6th Grade English Language Arts Independent Work Packet

Looking for a versatile resource that works with any fiction novel? This Lit Circle Packet is perfect for Upper Elementary and middle school students, offering a wide range of engaging activities designed to encourage deep analysis, creativity, and critical thinking, regardless of the novel being studied. Whether you're working on a class novel, independent reading, or small group book clubs, this resource provides a comprehensive approach to exploring literature.

What’s Included: This packet includes 20 flexible and meaningful activities that can be applied to any fiction text. From character analysis to creative writing, each activity is designed to help students engage with and understand the story on a deeper level.

Activities:

1. Summary – Students summarize key events of each chapter to track the story’s development.
2. List the Characters – Identify characters and describe their roles or actions in the chapter.
3. I Predict... – Students make predictions based on text evidence, promoting critical thinking.
4. Significant Quote – Choose a key quote and explain its importance to the story’s themes or characters.
5. Illustrate an Important Scene – Draw and explain a pivotal moment from the chapter.
6. Vocabulary – Define new words, use them in context, and draw pictures to reinforce meaning.
7. Character Adjectives – Describe the protagonist with three adjectives and support one with text evidence.
8. Musical Playlist for the Main Character – Create a playlist that represents the character's journey or emotions.
9. Character Identity – Explore six key elements of the character’s identity and support with text from the novel.
10. Window and Mirror – Compare and contrast yourself with the main character, identifying similarities and differences.
11. Conflict Analysis – Identify and explain three types of conflict (e.g., character vs. character, self, society, etc.).
12. Text Conversation – Write a text message conversation between yourself and a character to help them solve their conflict.
13. Setting Analysis – Explore how different settings impact the characters and the story’s events.
14. Imagery of Setting – Use sensory details to describe a setting and analyze the mood it creates.
15. Theme Statements – Write three universal theme statements that apply to the novel’s message or lesson.
16. Rewrite the Ending – Get creative by rewriting the final chapter or scene using the author’s tone and style.
17. Comic Strip – Draw a comic strip of four key moments from the story, showing the progression of the plot.
18. Breaking News – Write a newspaper article about a major event in the story, reporting it as breaking news.
19. Expository Essay – Write an essay explaining how the protagonist changes throughout the novel, supported by evidence.
20. Argumentative Essay – Argue whether the protagonist’s critical decision was justified, using textual evidence to support your claim.

Why You’ll Love This Resource:

• Flexible for Any Novel: These activities can be applied to any fiction text, making this packet a versatile tool for any reading assignment, novel study, or literature circle.
• Engaging and Interactive: Activities encourage students to think critically, make connections, and engage creatively with the story.
• Multiple Skills: Students will practice a variety of skills, including summarization, analysis, prediction, creative expression, and essay writing.
• Ready-to-Use: Simply print and go! Perfect for class novels, independent reading, or book clubs.

Use this Lit Circle Packet to foster a deeper understanding of any novel while encouraging meaningful discussion and creative expression in your classroom!

Core Benefits

• Fun and Engaging: Designed to make learning enjoyable
• Structured Approach: Provides step-by-step guidance
• Improves Writing Skills: Helps students develop descriptive language
• Boosts Confidence: Encourages creative expression

Target Audience

• Grades 2-6: Specifically designed for this age group

Key Features

• Creative Brainstorming: Encourages imaginative thinking

• Descriptive Language: Teaches the use of powerful adjectives and verbs

• Step-by-Step Prompts: Easy to follow for students and teachers

• Free Download: PDF Format ready-to-go!

• Sparks Imagination: Inspires students to visualize and create vivid scenes

• Builds Self-Esteem: Encourages students to express themselves confidently

  Download Now: Get your free copy of the Descriptive Writing resource today and watch your students' creativity flourish!

Leave a review and let me know what you think! Your feedback helps me keep creating free resources for teachers and students.

Students will love learning about the history of Ancient Egypt by through this two-page Guided Reading summary of the main eras from 3000 BC through 700 BC. Many of the monumental buildings and structures such as the pyramids, mortuary temples, statues and obelisks came from this period.

Students will be able to answer questions as they read based on Guided Reading questions on the right. Colorful graphics keep the students engaged.

An additional page provides a timeline to help students visualize the timeframe. A list of Historical Terms is also included. Additionally there is a bonus page with a map of ancient Egypt so students can better visualize the places mentioned in the Guided Reading.

Word Meaning with Nonsense Words

Why teach word meaning through nonsense words (context clues only)?

• Students must use critical thinking to solve
• Students must read the whole passage for context clues
• Students must problem solve to find the best word that makes the most sense.
• They can't find the answer except through problem solving.

All of these are things we want every student to do! This is something that is already adapted for high and low learners.

Starting with three nonsense words gets students going so they can work in groups or independently to decode the meaning of 7 REAL words (selected from the SAT vocabulary list).

This is a perfect activity for group problem solving and critical thinking!

Finding the meaning of words: in context, with a definition and from the Latin or Greek base. Four teaching pages are included for self-guided learning along with 7 student pages for practice with various shortened reading passages.

INCLUDED:

• 3 Self-grading Google Forms
• Editable Word Doc
• PDF
• Reading Passage
• Teaching pages
• Answer Key

BUNDLE & SAVE: ELA Test Prep, Study Guide & Activities Bundle

Word Meaning with Greek & Latin

✔️Need to teach Greek & Latin along with Context Clues?

✔️Looking for way to get your students thinking critically & making connections?

✔️Need to integrate vocabulary in a meaningful way?

This activity includes worksheets, task cards and Google Quizzes for vocab practice

Students will use key words from the definitions in the first activity to determine the meaning of the Greek or Latin prefix. By recognizing the prefixes in words they recognize (and some they won't) students will begin making connections to other words they hear and read. This is a natural way to build in vocabulary to daily instruction that includes context clues and the Greek and Latin.

Included:

• Greek & Latin Roots Exploration: Dive into 45 carefully selected words, each featuring 9 impactful prefixes from the rich realms of Latin and Greek languages.
• Word Definitions: Equip your students with a solid understanding of each word, laying the foundation for deeper language comprehension.
• Fill in the Blank Sentences: Immerse your class in the learning process with cloze sentences that challenge them to apply their newfound knowledge in context.
• Task Cards: Make learning interactive and enjoyable with task cards that encourage independent exploration and reinforce language skills.
• Google Quizzes: Easily accessible quizzes that provide instant feedback, saving you valuable time and promoting a tech-savvy learning environment.

Vocabulary Starter

NEED TO TEACH VOCABULARY IN YOUR MIDDLE OR HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM AND YOU'RE NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

You came to the right place! I have been teaching for 5+ years, I have my Master's in Education with a focus on Literacy and I didn't know where to start.

So, I went back to everything I learned in my graduate program and re-read everything I could find.

I wrote & designed a student-engaging template to help students in my classroom to deeply internalize a word. I gathered key word lists when I didn't have a word from our daily reading, and thought about how to teach vocabulary so my love of etymology and words could be shared with my 10th graders. I've included all that and a guide to help other teachers get started with implementing and teaching vocabulary in THEIR classrooms.

Is this book for me?

• You want to teach vocabulary explicitly
• You want flexibility to choose your words daily based on what you’re reading
• You need versatility to choose your own words from a given list
• You want your students to deeply internalize the vocabulary they learn
• You’re not sure where to start

Then this book is for you!

Adaptable to every classroom in every situation, this is more than a fill-in-the-blank activity. Your students will have a guide to build a vocabulary for a lifetime of learning.

WHY TEACH VOCABULARY EXPLICITLY?

Generating curiosity and delight in playing with words supports long-term memory, enhances the connection between orthography and meaning, and develops a disposition which stimulates word consciousness. It also builds vocabulary! All of these are a part of a vocabulary rich classroom environment.

Mythical Beast Assignment: Part of a 10-Assignment Series!

Ignite curiosity with this engaging reading activity on mythical beasts. As one assignment in a 10-part series, it’s designed to develop critical thinking and comprehension in an accessible and exciting way. It is written at a 7th grade level so is accessible to a wide range of students.

Students will read 4 focused paragraphs:

1. Origins – Learn the cultural or historical roots of a mythical creature.
2. Description – Discover its unique features and characteristics.
3. Sightings – Explore accounts and stories that keep the legend alive.
4. Scientific Explanations – Examine real-world theories behind the myth.

After reading, students will answer 4 comprehensive questions, supported by a clear answer key for easy grading and discussion.

This assignment combines engaging content with skill-building, making it perfect for history, science, or language arts.

Check out my store for bundle deals and other engaging assignments.

Spelling Menu for 20 words

Menú de 20 Palabras

Looking for fun reading comprehension passages, questions and activities for ELA? Maybe you need high-interest close reading articles about trending topics, but wish you didn't have to write them? These activity packets will be game-changers in your classroom because they come with ready to go, no-prep, yet FUN lessons your students will actually want to do! Now, you can finally say goodbye to last-minute stressing trying to find fun substitute lesson plans!

With this no-prep emergency Sub Plan for Upper Elementary ELA, your students will WANT to work and stay on task as they read about Netflix, the rise of the streaming phenomenon, and get quizzed on what they know about the wildly popular service. Packed with engaging activities, this ready-to-use set is ready for your sub tub, and designed to ease the burden of substitute teacher planning while keeping students engaged and motivated.

You'll get a stand-alone resource that was designed to offer a print-and-go sub-plan solution for ELA teachers who don't have time to prep their lessons.

Students read a pop culture article on Netflix and you get lessons that include both reading and writing. Two fun puzzles are also included, as well as a design page where students can pitch their concept for a new series in the #NetflixChallenge. Students will think about what type of series or movie they want to create, the audience, cast of characters and genre and then summarize the story and create a visual promo design. The estimated lexile measure of this set ranges from 900 to 1100.

I always leave my sub binder on my desk for a sub, administrator, or colleague to grab in case of an emergency. I feel at ease knowing my students are engaged, productive, and learning even when I have to be out of the classroom.

What's included:

6 Page Netflix Sub Plan

• "Exploring the Streaming Revolution: The Rise of Netflix" - 1 page article
• Reading Comprehension - 7 multiple choice questions
• Critical Thinking - 5 short answer questions
• Crossword Puzzle - How Well Do You Know Netflix?
• #NetflixChallenge - Design the Next Netflix Series
• Impossible MAZE - Press Play on Fun by Finding the TV Remote

***CHECK OUT THE PREVIEW FOR MORE DETAILS!***

Simply print and go! This packet can be used in a multitude of ways, and not solely for sub work.

There is truly no preparation needed, which is why this set is perfect to leave for:

• sub plans
• bell ringers
• homework
• test prep
• review
• assessment

Activity: Students can complete all six worksheets as part of a sub packet, but if you don't see them for a full block then assign only one page each day you're out (you'll get even more bang for your buck!) This packet has so many uses beyond sub work - use it any time of year for a no-prep, yet FUN learning activity that kids will actually enjoy doing! All answer keys are included!

✔️LIKE THESE SUB PLANS?? GET THEM ALL!

► Grab Set 1 which includes the following sets: (CURRENTLY VIEWING)

• Crocs
• Air Jordans
• Takis
• Fortnite

► Grab Set 2 which includes the following sets:

• TikTok
• MrBeast
• OpenAI
• Netflix

⭐⭐⭐ OR CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MONEY-SAVING BUNDLE AND GET ALL 8 SETS HERE FOR 20% OFF!!

Have a question?

Please check out the Q&A section or message me and I'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Don't forget to leave me feedback! I love to hear what my buyers say, how the product worked for them, and any feedback I can use to improve my product! (It also earns you points towards future TeachShare Purchases)

**For personal and single classroom use only. If using with multiple classrooms, please purchase additional licenses at the discounted rate.**

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As students are learning the 40 pre-primer sight words in this product, they will be provided with each word, an example of the word used in a sentence (along with some visuals to help them understand unfamiliar vocabulary words), and the opportunity to make up a sentence themselves using the word. I find that with my students who are Deaf/hard of hearing/ELL, when they make up sentences using the newly learned sight word, it helps them to remember how to spell the word, the meaning, and how it is used. My students love booklets of any kind that they can refer back to. Once they have come up with their sentences, they can include pictures that they print and cut out, draw pictures freehand, or find pictures in a magazine that they can add to each page of the pre-primer sight word booklet that matches each sentence they come up with. This gives students the opportunity to connect what they are learning about in the classroom with their own personal interests. This booklet is perfect for students that are on grade level as well as students who require instructional information to be adapted.

If you are interested in the product above, the sight word checklist may be of interest to you as well.

Pre-Primer – 4th Grade Sight Word List Checklist

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Pre-Primer-4th-Grade-Sight-Word-Checklist-8438220

This product includes checklists for the following sight words:

pre-primer sight words - 40 words

primer sight words - 52 words

1st grade sight words - 41 words

2nd grade sight words - 46 words

3rd grade sight words - 41 words

4th grade sight words - 260 words

**If you download this product and like it, please leave me a positive review. :)

Boost your Halloween themed language lessons with this Halloween Idiom Fun Worksheet pack. These idiom activities will add some figurative language fun to your language arts lessons. They are especially perfect for the month of October but can be used any time of the year. This engaging resource consists of 15 printable worksheets where students complete Halloween idioms and draw corresponding illustrations and 15 worksheets for your students to illustrate the idioms. This activity not only fosters an understanding of idiomatic expressions but also encourages imaginative thinking making it a perfect fit for language arts lessons during the spooky season. Make your lesson fun and let your students make up their own idioms or guess the answer to the idiom and draw and write their own idea. If you teach younger students you can use the idioms that are not so scary, like A night owl or To shake like a leaf. Your students will think this activity is just spooktacular!

Click here to view more Halloween resources available in my store.

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Lights, camera, action! Bring the excitement of the movies into your classroom with our Movie Popcorn Noun And Adjective Sort File Folder Game.

Designed with young learners and students in Autism and MD classrooms in mind, this engaging resource focuses on sorting nouns and adjectives into their corresponding popcorn box categories. With a total of 20 words to explore, your students will have a blast while strengthening their language arts skills. It's a fun and interactive way to reinforce grammar concepts!

Perfect for small group language arts centers and independent work stations, this file folder game is a versatile addition to your classroom activities. With minimal prep work required, you can easily incorporate this activity into your daily lessons. Watch as your students eagerly engage with the movie popcorn theme and develop their language skills in an enjoyable way.

Invest in a resource that will stand the test of time. Our Movie Popcorn Themed File Folder Game is designed for long-term use, ensuring that you can enjoy its benefits for years to come. It's a cost-effective solution that brings fun and learning into your classroom while saving you precious time and effort.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to enhance your language arts instruction. Download our Movie Popcorn Themed File Folder Game today and create a classroom environment that is filled with laughter, engagement, and educational growth. ✏️ #MoviePopcorn #FileFolderGames #SpecialEducation #LanguageArts #Grammar #Autism #IndependentWorkTasks

Clipart Provided By Educlips and P4 Clips Trioriginals

I used this resource with one of my guided reading groups. They completed the packet as they read the story "What Was Pearl Harbor" by Brennan Demuth and illustrated by John Mantha. If they finished they could choose from the extra activities. An answer key is included!

Lexile: 800L

Guided Reading Level: T

AR Level: 5.4

AR Quiz Number: 160144

ISBN: 978-0-545-64034-3

Thanks for looking! Please rate and leave a comment.

Do you want your students engaged in the writing process? Do your students struggle to find something to write about? Then download this Creative and Narrative Writing Prompts with an ANIMAL Theme for Middle School ELA resource! Perfect for the English Language Arts or ELL/ESL classroom, these 45 unique picture prompts are unique and fun! Use them as a warm-up, homework, independent writing projects, or as a fun way for students to practice specific writing skills (grammar, editing, voice, organization, etc.).

THIS RESOURCE CONTAINS:

• 45 full-color picture/photo prompts on lined paper (with & without borders)

• The same 45 picture/photo prompts but in black and white  (with & without borders)

• 2 editable pre-writing worksheets to help students organize their thoughts

• An editable grading rubric

• An editable writing checklist to assist students in editing their writing

• Additional writing sheets

• Terms of use and credits

✈️ Click here to follow A World to Explore Store and be the first to know about brand-new games and activities!

❤ Other Resources You'll LOVE:

20 Photo Writing Prompts PEOPLE Creative Narrative Essays Checklist & Rubric

30Digital-BordersFrames-on-Lined-Paper-for-Writing-Prompts

Elevate your reading instruction with our 4th Grade Reading Creativity Choice Board! Designed to enhance student engagement and foster a love for reading, this choice board offers a variety of fun, interactive activities that cater to diverse learning styles. Ideal for end-of-year activities, independent work, or literacy centers, this resource helps combat boredom and keeps students motivated.

What’s Included:

• Choice Board with 20 Engaging Activities: Categorized into four distinct areas ensuring a well-rounded approach to reading comprehension and literary analysis.
• Detailed Rubric: A comprehensive rubric to easily assess student performance, ensuring clear expectations and consistent grading.

Key Features:

✨ Variety of Activities: From creating a book trailer to designing a comic strip, students can choose activities that align with their interests and strengths.

✨ Student Autonomy: Encourages independent learning and decision-making as students select their preferred tasks.

✨ Easy to Use: Ready-to-print and digital-friendly, making it simple to integrate into your classroom routine.

Benefits:

✦ Enhances Engagement: Keeps students interested and involved in their reading assignments.

✦ Promotes Critical Thinking: Activities require students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information.

✦ Supports Differentiation: Perfect for diverse classrooms, offering multiple entry points for all learners.

Perfect For:

☑ End-of-Year Activities

☑ Literacy Center

☑ Independent Work

☑ Homework Assignments

Why Teachers Love It❤️: "This choice board has transformed my reading lessons. My students are more engaged and excited about their reading activities. The rubric makes grading straightforward and consistent."

Disclaimer⚠️: Some activities across different boards may be similar but are tailored to different topics to maintain relevance and variety.

Need Help or Have Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance with this product, feel free to reach out to me at ashlee@msgamification.com. I'm here to help!

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This product is intended solely for the teacher who purchased it. Please refrain from sharing it with other teachers. If multiple teachers wish to use it, each should acquire their own license. Thank you for respecting these terms and supporting educational resources!

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Bring the vibrant underwater world of coral reefs to life with this informative nonfiction passage and set of 10 multiple choice questions. This science reading comprehension worksheet features a 150 word passage describing how coral reefs form and the threats facing these diverse ecosystems today. Useful for grades 3-5 science classes, the text and questions address key reading skills like main idea, detail identification, vocabulary, and author's purpose. After reading about the biology of coral reefs and the animals that depend on them, students will answer multiple choice questions testing comprehension, vocabulary meaning in context, drawing conclusions, differentiating fact and opinion, and more. From building reef structures to the need for conservation, this engaging worksheet will introduce students to coral reef ecology and build essential nonfiction literacy skills.

Skills covered:

Main idea & details

Vocabulary

Drawing conclusions

Differentiating fact & opinion

Author's purpose

Supporting evidence

Stay standards-based while having a little fun with St. Patrick's Day! This reading comprehension passage about St. Patrick's Day is engaging and has several great features:

• Full, engaging reading passage about St. Patrick's Day

• 10 multiple choice questions in a variety of formats:

-Traditional multiple choice

-A set of task cards

-A Google Form (linked in the PDF)

• Multiple skills assessed
  -Text Evidence
  -Context Clues
  -Tone & Mood
  -Figurative Language (Metaphor)
  -Main Idea & Details
  -Summary
  -Graphic Elements

• 10 Quick Write Prompts
  **-**extension
  -warm-ups
  -use with a current grammar/writing skill

Novel Study for Any Novel (Independent or Small Group Novel Study)

For Grades 6 to 9

Aprox. 8 weeks teaching duration.

Google Slides, PDF, Editable MS Word

No Prep

Includes:

Reading comprehension questions

Several writing assignments

Analysis of character, mood, setting, literary devices

Graphic organizers

Student self assessment

Grading Rubric

To come

• My students had so much fun doing this, they didn't want it to end! Four Disney villains are being brought to court with charges and your students will either prosecute or defend them in "court":

• Ursula - The Little Mermaid: Fraud & Exploitation

• Scar - The Lion King: Manslaughter & Environmental Crimes

• Gaston - Beauty & The Beast: Attempted Murder & Inciting a Riot

• Lady Tremaine - Cinderella: Emotional Abuse/Neglect & Exploitation

Assign your students to be prosecutors and defenders with their own custom files. Each team has their own responsibilities and will need to craft their argument well to win the judge & jury.

-Reinforce learning of claim, support, point of view and more!

- Students need to support their claims with facts from the movie. Perfect for an argumentative unit!

*Lesson has been adapted with extensive sentence stems and examples. Teacher made examples are also included. This is a scaled activity that all students can do without too much teacher intervention.

Check out these other resources!

• ELA Test Prep, Study Guide & Activities Bundle (new)
• All Things English For Middle & High School Students (best seller)
• Revising & Editing Workbook
• Revising & Editing for Group Lessons
• Bell Ringers for the Semester
• Everything Writing

Mythical Beast Assignment: Part of a 10-Assignment Series!

Ignite curiosity with this engaging reading activity on mythical beasts. As one assignment in a 10-part series, it’s designed to develop critical thinking and comprehension in an accessible and exciting way. It is written at a 7th grade level so is accessible to a wide range of students.

Students will read 4 focused paragraphs:

1. Origins – Learn the cultural or historical roots of a mythical creature.
2. Description – Discover its unique features and characteristics.
3. Sightings – Explore accounts and stories that keep the legend alive.
4. Scientific Explanations – Examine real-world theories behind the myth.

After reading, students will answer 4 comprehensive questions, supported by a clear answer key for easy grading and discussion.

This assignment combines engaging content with skill-building, making it perfect for history, science, or language arts.

Check out my store for bundle deals and other engaging assignments.

• Tarahumara Runners
• Mayan Baseball Players

Cultural Readings Spanish and English