Less than $5 12th Grade Literature Circles (by date, latest first)

World War II fiction novels offer high school teachers a powerful tool for engaging students in historical learning. These novels provide immersive experiences that transport readers into the tumultuous era of the 1940s, allowing them to witness the human experience amidst the chaos of war. Through compelling characters and gripping narratives, students can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the conflict, including its causes, consequences, and the diverse perspectives of those involved. Moreover, reading World War II fiction encourages critical thinking and empathy as students explore themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the impact of war on individuals and societies. By delving into these narratives, students not only enhance their historical knowledge but also develop important skills in analysis, interpretation, and perspective-taking, making World War II fiction an invaluable addition to any high school curriculum.

This list is by no means exhaustive but it contains newer as well as classic titles, many of which have been made into movies. Share this list with students for reading suggestions over the break or during the school year for book reports or other assignments. Or use for a student book club or even your own book club! World War II historical fiction is quite popular right now!!!

I admit that my own historical fiction novel, Hearts at War, is on the list! I wrote this novel with the high school student in mind, in order to delve deeper into life on the home front for those coming-of-age. The story centers around a Japanese-American boy and a Caucasian girl who grow up in Southern California and then follows how their lives diverge once Pearl Harbor is attacked. Students might be surprised to learn that Japanese-American Nisei served as secret translators in the Pacific theater of war during World War II. I wanted that piece of history to come to light which has been hidden for far too long.

Students read a passage and answer comprehension questions. Based on the answers they are able to decode a secret message!

3 Little Pigs with a twist- Part of my first story of my Bilingual Series

Tales with a twist is designed to give students a familiar feel, but with surprising elements throughout the story.

Print out the stories in either English, or Spanish or both!!!

It is not direct translation rather I focused in translating the stories in a way they feel right and are authentic.

More stories coming soon!

Follow a wanna-be-mom's true tale of international adoption that ranges from Texas to Guatemala. Excellent for literature circles and discussions on adoption, cultural issues, diversity, goal setting, social issues, and achieving dreams. For questions and projects for differentiated learning and critical thinking visit author Pica Kahn's TeachShare website at: http://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Questions-Projects-for-Finding-Yuri

An easy-to-follow, 14-page guide for understanding and writing literature analysis. Includes: Individual/Group activities Writing process approach Definitions Purpose Goal Options Terminologies for students to look up and define Steps for analyzing Critical thinking components Literary Prior Knowledge Handout Worksheet for Analyzing Literature Extra Resources (Video and more...) Interactive approach to understanding how to properly begin, write, and complete literary analysis essays. Be sure to build a class model!

An easy to understand presentation to help students with mood and tone. Includes: Definitions Quotes Examples Group/Individual Activities with word banks Whole class reviews (Poetry and Prose) Great for literature classes and writing reviews! Meets CCSS.

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.

2 PowerPoints in one: Author's Style and Types of Sentences

Upper level, 31 page lesson on Authors' Style and Types of Sentences that focuses on how and why writers' styles changed over the years, introduces the use of author's style in students' essays, and reviews the four kinds of sentences: Basic, Compound, Complex, Compound-Complex.

It includes:

Simple explanations for author's style & types of sentences

Color coded examples

Peer workshopping activities

Extra individual/group/class activities

Tips for helping writers identify author's style & types of sentences

Why author's style & sentence variety is important in writing

Activities for understanding and practicing author's style and types of sentences

Real life connections

Excellent for homeschool, Gifted & Talented, AP/Pre-AP, flipped classes, literacy centers, and test prep. Helps student writers understand and master author's style and sentencing skills through collaborative, colorcoded, peer workshopping techniques.

I used this resource with one of my guided reading groups. After they completed a book they choose from the list of extra activities.

Thanks for looking! Please rate and leave a comment.

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!

This product features an engaging "Art Talk" activity that will have your new students thinking, writing, speaking, and moving on the very first day of school. In this activity, they must choose between 6 different quotes about art and articulate why the quote aligns with their perspective on art. I use this lesson every year to set the tone for what I expect in class - it is a great way to gain insight about their current attitudes towards art while they get to know one another with a higher level thinking activity as opposed to the same-old, same-old icebreaker. Product includes: - Comprehensive Lesson Plan - "Art Talk" Sheet for students to fill out - 6 Corresponding "Art Quote" signs to hang up around your room Though I utilize this product on the first day of school, it really can be used all year long. I hope that it is as successful in your class as it is in mine! _________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out these great products to start your school year off strong by Language Arts Excellence: First Day of School Powerpoint Study Hall Expectations Powerpoint Presentation Back to School / Open House Brochure

This set of 32 unique task cards contain engaging thought-provoking questions meant to prompt lively discussion for literature circles or books clubs in your middle or high school ELA classroom. Questions are mainly reader-response and are fully aligned to the Common Core. They can be used at any point during the reading of a novel or short story and are great as both full-class lesson plans or for time-fillers at the end of class. I also like to use these cards as bell-ringer activities to check in on my students' thoughts and understanding of the novel as we go. These are the perfect task cards to add to your teacher's toolbox and use all year long! __________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out these great resources that can be adapted for any novel by Language Arts Excellence: Differentiated Essay Prompt Task Cards Novel Soundtrack Assignment Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials Adaptable for ANY Topic Differentiated End of Term Reflection Activities Book Recommendation Form Differentiated Essay Prompts for use with ANY Novel Active Reading Strategy Task Cards

This resource features a set of 25 reader response journal prompts for use during your unit on Shakespeare. Each bell ringer is comprised of a Shakespearean quote from one of his plays or sonnets and a thoughtfully crafted question that encourages students to personally connect and appreciate the timelessness of his work. Prompts can be used as bell-ringers (most popular and mean the first 5 minutes of every class for more than a month are planned for you!), summarizers, stations, full class or small group discussion questions, for homework, task cards, sub plans, as a filler activity… the possibilities are endless!

Example of a prompt:

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players… and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages” ~ As You Like It

What types of roles do you play in your own life? How do these roles differ and to what audience(s) are they played? Why do we find ourselves playing different roles for different people within our lives?

Enjoy using these bell ringers during your study of any Shakespearean play or any time throughout the year when you just need to hear a few wise words from the Bard!

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We've gone digital! Check out the paperless version to support distance learning:

⭐ Shakespeare Digital Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

Save 20% off this resource when you purchase as part of a bundle of Shakespeare products:

⭐ Shakespeare Resource Bundle

Also, check out these great products to add to your Shakespeare unit by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Shakespeare ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Shakespeare Scavenger Hunt

⭐ Introduction to Shakespeare Powerpoint

⭐ Shakespeare Crossword Puzzle

⭐ Shakespeare's "Death Lines" Activity

⭐ Shakespeare Valentine's Day Lesson Plan

⭐ William Shakespeare Quote Posters

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This resource features lesson plans and materials to conduct a formal set of Socratic Seminars for Edgar Allan Poe's chilling tale of plague and pestilence, The Masque of the Red Death. Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as referred to in this resource) are higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class texts. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding the short story, The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe... and no preparation is required by you at all.

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom

• Engaging Introductory Activity for Conversation Building

• 5 Discussion Questions for each “Fishbowl” conversation

• “Fishbowl” Preparation Sheet

• Conversation Builder Prompts

• Observation Sheet

• Rubric

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Check out these great products to supplement your study of The Masque of the Red Death:

⭐ The Masque of the Red Death Literature Guide

⭐ The Masque of the Red Death ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Masque of the Red Death Anticipation Guide

⭐ The Masque of the Red Death Social Media Materials

More resources to round out your Edgar Allan Poe unit:

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe PowerPoint

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe Scavenger Hunt

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Crossword Puzzle

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Brochure

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe's Obituary

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Quote Posters

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Resource Bundle

But why stop with one story? We have enough Edgar Allan Poe resources to frighten your students for months!

⭐ The Raven Literature Guide

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Literature Guide

⭐ The Black Cat Literature Guide

⭐ The Pit and the Pendulum Literature Guide

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado Literature Guide

⭐ The Fall of the House of Usher Literature Guide

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Short Story BUNDLE

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Sometimes the best classroom discussions arise when students say nothing at all!

This product features a thoughtful and engaging activity for use during your study of F. Scott Fitzgerald's beloved classic about the disillusionment of the American Dream, The Great Gatsby. Centering around 5 different provocative passages from the novel, this lesson provides your students with a chance to think, reflect, and respond to their peers without ever saying a word. This creative approach is a great way to differentiate instruction among your students and allows even your most quiet students to shine. I am confident that this no-prep lesson will become a must-do activity within your unit on The Great Gatsby!

Product Includes:

• 5 "Silent Conversation" worksheets with 5 different quotes from the novel
• Lesson plan

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Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on The Great Gatsby by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Great Gatsby "Hot Seat!"

⭐ The Great Gatsby "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ The Great Gatsby Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ The Great Gatsby Escape Room

⭐ The Great Gatsby Human Tic Tac Toe Review Game

⭐ The Great Gatsby Social Media Materials

⭐ The Great Gatsby Socratic Seminar Lesson & Materials

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

This resource features lesson plans and materials to conduct a formal set of Socratic Seminars for Edgar Allan Poe's chilling tale of insult and revenge, The Cask of Amontillado. Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as referred to in this resource) are higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class texts. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding the short story, The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe... and no preparation is required by you at all.

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom

• Engaging Introductory Activity for Conversation Building

• 5 Discussion Questions for each “Fishbowl” conversation

• “Fishbowl” Preparation Sheet

• Conversation Builder Prompts

• Observation Sheet

• Rubric

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Check out these great products to supplement your study of The Cask of Amontillado:

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado Literature Guide

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado Family Crest Activity

More resources to round out your Edgar Allan Poe unit:

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe PowerPoint

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe Scavenger Hunt

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Crossword Puzzle

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Brochure

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe's Obituary

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Quote Posters

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Resource Bundle

But why stop with one story? We have enough Edgar Allan Poe resources to frighten your students for months!

⭐ The Raven Literature Guide

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Literature Guide

⭐ The Black Cat Literature Guide

⭐ The Pit and the Pendulum Literature Guide

⭐ The Masque of the Red Death Literature Guide

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado Literature Guide

⭐ The Fall of the House of Usher Literature Guide

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Short Story BUNDLE

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Are you looking to hold a formal Socratic Seminar in your classroom?

Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as I like to call them with my students) are higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to what they are learning in class. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom. All you need are the 4 or 5 questions to form the basis of these discussions!

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom
• Engaging Introductory Activity for the "Fishbowl"
• “Fishbowl” Preparation Sheet
• Conversation Builder Prompts
• Participant Observation Sheet
• Rubric

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Also, check out these great materials by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ Human Tic Tac Toe Review Game

⭐ Novel Playlist Assignment

⭐ Figurative Language Challenge Game

⭐ Peer Edit Forms and Lesson Plan

⭐ Secondary ELA Activities for any Novel

⭐ Emergency ELA Lesson Plan BUNDLE

⭐Differentiated Essay Prompts for use with ANY Novel

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⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐

This resource features lesson plans and materials to conduct a formal set of Socratic Seminars for Shakespeare's most beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as referred to in this resource) are higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class texts. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding the play, A Midsummer Night's Dream... and no preparation is required by you at all.

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom

• Engaging Introductory Activity for Conversation Building

• 5 Discussion Questions for each “Fishbowl” conversation

• “Fishbowl” Preparation Sheet

• Conversation Builder Prompts

• Observation Sheet

• Rubric

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Save 20% off this resource when you purchase as part of a bundle of all A Midsummer Night's Dream products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Activity BUNDLE

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Also, check out these great products to complement your unit on A Midsummer Night's Dream:

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Anticipation Activity

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Bell-Ringer Prompts

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Essay Prompts & Rubric

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Literature Guide

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Puzzles

⭐ Shakespeare ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Introduction to Shakespeare Powerpoint

⭐ Shakespeare Scavenger Hunt

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⭐Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐

This resource features lesson plans and materials to conduct a formal set of Socratic Seminars for Shakespeare's famed tragedy, Macbeth. Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as referred to in this resource) are higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class texts. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding the play, Macbeth... and no preparation is required by you at all.

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom

• Engaging Introductory Activity for Conversation Building

• 5 Discussion Questions for each “Fishbowl” conversation

• “Fishbowl” Preparation Sheet

• Conversation Builder Prompts

• Observation Sheet

• Rubric

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Also, check out these great products by Language Arts Excellence to complement your unit on Macbeth:

⭐ Macbeth Anticipation Activity

⭐ Macbeth ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Macbeth Hot Seat

⭐ Macbeth "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ Macbeth Quote Posters

⭐ Shakespeare Resource Bundle

⭐ Shakespeare Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

⭐ Shakespeare ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Introduction to Shakespeare Powerpoint

⭐ Shakespeare Scavenger Hunt

⭐ Shakespeare's "Death Lines" Activity

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Sometimes the best classroom discussions arise when students say nothing at all!

This product features a thoughtful and engaging activity for use during the study of Paulo Coelho's allegorical tale about overcoming obstacles and achieving one's dreams, The Alchemist. Centering around 5 different provocative passages from the book, this lesson provides your students with a chance to think, reflect, and respond to their peers without ever saying a word. This creative approach is a great way to differentiate instruction among your students and allows even your most quiet students to shine. I am confident that this no-prep lesson will become a must-do activity within your unit on The Alchemist!

Product Includes:

- 5 "Silent Conversation" worksheets with 5 different quotes from the novel

- Full lesson plan

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Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on The Alchemist by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Alchemist Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan

⭐ The Alchemist Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

⭐ The Alchemist ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Alchemist Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ The Alchemist Quote Posters

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⭐Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐