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Character Analysis Lifeboat Game
By Beth Hammett
Students create avatars with this 22 page handout is based on character traits and character flaws. Students debate for a seat on a lifeboat to survive a luxury cruise shipwreck. Uses social skills combined with ELA skills to practice compare and contrast, fact-based arguments and persuasion. Includes:
Directions
Character Trait List with Definition
Character Flaw List with Definition
12 Male Avatars
12 Female Avatars
Lifeboat Scenario
Group Chart with Note Taking section
Character Reflection Sheet
Extra Resources
Optional Writing, Project, and Video Assignments
Excellent for small/whole group, whether at-risk/GT/AP, that uses character traits and fact-based evidence/proof to practice decision making processes and expository writings.
By Beth Hammett
Every April, students can celebrate Tell-a-Story Day, which occurs at the end of the month. This 16 page handout will help students with organizing and telling fact-based stories. Great for building oral communication, evidence/proof, and re-telling memories. Includes: Finding storytelling topics Graphic Organizers for planning stories in chronological order Setting up a storytelling event Designing advertisements/invitations Peer workshopping stories Links to multicultural, professional, international/national storytelling centers, storytelling videos and websites Can be used any time of the year! Students will enjoy sharing stories while learning how to use fact-based information. Fun and educational!
Presidents Dinner Party Writing Activity
By Beth Hammett
What better way to introduce and teach research skills than with a historical based dinner party with United States Presidents? This 28 page handout focuses on research skills, such as citations, details, dialogue/text evidence, main idea, sources, paraphrasing, summarizing, topic/theme. It includes: Scoring Rubric Directions Party Invitations to make 22 Caricature Presidents Speech Bubbles Tables Sources and Citations sheets Extra Optional Projects Resources Supplemental Resources Have fun researching historical documents then creating dinner party conversations with this complete introduction to research unit.
Inferencing and Journalism Writing Activities
By Beth Hammett
Become a news reporter and write your own daily column with these 22 inferencing, journalism writing activities. Newspaper format and great graphics are easy for students to work with. Uses writing process and peer workshopping strategies. Comes with two blank templates for creative fun and one lined page for extra writing space. Includes optional media and technology projects for differentiated classrooms. Excellent for use with relationship words, time order, fact vs. opinion, and more...Meets CCSS.
Informational Writing Prompts for Grades 5-8
By Beth Hammett
Prepare students for informational, on-demand assessment writing with fourteen factual prompts that address everyday issues. Includes: Prompts: Driving Economy Fashion Global Warming Health Technology School Science Space Sports Lined extra handout paper for writing Themed graphics Help students overcome writer's block and fear of testing with these informational, on-demand prompts. Meets CCSS.
Story Maps Narrative Writing Activities
By Beth Hammett
22 story maps for illustrating storytelling to writing activities. These hobby and life maps are excellent as first week icebreakers, using oral narratives to start the writing process, and learning more about students. Use as individual/small/whole group activities. Meets CCSS. Includes: Directions Example 2 Teacher Maps Singer Traveler (Local, State, US, World) Artist Baseball Softball Basketball Soccer Football Reader Writer Technology Music Dancers (Male & Female) Science My Life Story 3 Blank Story Map Templates Students will have fun while being engaged as they learn about their classmates, draw symbols for life events, write captions, and use storytelling as part of their writing process.
By Beth Hammett
41 page across-curriculum Comic Book Writing lesson plan has guidelines and materials needed for classroom comic book writing. Revised to Include:
Conquering the "I Can't Draw" Syndrome
Colorful student examples
Supply list
Comics timeline (history of comics)
Superhero/Alter Ego handouts
Comic story graphic organizer
Superheroes and Their Powers Review sheet
Handouts for speech/thought bubbles and frames
Extra Resources (website links, books, music and more
Scoring Rubric
Symbolism sheets
Tips for publishing
Short story elements include:
Inferencing
Characterization
Research
Plot (working with Plot Line and Elements)
Point of view
Dialogue
Symbolism
Technology
and much more...!
Can be used with all ages and differentiated classrooms (ESL, AP, G/T). Great for assessing grammar, inferencing, story skills,and writing process. Students will be excited to start comic book writing in the classroom. Fun and educational!
Earth Day Poems and Tales: Books to Make and Write
By Beth Hammett
Celebrate Earth Day with 40 pages of Earth Day related images for writing fact-based poems and prose.
Includes:
5 title pages
Directions with optional activities
30 Earth Day graphics (earth, recycle, alternative energy, pollution, and more!)
5 The End pages
Great for Civics, Government, Social Studies, and meets ELA standards.
Use as:
Individual poems/prose writings
On-demand writing
Practice concepts/skills from mini-lessons
Practice peer workshopping strategies
Publishing opportunities
Celebration of Earth Day
See Educator Helper's other Earth Day products!
Free weekly handout at www.bethhammett.blogspot.com