Engaging 7th-grade nonfiction reading comprehension and writing resource featuring Taylor Swift’s early years in Nashville. Includes rigorous multiple-choice questions, short-answer stems, and an argumentative essay prompt. Perfect for exploring the theme of fitting in vs. staying true to yourself.

Middle school is hard enough, but imagine moving to a new city, knowing no one, and chasing a dream that makes you stand out even more. That’s exactly what happened to Taylor Swift when she left Pennsylvania for Nashville at just fourteen.

This high-interest nonfiction article brings her story to life while helping students connect deeply to the universal theme of fitting in versus staying true to yourself.

You want your students to work with nonfiction that actually matters to them, not another dry, generic reading passage. But finding texts that blend high engagement, academic rigor, and meaningful life lessons can feel impossible. Students either get bored… or they skim without thinking deeply.

This Taylor Swift resource is carefully crafted to hook reluctant readers, challenge advanced learners, and keep every student engaged. It combines celebrity appeal with rigorous reading and writing practice aligned to 7th-grade standards. The article gives students a relatable narrative while the activities push them to think critically, infer, and make text-to-self connections.

What’s Inside

• 800+ Word Nonfiction Article – Starting Over: Taylor Swift’s Journey to Belong in Nashville

• 10 Rigorous Multiple-Choice Questions – Inference, theme, structure, and text evidence

• Expanded Teacher Answer Key – Explains why each option is correct or incorrect

• 2 Short-Answer Questions – With 3 structured sentence stems each for strong evidence-based writing

• Argumentative Essay Prompt – With clear sentence starters to support all learners

• Theme Focus: Fitting In vs. Self-Acceptance – Ideal for SEL and real-world connection lessons

Perfect For

• Middle school ELA classrooms (7th grade focus, adaptable for grades 6–8)

• Small group reading or intervention lessons

• Writing workshops and argument writing practice

• SEL-themed literacy units

• Engaging lessons before or after standardized testing

Why Your Students Will Love It

• Real-world connection: Taylor Swift’s middle school challenges mirror the struggles many students face.

• Choice and voice: Structured writing stems give every student confidence to express ideas.

• Relatable theme: The fitting in vs. authenticity conflict resonates far beyond the classroom.

Why You’ll Love It

• No-prep: Everything is ready to print or upload to your LMS.

• Flexible: Use as a stand-alone mini-unit or as part of a larger nonfiction and writing bundle.

• High engagement, high rigor: Keeps even reluctant readers invested while meeting standards.

©2025 Light Up Literature™Curriculum, LLC. All rights reserved. For classroom use only.

This resource may not be distributed, posted online, or shared on public/shared drives. Purchasers may make copies for their own students only.