasks
On this worksheet, students will read an article about changes in a neighborhood development plan. They will identify which groups of people are represented in the text. Students must also think about whose perspectives are missing. They will answer questions using quotes or details from the article. This task encourages critical reading and awareness of bias.
Common Challenges and Misconceptions
Students may assume that all important perspectives are included in a text. Some might struggle to identify missing voices because they are not directly stated. Others may focus only on summarizing the article instead of analyzing perspective. It is also common for students to give general answers without evidence. Teachers can support students by guiding them to ask, “Who is not being heard?”
Implementation Guidance
Teachers can use this worksheet during lessons on media literacy or informational text analysis. It works well as a discussion-based activity where students share different viewpoints. Parents can support learning by discussing how news stories may present limited perspectives. This worksheet also prepares students for evaluating sources in research tasks. Encourage students to think critically about fairness and representation.
Details and Features
This worksheet includes a realistic article that connects to real-world issues. It provides clear directions and structured response questions. The layout is easy to read and print for classroom use. There is space for short written answers supported by evidence. The content promotes critical thinking and awareness of multiple perspectives.