$5 - $10 5th Grade ELA Test Prep Lesson

Looking for a high-engagement, standards-aligned resource to teach argumentative writing? This Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit is perfect for middle school (grades 6-8) and provides four unique Thanksgiving-themed writing prompts that help students practice developing claims, providing evidence, and addressing counterarguments and rebuttals.
This resource includes:

• A full lesson plan designed for a 75-minute class, guiding students through argument writing with structured slides and engaging activities.

• Four thought-provoking Thanksgiving debate topics, including:

• "Should Black Friday be banned due to its impact on society?"

• "Is it ethical to celebrate Thanksgiving given the historical conflicts with Native Americans?"

• "Should Thanksgiving Day parades be canceled due to their environmental impact?"

• "Should Thanksgiving football games be banned on the holiday?"

• Slides and Guided Notes: Step-by-step instruction on writing an argumentative essay using claims, evidence, counterarguments, and rebuttals.

• Practice Activities: Hands-on exercises to help students identify and write each part of an argument.

• Templates for Writing: Easy-to-use templates for students to organize their essays and develop their writing.

This unit is ideal for teaching the basics of argumentative writing in a fun, seasonal way, with relevant and engaging Thanksgiving topics that students care about. It's also perfect for debate prewriting, essay interventions, or building towards state assessments like STAAR.
What’s Included:

• Complete 60-minute lesson plan
• 4 Thanksgiving-themed argument writing prompts
• Guided notes and practice passages
• Slide deck covering key writing components (claim, evidence, counterargument, rebuttal)

Help your students develop strong, clear arguments while engaging with Thanksgiving traditions in a meaningful way. Perfect for teaching argumentative writing and improving students' ability to express their ideas logically and persuasively!

To come

Engage 3rd-5th graders with a context clues nonfiction lesson: bell ringer, guided notes, ELA STAAR practice, activities, anchor chart, model passage, and exit ticket—ideal for intervention, stations, STAAR prep, and independent reading comprehension work!

A low-prep lesson designed to help learners master context clues in a fun and structured way within the Nonfiction Genre.

➡️ Why You Will Love

⭐A lesson plan that is planned and prepped so you get your planning time back!

⭐Science of reading-aligned strategies for students to apply to their reading.

⭐Real-world connections so that students see how the skill is applied to their everyday lives. 

⭐Flexible Format to integrate into any curriculum. 

⭐Differentiated small group instruction cards to help you reach every learner in your classroom. 

➡️ What’s Included

• Detailed Mini-Lesson Plan

• Warm Up

• Anchor Chart

• Real-World Connections

• Interactive Adventure Google Lesson Slides

• Teacher Model Text

• Guided Notes

• Guided Practice with key terms

• Differentiated Small Group Instruction Cards

• Student Activity: Scavenger Hunt

• Exit Ticket

➡️ How to Use Suggestions

• Begin with a warm-up to spark curiosity and introduce the day’s focus.

• Teach with the anchor chart, lesson slides, model text, guided practice, and guided doodle notes, encouraging students to make connections.

• Engage students with a story-driven adventure lesson. 

• Provide scaffolded practice using small group instruction and independent activities.

• Wrap up with an exit ticket to assess understanding and inform future lessons.

• Use Google Slides and Adobe to assign or download resources.

Your students will love the adventure lesson, variety, and engagement provided in this resource! Bring Context Clues to life with this resource! 

➡️ LET’S CONNECT

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➡️ Additional Supports

Mini-Lessons

Activity Packs

STAAR Prep

Short and Extended Constructed Responses

Transform STAAR writing preparation into an exhilarating adventure with our "ECR Relay Race" resource! Designed specifically for grades 6-8, this product turns the daunting task of essay writing into a collaborative, fun, and competitive experience. Dive into high-engaging topics while practicing informational, argumentative, and correspondence writing skills critical for STAAR success.

✅ Engaging Topics for Every Genre:

• Informational ECRs: Explore Texas Rodeo, Texas State Fair, and NASA's monumental contributions.
• Argumentative ECRs: Delve into captivating debates like Selena vs. Beyonce, Roblox vs. Minecraft, and Messi vs. Ronaldo.
• Correspondence ECR: Address real-world issues in letters concerning Ocean pollution, VR headsets in education, and Sports accessibility for students with disabilities.

✅ Collaborative Learning: Encourage teamwork with relay races that make writing a shared journey. Students can work together or individually, pushing them to think critically and write effectively.

✅ Interactive Progress Tracking: Watch as students advance their stick figure characters across the board with each completed paragraph, igniting a sense of accomplishment and urgency.

✅ Comprehensive ECR Refresher: Kickstart your classes with 15 slides designed to refresh students on ECR essentials, providing a solid foundation for success.

✅ Inclusive Support Materials: Includes sentence stems for each writing genre, aiding students in structuring their thoughts and arguments clearly and cohesively.

✅ Fun, Engaging, and Educational: Our resource is not just about STAAR prep; it's about creating memorable learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and a love for writing.

Prepare your students for STAAR writing with a resource that’s as educational as it is exhilarating. Make test preparation something students look forward to with our ECR Relay Race. Perfect for teachers seeking innovative, engaging ways to enhance writing skills and STAAR readiness.