$5 - $10 Close Reading Activities (by date, latest first)

Looking for a versatile resource that works with any fiction novel? This Lit Circle Packet is perfect for Upper Elementary and middle school students, offering a wide range of engaging activities designed to encourage deep analysis, creativity, and critical thinking, regardless of the novel being studied. Whether you're working on a class novel, independent reading, or small group book clubs, this resource provides a comprehensive approach to exploring literature.

What’s Included: This packet includes 20 flexible and meaningful activities that can be applied to any fiction text. From character analysis to creative writing, each activity is designed to help students engage with and understand the story on a deeper level.

Activities:

1. Summary – Students summarize key events of each chapter to track the story’s development.
2. List the Characters – Identify characters and describe their roles or actions in the chapter.
3. I Predict... – Students make predictions based on text evidence, promoting critical thinking.
4. Significant Quote – Choose a key quote and explain its importance to the story’s themes or characters.
5. Illustrate an Important Scene – Draw and explain a pivotal moment from the chapter.
6. Vocabulary – Define new words, use them in context, and draw pictures to reinforce meaning.
7. Character Adjectives – Describe the protagonist with three adjectives and support one with text evidence.
8. Musical Playlist for the Main Character – Create a playlist that represents the character's journey or emotions.
9. Character Identity – Explore six key elements of the character’s identity and support with text from the novel.
10. Window and Mirror – Compare and contrast yourself with the main character, identifying similarities and differences.
11. Conflict Analysis – Identify and explain three types of conflict (e.g., character vs. character, self, society, etc.).
12. Text Conversation – Write a text message conversation between yourself and a character to help them solve their conflict.
13. Setting Analysis – Explore how different settings impact the characters and the story’s events.
14. Imagery of Setting – Use sensory details to describe a setting and analyze the mood it creates.
15. Theme Statements – Write three universal theme statements that apply to the novel’s message or lesson.
16. Rewrite the Ending – Get creative by rewriting the final chapter or scene using the author’s tone and style.
17. Comic Strip – Draw a comic strip of four key moments from the story, showing the progression of the plot.
18. Breaking News – Write a newspaper article about a major event in the story, reporting it as breaking news.
19. Expository Essay – Write an essay explaining how the protagonist changes throughout the novel, supported by evidence.
20. Argumentative Essay – Argue whether the protagonist’s critical decision was justified, using textual evidence to support your claim.

Why You’ll Love This Resource:

• Flexible for Any Novel: These activities can be applied to any fiction text, making this packet a versatile tool for any reading assignment, novel study, or literature circle.
• Engaging and Interactive: Activities encourage students to think critically, make connections, and engage creatively with the story.
• Multiple Skills: Students will practice a variety of skills, including summarization, analysis, prediction, creative expression, and essay writing.
• Ready-to-Use: Simply print and go! Perfect for class novels, independent reading, or book clubs.

Use this Lit Circle Packet to foster a deeper understanding of any novel while encouraging meaningful discussion and creative expression in your classroom!

Dive into the Winter Text Features educational resource, a perfect blend of winter wonder and academic rigor crafted for middle school ELA classrooms. This unique tool is designed to help students explore the fascinating world of snowflakes, snowstorms, and the artistry of snow, all while honing their ability to navigate and comprehend various text features such as timelines, subheadings, maps, captions, photographs, and includes three quizzes.

What's Included:

• Engaging Articles: Two in-depth articles, "The Secret World of Snowflakes" and "Historical Snowstorms: A Timeline of Winter’s Fury," provide context-rich content that is both informative and captivating.
• Interactive Quizzes: Reinforce learning with quizzes tailored to each article, testing comprehension of text features and content.
• Visual Aids: High-quality photographs and diagrams not only capture students' interest but also serve as practical examples of text features in action.
• Educator's Guide: Get tips on how to integrate this resource into your lesson plans effectively, ensuring a seamless fit with your curriculum goals.
• Answer Keys: Save time with ready-to-go answer sheets for quizzes, making assessment straightforward and efficient.
• Google Slides: Introduce or review text features with a presentation, have students skim through their articles finding each text feature

Highlights:

• Targeted for Middle School ELA: Ideal for grades 6-8, this resource aligns with common core reading standards.
• Text Features Focus: Enhances skills in identifying and understanding the purpose of various text features.
• Winter-Themed Content: Engages students with high-interest topics like snowflakes and snowstorms, keeping them motivated during the winter months.
• Ready for Classroom Use: Print-friendly format allows for easy distribution and assignment in the classroom setting.
• Versatile Application: Use as part of a reading unit, a supplemental activity, or as a fun educational break during the winter season.

With Winter Text Features, you're not just buying worksheets; you're providing an experience that will warm up your students' enthusiasm for reading and analysis, even on the coldest days. Add this resource to your teaching toolkit today and watch your students' comprehension skills snowball!

Introducing our dynamic ELA resource, expertly designed to enhance middle school students' understanding of narrative perspectives. This 15-page toolkit focuses on the skill of identifying different points of view, including first person, second person, third person limited, and third person omniscient, making it an essential addition to your teaching arsenal this winter.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Point of View Exploration: Delve into the nuances of narrative perspectives. This resource covers first, second, third person limited, and third person omniscient points of view, providing a holistic understanding of this fundamental ELA concept.
• 15 Pages of Tiered Activities: Enjoy a rich collection of tiered exercises. Each page is carefully designed to progressively build your students' skills, ensuring a deep and thorough grasp of the topic.
• Differentiated Instruction: This resource recognizes the diverse learning styles and abilities in your classroom. The activities are differentiated using Bloom's Taxonomy to cater to varying levels of comprehension and engagement, making learning inclusive and effective.
• Engaging Winter Themes: Capture your students' interest with activities that are wrapped in appealing winter themes. This seasonal touch adds relevance and fun to the learning process, keeping students motivated and curious.
• Ideal for Middle Schoolers: Specifically crafted for 6th to 8th graders, these activities align with middle school benchmarks in ELA. They challenge students to think critically and creatively, enhancing their reading and analytical skills.

Upgrade your teaching toolkit with our point of view activities and watch as your middle school students develop a deeper, more nuanced understanding of narrative perspectives. Perfect for winter-themed learning, this resource is a must-have for any dedicated ELA educator!

Elevate your middle school students' narrative writing skills with this winter-themed essay planning guide. This resource features 10 captivating, holiday-themed photos, ranging from a snowman on the beach to a gingerbread family on the run, Krampus enjoying hot chocolate, and a pirate ship bathed in green holiday lights. These images are perfect for sparking creativity and guiding students through the narrative writing process.

Learning Objectives:

• Enhance the ability to plan and draft a narrative story that is both engaging and imaginative.
• Encourage creativity while ensuring narratives encompass all essential elements of a structured narrative text.

What's Inside:

• 10 double sided planning guides, one for each photo!
• Detailed graphic organizers to assist students in exploring the setting, characters, conflict, and resolution.
• A Google Slides presentation featuring each high-interest photo for classroom projection, facilitating the introduction of each new writing prompt.

How to Use:

• Day 1: Display the photo prompt using the slides and encourage students to brainstorm ideas with the graphic organizer.
• Day 2: Start drafting the narrative, drawing inspiration from the vivid image.
• Day 3: Continue the narrative, adding details and developing the storyline.
• Day 4: Conduct peer reviews or teacher feedback sessions, followed by revisions and editing.
• Day 5: Publish the final narrative piece, celebrating the students' creative achievements.

Standards Alignment:

• Aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3 through W.8.3, ensuring the resource meets educational standards for narrative writing.

Formats Available:

• A ready-to-use PDF for printouts and a Google Slides version for seamless classroom integration.

Usage Scenario:

• Ideal for middle school teachers to use as a standalone writing unit, an extension activity, or as a part of a choice board for students.

Highlights:

• Engaging and diverse photo prompts: Each image is carefully chosen to resonate with middle school students, featuring themes like winter holidays, mythical creatures, adventure, and family.
• Classroom-ready: The Google Slides format allows for easy introduction of each writing prompt, while print-ready PDFs ensure quick and effortless preparation.

Transform your classroom's narrative writing approach with this captivating, standards-aligned essay planning guide. Watch as your students' imaginations soar with each unique and inspiring photo prompt!

Celebrate Thanksgiving in your classroom with an engaging and educational coloring activity designed to help students in grades 5 through 7 master the art of identifying text structures in informational texts. This unique resource combines the festivity of the holiday with essential ELA skills, perfect for a 55-minute class period.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and understand seven common text structures: Description, Compare and Contrast, Problem-Solution, Question-Answer, Sequence, Chronological Order, and Cause and Effect.

What's Included:

• A 10-slide presentation (Google Slides) for direct instruction.
• Three coloring pages with a total of 60 prompts that reinforce text structure knowledge.
• A comprehensive note-taking graphic organizer to accompany the lesson.

How It Works:

1. Introduction (15 mins): Kick off the lesson with the presentation, using the graphic organizer to define each text structure, identify signal words, and discuss the author’s purpose.
2. Practice (30 mins): Students pair up to read prompts and determine the text structure, using colors to categorize each one correctly.
3. Review (10 mins): Reconvene as a class to go over the answers, allowing students to correct their work and solidify their understanding.

Perfect for Busy Teachers:

• Print & Go: No prep needed! Simply print the materials and you're ready for an interactive class.
• High Engagement: Students will love the combination of coloring and learning, making it a memorable Thanksgiving activity.
• Versatile Use: Ideal for an introduction to text structures, a refresher course, or as a review, quiz, homework, or choice board activity.

Unique Selling Points:

• Thanksgiving Theme: Incorporate the holiday spirit into your ELA curriculum with Thanksgiving-themed prompts that students will enjoy.
• Comprehensive Coverage: With prompts for every major text structure, students will leave the lesson with a well-rounded understanding.

Bring a blend of holiday cheer and educational value to your middle school classroom with this Thanksgiving Informational Text Structure Coloring Activity. It's the perfect way to keep students engaged before the holiday while ensuring they're learning and practicing key ELA skills!

Delve into the intriguing world of Krampus with this comprehensive ELA resource, designed specifically for upper middle school students. "Unraveling Krampus" presents a unique opportunity to explore this mythical figure through a literary lens, enhancing key reading and analysis skills.

What’s Inside:

• Five Engaging Articles on Krampus: Each article focuses on a different text structure – compare and contrast, description, problem and solution, cause and effect, and chronological order
• – providing a multifaceted view of Krampus' lore and cultural significance.
• Skill-Focused Comprehension Quizzes: After reading, students can apply their knowledge with quizzes targeting central ideas, author's purpose, inferences, summaries, and text-dependent questions.
• 15-Slide Google Slides Presentation: A visually engaging presentation to introduce or reinforce each literacy skill. These slides are interactive and tailored for upper middle school learners, perfect for both classroom and remote instruction.
• Targeted Skill Development: This resource is crafted to bolster students' abilities in identifying text structures, understanding authorial intent, drawing inferences, summarizing, and engaging with text-dependent analysis.
• Interactive Annotation and Reading Experience: Encourage active reading with annotation prompts, fostering deeper comprehension and critical thinking.

Benefits:

• Enhances Critical Thinking: Cultivates analytical skills essential for upper middle school ELA.
• Captivating Content: The mysterious and intriguing subject of Krampus keeps students engaged and curious.
• Facilitates Deeper Understanding: Helps students grasp complex concepts like text structure and author's purpose in an engaging context.
• Ready for Classroom Use: A complete, ready-to-use package that saves preparation time for busy educators.

Ideal For:

• Upper Middle School ELA Teachers
• Reading and Literacy Coaches
• Homeschool Educators
• Tutors Specializing in Advanced Literacy

Step into the captivating folklore of Krampus and transform your ELA lessons into an exciting and educational exploration. "Unraveling Krampus" not only offers a deep dive into a unique cultural phenomenon but also arms students with critical literacy skills. Add this rich, engaging resource to your educational toolkit and elevate your teaching approach today!

For lower level readers, try this resource: St. Nick: Informational Text Structures, Main Idea, Author's Purpose 5 text sets (TeachShare.com)

Engage your middle schoolers with a festive dive into informational text skills using the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as the backdrop. This comprehensive resource is designed to captivate students while reinforcing critical reading skills over two to three class periods.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and analyze the central idea in informational texts.
• Understand and evaluate the author's purpose.
• Recognize and interpret various text structures.
• Determine the meaning of academic words in context.

What's Included:

• Five high-interest informational texts centered on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• A four-question multiple-choice quiz for each text, complete with an answer key.
• A Google Slides presentation to introduce and review key informational text skills.

How It Works:

• Day 1: Kickstart the lesson with a Google Slides presentation to refresh students on each skill's definition. Then, dive into the first two texts with guided annotation and strategic multiple-choice question approaches.
• Day 2: Continue with the remaining texts and quizzes, followed by a comprehensive review of the answers, solidifying students' understanding.

Perfect for Busy Teachers:

• Print & Go: No prep needed! Simply print the materials or share them digitally for an interactive class experience.
• Highly Engaging Material: The vibrant history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade keeps students interested and learning.
• Holiday Themed: Bring the Thanksgiving spirit into your classroom with content that's both educational and festive.
• Rigorous & Multi-Skill Focused: Challenge students with texts that are rigorous and cover multiple ELA standards.

Usage Scenario: Ideal for ELA, special education, and interventionist teachers, this resource serves as an excellent review of priority standards. It's adaptable to various student abilities and can be used after teaching the skills explicitly, ensuring that all students can participate and learn effectively.

Highlights:

Holiday Material: Students will enjoy learning with content themed around a beloved national holiday event.

• Engagement & Rigor: Not only does this set engage students, but it also challenges them to apply multiple literacy skills in a cohesive manner.

Elevate your ELA curriculum with this ready-to-use Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade informational text set. It's the perfect blend of holiday cheer and academic rigor, designed to keep your students engaged and on track with their literacy skills!

Immerse your middle school students in the festive spirit of learning with this "Winter Holiday Text Sort" ELA resource. This unique, holiday-themed package offers a hands-on approach to mastering informational text structures, perfectly blending educational rigor with seasonal fun.

Product Highlights:

• Dynamic Learning Experience: Embrace kinesthetic learning as students color sort and match texts, reinforcing their understanding of six different text structures.
• Broad Range of Holiday Topics: From the magical lore of Santa Claus to the fascinating facts about snowflakes, this resource covers a variety of winter holiday topics, ensuring high engagement and cultural enrichment.
• Designed for Middle School Students: Tailored to captivate and challenge young adolescents, the activities encourage critical thinking, analysis, and application.
• Comprehensive Instructional Tool: Includes a Google Slides presentation for direct instruction or as a refresher, along with a graphic organizer for note-taking and guided learning.
• Versatile Usage: Perfect for group activities, individual practice, or as a part of your ELA stations. This resource adapts seamlessly to different classroom settings and teaching styles.

Benefits:

• Enhances Text Structure Comprehension: Students gain a clear understanding of various informational text structures, a crucial skill for ELA proficiency.
• Interactive and Engaging: Moves beyond traditional worksheets, offering a tactile and interactive learning experience.
• Facilitates Independent Learning: Students can self-check their work, fostering autonomy and confidence in their ELA skills.
• Holiday Themed: Adds a festive touch to your classroom, keeping students engaged and excited about learning during the holiday season.

Ideal For:

• Middle School ELA Teachers
• Literacy Coaches
• Homeschool Educators
• Tutors specializing in Reading and Writing

With the "Winter Holiday Text Sort," transform your classroom into a winter wonderland of learning. Engage your students’ minds and hands in an educational journey through the holidays. Watch as they unwrap the gift of knowledge, one text structure at a time!

Unveil the world of St. Nicholas through this captivating ELA resource, specifically crafted for middle school students. "Discovering St. Nicholas" offers a rich, multifaceted learning experience, designed to enhance key literacy skills while diving into the historical and cultural aspects of this beloved figure.

What’s Inside:

• Five Comprehensive Articles: Explore the intriguing story of St. Nicholas through five meticulously written articles, each employing a different text structure – descriptive, chronological, cause and effect, compare and contrast, and problem and solution.
• Interactive Comprehension Quizzes: After reading, students can test their understanding with comprehension quizzes. Questions are crafted to reinforce central/main ideas, author's purpose, inferences, summaries, and text-dependent analysis.
• 15-Slide Google Slides Presentation: Kickstart each lesson with our engaging presentation slides, designed to introduce or reinforce each focused skill. Perfect for classroom or remote learning, these slides are interactive and visually appealing.
• Skill Building Focus: This resource hones vital ELA skills such as understanding text structures, pinpointing author’s purpose, making inferences, summarizing text, and answering text-dependent questions.
• Annotation and Interactive Reading: Encourage students to engage actively with the text through annotation, fostering a deeper understanding and critical thinking.

Benefits:

• Boost Literacy Skills: Strengthen reading comprehension, analysis, and critical thinking abilities.
• Cultural Insight: Dive into the historical and cultural significance of St. Nicholas, enriching students' global understanding.
• Engage and Inspire: The intriguing content about St. Nicholas keeps students interested and motivated to learn.
• Versatile Teaching Tool: Ideal for in-depth study units, literacy centers, independent work, or as supplementary material for your ELA curriculum.
• Ready-to-Use: Save valuable prep time with this ready-to-go, comprehensive package.

Ideal For:

• Middle School ELA Teachers
• Reading Specialists
• Homeschooling Parents
• Tutors focusing on Literacy and Comprehension

Transform your ELA sessions into an exciting exploration of St. Nicholas and his world. "Discovering St. Nicholas" is not just an educational journey; it's a gateway to mastering essential literacy skills while uncovering the layers of a fascinating historical figure. Add this invaluable resource to your teaching toolkit today and watch as your students' comprehension and analytical skills soar!

For higher level students, try this resource: Unraveling Krampus: Text Structures and Critical Analysis Print and Go! (TeachShare.com)

Engage and Inspire Your Middle School ELA Students!

Dive into the festive season with our Christmas Hip Hop Lyrics Analysis resource, exclusively designed for grades 6-8 ELA classrooms. This unique, print-and-go package on TeachShare brings the vibrant world of hip hop into your classroom, featuring iconic tracks "Christmas Rappin'" by Kurtis Blow and "Christmas in Hollis" by Run DMC.

What's Inside:

• Comprehensive Lyrics Annotation Guide: Students will delve into the lyrics, identifying key elements like setting, rhyme scheme, imagery, connotation, and repetition.
• Figurative Language Classification: A step-by-step guide to help students classify different types of figurative language used in the songs.
• Critical Thinking through Discourse: Utilize the innovative Agree, Disagree, Modify method for stimulating classroom discussions.
• Thematic and Plot Analysis: Students will explore the themes and plot elements, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
• Multiple Choice Quiz: Test their understanding with a 6-question multiple-choice quiz, tailored to middle school comprehension levels.

Why Choose This Resource?

• Culturally Relevant: Connects with students using the universal language of music, particularly hip hop.
• High Engagement: Keeps students interested and involved with contemporary and relatable content.
• Rigorously Designed: Meets educational standards while challenging students' critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Ready to Use: No prep needed, just print and you're ready to teach!

Elevate your teaching approach with this comprehensive RL.8.1 Resource Kit, meticulously crafted to align with Bloom's Taxonomy. This dynamic resource, featuring sports-themed texts for high engagement, is superbly suited for 8th Grade ELA teachers targeting Tier 1 instruction and 7th-grade educators with advanced students.

Key Features:

• Aligned with RL.8.1: Meticulously designed to fulfill the rigorous demands of RL.8.1, this kit emphasizes citing textual evidence and making inferences, essential for literary mastery.
• Bloom’s Taxonomy Framework: The activities, progressing from Remember to Create, are structured to cultivate higher-order thinking skills, making them ideal for both introducing new concepts and reteaching for mastery.
• Sports-Themed Texts: Engage your students with relatable, sports-themed texts that make learning both fun and relevant.
• Differentiated Instruction: This resource adapts to individual learning levels, ensuring every student is both challenged and supported.
• Engaging and Interactive: Dive into diverse activities like text analysis, lively group discussions, and creative writing prompts, all designed to stimulate critical thinking.
• Teacher-Friendly: Equipped with detailed instructions, comprehensive answer keys, and practical classroom implementation tips.
• Versatile Use: Tailored for varied instructional strategies, including classroom instruction, small group activities, and individual study.

Benefits:

• Deep Literary Analysis: Cultivate your students' ability to dissect literature with precision and insight.
• Critical Thinking: Foster essential analytical skills, preparing students for academic success.
• Effective Evidence Citing: Equip students with the skills to cite textual evidence confidently and make informed inferences.
• Interactive Learning: Engage students in a dynamic learning process with varied and thought-provoking activities.

Target Audience: 8th Grade ELA Teachers, 7th Grade Teachers with Advanced Students.

Whether you're introducing new concepts or reinforcing existing knowledge, this kit is an invaluable tool for elevating your teaching and enriching your students' learning experience.

I am not throwing away my shot! Hamilton vs. Burr: A Musical Journey through Conflict and Character is an innovative resource designed for upper middle school and lower high school English Language Arts teachers. This engaging packet leverages the powerful narrative of the musical 'Hamilton' to delve into the intricate dynamics between two of America's founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. This literary analysis is an easy way to practice plot, conflict, and character development while enjoying some of the best songs from the Hamilton Musical soundtrack.

Key Highlights:

• Detailed Lyric Analysis: Students will read and annotate the lyrics of key songs, exploring the deep narrative and character development. Song lyrics include Aaron Burr, Sir, My Shot, Wait for It, The Election of 1800, Your Obedient Servant, and The World Was Wide Enough.
• Figurative Language Identification: Enhance literary comprehension by identifying figurative language, fostering a greater appreciation of the songs' poetic elements.
• Critical Character and Conflict Exploration: Thought-provoking questions on conflict, plot, and character are included, promoting analytical skills through a 'Claim, Evidence, Reasoning' framework.
• Cross-Curricular Engagement: Seamlessly integrating music and history with English literature, this resource offers a multi-dimensional learning experience.
• Interactive Google Slides Presentation: A comprehensive presentation with embedded songs enhances classroom engagement and interaction.
• Comprehensive Answer Key: Facilitates teaching and ensures effective learning outcomes.

Extension Opportunities:

• Creative Writing Prompts: Encourage students to write from the perspectives of Hamilton or Burr, deepening their understanding of these historical figures.
• Debate Sessions: Host debates on the decisions and actions of Hamilton and Burr, fostering critical thinking and public speaking skills.
• Research Projects: Students can undertake research projects on the historical accuracy of the musical, comparing it with actual historical events.

'Hamilton vs. Burr: A Musical Journey through Conflict and Character' is more than just a teaching resource; it's a gateway to exploring history, literature, and music in an immersive and captivating way. Prepare to bring the excitement of 'Hamilton' into your classroom and watch as your students develop a richer understanding of literary analysis, historical context, and character study.

"New Year's Insights: Informational Text Structure Set" is a comprehensive educational resource expertly crafted for middle school ELA teachers. This engaging and cross-curricular package is designed to enhance students' understanding of various text structures, aligning perfectly with STAAR and other standardized testing requirements.

Product Description:

• Rich Content Spanning Five Articles: Dive into five captivating articles, each centered around the iconic Times Square New Year's celebrations. These articles are not only informative but also diverse in their presentation, covering a range of topics from the history and evolution of the celebrations to their environmental impact.
• Diverse Text Structures: Each article in this set is a model of a different text structure – Description, Chronological, Problem and Solution, Compare and Contrast, and Cause and Effect. This variety provides a dynamic learning experience, helping students recognize and understand these essential components of informational texts.
• Aligned with Standardized Testing: Accompanying each article is a set of carefully crafted multiple-choice questions focusing on the central idea, vocabulary, author's purpose, and text structure. These questions are specifically aligned with STAAR and other standardized tests, making this resource an invaluable tool for test preparation.
• Cross-Curricular Learning Experience: While rooted in ELA, this resource offers a cross-curricular approach, touching on aspects of history, culture, science, and environmental studies, thus enriching the overall educational experience.
• Introduction to Text Structures: Included is an introductory Google Slides presentation that either refreshes or introduces students to the concept of text structures. This presentation is designed to be interactive and student-friendly, making it an excellent starting point for the lesson.
• Graphic Organizer for Effective Learning: To aid in comprehension and retention, a graphic organizer is provided for students to take notes during the presentation. This organizer serves as a valuable reference tool during work time, helping students organize their thoughts and analysis.
• Comprehensive Answer Keys: For each article's question set, a detailed answer key is provided, simplifying grading and allowing for in-depth class discussions on each topic.

"New Year's Insights: Informational Text Structure Set" is a must-have for any middle school ELA classroom. It not only bolsters students' reading and comprehension skills but also encourages critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the world around them. This resource is perfect for teachers looking to add depth and variety to their instruction while aligning with educational standards.

This resource is included in the New Year 2024 Bundle Here: Ring in Learning: New Year's Thematic Middle School Classroom Bundle (TeachShare.com)

Transport your middle school ELA classroom to the world of Ray Bradbury with our expansive and engaging week-long lesson plan for "All Summer in a Day." Tailor-made for the curious and creative minds of grades 6-8, this resource is an ideal blend of reading, analysis, and creative expression, finely tuned for the middle school classroom.

What's Included:

• A Complete Text of "All Summer in a Day" Text included.
• 20+ Dynamic Slides: Bring the story to life with visually engaging slides that will capture your students' attention.
• Structured Socratic Seminar Plan: Fostering critical thinking, our Socratic seminar procedures and evidence writing guides encourage in-depth student-led discussion.
• Innovative Choice Board Extension Activities: Cater to different learning styles and keep students intrigued with a range of activities including essay writing, creative storytelling, and art.
• Creative Writing Opportunities: Challenge students with crafting an alternative ending to the story or expressing character perspectives through diary entries.
• Literary Analysis Essays: Guide your students in developing argumentative, informational, and correspondence essays with thought-provoking prompts.
• Comic Strip Creation: Combine art and narrative skills as students transform the text into a visual storyline.
• Film vs. Text Comparison: Deepen comprehension with a Venn diagram activity comparing the short film adaptation to the original text.

Ideal For:

• End-of-Year Engagement: Keep students motivated and learning until the last day with this immersive resource.
• Ready-Made Sub Plans: Detailed and easy to follow, this plan keeps your classroom on track even when you're away.
• Mini Dystopian Unit: Whether a standalone lesson or part of a larger dystopian study, this resource prompts critical thinking about society and technology.
• Flexible for Different Grades: Designed for middle school students, all activities are easily adjustable for higher or lower grades.

Perfect Pairing: This lesson plan complements the "Complete Week-Long Dystopian Unit Plan: 'The Pedestrian' by Ray Bradbury," offering a broader exploration of dystopian themes. Find it here: Complete Week-Long Dystopian Unit Plan.

Elevate your teaching with this multifaceted unit plan that will have your students eager to read, write, and discuss. This comprehensive package will not only save you planning time but also enrich your classroom discussions and creative output.

Included in this 12 week unit: Ultimate Middle School Short Story Bundle: 12 Week Engaging Suspense ELA Units (TeachShare.com)

Keep students engaged at the end of the school year with with our week-long ELA unit for "Examination Day" by Henry Slesar. Designed for the curious middle school mind, this all-inclusive resource is your ticket to end-of-year engagement, student-led discourse, and rich academic conversations. Perfect for grades 6-8, our flexible materials invite students to think critically and creatively as they navigate a story of suspense and societal introspection.

What's Included:

• Text Included Jumpstart engaging classroom discussions with the included text, "Examination Day," poised to captivate your students.
• Dynamic Presentation Slides: Bring the narrative to life and streamline your teaching experience with our ready-to-use slides.
• Structured Socratic Seminar: Our detailed procedures and evidence writing guides promote deep, analytical, and student-driven discussions.
• Engaging Choice Board Activities: Offer a personalized learning experience with creative assignments like alternate endings, comic strips, and more.
• Comprehensive Essay Prompts: Challenge your students with argumentative, informational, and correspondence writing exercises, all crafted to reinforce critical thinking.
• Comparative Analysis Tool: A film vs. text Venn diagram activity to sharpen analytical skills and media comprehension.

Perfect For:

• End-of-Year Engagement: Maintain the learning momentum right up to the final bell with thought-provoking content that students love.
• Ready-to-Go Sub Plans: Comprehensive and easy to navigate, these plans ensure productive learning even when you can't be there.
• Mini Dystopian Unit: Seamlessly integrate with existing units on "The Pedestrian" and "All Summer in a Day" for an expansive dystopian exploration.

Ideal Pairing: Complement this unit with our Complete Week-Long Dystopian Unit Plan for "The Pedestrian" and All Summer in a Day Seminar and Choice Board, and watch as your classroom transforms into a hub of critical analysis and passionate debate.

Gear up for a lesson plan that promises not just to meet standards but to exceed them, ensuring your students are not only ready for their tests but are also equipped to question and evaluate the world around them. Make "Examination Day" the highlight of your teaching year and witness student engagement soar!

Included in this 12 week unit: Ultimate Middle School Short Story Bundle: 12 Week Engaging Suspense ELA Units (TeachShare.com)

Keep your students engaged at the end of the year with this comprehensive week-long ELA unit centered on Kurt Vonnegut's thought-provoking story, "Harrison Bergeron." Crafted for middle school teachers, this package is designed to spark vibrant academic discourse, foster student-led analysis, and keep engagement high, especially towards the end of the school year.

What's Included:

• PDF Text included: Dive deep into the dystopian themes with the engaging text, "Harrison Bergeron," included.
• Interactive Slides: Enhance understanding with our dynamic PowerPoint slides tailored to break down key concepts and themes effectively.
• Socratic Seminar Toolkit: Includes step-by-step procedures and evidence writing guides to facilitate insightful student-led discussions.
• Versatile Choice Board Activities: From crafting an alternate ending to designing comic strips, these activities cater to diverse learning styles and promote creative expression.
• Comprehensive Essay Prompts: Equip your students with the skills to write argumentative, informational, and correspondence essays that delve deeply into the text’s themes.
• Film vs. Text Analysis: A structured Venn diagram activity to compare and contrast the story with its film adaptation, enhancing media literacy skills.

Perfect For:

• End-of-Year Learning: Keep the academic momentum strong with a unit that challenges students to think critically and discuss passionately.
• Substitute Teacher Plans: Each lesson is detailed and self-contained, ideal for days when you need reliable sub plans that require minimal preparation.
• Mini Dystopian Unit: Seamlessly integrates with broader studies of dystopian literature. Complements units on "The Pedestrian" by Ray Bradbury and "All Summer in a Day" for a richer exploration of dystopian themes.

Educational Alignment: Designed to cater to grades 6-8 but easily adaptable for higher or lower grades, this unit ensures alignment with Common Core standards, focusing on reading comprehension, critical thinking, and analytical writing.

Enhance Your Curriculum: Consider pairing this unit with our Complete Week-Long Dystopian Unit Plan for "The Pedestrian" and All Summer in a Day Seminar and Choice Board to provide a comprehensive dystopian literature experience that spans various authors and critical perspectives.

Elevate your teaching with a unit that not only fulfills educational standards but also inspires your students to examine and question the world around them. Prepare them for a future where they can think independently and debate constructively with "Harrison Bergeron."

Included in this 12 week unit: Ultimate Middle School Short Story Bundle: 12 Week Engaging Suspense ELA Units (TeachShare.com)

Keep your middle school students engaged in the world of Ray Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains" with this all-encompassing week-long ELA unit. Designed specifically for educators teaching grades 6-8, this resource is perfect for deepening understanding of science fiction and dystopian themes, but it is flexible enough to be adjusted for other levels.

What’s Included:

• Interactive Lesson Slides: Engage students from the start with detailed slides that outline daily activities, from insightful readings to critical discussions.
• Socratic Seminar Toolkit: Equip your students for high-level academic discourse with comprehensive guides and tools for a Socratic seminar that emphasizes student-led discussions and analytical thinking.
• Choice Board Activities: Motivate students with diverse projects such as creating comic strips, crafting alternative endings, and more, allowing them to express their understanding creatively and diversely.
• Varied Writing Prompts: Challenge students with tailored writing prompts, including argumentative, informational, and correspondence essays that probe deeper into the story’s speculative and technological themes.
• Film vs. Text Comparative Analysis: Utilize our ready-to-use Venn diagram to compare the text with film adaptations, enhancing multimedia analytical skills.

Perfect For:

• End-of-Year Projects: Keep the learning momentum going with engaging material that captivates students’ imaginations and critical thinking skills until the final day.
• Sub Plans: Fully prepared and easy to follow, this unit ensures that learning is seamless and comprehensive, even when the regular teacher is away.
• Mini Dystopian Unit: Integrates smoothly with larger thematic studies, offering students a layered understanding of dystopian narratives and futuristic cautionary tales.

Educational Objectives:

• Foster critical analysis and discussion skills through structured and guided debates about technology and humanity.
• Encourage creative writing and narrative skills by having students explore and invent within the world Bradbury imagined.
• Promote student engagement and autonomy in learning through activities that require active participation and personal input.

Crafted with precision for both teacher ease and student engagement, this unit not only meets educational standards but also inspires students to consider deeper questions about technology, society, and human impact.

Included in this 12 week unit: Ultimate Middle School Short Story Bundle: 12 Week Engaging Suspense ELA Units (TeachShare.com)

Transform your classroom into a winter adventure with this Winter Wonderland Vacation PBL! This engaging, print-and-go project-based learning unit is perfect for the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas or any time during the winter months. Students will plan their dream winter vacation while developing critical skills in research, budgeting, creativity, and presentation. With minimal prep for teachers and maximum excitement for students, this resource is a must-have for your seasonal curriculum!

What’s Included:

✅ 8 Comprehensive Lesson Plans – Covering daily tasks with clear pacing and objectives.
✅ Task Rubrics – Detailed rubrics for all 8 tasks, ensuring easy grading and clear student expectations.
✅ Printable PDFs – Research guides, worksheets, and templates to guide every step of the project.
✅ Editable Slideshow Template – Students create a final presentation showcasing their vacation plans.
✅ Total Budget Sheet Template – A fun and practical way for students to manage costs within a $5,000 limit.
✅ Pacing Plan – Simplified day-by-day instructions for a stress-free implementation.

Skills Covered:

This interdisciplinary project incorporates:
Research Skills: Students investigate destinations, transportation, lodging, activities, and meals.
Math and Budgeting: From calculating costs to managing a $5,000 budget.
Creativity and Design: Crafting a visually appealing slideshow and planning unique trips.
Critical Thinking: Balancing priorities to stay within budget and justifying decisions.
Presentation Skills: Sharing their vacation plans with confidence and clarity.

Why Teachers Love It:

Low Prep: Simply print and go! All materials are ready to use or easily editable.
Flexible Use: Perfect for grades 5+, with extensions for higher or lower ability levels.
Seasonal Fun: Keeps students engaged during the weeks leading up to winter break.
Real-World Learning: Combines academic rigor with practical life skills in a fun, meaningful way.
Time-Saving: Includes ready-to-use rubrics and templates for smooth implementation.

Perfect for:

❄️ The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
❄️ A winter-themed project in January or February.
❄️ Enrichment activities for early finishers or gifted students.
❄️ Cross-curricular lessons with ELA, math, and social studies connections.

Teaching Science/Weather through Close Reading and Fine Arts using GLAD strategies. Prep free! Grade 1-5.

Materials include lesson plans, activity pages, and posters with both student version and teacher’s version (with teaching scripts).

Major components of the product:

- Student Package:

- 1 Info Organizer

- 4 Reading Passages

- 4 Text Dependent Questions Sets ( Each with 4 questions)

- 1 Vocabulary Sheet

-Teacher Package:

- 1 Info Organizer with answers

- 4 Reading Passages with Close Reading marks

- 4 Text Dependent Questions Sets with answers

- 1 Vocabulary Sheet with answers

- 1 Black and White Drawing without labels

- 1 Black and White Drawing with labels

- 1 Color Drawing without labels

- 1 Color Drawing with labels (Great for open house student project)

- 1 Vocab Poster with Post-it notes

- Lesson Plan embedded in 2 teaching scripts: 1 for Reading Passage and 1 for Text Dependent Questions.

This product is included in Close Reading Bundle: Science + Holidays.

Save $$$s when you buy in bundles!

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Click a link below to see my other Close Reading Lessons:

Close Reading Bundle: Science + Holidays from Gail Gibbons

Plant:

Close Reading: Plant Unit

Close Reading: Apples

Close Reading: Corn

Close Reading: From Seed to Plant

Close Reading: Tell Me, Tree

Close Reading: The Fruits We Eat

Close Reading: The Pumpkin Book

Close Reading: The Vegetables We Eat

Animals:

Close Reading: Animal Unit

Amphibian:

Close Reading: Frogs

Arachnid:

Close Reading: Spiders

Bird:

Close Reading: Owls

Close Reading: Penguins!

Fish:

Close Reading: Sharks

Insect:

Close Reading: Monarch Butterfly

Close Reading: The Honey Makers

Close Reading: Ladybugs

Mammal:

Close Reading: Bats

Close Reading: Elephants of Africa

Close Reading: Polar Bears

Close Reading: Wolves

Close Reading: Whales

Reptile:

Close Reading: Alligators and Crocodiles

Close Reading: Dinosaurs!

Close Reading: Sea Turtles

Close Reading: Snakes

Environment:

Close Reading: Environment Unit

Close Reading: Caves and Caverns

Close Reading: Coral Reefs

Close Reading: Deserts

Close Reading: Marshes & Swamps

Close Reading: Rain Forests

Close Reading: Recycle!

Weather:

Close Reading: Weather Unit

Close Reading: It's Hurricanes!

Close Reading: It's Raining!

Close Reading: It's Snowing!

Close Reading: Tornadoes!

Season:

Close Reading: The Reasons for Seasons

Astronomy:

Close Reading: Astronomy Unit

Close Reading: GALAXIES, GALAXIES!

Close Reading: Planet Earth/Inside Out

Close Reading: The Moon Book

Close Reading: THE PLANETS

Matter:

Close Reading: States of Matter

Social Studies/Holidays:

Close Reading: Holiday Unit

Close Reading: Christmas Is ...

Close Reading: Easter

Close Reading: Halloween Is ... by Gail Gibbons

Close Reading: St. Patrick's Day by Gail Gibbons

Close Reading: Thanksgiving Is ... by Gail Gibbons

Close Reading: Valentine's Day Is ... by Gail Gibbons

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Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy this lesson.

• Check out my store https://www.TeachShare.com/store/Qiang-Ma for more lessons to help your students have fun while learning!

• Comments, suggestions, feedback and questions always welcomed!

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This book series is great for children ages 7 - 13, as they can relate with what Claudia, Kristy, Mary Anne, and Stacey are doing. This book discusses problem solving skills, working together as a team, listening to others ideas, being responsible, starting a babysitting business, and being a good friend/sibling. The comprehension questions in this product relate with the text as well as students own experiences. Vocabulary words, their meanings, and example sentences are presented in the packet. Students can also write sentences using the vocabulary words. As the book is being read aloud, as students are reading the book or after the book has been read, students can answer the comprehension questions in this packet. Words that students may need help with spelling when answering comprehension questions are provided in this product as well.

If you download this product, and found it useful, please leave me a positive review! :)

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