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FREEBIE: No-Prep Teacher Book Talk Guide for "Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds
By Amanda Robinson
Fostering avid readers means consistently presenting books to your class. I have witnessed, first-hand, the power of consistent Book Talks with my students. Book Talks have the power to foster continued love in avid readers and reach even the most struggling readers.
Check out my brand new series of no-prep Book Talk Guides for teachers--starting with this Freebie for Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.
What's Included?
Teacher Tips and Tricks for successful book talks, including suggested links for book trailers*
Book Talk Guide, including genre, what kind of students might enjoy each book, and a plot summary
At least one student book talk response activity
Follow my store and check back as new titles and themed Book Talk bundles will be added in the days and weeks to come!
By Meggen Loew
Use these book awards to celebrate books you have read this year. Pick out your favorites to highlight from the year. An easy recording system for your favorite books at the end of the year.
A Sound of Thunder Escape Room Preview/ Sample/ Freebie! Diction + Syntax
By The Red-Haired Reader
This is a sample station from my A Sound of Thunder Escape Room! The Escape Room includes 7 stations; this is the one that analyzes Bradbury's use of diction and syntax. Hopefully it will give you a taste of what the whole product is like! Please check it out in a separate listing.
A Midsummer Night's Dream "Love Arrows" Graphic Organizer
By Language Arts Excellence
This is a graphic organizer for A Midsummer Night's Dream that helps students to track the highly confusing "love arrows" between the four young lovers. You can give this to students at the beginning of the play and ask them to track the love arrows as they read. My students have told me that this simple worksheet has helped them tremendously to keep the characters straight!
Answer key with brief explanations of arrow changes is also included for your reference.
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⭐ This product is included in A Midsummer Night's Dream Literature Guide ⭐
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Also, check out these great products by Language Arts Excellence to complement your unit on A Midsummer Night's Dream:
⭐ Shakespeare ESCAPE ROOM
⭐Introduction to Shakespeare Powerpoint
⭐Shakespeare Scavenger Hunt
⭐Elizabethan England Differentiated Mini Unit
⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Bell-Ringer Prompts
⭐A Midsummer Night's Dream Essay Prompts
⭐A Midsummer Night's Dream Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan
⭐A Midsummer Night's Dream Anticipation Activity
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⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐
Character Analysis Sidewalk Characters
By Beth Hammett
Character traits and analysis fun!
Have some outdoor fun (or use butcher paper for indoors) with sidewalk novel characters! Students choose a character from their novels then do body outlines with sidewalk chalk. Fill these with physical and character traits from quotes within the novel...full directions for implementing and making a competitive game. Can be used with all ages and novels. Excellent for comprehension and assessment.
FREE SAMPLE: 1 station from Ray Bradbury's The Veldt Mystery Escape Room!
By The Red-Haired Reader
This is 1 of the 10 stations that are part of "The Veldt" mystery escape room! This freebie explores Bradbury's use of figurative language in the short story; I hope you'll check out the whole Escape Room experience in a separate listing!
Author and Text Charts Writing Activities
By Beth Hammett
These step-by-step charts make it way to teach literature genres, sub-genres, and authors' styles. Comes with two graphic organizers: 1 with Genre, Sub-genre, Type of Short Story, Subject, Theme, Time Period 1 for Author's Information, Birth/Death, Personal Information, Education, Works Written, Author's Style, Other Important Facts Handouts Include: Fiction and Non-Fiction Genres and Examples Types of Short Stories: Novel, Novella, Novellete, Short Story, Flash Fiction Types of Author's Style: Argumentative, Description, Expository, Narrative, Persuasive These simple to use graphic organizers make it easy for students to make connections between types of works and authors' backgrounds. Great for AP, GT, as well as at risk, ELL, and homeschooling. Use for AP test prep and assessment for analysis. Meets ELA CCSS and state reading guidelines.
Flashcards for Spanish AP Literature
By ARIANA PEREZ
Flashcards to give to students to study.
I have always created expensive fancy cards, but realized students mistreat the material.
I came up with these simple cards for students to access. I also included a sheet for students to take notes (as we do interactive notebook).
By Language Arts Excellence
This Literary Bingo Card Set was designed to encourage students not just to read independently but to discover the love of new genres as well. Pass these Bingo Cards out at the beginning of the year or semester and have your students track the books they read on their sheets. After they complete a book, they must write the title in the corresponding box and get a parent's signature. You can decide what prize students earn for a "Bingo" but ultimately, with all the reading they will be doing, everyone wins!
Product Includes:
- 10 Unique Bingo Card Sheets
- Directions
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Also, check out these great products to start your school year off strong by Language Arts Excellence:
⭐ Back to School ELA Escape Room
⭐ First Day of ELA "Book Talk" Activity
⭐ Back to School "Don't Judge a Book by its Cover" Activity
⭐ Back to School Effective Effort Lesson Plan
⭐ First Day of School Powerpoint
⭐ Study Hall Expectations Powerpoint Presentation
⭐ Back to School / Open House Brochure
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⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐
Lesson Plan on 'The Great Gatsby'
By Bright Classroom Ideas Marketplace
While The Great Gatsby provides an in-depth portrayal of American culture during the Roaring Twenties, its storyline mirrors one told many times before, potentially as old as the country itself: a man rises from destitution to wealth, only to find that his fortune does not afford him the privileges enjoyed by those born into their elite status.
The central character is Jay Gatsby, a wealthy New Yorker whose occupation is vague. Gatsby is primarily known for the lavish parties he throws each weekend at his opulent Gothic mansion in West Egg. He is thought to be linked to illegal bootlegging and several criminal activities. The storyteller, Nick Carraway, resides next to Gatsby in West Egg.
This lesson plan for The Great Gatsby is designed to last approximately 90 minutes. The student activities vary and are presented in a separate worksheet. In the end, the answer key for the assignments is given separately at the end of the lesson plan.
Lesson Plan on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
By Bright Classroom Ideas Marketplace
This 90-minute lesson plan is designed for high school students (Grades 9–12) studying Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Using the engaging "Video SparkNotes: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Summary" as a foundation, the lesson guides students through key plot points, characters, and major themes like responsibility, isolation, revenge, and the dangers of unchecked ambition.
The session begins with a warm-up activity to activate prior knowledge, followed by a focused video viewing and guided discussion to promote critical thinking.
Students then work in small groups to complete comprehension and analysis activities on a detailed worksheet. These tasks range from timeline sequencing and character analysis to exploring moral dilemmas and comparing Frankenstein’s actions to modern ethical issues in science. The lesson encourages students to reflect on who is more to blame—Frankenstein or his creation—and why that matters.
By the end of the class, students will have a deeper understanding of the novel’s structure, themes, and relevance. The worksheet includes a mix of creative and academic tasks, fostering engagement and interpretation. An answer key is provided to support both guided instruction and independent review. This lesson is perfect for literature units or as part of a larger discussion on Gothic fiction, ethics, or Romantic literature.
By Bright Classroom Ideas Marketplace
Twelfth Night incorporates many classic elements of comedic theater. At the core of its structure lies a network of complex romantic liaisons (Orsino loves Olivia, Olivia is smitten with Cesario and later Sebastian, Viola has feelings for Orsino, while Sir Andrew and Malvolio are attracted to Olivia); disguise (the plot centers around Viola disguising herself as a male servant to survive after being shipwrecked in Illyria); mistaken identities (Viola and Sebastian are twins so alike that nobody can tell them apart); trickery and mischief; a rich offering of song and dance; the satire of hypocrisy, excess, and arrogance; a fleeting period of chaos and confusion; concluding with a resolution where all misunderstandings are resolved and three marriages take place.
This ebook features an extensive lesson plan focused on 'Twelfth Night' and includes multiple activities intended to last at least 90 minutes. A unique printable worksheet for learners is included, along with the answer guide.
Lesson Plan on An Inspector Calls
By Bright Classroom Ideas Marketplace
A thorough lesson plan on the well-known drama "An Inspector Calls" by J.D. Priestley. The play's action takes place in an industrial city in England, where a young girl kills herself and a well-known British family is routinely investigated in relation to the death. All of the family members are either directly or indirectly implicated in the girl's downfall. As a result, an inspector calls to investigate the family. Before the evening is done, the close-knit and amiable family is revealed to be cowardly, selfish, or self-centered, its good humor turning to sour, and its pleasant fellowship to despised.
Every step of the 90-minute lesson is included in the lesson plan. It includes the 'An Inspector Calls || 7 Minute Summary' YouTube video from the Easy as GCSE channel. A student worksheet that may be printed has a lot of activities and answers at the end.
Enjoy teaching classic literature to your students!
Lesson Plan on 'Romeo and Juliet'
By Bright Classroom Ideas Marketplace
Romeo and Juliet is a play created by Shakespeare. It is a tragic romantic story where the two main characters, Romeo and Juliet, are supposed to be fierce opponents but ultimately fall in love. Due to the ongoing conflict between their families, they cannot be with each other, resulting in their decision to end their lives as they cannot bear the agony of being apart. Romeo and Juliet is a heartbreaking drama written by Shakespeare.
Unquestionably, the primary and most important theme of the play is love. The drama focuses on romantic love, especially the passionate longing that ignites immediately when Romeo and Juliet encounter each other for the first time. In Romeo and Juliet, love is a passionate, thrilling, prevailing force that transcends all other values, loyalties, and emotions.
This lesson plan focused on Shakespeare's famous tragedy is designed to last approximately 6 hours (of course, depending on your class size). Many tasks are organized in five worksheets. Their replies are also incorporated at the conclusion.
By Bright Classroom Ideas Marketplace
The tragedy of political aspirations
A courageous Scottish general called Macbeth is given a prediction by three witches that he will someday be King of Scotland. Driven by ambition and urged into action by his wife, Macbeth kills King Duncan and quickly transforms into a tyrannical leader. Core themes in Shakespeare's Macbeth encompass: the conflict of good and evil, the perils of ambition, the impact of supernatural elements, the disparity between appearance and truth, as well as loyalty and remorse. A prominent theme in Macbeth is ambition, evident in both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. They are lured by the notion that Macbeth will ascend to the throne – Macbeth is uncertain about his choices, but his wife is relentless in pursuing her desires – she considers her husband a coward and seems willing to go to any lengths.
Ambition drives one to wickedness - it empowers Macbeth, increasing his resolve, yet ultimately leads to his wife's madness.
Ambition ultimately destroys Macbeth as well, as he turns into a tyrant and consequently alienates his friends.
This lesson plan, which lasts nearly 6 hours (depending on your class size, of course), provides a comprehensive analysis of William Shakespeare's renowned play. It comprises spoken and written tasks, arranged into four worksheets. The responses are also incorporated.
By Bright Classroom Ideas Marketplace
The tragedy of political aspirations
A courageous Scottish general called Macbeth is given a prediction by three witches that he will someday be King of Scotland. Driven by ambition and urged into action by his wife, Macbeth kills King Duncan and quickly transforms into a tyrannical leader. Core themes in Shakespeare's Macbeth encompass: the conflict of good and evil, the perils of ambition, the impact of supernatural elements, the disparity between appearance and truth, as well as loyalty and remorse. A prominent theme in Macbeth is ambition, evident in both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. They are lured by the notion that Macbeth will ascend to the throne – Macbeth is uncertain about his choices, but his wife is relentless in pursuing her desires – she considers her husband a coward and seems willing to go to any lengths.
Ambition drives one to wickedness - it empowers Macbeth, increasing his resolve, yet ultimately leads to his wife's madness.
Ambition ultimately destroys Macbeth as well, as he turns into a tyrant and consequently alienates his friends.
This lesson plan, which lasts nearly 6 hours (depending on your class size, of course), provides a comprehensive analysis of William Shakespeare's renowned play. It comprises spoken and written tasks, arranged into four worksheets. The responses are also incorporated.
By ARIANA PEREZ
Lenguaje Figurado Actividades
4 pages to help students practice with Lenguaje figurado, dichos y refranes.
Ideal for advanced Levels of Spanish.
My Name from The House on Mango Street Diction Deep Dive Group Analysis!
By The Red-Haired Reader
"My Name" from Sandra Cisneros' _The House on Mango Stree_t is full of beautiful and heart-wrenching figurative language and diction. All of these choices contribute to the tone and mood. The attached group activity provides students with 6 different quotes from the vignette. For each one, they have to identify and analyze the type of figurative language used, pull out specific words, and analyze how they contribute to the tone and mood of the piece.
Your whole class will work right in the same Google slideshow, with each small group editing their own page. Afterwards, students can peruse the other groups' analysis to further their understanding!
My students had a lot of success with this "Deep Dive" Group activity, and I hope yours do, too!
Divergent Faction Acrostic Poem Assignment
By Language Arts Excellence
This product contains an assignment for students to create their own acrostic poem for their favorite faction from Divergent by Veronica Roth. This is the perfect assignment to give after conducting a Mock Choosing Ceremony in your classroom.
Product Includes:
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Check out these great resources to supplement your unit on Divergent by Veronica Roth:
⭐ Divergent Unit Test
⭐ Divergent Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials
⭐ Divergent "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity
⭐ Divergent Fear Landscape Assignment
⭐ Divergent Faction Personality Quiz
⭐ Divergent Symbolism Lesson Plan: Tattoos of Divergent Characters
⭐ Divergent Mock Choosing Ceremony - Lesson Plans and Materials
⭐ Divergent Characters Word Search
⭐ Divergent Worksheet Bundle
⭐ Divergent Final Project - Long Lost Sixth Faction
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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence