Less than $5 6th Grade ELA Test Prep Resources (by date, latest first)

Fun Spelling Game: This is not your average spelling test!

Inspired by Among Us, learners have less than 15 seconds to race against the clock to identify the "imposter" word (the one that is spelled incorrectly). Here's the twist: The possible responses start disappearing after time. Incorrect answers lose points and correct answers earn points. Not only that, the faster learners answer correctly, the more points they earn. This game provides a fun way for learners to identify spelling errors and (hopefully) use these same detective skills to proofread their own work.

At less than 3 minutes in duration, this is perfect for early-morning warmups or midday energizers.

Curious? Try it! Here's a preview of the functionality of Think Fast games. The preview version is for illustrative purposes only, This version has more response options than in the preview. Please refer to the thumbnails on this page to see an example of this game's content.

Want more? Here's a preview of other learning games.

It's Comprehensive:

• I researched several search engines to identify challenging words and the incorrect ways they are spelled.
• I also researched misspelled words within grade levels and across the U.S. population.
• Lastly, I made sure to include words with unique spelling rules, such as doubling the final consonant and changing from "y" to "ies".

Basic Features:

• Aligned to TEKS, STAAR, and CCSS.
• A single-player game that can be played online or offline. Can also be used for classroom review.
• Among Us Crewmate Clipart: That ESL Teacher.
• Automatic scoring and self-correcting answer key. Learners will earn points for correct answers.
• Replay option: Questions are randomly selected from a pool. Possible answer choices are shuffled. This combination makes it possible to produce a unique quiz with each replay attempt. In addition, new questions will be added to the pool periodically to keep the pool robust.
• Learners are presented with 10 questions out of a pool of over 130, ensuring it's never the same game twice!
• Learners are acknowledged by the name they entered when launching the game.
• No Prep: Automatic scoring and answer key. Open/send the link and go!
• Remediation for incorrect responses.
• Replay option: Questions are randomly selected from a pool. Possible answer choices are shuffled. This combination makes it possible to produce a unique quiz with each replay attempt.
• Copyright-friendly audio.
• No macros = play on any device.
• Google account not required!

What to Expect:

You'll receive a zip file that includes a link to the online game and instructions on how to download the game to play offline. This content is not editable. While I'll update the game periodically, I will do my best to retain the same link. After purchasing, you'll be notified about any updates to this product.

Help Me Get Better:

If you encounter any issues, please reach out to me at zaneylaneylearning@gmail.com before posting a negative review. I have a lot of ideas, and I'm trying my best to present an error-free, high-quality product.

If you would like to see additional examples or have suggestions for other uses/topics, please let me know.

Transform Writing with Engaging Figurative Language Lessons

Boost your students’ writing skills with this comprehensive Figurative Writing Resource Pack, designed for Grades 3-6. Teach similes, metaphors, and personification using vivid presentations, hands-on worksheets, and editable Google Slides/PowerPoint. Perfect for whole-class instruction, small groups, or independent learning, this resource is fully aligned with Common Core, TEKS, and the UK National Curriculum.

Save time with ready-to-use materials and differentiated tasks for all abilities. Featuring step-by-step guidance, interactive activities, and creative writing challenges, this pack helps students craft vivid, descriptive pieces while building confidence and autonomy. Proven effective in classrooms, it delivers an engaging, curriculum-aligned learning experience for teachers and students alike.

What’s Included? 

✏️  Print Materials: Worksheets, Answer keys, PDF of slides

✅✅ Digital Content: Part-Editable Google Slides/PowerPoint Presentation

What’s Inside?

✔️ 20 pg PowerPoint Presentation/Google Slides

✔️ 7 Worksheets

✔️ Student Directions

✔️ Teacher Answer Key

✔️ Teacher Directions, Tips and Differentiation

✔️ Learning Objective

✔️ Success Criteria

✔️ Lesson Route

Perfect for Grades 3-6!

Why You’ll Love This Resource:

✏️ No Prep

✏️ Print and Go

✏️ Cross-Curricular

✏️ Aligned with Common Core, TEKS, and UK National Curriculum.

✏️ Highly Engaging

✏️ Great for whole-class instruction, small groups, or independent work

✏️ Classroom-tested 

When to use this? 

✅ Literacy ELA Lesson (1-2 hour lessons)

✅ Sub Plans

✅ Review

What Do You Need?

✏️ Pencils

✏️ Computer

✏️ Projector for slides (Slides are in PowerPoint format and can be uploaded to Google Drive to open as Google Slides)

Skills Used:

✔️ Identifying figurative language

✔️Creative writing

✔️ Reading comprehension

✔️ Vocabulary development

✔️ Critical thinking

✔️ Independent learning

Curriculum Alignment

This resource meets several educational standards, including:

Common Core State Standards (CCSS):

• RL.4.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases, including figurative language.
• W.4.3: Write narratives with descriptive details and clear event sequences.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS):

• 110.5 (ELA): Analyze how authors use figurative language to create meaning.
• 110.5(b)(20): Write literary texts using figurative language.

UK National Curriculum (Years 3-6):

• Writing Composition: Create vivid descriptions using figurative language.
• Reading Comprehension: Discuss words/phrases that capture the reader’s imagination.

Bonus Benefits:

✅ Encourages Creativity

✅ Promotes Self-Learning

✅ **✅**Addresses Common Misconceptions

Extra Perks:

• Earn TeachShare Credit: Leave a review to earn credits for future purchases.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We Strive for 5 Stars! If you have any questions, use the Q&A tab before leaving feedback.

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• Sensory Writing 
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Inspire your students to write with flair and confidence. Grab this versatile, high-quality resource today!

Are you looking for new and fun ways to review for STAAR? Have you considered introducing STAAR/Standardized test prep with music? This 10 question assessment uses Encanto's song "Surface Pressure" as the text, and exposes students to question stems they will see on STAAR in May. The question stems are STAAR/CCSS aligned from previous years' assessments and focus on a variety of skills such as inferencing, summarizing, context clues, figurative language, plot, determining the meaning of words, synthesizing information, and theme in three formats. The zip file includes:

1. Set of 10 task cards and answer key
2. Self-grading Google Form with feedback to stamp the concept; easily integrates with Google Classroom!
3. Google Doc classic assessment and answer key

Other Lessons you might enjoy 

• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 1 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 2 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 3 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 4 (TeachShare.com)
• Google Slides and Figurative Language Worksheet Disney's Encanto (TeachShare.com)

Are you looking for new and fun ways to review for STAAR? Have you considered introducing STAAR/Standardized test prep with music? This 10 question assessment uses Encanto's song "We Don't Talk About Bruno" as the text, and exposes students to question stems they will see on STAAR in May. The question stems are STAAR/CCSS aligned from previous years' assessments and focus on a variety of skills such as inferencing, summarizing, context clues, figurative language, plot, determining the meaning of words, synthesizing information, and theme in three formats. The zip file includes:

1. Set of 10 task cards and answer key
2. Self-grading Google Form with feedback to stamp the concept; easily integrates with Google Classroom!
3. Google Doc classic assessment and answer key

Other Lessons you might enjoy 

• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 1 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 2 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 3 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 4 (TeachShare.com)
• Google Slides and Figurative Language Worksheet Disney's Encanto (TeachShare.com)

Are you trying to make theme sticky for your students? This resource includes practice worksheets for three short films under 5 minutes long: Piper, The Present, Pip available on Youtube for free. Students will love the beautiful graphics of the films, and the heart warming lessons to learn from each. I love using these films as mini lessons of about 10 minutes each or you can combine all three into a 30 minute practice session. This can be used virtually or in person, as extension activities or as direct instruction!

Piper: https://youtu.be/WIPV1iwzrzg

The Present: https://youtu.be/WjqiU5FgsYc

Pip: https://youtu.be/07d2dXHYb94

Free Bonus: Using Pixar to teach Somebody wanted, but, so then (Summary!) with answer keys.

Are you looking for new and fun ways to review for STAAR? Have you considered introducing STAAR/Standardized test prep with music? This 10 question assessment uses Encanto's song "What Else Can I do?" as the text, and exposes students to question stems they will see on STAAR in May. The question stems are STAAR/CCSS aligned from previous years' assessments and focus on a variety of skills such as inferencing, summarizing, context clues, figurative language, plot, determining the meaning of words, synthesizing information, and theme in three formats. The zip file includes:

1. Set of 10 task cards and answer key
2. Self-grading Google Form with feedback to stamp the concept; easily integrates with Google Classroom!
3. Google Doc classic assessment and answer key

Other Lessons you might enjoy 

• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 1 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 2 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 3 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 4 (TeachShare.com)
• Google Slides and Figurative Language Worksheet Disney's Encanto (TeachShare.com)

Are you looking for new and fun ways to review for STAAR? Have you considered introducing STAAR/Standardized test prep with music? This 10 question assessment uses Encanto's song "Family Madrigal" as the text, and exposes students to question stems they will see on STAAR in May. The question stems are STAAR/CCSS aligned from previous years' assessments and focus on a variety of skills such as inferencing, summarizing, context clues, figurative language, plot, determining the meaning of words, synthesizing information, and theme in three formats. The zip file includes:

1. Set of 10 task cards and answer key
2. Self-grading Google Form with feedback to stamp the concept; easily integrates with Google Classroom!
3. Google Doc classic assessment and answer key

Other Lessons you might enjoy 

• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 1 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 2 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 3 (TeachShare.com)
• STAAR Comprehension | PDF Google Forms & Task Cards | New TEKS Encanto Set 4 (TeachShare.com)
• Google Slides and Figurative Language Worksheet Disney's Encanto (TeachShare.com)

Did you know that one young girl's courage was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement? Introduce your students to the inspiring story of Claudette Colvin with our engaging and educational resource, perfect for Black History Month and STAAR test preparation. Suitable for grades 6-8, this free, print-and-go resource combines historical significance with critical thinking.

Our resource includes a short, informative text about Claudette Colvin, followed by four carefully crafted multiple-choice questions. These questions are aligned with STAAR standards, focusing on skills such as inference, summary, and author's purpose. It's an ideal tool for deepening students' understanding of important historical figures while honing their test-taking abilities.

This versatile resource is perfect for various classroom needs:

☑️ Center in stations

☑️ Homework assignment

☑️ Warm-up activity

☑️ Part of a larger unit on informational text

As a free resource, it’s designed to be easy for teachers – just print and you're ready to go. It's a valuable addition to any lesson plan during Black History Month and beyond.

Don't forget to check out our other free February resources, including the Valentine's Day Text Structure Color Sorts and the Valentine's Day Author's Purpose Coloring Quest! Grade 5-8 FREEBIE! (TeachShare.com)!

Be sure to follow our store for more free resources that bring ease and effectiveness to your teaching. Download now and bring Claudette Colvin's remarkable story into your classroom!

Challenge your students with a deep exploration of figurative language with this complete, standards-aligned lesson plan centered on Langston Hughes’ classic poems Dreams and Harlem. Perfect for grades 6-8, this 60-minute lesson introduces and reinforces figurative language skills with a variety of Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels, from identification to detailed analysis. Through engaging activities, guided notes, fill-in-the-blank practice, and insightful discussions, students will strengthen their understanding of metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, repetition, and more!

What's Included:

• Do Now Prompt: Connect students personally to the theme of dreams and aspirations.
• Guided Notes & Slides: Fill-in-the-blank notes and a comprehensive slide deck introduce and review key figurative language concepts.
• Figurative Language Practice Handout: Allows students to identify and categorize figurative language independently or in pairs.
• Detailed Analysis of Dreams and Harlem: Thought-provoking questions and guided analysis help students apply figurative language skills in context, from interpreting similes and metaphors to discussing theme.
• Reflection and Discussion: Encourages students to connect poetic themes to real life and deepen their understanding of how figurative language enhances literature.

Why Teachers Love It: This resource provides a complete and flexible plan that fits seamlessly into any poetry or figurative language unit, with resources to support all stages of learning—from foundational identification to advanced interpretation. It’s ideal for introducing figurative language or deepening students’ analysis skills, making it a versatile addition to any ELA classroom.

Key Features:

• Differentiated Levels of Analysis: Activities move from DOK Level 1 (identifying figurative language) to DOK Levels 3-4 (interpreting meaning and thematic connections).
• Engagement-Boosting Content: Uses two of Hughes’ most powerful poems to explore big ideas about dreams, aspirations, and consequences, making learning relevant and impactful.
• Aligned with Language Standards: Perfect for reinforcing figurative language standards through high-interest texts.

Boost your students' confidence with figurative language and inspire thoughtful conversations with this enriching lesson plan! Download today to elevate your poetry and figurative language instruction with this ready-to-use, engaging resource!

Thess IXL tracking sheets help students monitor their progress in Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. It encourages ownership of their learning and helps them achieve their goals!

Key Features:

• Subject-Specific Pages: Dedicated tracking sheets for each subject.
• Weekly Logging: Students record their progress each week.
• Skill Tracking: Log skills practiced, scores achieved, and time spent.
• Goal Setting: Set targets for improvement and reflect on learning.
• Easy to Use: Simple format for students to fill out independently.

This resource makes tracking learning fun and engaging!

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Inspire your students to think critically about informational texts with this set of engaging, open-ended questions! Perfect for 4th-5th grade, these questions encourage students to explore main ideas, text features, structure, and author’s craft in any nonfiction text they read.

Ideal for:

• Class Discussions
• Small Group
• Center/Station Rotations
• Prompts for Close Reading
• Early Finisher Tasks
• Test Prep
• Comprehension Practice

Aligned with Common Core standards, this resource is a great way to help students build confidence in analyzing texts, connecting ideas, and uncovering the author’s purpose. Make each reading experience more meaningful and memorable!

This is the perfect game for centers or just extra practice. The goal is to get students sorting parts of speech. Say goodbye to boring cutting and pasting exercises! Students will be begging to sort words and have a great SNOWBALL BATTLE! This set even includes ideas for differentiated instruction! You get 8 regular parts of speech cards, 8 differentiated instruction parts of speech cards with definitions, and 18 sheets of snowball words to sort. That is a total of 108 snowball words! Your students will love practicing with this game!

If you enjoyed this activity, try some of my other products:

Switcheroo: The fun and exciting review game for any subject

Christmas Countdown Writing Prompts

Create a Story Picture Prompts

Vivid Word Choice Activities Bundle

This fun digital game is designed to be a no prep review for the parts of speech. It utilizes the chat feature on things like Zoom, but you can adjust the rules to suit your classroom needs. This product is not to be used on Outschool or similar teaching platforms, but may be used for your personal classroom in an online format. After each slide, there is an answer key slide to help you and the students.

Do your students need help categorizing and defining their research sources? Are you asking them to meet a minimum number of research sources for their essays? If so, then these worksheets are just what you need! Included are: 2 formatted sets of worksheets: Table format & Listing format for Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Research Sources Easy to understand definitions Examples of all sources Blank space for recording students' own research sources Number of Sources Used line for each source Students can easily understand Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary research sources, their examples, and can easily define and chart their research sources. Perfect for developing upper level critical thinking skills and research skills! Great for homeschooling, AP, dual credit, college composition, and elementary GT students. Excellent for non-fiction based CCSS and state standardized research writing.

For Middle Grade Students, all writers have it, but do you know what style is and how to recognize it? This 15 page presentation for will help students understand and analyze their own writing styles, as well as other authors' styles. Easy to follow format will have students analyzing style in no time! Includes: Checklist for Authors Handout Definitions for Author's Style . Examples of Classic Literature and Fairy Tale to Analyze How to Find Author's Style in Writing Extra Style Analysis Activities Author's Style Workshopping Handout How and Why to Improve Student's author's style Terminologies and definitions include: Audience—listeners, readers, viewers of work Author’s voice—sets writing apart from others; uniqueness of writing Genre—category/organization pattern of writing Purpose—intent of writing Mood—reader’s emotion to the writing Tone—author’s attitude about subject matter Sentence fluency—cadence, flow, transitions used Sentence variety—lengths/mixture of sentences Word choices—descriptions, figurative language, repetitions, synonyms… Excellent for introducing style, writing concepts, standardized testing reviews, class assessments, college readiness, CCSS, literacy centers, and grammar/editing revisions, Students will be able to identify their authors' styles after working through this presentation.

Do students need help understanding cause and effect? These cause and effect activities offer reinforcement and practice to produce great student essays.Step-by-step and easy-to-follow cause and effect activities include: Relationship Word Chart Fill-in-the-Blank Pearl Harbor Essay Activity 2 Fill-in-the Blank Organizers for Pearl Harbor 2 Cause and Effect Graphic Organizers for Generic History Writing 1 Pearl Harbor Cause & Effect Essay Assignments with Pre-writing 1 Generic History Cause & Effect Essay Assignment/Pre-writing Meets state and federal guidelines for ELA; meets state history guidelines. Help students easily understand cause and effect with this Pearl Harbor/generic history packet with visual graphic organizers. Use for test preparation and standardized test practice.

Make end mark punctuation easy to use for students! 13 slide pdf has student examples, peer workshopping activities, tips for writer as reader, reading with emotion, clarity, and meaning, as well as dangling and misplaced modifiers.Includes "Dear Jack" letter as a fun punctuation piece and "That Is" to get students to think about how punctuation affects meaning.Also, comes with Peer Workshopping End Punctuation Mark Check List handout.Great for introducing basic skills for emergent writers or for reviewing basic skills for test prep. Meets CCSS ELA.

Common Core approach to Persuasive writing using step-by-step instructions for students. Includes 20 pages of: Definition Persuasive vs. Argumentative Whole/small group and individual activities Ethical Writers Examples of Thesis/Topic Sentences/Details/Facts... Using Figurative Language Outlines Peer Workshopping Persuasive Scoring Rubric (Revision friendly to master skills) Extra Resources: video presentations, handouts, and ESL links Easy to follow and use with students in grades 4 and up. Meets CCSS Opinion and Argument Writing requirements.

What is multigenre writing, and how can you use it in your classroom? This Common Core, across-curriculum, interactive presentation includes: Fact-based/non-fiction or fictional Defining: "Multi" and "Genre" Student examples of multigenre projects Interactive small group activity for introducing multigenre Research and extra resources on multigenres 2 levels of assignments: lower and upper Brainstorming Topics chart Find Your Topic graphic organizer Multigenre list for choosing types of writings Peer Workshopping guide Supplemental Resources Works Cited Ready to use with students, and a great way to re-visit an old topic or to revive research essays, whether using non-fiction or fiction. Can be used to introduce topics or as assessment for unit or research for any discipline.. Multigenre activities are engaging, educational, meaningful, and fun.

Based on Ray Salazaar's Article, "If You Teach the 5-Paragraph Essay--Stop It", uses College Board and Common Core Standards to guide students through building a well-written persuasive essay. Whether 5-paragraphs or 50-pages,the format works for fact or research based papers. Includes Chart Checklist Definitions Writing Guides Examples Peer workshopping component Extra Resources: Links to Sample Essays... 16 interactive slides to guide students through the research writing process: thesis writing, working with and using background information, evidence supported facts/research, writing an effective conclusion. Helps build critical thinking and writing skills. Can be used with G/T, Pre-AP, AP, developmental/entry college level courses. Everything needed to produce a well-written, researched essay.