5th Grade Reading Literature Circles (by date, oldest first)

Reading Restart? Looking for a way to engage your students? Our graphic organizers go perfectly with this timeless classic. Helping your students learn vocabulary, theme, plot, and symbols. This includes 5 graphic organizers and a rubric for easy grading.

Need Google Drive Version?

CLICK HERE

Need more resources for Restart?

Restart Introduction Power point

Restart Flip book Study Guide

Restart Characterization Flip book

Restart Vocabulary Lists and Quizzes

This study guide goes through the classic historical fiction novel by Lois Lowry, "Number the Stars". Includes questions and answer key, character map, and a biography on the author. Easy to assign and easy to grade. Helps ensure students are reading and comprehending from start to finish of this novel. Answer Key included.

Need Google Drive version?

CLICK HERE

Teaching Restart? Don't know where to start? This bundle includes many activities to do before, during, and after reading the novel. This is a bundle for the novel Restart by Gordon Korman, We got you covered!

Includes:

Restart Introduction Power Point introduces your students to concepts and

themes present within the text.

Restart Flipbook Study Guide. ensures your students are keeping track

with key ideas and details of the text

Restart Characterization flipbook ensures your students understand

characterization and character development.

Restart Graphic Organizers. ensures your students are keeping track of the Plot,

Vocabulary, Theme, Symbols, and aid in comprehension of the text.

Restart Vocabulary Lists and Quizzes which introduces your students to new

vocabulary words they will see inside the novel.

It's never too late for a fresh start and to restart your life!

Teaching Number The Stars? Don't know where to start? This bundle includes many activities to do before, during, and after reading the novel. This is a complete unit for the classic novel Number The Stars by Lois Lowry. Keep your students engaged from beginning to end.

Complete Unit.

Covers the entire book !

Great for differentiation.

Includes:

⭐Number The Stars Introduction Power Point

⭐Number The Stars Flip book Study Guide

⭐Number The Stars Characterization Flip book

⭐Number The Stars Vocabulary Lists and Quizzes

⭐Holocaust Webquest

⭐Graphic Organizers - Any Novel

A GREAT VALUE!

Inferencing activity that could be done as a whole group activity or as part of literacy stations. This is a quick and ready to go activity. This set has 12 events that students makes inferences as to what happened. I have included a set of "answers" based on the ones I have used with my class. There is also an answer sheet included with this resources. Please don't forget to take a look at the other items I have available in my store! Follow me to get the most up to date information and heads up on upcoming sales. Every new product is 50% off for the first 24 hours. Another great reason to follow my store. Common Core Reading Standards that can be addressed in this activity: Grade 3 RL.3.1. Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as a basis for the answers. RL.3.3. Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events. RL.3.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language. RL.3.6. Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters. RL.3.7. Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting). Grade 4 RL.4.1. Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. RL.4.3. Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions). RL.4.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology.

*This is one story taken from a book eight, which can be found here.

Help Your Students Explore Bullying & Resilience with "The Invisible Scars"

A Powerful Story & Engaging Activities for Grades 5-8

"The Invisible Scars" is a compelling short story about Avery, a middle school student struggling with the long-term effects of bullying. This relatable narrative provides a springboard for meaningful discussions about mental health, self-esteem, and the importance of seeking help.

This comprehensive resource includes:

• A moving short story (approx. 2,000 words) that tackles the sensitive topic of bullying and its lasting impact on a young person's life.

• Engaging activities designed to deepen students' understanding of the story's themes, including:

  • Thought-provoking discussion questions to spark classroom conversations about bullying, resilience, and support systems.
  • Creative writing prompts that encourage students to explore the story's themes through different perspectives and genres.
  • Project-based assignments that allow students to research, analyze, and create presentations, campaigns, and more.

• A comprehensive vocabulary list to enhance students' reading comprehension and vocabulary development.

"The Invisible Scars" will help your students:

• Develop empathy and understanding for individuals who have experienced bullying.
• Recognize the signs of bullying and its impact on mental health.
• Identify healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with difficult emotions and situations.
• Understand the importance of seeking help from trusted adults and mental health professionals.
• Develop their critical thinking, writing, and communication skills through engaging activities.

This resource is perfect for:

• Language Arts classes
• Social Studies classes
• Guidance lessons
• Advisory periods
• Anti-bullying initiatives

This story is also available as part of an eight story ebook, "Young Voices: Eight Short Stories of Courage & Resilience."

Aisha, a 13-year-old girl living in Gaza city, chronicles her experiences through a diary during a period of intense conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza. As bombings, power outages, water shortages, and infrastructure damage disrupt daily life, Aisha describes her fears for her family's safety and her disrupted education. She finds resilience through community support and small acts of normalcy like playing games with friends. Temporary ceasefires provide glimpses of peace amid the violence. But tensions frequently boil over into clashes and protests at the border, unleashing new rounds of bombardment. Aisha conveys the mental and physical toll of living through endless cycles of war and deprivation in Gaza. Yet she retains hope for justice and freedom in the future, fueled by the strength of her community. Throughout her diary, Aisha gives an intimate account of what it's like to come of age in Gaza against a backdrop of conflict and hardship.

There are thought provoking questions (and possible answers) at the end of the story.

General Learning Objectives for Deep by Design stories:

Understanding Conflict: The material offers insights into the dynamics of territorial conflicts and their ramifications for those caught in the crossfire.

Effects of War or Conflict on Youth: The content underlines the deep-seated impact of hostilities on the mental and physical health of children and adolescents.

Resilience and Hope: Through character experiences, the narrative highlights the human capacity for endurance and the quest for collective healing amidst adversity.

Cultural Insight: The text provides a window into the complexities of a region's culture and the intense obstacles its inhabitants endure.

Human Rights: The narrative serves as a primer for dialogues concerning the safeguarding of civilians and the enforcement of human rights in times of strife.

Peacebuilding: The book promotes an investigation into the adoption of nonviolent strategies for mitigating disputes and fostering reconciliation at the community level.

This story is also available as part of an eight story ebook, "Young Voices: Eight Short Stories of Courage & Resilience."

Embark on a poignant journey with "Rising Tides, Resilient Hearts," a heart-rending tale of resilience in the face of nature's relentless force. This narrative follows Ana and Lani, two young girls from the imperiled island of Kiribati, as they grapple with the reality of their sinking homeland. With the rising tides threatening to erase their ancestral roots, the community faces a heart-wrenching decision. Through the bonds of friendship and the echoes of ancestral wisdom, our young heroines navigate the emotional tides of leaving their beloved island. This story not only reflects the global issue of climate change but also illuminates the enduring spirit of a culture on the brink of displacement. Witness how love, memory, and the power of storytelling become the vessel for preserving a disappearing world, inspiring young readers to understand and embrace the challenges of change.

There are thought provoking questions (and possible answers) at the end of the story.

General Learning Objectives for Deep by Design stories:

Understanding Conflict: The material offers insights into the dynamics of territorial conflicts and their ramifications for those caught in the crossfire.

Effects of War or Conflict on Youth: The content underlines the deep-seated impact of hostilities on the mental and physical health of children and adolescents.

Resilience and Hope: Through character experiences, the narrative highlights the human capacity for endurance and the quest for collective healing amidst adversity.

Cultural Insight: The text provides a window into the complexities of a region's culture and the intense obstacles its inhabitants endure.

Human Rights: The narrative serves as a primer for dialogues concerning the safeguarding of civilians and the enforcement of human rights in times of strife.

Peacebuilding: The book promotes an investigation into the adoption of nonviolent strategies for mitigating disputes and fostering reconciliation at the community level.

Are you looking for an interactive, student-led activity/ assessment for the end of Carol Matas's Daniel's Story?

This file contains 2 different packets of Socratic Circle questions- packet A and packet B. Each packet contains 3 different questions that require students to answer and provide two quotes from the text to back up their answers. Students are also required to come up with 3 additional questions they will ask if there's time in their circle. Finally, the packet has a page where each student will monitor a partner in the opposite circle. They will make a check each time their partner speaks, and paraphrase a meaningful comment their partner made. Lastly, the file contains the socratic circle rubric.

When you print out the file, you'll see packet A on the top half of the sheet, packet B on the bottom half, and then the rubric as the last page of the file. You'll need to cut each packet page in half after you print them out, as each booklet you give to the students is only half a page. They are labeled A and B. Give half your class A, half B, and allow them to plan! The day of the circle, you'll let A discuss for maybe 20-30 minutes, then flip-flop your circles and have B discuss.

My students really enjoy Socratic Seminars! I have found it works better when you give each group three different questions, so you don't see the same discussion 2 times, which is how this packet is set up. I used the Socratic Circle as their "final test grade" for Daniel's Story. The students need to have finished the story to answer the questions included in the packet.

Please help my little business grow!

Did you know that you can receive $ credit towards future TeachShare purchases by reviewing this product? Please leave a review at the product page or through "My Purchases" under "My Account" at TpT. Thank you!

Please check out the video preview for my line of Socratic Seminars!

This bundle includes every product in my Socratic Seminar Bundle line. Multiple novels and short stories are included for grades 6-12! My students LOVE Socratic Seminars, and I often use them as their final assessment grade. The can be used in small literature circle groups, or with a full class. Please ask if you have any questions!

Perfect for literature circles or book clubs! This product contains 36 unique task cards with thought-provoking questions for novel study arranged by 6 active reading strategies (Predict, Connect, Visualize, Question, Evaluate, Clarify). The uses for these cards are endless but I suggest laminating the cards and using them during literature circles or book clubs! _________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out more great active reading strategy resources by Language Arts Excellence: Active Reading Strategy Signs for the Classroom Active Reading Strategy Book Marks Save 25% by purchasing the Active Reading Strategy Bundle by Language Arts Excellence! Active Reading Strategy Bundle

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

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 no-prep Book Talk Guides for teachers. And because I am so passionate about the power of Book Talks, my Book Talk Guides will ALWAYS BE FREE!

What's Included?

• Teacher Tips for successful book talks

• Book Talk Guide, including genre, what kind of students might enjoy each book, and a plot summary

• Two student book talk response activities

Follow my store and check back as new titles and themed Book Talk bundles will be added!

This mix-and-match reading log is designed to empower students to become mindful and engaged readers. It offers a variety of engaging components that can be used as stand-alone pages or combined in a mix and match fashion to create personalized reading journals.

Google Drive Folder includes a PDF and a digital Google Slides version.

Here's what you get in:

• "Books to Read" List: Spark excitement with a dedicated space for students to track books they're eager to dive into.

• "Book Hall of Fame": Celebrate literary discoveries with a page to record and cherish favorite books.

• "Favorite Authors": Encourage a love for specific authors by providing a space for students to keep a log of their favorite authors.

• "Reading Reflections": Deepen comprehension with a dedicated space for students to rate and review each book they finish.

• "Recommendations": Foster a sense of community by allowing students to share their thoughts and recommend books to peers. These can be kept private or can be shared with the class to grow a class of readers!

• Reading Trackers: Choose between two engaging options:

• Monthly Tracking Sheets: Students color in pictures of books as they complete them, creating a visual record of their reading journey.

• Grid-Style Tracker: This flexible tracker allows for color-coding genres and marking each finished book, offering a long-term overview of reading progress.

Benefits:

• Supports mindful reading: Encourages students to reflect on their reading experiences and develop a deeper appreciation for literature.
• Promotes accountability: Helps students stay on track with their personal reading goals.
• Print or Digital format: Adaptable to individual preferences and classroom needs.
• Interactive and engaging: Makes reading a fun and rewarding experience for students.

This reading log is the perfect tool for teachers and parents to cultivate a lifelong love of reading in young minds!

A Book Study Companion for CAT KID COMIC CLUB - Perspectives; the second of the Dav Pilkey Series.

With comprehension questions and activities for each chapter, students will cover many of the Grades 3, 4 and 5 ELA Common Core State Standards in context.

This unit is packed with Common Core aligned activities and includes printable and digital versions.

The Unit can be followed chapter by chapter, with no extra preparation or planning required by the teacher. The responses in the unit have been planned and arranged so that your students will practise a wide range of comprehension strategies in context. It has been designed to promote thinking and comprehension. Tasks can be completed independently, collaboratively or alongside a teacher. The unit has been planned so that over the course of all the book, students will become familiar with and well-practised in using comprehension strategies to make meaning from text.

All activities have been designed with student engagement at the forefront. In responding to the book, students will be required to think both within and beyond the text. Children learn best when they are having fun! Even better that they are learning the love of books at the same time!

Please follow me for more literacy units - particularly new releases!

Cat Kid #1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid No.16 - Big Shot

Captain Underpants #02

Thank you for your continued support

A Book Study Companion for WEIRDO by Ahn Do.

With comprehension questions and activities for each chapter, students will cover many of the Grades 3, 4 and 5 ELA Common Core State Standards in context.

This unit is packed with Common Core aligned activities and includes printable and digital versions.

The Unit can be followed chapter by chapter, with no extra preparation or planning required by the teacher. The responses in the unit have been planned and arranged so that your students will practise a wide range of comprehension strategies in context. It has been designed to promote thinking and comprehension. Tasks can be completed independently, collaboratively or alongside a teacher. The unit has been planned so that over the course of all the book, students will become familiar with and well-practised in using comprehension strategies to make meaning from text.

All activities have been designed with student engagement at the forefront. In responding to the book, students will be required to think both within and beyond the text. Children learn best when they are having fun! Even better that they are learning the love of books at the same time!

Please follow me for more literacy units - particularly new releases!

Cat Kid #1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid No.16 - Big Shot

Captain Underpants #02

Thank you for your continued support

A 36 page Book Study Companion for CAT KID COMIC CLUB On Purpose - The third in the Cat Kid Series by Dav Pilkey.

With comprehension questions and activities for each chapter, students will cover many of the Grades 4, 5 and 6 ELA Common Core State Standards in context.

This unit is packed with Common Core aligned activities and includes printable and digital versions.

The Unit can be followed chapter by chapter, with no extra preparation or planning required by the teacher. The responses in the unit have been planned and arranged so that your students will practise a wide range of comprehension strategies in context. It has been designed to promote thinking and comprehension. Tasks can be completed independently, collaboratively or alongside a teacher. The unit has been planned so that over the course of the book, students will become familiar with and well-practised in using comprehension strategies to make meaning from text.

All activities have been designed with student engagement at the forefront. In responding to the book, students will be required to think both within and beyond the text. Children learn best when they are having fun! Even better that they are learning the love of books at the same time!

Please follow me for more literacy units - particularly new releases!

The Lost Whale

The World's Worst Pets

Dog Man Series

Fing

Fantastic Mr Fox

Thank you for your continued support

A NOVEL STUDY Book Companion for I SURVIVED The Battle of D-Day, 1944 by Lauren Tarshis.

This resource is an engaging and comprehensive unit that allows your students to respond to the story by using a wide range of reading comprehension strategies and skills.

With comprehension questions and activities for each chapter, students will cover many of the Grades 3 ,4 and 5 ELA Common Core State Standards in context.

This unit is packed with Common Core aligned activities and includes printable and digital versions.

The Unit can be followed chapter by chapter, with no extra preparation or planning required by the teacher.

The responses in the unit have been planned and arranged so that your students will practise a wide range of comprehension strategies in context. It has been designed to promote thinking and comprehension. Tasks can be completed independently, collaboratively or alongside a teacher. The unit has been planned so that over the course of the book, students will become familiar with and well-practised in using comprehension strategies to make meaning from text.

Activities include:

• COMPREHENSION ACTIVITIES FOR EACH CHAPTER

• Comprehension strategies - inference, prediction , visualising, questioning, retrieving information, activating prior knowledge, making connections, summarizing, analysing, synthesising, understanding vocabulary in context.

• Literacy Skills - sequencing, cause and effect, main idea and events, compare and contrast, point of view, venn diagrams, writing, vocabulary work, idioms

• Story elements - character descriptions, character analysis, character emotions, character challenges, setting, plot, theme.

• Book response - creative responses, written responses.

All activities have been designed with student engagement at the forefront. In responding to the book, students will be required to think both within and beyond the text. Children learn best when they are having fun! Even better that they are learning the love of books at the same time!

Please follow me for more literacy units - particularly new releases!

Thank you for your continued support.

A NOVEL STUDY for KASPAR PRINCE OF CATS based on the book by Michael Morpurgo.

This 41 page Novel Study includes highly engaging and comprehensive questions and activities that allow your students to respond to the story by using a wide range of reading comprehension strategies and skills.

This is a NO-PREP resource that has been created with questions and activities following the order of the book. Students will be able to respond to each chapter after they have read it.

Teachers can use this resource as either an independent work packet for students or as a guide to questions and discussion whilst working alongside students. Students will cover a wide range of Curriculum Standards in context.

This novel study is ideal as an independent activity or follow-up to the book.

AN ANSWER KEY IS INCLUDED

Activities include:

• Comprehension strategies - inference, prediction , visualizing, questioning, retrieving information, activating prior knowledge, making connections, cause and effect, summarizing, analyzing, synthesizing, understanding vocabulary in context.
• Literacy Skills - sequencing, cause and effect, main idea and events, compare and contrast, point of view.
• Story elements - character descriptions, character analysis, character emotions, character challenges, setting, plot, theme.
• Book response - creative responses, critical thinking, partner discussion response, written responses.
• Vocabulary - a focus on vocabulary words in context, word work.
• Applying and Synthesising - engaging activities designed for your student to show a deeper understanding of the story.
• 2 Non-fiction passages with questions - The Titanic before hitting the iceberg and the Titanic after hitting the iceberg.
• Written tasks - using a range of genres as relevant to the story including diary writing
• Creative Thinking - engaging activities allowing student to apply their own knowledge and themes from the story to be creative.
• Critical Thinking - using themes from the story to consider wider issues.

All activities have been designed with student engagement at the forefront. In responding to the book, students will be required to think both within and beyond the text. Children learn best when they are having fun! Even better that they are learning the love of books at the same time!

This product is not associated with this book's author or publishing company. The book must be purchased separately in order to be used alongside this product.

Please follow me for more literacy units - particularly new releases.

You are welcome to request a novel study in the questions and answers section of my shop!

Thank you for your continued support.

A BOOK STUDY and Reading Comprehension Unit for DOG MAN #5 Lord of the Fleas by Dav Pilkey.

This 44 page BOOK COMPANION is a highly engaging and comprehensive literature unit that allows your students to respond to a story by using a wide range of reading comprehension strategies and skills.

With comprehension questions and activities for each chapter, students will cover a wide range of the English and ELA Curriculum Standards in context.

The unit can be followed chapter by chapter, with no extra preparation or planning required by the teacher. Follow-up activities include a comprehension follow up and four to five extra literacy task for each chapter. The extra activities allow for students to demonstrate their understanding through tasks that require them to synthesise, analyse and apply, drawing from their understanding of the story.

The responses in the unit have been planned and arranged so that your students will practise a wide range of comprehension strategies in context. It has been designed to promote thinking and comprehension. Tasks can be completed independently, collaboratively or alongside a teacher. The unit has been planned so that over the course of the book, students will become familiar with and well-practised in using comprehension strategies to make meaning from text.

Activities include:

• COMPREHENSION ACTIVITIES FOR EACH CHAPTER
• Comprehension strategies - inference, prediction , visualizing, questioning, retrieving information, activating prior knowledge, making connections, summarizing, analyzing, synthesizing, understanding vocabulary in context.
• Literacy Skills - sequencing, cause and effect, main idea and events, compare and contrast, point of view.
• Story elements - character descriptions, character analysis, character emotions, character challenges, setting, plot, theme.
• Book response - creative responses, critical thinking, partner discussion response, written responses.
• Vocabulary - a focus on vocabulary words in context, word work.
• Applying and Synthesising
• Research - relevant to the story and children's interests
• Written tasks - using a range of genres as relevant to the story
• Creative Thinking - engaging activities allowing student to apply their own knowledge and themes from the story to be creative.
• Critical Thinking - using themes from the story to consider wider issues
• Answers for comprehension questions included.

All activities have been designed with student engagement at the forefront. In responding to the book, students will be required to think both within and beyond the text. Children learn best when they are having fun! Even better that they are learning the love of books at the same time!

This product is not associated with this book's author or publishing company. The book must be purchased separately in order to be used alongside this product.

Please follow me for more literacy units - particularly new releases.

Thank you for your continued support.