Read. Reflect. Play.
Read. Reflect. Play.
Scaffolding Independent Comprehension for Middle Schoolers
Scaffolding Independent Comprehension for Middle Schoolers
Team
1 UX Researcher, 2 UX Designers
1 UX Researcher, 2 UX Designers
Timeline
Jul 2024 - May 2025
Jul 2024 - May 2025
Methodology
Participatory Research, Game Design, Playtesting
Participatory Research, Game Design, Playtesting
(TLDR)
(TLDR)
Jordan loves stories. But at 12, reading alone
Jordan loves stories.
But at 12, reading alone still
still feels like a wall she can't climb.
feels like a wall she can't climb.
"I'd rather do Tiktok," she told us during one of our workshops.
"I'd rather do Tiktok," she told us during one of our workshops.
And she’s not alone. 69% of U.S. middle schoolers read below grade level. While teachers scaffold strategies in class, most students never internalize them. Once classroom support fades, so does comprehension.
And she’s not alone. 69% of U.S. middle schoolers read below grade level. While teachers scaffold strategies in class, most students never internalize them. Once classroom support fades, so does comprehension.
The Problem
The Problem
Most reading tools test comprehension, overlooking the messy, emotional, and strategic journey of actually learning how to read deeply and independently.
Most reading tools test comprehension, overlooking the messy, emotional, and strategic journey of actually learning how to read deeply and independently.
Core Insight
Core Insight
Through workshops and testing with students and teachers, we found:
Students need space to explore, reflect, and fail safely
Teachers want structured support that mirrors classroom instruction
Tools must balance creativity with strategy practice
Through workshops and testing with students and teachers, we found:
Students need space to explore, reflect, and fail safely
Teachers want structured support that mirrors classroom instruction
Tools must balance creativity with strategy practice
(Our Solution)
(Our Solution)
Turning Strategies Into Superpowers with Guardians of Luminara
Turning Strategies Into Superpowers with Guardians of Luminara
A narrative-driven reading game that helps students practice essential comprehension strategies independently through scaffolded missions, playful storytelling, and feedback-driven reflection.
A narrative-driven reading game that helps students practice essential comprehension strategies independently through scaffolded missions, playful storytelling, and feedback-driven reflection.
Strategies Become Powers
Comprehension tools like the highlighter, sticky note, and emoji stamp mirror strategies like clarify, question, evaluate, turning skills into interactive, collectible powers.
Strategies Become Powers
Comprehension tools like the highlighter, sticky note, and emoji stamp mirror strategies like clarify, question, evaluate, turning skills into interactive, collectible powers.
Learning Through Play
Learning Through Play
Students tackle quests that require chunking stories, building comics, and making predictions. No multiple-choice fatigue here, just creative engagement.
Students tackle quests that require chunking stories, building comics, and making predictions. No multiple-choice fatigue here, just creative engagement.
Scaffolded Like a Classroom
Scaffolded Like a Classroom
Following the gradual release model, the game loop moves from modeling → guided practice → independent play. Prompting fades as students build stamina and skill mastery.
Following the gradual release model, the game loop moves from modeling → guided practice → independent play. Prompting fades as students build stamina and skill mastery.
Playful, Not Test-Heavy
Playful, Not Test-Heavy
Students engage with stories through hands-on challenges such as chunking, visualizing narratives, and predicting twists without the stress of tests and quizzes.
Students engage with stories through hands-on challenges such as chunking, visualizing narratives, and predicting twists without the stress of tests and quizzes.
The Learning Loop
The Learning Loop
At the heart of Luminara is a classroom-inspired, modular loop:
At the heart of Luminara is a classroom-inspired, modular loop:
Read → Apply → Reflect → Play
Read → Apply → Reflect → Play
Each reading mission aligns with a specific comprehension strategy, giving students the chance to practice on their own with just the right amount of guidance to keep them moving forward.
Each reading mission aligns with a specific comprehension strategy, giving students the chance to practice on their own with just the right amount of guidance to keep them moving forward.
Inside the Game Interface
Inside the Game Interface
Reading Panel
Reading Panel
Students read through bite-sized story chunks, highlight key elements (like characters or settings), and react using emoji or sticky notes.
Students read through bite-sized story chunks, highlight key elements (like characters or settings), and react using emoji or sticky notes.
Comprehension Playground
Comprehension Playground
After reading, students enter a mission-specific “playground” that reinforces the strategy in a creative format. For example, building a comic strip to retell the story.
After reading, students enter a mission-specific “playground” that reinforces the strategy in a creative format. For example, building a comic strip to retell the story.
Reflection Journal
Reflection Journal
Every mission ends with a moment to pause and look inward. The micro-reflections encourage metacognition without feeling like homework.
Every mission ends with a moment to pause and look inward. The micro-reflections encourage metacognition without feeling like homework.
(How We Got There)
(How We Got There)
Why strategies don’t stick — and what students really need
Why strategies don’t stick — and what students really need
To answer this, we took a multi-pronged approach, triangulating classroom pedagogy, cognitive science, and game-based learning to map out where comprehension support breaks down.
To answer this, we took a multi-pronged approach, triangulating classroom pedagogy, cognitive science, and game-based learning to map out where comprehension support breaks down.
How We Investigated
How We Investigated
Product Teardown - Discovery Education
Product Teardown - Discovery Education
Revealed limited ELA support compared to rich offerings in Math and immersive tools like Sandbox AR.
Revealed limited ELA support compared to rich offerings in Math and immersive tools like Sandbox AR.
Landscape Analysis
Landscape Analysis
Benchmarked ELA tools like Blooket and Reading Plus—few supported deeper strategy practice or reflection.
Benchmarked ELA tools like Blooket and Reading Plus—few supported deeper strategy practice or reflection.
Literature & Standards Review
Literature & Standards Review
Mapped metacognitive frameworks and the Gradual Release Model to Common Core reading goals.
Mapped metacognitive frameworks and the Gradual Release Model to Common Core reading goals.
3 Classroom Observations
3 Classroom Observations
At Kumon and Howard School, students relied heavily on prompts, even during guided reading.
At Kumon and Howard School, students relied heavily on prompts, even during guided reading.
45 Educator Surveys
45 Educator Surveys
Identified top student challenges: low motivation (83%), weak attention spans (74%), and poor strategy transfer (71%).
Identified top student challenges: low motivation (83%), weak attention spans (74%), and poor strategy transfer (71%).
10 In-Depth Interviews
10 In-Depth Interviews
Teachers and specialists revealed a gap between modeled instruction and independent comprehension.
Teachers and specialists revealed a gap between modeled instruction and independent comprehension.
(Key Insights)
The Comprehension Cliff
The Comprehension Cliff
Remove the support, lose the reader
Remove the support, lose the reader
Teachers often use a scaffolded approach in classrooms — first modeling a skill, then guiding students through it, and finally stepping back. This gradual release of responsibility helps middle schoolers practice strategies like summarization and prediction across different phases of instruction.
Teachers often use a scaffolded approach in classrooms — first modeling a skill, then guiding students through it, and finally stepping back. This gradual release of responsibility helps middle schoolers practice strategies like summarization and prediction across different phases of instruction.
I do → We do → You do (together) → You do (alone)
Middle schoolers learn and practice comprehension strategies at every stage, but many stall at the final stage - independent application. Once the teacher steps away, comprehension fades.
Middle schoolers learn and practice comprehension strategies at every stage, but many stall at the final stage - independent application. Once the teacher steps away, comprehension fades.
Tools Prioritize Testing Over Practice
Tools Prioritize Testing Over Practice
Existing tools assess comprehension; few teach how to read strategically. One-size-fits-all platforms ignore reading diversity and fail to model practice over time.
Existing tools assess comprehension; few teach how to read strategically. One-size-fits-all platforms ignore reading diversity and fail to model practice over time.
Overdependence on teacher prompts
Overdependence on teacher prompts
Students learn strategies like summarization with heavy scaffolding but don't internalize them as habits. When support fades, so does comprehension.
Students learn strategies like summarization with heavy scaffolding but don't internalize them as habits. When support fades, so does comprehension.
Invisible metacognitive reflection
Invisible metacognitive reflection
Students rarely pause to ask: Do I understand this? They struggle to monitor their comprehension or track which strategies they’re using.
Students rarely pause to ask: Do I understand this? They struggle to monitor their comprehension or track which strategies they’re using.
Fragile Reading Identities
Fragile Reading Identities
Unlike math errors, reading confusion is invisible. Students quickly label themselves as "bad at reading" without feedback, creating cognitive and emotional barriers.
Unlike math errors, reading confusion is invisible. Students quickly label themselves as "bad at reading" without feedback, creating cognitive and emotional barriers.
Reading Feels Like a Passive Chore
Reading Feels Like a Passive Chore
Low stamina and emotional fatigue make sustained reading feel frustrating and unrewarding. Without agency or feedback, students avoid challenging texts altogether.
Low stamina and emotional fatigue make sustained reading feel frustrating and unrewarding. Without agency or feedback, students avoid challenging texts altogether.
(Co-designing with the learners)
(Co-designing with the learners)
Building with (not for) students
Building with (not for) students
We ran two fast-paced participatory workshops at The Howard School, inviting middle-schoolers, many with language-based learning differences. Each session blended co-creation, story-building, and scenario-based reflection.
We ran two fast-paced participatory workshops at The Howard School, inviting middle-schoolers, many with language-based learning differences. Each session blended co-creation, story-building, and scenario-based reflection.
Workshop 01 - Testing the Extremes
Workshop 01 - Testing the Extremes
Pressure-test two radically different directions — Read More (creative play) vs. Read Better (structured strategies) — and observe which dynamics sparked engagement and comprehension.
Pressure-test two radically different directions — Read More (creative play) vs. Read Better (structured strategies) — and observe which dynamics sparked engagement and comprehension.
Concept 1: Social Annotation Hub
Concept 1: Social Annotation Hub
A collaborative reading canvas where students could highlight text, leave comments, and interact with a guided AI companion.
A collaborative reading canvas where students could highlight text, leave comments, and interact with a guided AI companion.
Concept 2: Story-Building Game
Concept 2: Story-Building Game
Students used modular Enzo Mari cards (characters, settings, actions) to collaboratively build stories and expand their own stories.
Students used modular Enzo Mari cards (characters, settings, actions) to collaboratively build stories and expand their own stories.
(Takeaways from Workshop 01)
(Takeaways from Workshop 01)
Students chase creative agency; teachers sought strategy and structure
Students chase creative agency; teachers sought strategy and structure
Creation beats consumption
Students were highly engaged with creative, story-building activities; they tuned out when asked to fill comprehension worksheets.
Students were highly engaged with creative, story-building activities; they tuned out when asked to fill comprehension worksheets.
Structure still matters
Left unchecked, students skipped comprehension tasks. Educators emphasized the need for reflection and skill-building.
Left unchecked, students skipped comprehension tasks. Educators emphasized the need for reflection and skill-building.
Collaboration isn’t universal
Some enjoyed working with peers, while others preferred individual work, challenging assumptions about group activities.
Some enjoyed working with peers, while others preferred individual work, challenging assumptions about group activities.
Between Workshops
Between Workshops
We took what worked i.e. creative play, annotation scaffolds, and modular storytelling, and designed a hybrid concept:
We took what worked i.e. creative play, annotation scaffolds, and modular storytelling, and designed a hybrid concept:
A reading game where students extract key story elements (characters, settings, events), then use those to summarize, predict, and create.
A reading game where students extract key story elements (characters, settings, events), then use those to summarize, predict, and create.
Workshop 02 - Simulating the Game Loop
Workshop 02 - Simulating the Game Loop
Validated early game mechanics and simulated reading tasks.
Validated early game mechanics and simulated reading tasks.
Highlight + Predict
Highlight + Predict
Students read a short story, identified characters, settings, and events, and then predicted what might happen next.
Students read a short story, identified characters, settings, and events, and then predicted what might happen next.
Comic Strip Builder
Comic Strip Builder
Using pre-cut visual elements, students turned their interpretations into comic panels, adding a layer of creativity and ownership.
Using pre-cut visual elements, students turned their interpretations into comic panels, adding a layer of creativity and ownership.
(Takeaways from Workshop 02)
(Takeaways from Workshop 02)
Play meets Purpose, Practice becomes power
Play meets Purpose, Practice becomes power
In our second workshop, students read more (and read better) when creative freedom was grounded in structure, feedback, and player identity.
In our second workshop, students read more (and read better) when creative freedom was grounded in structure, feedback, and player identity.
01
01
Students thrived when structure was baked into creative freedom
Students thrived when structure was baked into creative freedom
02
02
Scaffolded feedback improved strategy use dramatically
Scaffolded feedback improved strategy use dramatically
03
03
Reflection and strategy recognition worked best when embedded in tasks
Reflection and strategy recognition worked best when embedded in tasks
04
04
Students were more engaged as players, not test-takers
Students were more engaged as players, not test-takers
(Turning insights to mechanics)
(Turning insights to mechanics)
Designing a game that teaches how to read
Designing a game that teaches how to read
The workshops made one thing clear: simply digitizing classroom tools wasn’t enough. We had to reimagine practice as play, making comprehension feel rewarding, not remedial.
In Guardians of Luminara, every interaction was designed to be fun and intuitive, while quietly doing the heavy lifting of cognitive scaffolding. Classroom strategies were transformed into game mechanics that students could learn, practice, and eventually make their own.
The workshops made one thing clear: simply digitizing classroom tools wasn’t enough. We had to reimagine practice as play, making comprehension feel rewarding, not remedial.
In Guardians of Luminara, every interaction was designed to be fun and intuitive, while quietly doing the heavy lifting of cognitive scaffolding. Classroom strategies were transformed into game mechanics that students could learn, practice, and eventually make their own.
Some early prototypes
Some early prototypes
(Feedback from the field)
(Feedback from the field)
We tested the early prototypes with educators; they immediately saw the classroom potential
We tested the early prototypes with educators; they immediately saw the classroom potential
We ran 1:1 walkthroughs with two ELA teachers and one tutor. Their verdict? This game meets a real need.
We ran 1:1 walkthroughs with two ELA teachers and one tutor. Their verdict? This game meets a real need.
What they loved:
Scaffolding and adaptive prompts that mimic in-class supports
Multiple modes of engagement (highlighting, comics, reflections)
Opportunities for formative assessment, especially through a potential dashboard
What they loved:
Scaffolding and adaptive prompts that mimic in-class supports
Multiple modes of engagement (highlighting, comics, reflections)
Opportunities for formative assessment, especially through a potential dashboard
“You’re quietly doing the hard stuff — and making it fun.”
“This is genius. You could transform kids’ lives.”
“You’re quietly doing the hard stuff — and making it fun.”
“This is genius. You could transform kids’ lives.”
What they suggested:
Replacing multipart questions with stronger, single-prompt reflections
Tracking skill depth, not just task completion
Making annotation accuracy and effort visible to students and teachers
What they suggested:
Replacing multipart questions with stronger, single-prompt reflections
Tracking skill depth, not just task completion
Making annotation accuracy and effort visible to students and teachers
These insights directly shaped our smart scoring system and future plans for a teacher dashboard.
These insights directly shaped our smart scoring system and future plans for a teacher dashboard.
(Visual Design)
(Visual Design)
Every screen was crafted to feel like stepping into a storybook
Every screen was crafted to feel like stepping into a storybook
Hours Spent
100+
Custom Assets
24
We paired warm, earthy tones with a scrapbook-adventure aesthetic to evoke the feel of a cozy, enchanted library. The interface blends hand-drawn and AI-generated visuals with dyslexia-friendly typography to support readability and focus.
We paired warm, earthy tones with a scrapbook-adventure aesthetic to evoke the feel of a cozy, enchanted library. The interface blends hand-drawn and AI-generated visuals with dyslexia-friendly typography to support readability and focus.
Argus, the playful non-human guide, was inspired by Rafiki, Pogo, and the Mad Hatter. Finally, the background subtly weave in books, scrolls, and layered paper textures to ground students in a world built around reading.
Argus, the playful non-human guide, was inspired by Rafiki, Pogo, and the Mad Hatter. Finally, the background subtly weave in books, scrolls, and layered paper textures to ground students in a world built around reading.
Welcome to Luminara, a library under threat
Welcome to Luminara, a library under threat
Premise
Premise
Set in a magical library eroded by a shadowy force called Oblivion, the game invites students to take on the role of Guardians. Their goal? Recover erased knowledge by reading, reflecting, and completing scaffolded quests.
Each mission targets a specific reading strategy, and turns it into a “power” students can strengthen over time.
Set in a magical library eroded by a shadowy force called Oblivion, the game invites students to take on the role of Guardians. Their goal? Recover erased knowledge by reading, reflecting, and completing scaffolded quests.
Each mission targets a specific reading strategy, and turns it into a “power” students can strengthen over time.
Read → Apply → Reflect → Play
Read → Apply → Reflect → Play
Each mission models one key strategy, then helps students practice it.
Each mission models one key strategy, then helps students practice it.
Read
Read
Students engage with bite-sized story chunks in an interactive reading panel. They use guided tools to highlight, tag, annotate, and react to key moments—scaffolding attention and engagement.
Students engage with bite-sized story chunks in an interactive reading panel. They use guided tools to highlight, tag, annotate, and react to key moments—scaffolding attention and engagement.
Apply (a strategy)
Apply (a strategy)
Guided by a mission goal (e.g., summarize or predict), students complete a structured task. This might be a visual comic strip, a prediction challenge, or a sequencing puzzle.
Guided by a mission goal (e.g., summarize or predict), students complete a structured task. This might be a visual comic strip, a prediction challenge, or a sequencing puzzle.
Reflect
Reflect
Each mission ends with a quick reflection like “What helped you understand the story?” — a protective layer that reinforces comprehension and symbolically preserves the story.
Play (& Practice)
Play (& Practice)
As students complete more missions, scaffolding fades. Visual meters track growth in each strategy, and powers “level up” as they’re used, turning practice into progress.
As students complete more missions, scaffolding fades. Visual meters track growth in each strategy, and powers “level up” as they’re used, turning practice into progress.
Game Mechanics That Map to How Students Learn
Game Mechanics That Map to How Students Learn
Adaptive Gameplay
Adaptive Gameplay
As students progress, the game dynamically adapts to their skill level and reading stamina. Early missions include direct prompts and stronger hints, while later levels grow more complex and open-ended.
As students progress, the game dynamically adapts to their skill level and reading stamina. Early missions include direct prompts and stronger hints, while later levels grow more complex and open-ended.
Text density, prompt frequency, and hint strength is adjusted based on:
Accuracy trends
Time on task
Prompt usage
Indicators of reading stamina
Text density, prompt frequency, and hint strength is adjusted based on:
Accuracy trends
Time on task
Prompt usage
Indicators of reading stamina
Embedded Scaffolding
Embedded Scaffolding
Prompts mimic a teacher’s voice, nudging students to reflect, re-read, or explain their thinking.
For instance, if a highlight is too vague, the game might ask, “What makes this detail important?”
AI powers these in-context nudges — smartly suggesting when to pause, predict, or reflect based on behavior patterns. Supports fade over time, helping students build metacognitive awareness and self-guided strategy use.
Prompts mimic a teacher’s voice, nudging students to reflect, re-read, or explain their thinking.
For instance, if a highlight is too vague, the game might ask, “What makes this detail important?”
AI powers these in-context nudges — smartly suggesting when to pause, predict, or reflect based on behavior patterns. Supports fade over time, helping students build metacognitive awareness and self-guided strategy use.
Smart Scoring
Smart Scoring
XP isn’t tied to speed or accuracy alone. Instead, it rewards strategy use, thoughtful reflection, and independence. Over time, students level up “powers” like prediction or summarization, making their growth visible and rewarding.
XP isn’t tied to speed or accuracy alone. Instead, it rewards strategy use, thoughtful reflection, and independence. Over time, students level up “powers” like prediction or summarization, making their growth visible and rewarding.
(Playtesting)
(Playtesting)
We put the game in front of the students it was built for, and they showed us it worked
We put the game in front of the students it was built for, and they showed us it worked
We conducted a final playtest of the prototype with eight middle schoolers at The Howard School. Their excitement was instant — the story, powers, and visuals pulled them in.
We conducted a final playtest of the prototype with eight middle schoolers at The Howard School. Their excitement was instant — the story, powers, and visuals pulled them in.
What We Tested
What We Tested
Could students navigate the reading panel without getting stuck?
Did they understand the goal of the missions and tools?
Could they recall what they read after using strategy tools?
How did they feel during and after playing?
Could students navigate the reading panel without getting stuck?
Did they understand the goal of the missions and tools?
Could they recall what they read after using strategy tools?
How did they feel during and after playing?
What We Observed
What We Observed
Story drives motivation
All students were hooked by the unfolding narrative and wanted to unlock new powers.
All students were hooked by the unfolding narrative and wanted to unlock new powers.
Gameplay felt intuitive
Highlighting and tool use matched their expectations, though some icons caused confusion.
Highlighting and tool use matched their expectations, though some icons caused confusion.
Students valued expression
Character customization and comic building boosted engagement.
Character customization and comic building boosted engagement.
Strategies weren’t always obvious
Some skipped instructions or didn’t realize they were practicing reading strategies.
Some skipped instructions or didn’t realize they were practicing reading strategies.
What We Improved
What We Improved
Replaced text-heavy guides with visual, interactive onboarding
Made reading strategies more explicit using “power cards” and skill toolboxes
Refined XP to reward strategy use and independence, not just speed
Simplified icons and added tooltips for clarity
Replaced text-heavy guides with visual, interactive onboarding
Made reading strategies more explicit using “power cards” and skill toolboxes
Refined XP to reward strategy use and independence, not just speed
Simplified icons and added tooltips for clarity
(Reflection)
(Reflection)
Engagement is the gateway to Comprehension
Engagement is the gateway to Comprehension
Designing for middle schoolers meant constantly balancing structure with freedom. Students craved creativity and story, while teachers needed strategy and skill-building. The breakthrough came when we stopped choosing between them, and designed for the overlap.
What started as a classroom tool became something more: a world where comprehension feels like adventure, not homework.
Designing for middle schoolers meant constantly balancing structure with freedom. Students craved creativity and story, while teachers needed strategy and skill-building. The breakthrough came when we stopped choosing between them, and designed for the overlap.
What started as a classroom tool became something more: a world where comprehension feels like adventure, not homework.
Future Steps
Future Steps
Next, we’re expanding the story arcs and mission types to increase replay value and engagement. On the teacher side, we’ll build a dashboard to assign readings, monitor strategy use, and track student growth. More testing is planned with diverse readers to fine-tune scaffolds and rewards. Our final step is preparing a handoff package for Discovery Education to support continued development.
Next, we’re expanding the story arcs and mission types to increase replay value and engagement. On the teacher side, we’ll build a dashboard to assign readings, monitor strategy use, and track student growth. More testing is planned with diverse readers to fine-tune scaffolds and rewards. Our final step is preparing a handoff package for Discovery Education to support continued development.