As literacy professionals, we are always looking for ways to bring authentic, meaningful learning experiences to our students. Today’s AI tools offer an exciting opportunity to do just that—provided we use them thoughtfully. As a reading specialist and graduate literacy professor, I coach my graduate students on how to explore AI as a practical and creative teaching assistant. 

AI tools can be used to craft personalized and specific texts that reflect their students’ interests, reading levels, and learning goals. This coaching model not only empowers my graduate students to embrace AI with purpose, but it also allows me to see firsthand how these techniques play out in real classrooms to make sure the strategies truly support authentic literacy learning.

Personalized Texts to Meet Individual Student Needs

Every literacy teacher knows that choosing the right text is one of the most important decisions in a lesson plan. However, this process can be time-consuming; especially when you have students who read at different levels, enjoy different topics, or require practice with different reading strategies. This is where AI comes into play.

AI can help teachers tailor reading experiences to suit those needs, all while making lessons engaging, relevant, and rigorous. Through use of school-approved AI platforms like Magic AI or School AI, these tools offer promising possibilities for creating meaningful and personalized reading experiences.

Imagine you have a seventh grade reader named Sam who reads independently at a third grade level and instructionally at a fourth grade level, and who also loves playing Fortnite. As a reading specialist, you can provide scaffolding to support Sam’s growth and stretch him at the fourth grade level.

For example, you might model your thinking with a read-aloud and then give Sam a clear purpose as he reads the next segment of the text on his own. Instead of searching endlessly for a passage that matches Sam’s interests and reading level, you can quickly prompt AI to generate one tailored just for him. For instance, you might write:


Within moments, AI can produce a passage that captures Sam in a high-interest, well-structured article. This personalization not only hooks Sam’s interest but also enhances his motivation to read.

Lighting Speed Differentiated Texts With Instructional Strategies

AI can do more than tailor a single article; rather, it can also help you quickly differentiate instruction across reading skills, levels, and topics. When generating AI texts, craft prompts that focus on a particular skill you want students to practice. Whether you want them to explore cause and effect, make inferences, identify the main idea, or sequence events, AI can instantly produce a passage that matches that skill.

Better yet, you can generate multiple versions of the same text at different reading levels or on different topics that interest students, allowing you to personalize learning for each reader. For example, try a prompt like: 


Beyond generating texts, AI can craft follow-up questions that align with your goals and help you scaffold learning. Getting comfortable with these kinds of prompts takes a little practice, but the payoff is worth it. With more use, you’ll become even more confident using AI to enhance your teaching.

Cautions When Using AI-Generated Content

Although AI tools like Magic AI and School AI are powerful, teachers must use them thoughtfully. Here are a few considerations to ensure AI is supporting learning well:

• Check the reading level.Even if you specify the grade level, it is important to check that the text matches your students’ abilities. Run the text through a readability check or read it yourself to make sure the vocabulary and sentence structure are appropriate.
• Review the content for accuracy and sensitivity. AI can sometimes produce inaccurate information or unintended language. Before using AI-generated text with students, review it carefully for factual errors and bias.
• Teacher scaffolding. Even the most personalized passage still needs a teaching plan to go with it. Introduce background knowledge, pre-teach vocabulary, or pair the article with graphic organizers. This will help all readers succeed, especially struggling readers and English language learners.
• Student-centered learning.AI is most powerful when it enhances learning, not replaces teacher expertise. Think of AI as an assistant that can help you prepare engaging content faster, but not as a replacement for your close connections with students or your expertise in literacy instruction.

Wrap Up

AI can be a game changer for literacy teachers, making it easier to create meaningful, engaging instruction. When thoughtfully integrated, AI can be more than a time-saver; it can be transformative tool that enhances equitable access to literacy learning. By using strategic prompts, literacy teachers can craft personalized, high-interest texts; differentiate instruction with ease; and target specific reading strategies that meet the needs of diverse learners. Most importantly, these practices support the heart of our work: Empowering every student to see themselves as capable, engaged readers.

As we navigate an ever-evolving educational landscape, embracing AI with intention allows us to stay grounded in best practices while innovating for the future of literacy. 

Catherine Gibbons serves as a reading specialist for grades 7–12 at Gateway Regional High School in Woodbury Heights, New Jersey. She also works as a graduate reading adjunct professor. 

Learn More

Navigating the New Era of AI: A Teacher’s Guide to Ethical Decision-Making With High School Students

Literacy Today magazine: Thinking Critically