Less than $5 8th Grade Creative Writing Resources (by date, latest first)

Bring Thanksgiving fun to your classroom with these easy, step-by-step directed drawings! Students can follow along to draw seasonal favorites like an acorn, piece of pie, turkey, turkey leg, squash, and a festive place setting. Designed to inspire creativity and enhance writing time, this pack makes it easy for students to add their drawings to writing projects, keeping them excited and engaged.

What's Included:

• 6 Thanksgiving/Fall-Themed Directed Drawings (Acorn, Pie, Turkey, Turkey Leg, Squash, Place Setting)
• Choice of Line Styles: Standard, Primary, or Drawing
• Large Cards
• Journal Strips for Easy Use in Notebooks or on Rings

Engage your students this Thanksgiving season with easy, step-by-step directed drawing pages! This Thanksgiving pack includes guided drawing sheets for creating holiday images like an acorn, piece of pie, turkey, turkey leg, squash, and a place setting. Students can use these drawings to spark ideas for writing and storytelling, making it a perfect addition to writing centers or independent activities.

Perfect For:

• Writer's Workshop & Creative Writing
• Independent Work & Centers
• Early Finishers & Homework
• Journal or Ring-Bound Use
• Sub Plans

With primary and standard-lined pages as well as journal strips, this pack provides versatile options for every classroom setup. Use it to boost students' creativity while encouraging them to express themselves through both drawing and writing!

Keywords: Thanksgiving directed drawing, step-by-step Thanksgiving drawing, Thanksgiving drawing activities, primary lined drawing pages, Thanksgiving writing prompts, drawing and writing centers, Thanksgiving journal strips

Blush Notes 8.5 x 11 inches 200 Pages for Notebooks and journals

8.5 x 11 inches, 200 Pages Blank Pages Paper, College Ruled, Lined Journal & Music Sheet for Writing and Music Composition

Perfect for teachers and students to write in everything they want

Enjoy it, Thanks

Writing an Arctic animal research report can be a fun and interesting project for your students. This provides them with the opportunity to learn about an Arctic animal that interests them and share it with their peers! This packet includes information to share with your students about what an Arctic animal research report is, topic ideas, why an Arctic animal research report is written, what is shared in an Arctic animal research report, who the audience will be, how the completed Arctic animal research report will be published, rules to follow when writing an Arctic animal research report, where to locate information and the possible sources one could find when completing an Arctic animal research report, opening paragraph tips to hook the reader, tips that make a great Arctic animal research report, and an idea that shows the structure of an Arctic animal research report are included in this product.

An example of three possible writing topics, a completed KWL chart, and a brainstorming chart that will serve as a guide when writing the rough draft of the Arctic animal research report are included in this product. An example of a rough draft on the Arctic animal, narwhals, and an example of the sources that were used to write this Arctic animal research report are also provided to help support students and serve as a guide to help them when writing their own rough draft. Templates are included after the example along with a rough draft template and reminder checklist, so students remember to go back and check their work once it is completed.

Students can also complete the questions that are included with this product about their Arctic animal, such as what the name of you Arctic animal?, where does your Arctic animal eat?, how much does your Arctic animal weigh? Etc. Students will also be required to draw a picture of their Arctic animal. Using this template may be better to use with students who require the Arctic animal research report to be adapted.

Spark your students' imaginations with these engaging Easter-themed narrative writing prompts! This bundle offers two exciting storylines to inspire creative writing and storytelling.

What's Included:

• Benny the Bunny's Easter Surprise: Challenge students to write a story about a silent bunny who can only speak on Easter Day. Encourage them to develop the plot, characters, and setting to create a captivating tale.
• Not Bunny, But... Egg-cellent Surprise! Ignite curiosity with this unexpected twist! Students will craft a story around a creature that hatches from an Easter egg, exploring imaginative possibilities and character development.

These writing prompts offer opportunities for students to practice descriptive language, plot development, and character building while having fun with the Easter theme.

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

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Unleash your students' creativity with this Halloween-themed writing bundle!

This engaging resource combines narrative writing and persuasive writing prompts to inspire your students' imaginations and hone their writing skills.

What's Included:

• Narrative Writing Prompts: Spooky and fun prompts to encourage students to write creative stories.
• Persuasive Writing Prompts: Topics related to Halloween that require students to argue their point of view.
• Writing Templates: Optional templates to provide structure and guidance for students.
• Rubric: A scoring rubric to help students assess their writing.

How it Works:

1. Choose a Prompt: Students select a narrative or persuasive writing prompt.
2. Plan and Write: Students brainstorm ideas, develop a plot, and write their story or persuasive piece.
3. Revise and Edit: Students review their writing for clarity, coherence, and grammar.
4. Share and Reflect: Students share their work with classmates and receive feedback.

Benefits:

• Engaging and Fun: The Halloween theme makes writing more exciting and enjoyable.
• Improves Writing Skills: Helps students develop their narrative and persuasive writing abilities.
• Sparks Creativity: Encourages students to think outside the box and create unique stories.
• Promotes Critical Thinking: Challenges students to analyze and argue their point of view.

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

If you like this product, follow my store -Mettry Teaches- for more.

This fun and engaging burger-themed rubric makes writing expectations clear and understandable for students. With four clear levels of achievement, this rubric provides valuable guidance for students to improve their writing skills.

What's Included:

• Four-Level Rubric: Detailed criteria for each level, from "Incomplete Work" to "Above and Beyond," covering essential writing elements.
• Versatile Format: Suitable for both classroom posters and individual student printouts as a guide for each student's binder/writing assignment.

⭐Writing Attempts:

Narrative
Christmas: Trapped in a Snow Globe | My Snowman Came to Life
Thanksgiving: How the Turkey Escaped Thanksgiving Dinner | How the Turkey Escaped Thanksgiving Dinner

Others: Journey to the Center of the Earth | Forms of Energy in my Car - Science, Art & WRITING Project

Easter: Benny the Bunny - Easter's Surprise | NOT Bunny - Eggcelent Easter/Spring Surprise

Halloween: Trapped in a Haunted House

Persuasive | Dear Santa - Villains Edition | Who Will Guide the Sleigh | Halloween: Can I Keep My Witch?

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

If you like this product, follow my store -Mettry Teaches- for more.

This fun and engaging burger-themed rubric makes writing expectations clear and understandable for students. With four clear levels of achievement, this rubric provides valuable guidance for students to improve their writing skills.

What's Included:

• Four-Level Rubric: Detailed criteria for each level, from "Incomplete Work" to "Above and Beyond," covering essential writing elements.
• Versatile Format: Suitable for both classroom posters and individual student printouts as a guide for each student's binder/writing assignment.

⭐Writing Attempts:

Narrative
Christmas: Trapped in a Snow Globe | My Snowman Came to Life
Thanksgiving: How the Turkey Escaped Thanksgiving Dinner | How the Turkey Escaped Thanksgiving Dinner

Others: Journey to the Center of the Earth | Forms of Energy in my Car - Science, Art & WRITING Project

Easter: Benny the Bunny - Easter's Surprise | NOT Bunny - Eggcelent Easter/Spring Surprise

Halloween: Trapped in a Haunted House

Persuasive | Dear Santa - Villains Edition | Who Will Guide the Sleigh | Halloween: Can I Keep My Witch?

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

If you like this product, follow my store -Mettry Teaches- for more.

Wanted! Book Villains! Turn your students into character analysis detectives with this engaging and creative activity! By creating wanted posters for their favorite book villains, students will dive deep into character traits, motivations, and physical descriptions.

What's Included:

• Wanted Poster Template: A customizable template to guide students in creating their posters.
• Wanted Poster Example: A visual model for inspiration and structure.
• Villain List: A helpful resource for students who need a starting point or alternative characters.

This resource encourages critical thinking, creativity, and a deeper understanding of characters.

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

If you like this product, follow my store -Mettry Teaches- for more.

Egg-citement fills the air! Your students have stumbled upon a mysterious egg, unlike any they've seen before. But wait, there's more! The egg hatches, revealing a creature NOT A bunny! This activity provides the perfect opportunity for students to practice narrative writing in descriptive paragraphs, capturing the wonder and surprise of this extraordinary discovery.

What's Included?

• Egg Design Template: A blank egg template allows students to unleash their creativity and illustrate the mysterious egg before it hatches. Encourage them to consider its size, color, patterns, or any unique features that set it apart.
• Narrative Writing Prompt:
  A writing prompt guides students through the storytelling process:

1. Discovery: Describe the scene where you find the egg. Where are you? What are you doing? How do you discover the egg? Use vivid details to paint a picture for your reader.
2. Mystery: The egg is unlike any you've seen before! Describe its appearance in detail. What is its size, color, texture, or any other remarkable features that pique your curiosity?
3. Hatching Time! Suspense builds as the egg begins to crack. Describe the sounds and sights leading to the big reveal. What emotions do you feel?
4. Surprise! The egg hatches, but instead of a bunny, a creature unlike any you've ever seen emerges! Describe this unexpected creature in detail. Focus on its appearance, size, and any unique features that make it special.
5. A New Friend? The story doesn't end here! What happens next? Do you befriend the creature? Do you embark on an adventure together? Leave the ending open for students to use their imaginations and create a unique conclusion.

⭐Narrative Writings:

Benny the Bunny - Speaks on Easter Day

Earth Layers

Turkey Escaped Dinner

Trapped in a Snow Globe

Snowman Came to Life**⭐**

⭐More for Easter:

Rename Fractions | Easter/Spring Bunnies**⭐**

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

If you like this product, follow my store -Mettry Teaches- for more.

Engage your students in a creative writing activity that combines imagination, persuasion, and argumentation. This resource provides students with a compelling prompt to write a persuasive letter to their parents, arguing why their witch should remain a permanent member of the family!

What's Included?

• Customize the witch's face to match their imagination.
• Start with opinion and reasons.
• Continue to write the essay.

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

If you like this product, follow my store -Mettry Teaches- for more.

Calling all reformed villains! This holiday season, ditch the coal and rewrite your story. This activity allows students to use their imagination and persuasive writing skills to convince Santa Claus they deserve a spot on the nice list!

What's Included:

• Reformed Villain Graphic Organizer: Help students brainstorm and visualize their villainous character and their path to redemption.
• Persuasive Letter to Santa Template: Provide a structured format for students to craft their convincing arguments.
• List of Infamous Villains: Offer inspiration and a starting point for character selection.

⭐Want more writing for Christmas?⭐

Trapped in a Snow Globe | Narrative Writing

Who Will Guide The Sleigh | Persuasive Writing**⭐**

⭐Thanksgiving narrative writing: How the Turkey Escaped Thanksgiving Dinner**⭐**

⭐Journey to the center of the Earth narrative/descriptive: Earth Layers**⭐**

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

If you like this product, follow my store -Mettry Teaches- for more.

Help your student's learn and understand figurative language with these posters. They are a terrific addition to your reading or writing bulletin boards. All posters are made with student friendly definitions and examples from esteemed authors.

All posters match my geometric design colour palette. Please refer to my TeachShare store for more resources in this design.

What's Included:

Figurative Language/ Author's Craft Heading Poster

7 Figurative Language Posters

This no prep Google Slides project works perfectly with almost any middle grade/YA fiction novel. While students are highly engaged and thinking creatively they are simultaneously analyzing text elements such as the plot, conflict, resolution, theme, and point of view of various characters. This resource includes directions, an editable yearbook template, and a teacher exemplar in case students need ideas bringing their work to life. Integrates seamlessly to Google Classroom!

The ELA department at my school uses independent projects like these in our choice boards as students finish their work early. This would also be great to replace book reports or as an extension or passion project!

Brew up some spook-tacular writing skills with this engaging Witch's Brew Persuasive Writing Activity! Perfect for grades 6-8, this resource is designed to help students master the persuasive writing techniques of ethos, pathos, and logos—all while crafting their own witch’s brew! With creative potion designs, spooky ingredients, and persuasive advertisements, students will have a wickedly good time.

Whether you're introducing persuasive techniques for the first time or reviewing them, this activity is sure to enchant your class. Students will design their own magical potion, complete with eerie ingredients, a custom potion bottle, and a persuasive ad convincing others to buy their brew using ethos, pathos, and logos.

What's Included:

• Witch’s Brew Worksheet: A template for potion ingredients, potion bottle drawing, and persuasive ad writing using ethos, pathos, and logos.
• Persuasive Writing Techniques Slides: Clear, engaging slides introducing the three modes of persuasion.
• Guided Notes: Fill-in-the-blank notes to reinforce understanding of persuasive techniques.

Wickedly Good Benefits:

✔️ Creative & Fun: Combines creative potion-making with persuasive writing techniques.
✔️ No Prep: Ready-to-use worksheets, slides, and notes—just print and go!
✔️ Critical Thinking: Encourages students to think deeply about how to persuade their audience.
✔️ Versatile Use: Great for Halloween season or any time you want to add some magical flair to your writing lessons.
✔️ Engaging for Middle School: Keeps students motivated with fun, spooky elements while mastering important ELA skills.

Suggested Uses:

• Halloween Writing Activity: Perfect for adding spooky fun to your classroom.
• Persuasive Writing Unit: Use as an introduction or review of persuasive techniques (ethos, pathos, logos).
• Centers or Stations: Great for independent or group work in a literacy center.
• Extension Activity: Challenge students to create more complex ads for their potions.

Broom up some excitement in your classroom and let your students' creativity soar with this Witch’s Brew Persuasive Writing Activity—it’s sure to cast a spell on their writing skills!

Engage your middle school ELA students with this dynamic and versatile Valentine's Day themed lesson on text features! Perfect for grades 6-8, this comprehensive resource is designed to enhance students' understanding of text features in an engaging and contextually relevant way.
What's Inside?

• 14 Teacher Slides: Introduce various text features with clear, visually appealing slides.
• Guided Note Tracker: Ensure students stay on track and capture key information throughout the lesson.
• Informational Article: “The Science of Crushes and Heartbreak” - an engaging piece that students can analyze for text features.
• 10 Multiple Choice Questions: Assess students' understanding with a variety of questions and a complete answer key.
• Differentiated Student Work: Cater to diverse learners with activities tailored to different skill levels.

Suggested Uses

• Valentine’s Day Lesson: A perfect thematic lesson for February that ties into the season of love and friendship.
• Informational Text Unit: Use as part of a broader unit on informational texts and nonfiction.
• Text Feature Mini Lesson: A focused session on identifying and understanding text features.
• Choice Board: Integrate into a choice board for differentiated instruction.
• Emergency Sub Plans: Ready-to-use plans that ensure productive and engaging work when you need it most.

Product Features

• Standard Aligned Skills: Meets ELA standards for middle school, ensuring your students are learning essential skills.
• 24 Pages: Comprehensive and ready-to-use resources that save you planning time.
• Interactive Slides and Activities: Keep students engaged with visually appealing slides and hands-on activities.
• Practical and Versatile: Easily adaptable for various instructional settings and student needs.

Enhance your Valentine’s Day lesson plans with this unique and comprehensive text features lesson. Your students will love the engaging content, and you’ll appreciate the ease of use and alignment with educational standards. Get ready for an interactive and educational celebration of Valentine’s Day!

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Searching for a lesson that’s legendary? Your students will be captivated by the eerie tale of the Goatman, one of Maryland’s most spine-chilling urban legends! Perfect for grades 6-8, this highly engaging resource immerses your students in the shadowy woods of Maryland as they uncover the myth of the Goatman. Whether they believe in the creature or not, they’ll dive deep into critical analysis while meeting CCSS standards.

This Goatman Urban Legends Resource Includes: Elements of Urban Legends – A detailed mini-lesson exploring the key features of urban legends: mysterious creatures, storytelling traditions, fear of the unknown, and cultural connections.
Goatman Informational Text – A gripping article about the legend of the Goatman, a half-man, half-goat creature that has haunted the people of Maryland for decades.
Character Profile Worksheet – Students will use evidence from the text to create their own legendary Goatman profile, citing key details and analyzing the legend.
Goatman Comprehension Quiz – A 10-question quiz to assess students' understanding and ability to infer, analyze, and synthesize information.
✍️ Spooky Story Starter – A chilling writing prompt to inspire students to craft their own Goatman tales, combining creative writing with the suspense of urban legends.

Why You'll Love It:

• High Engagement: Who can resist the thrill of a mysterious creature lurking in the woods? This resource hooks students with high-interest content that keeps them engaged.
• Standards Aligned: Aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.5, and W.6.2. Students will develop skills in analyzing textual evidence and understanding author’s purpose.
• Perfect for Critical Thinking: Students will evaluate the legend, compare it to other myths, and infer why these stories have persisted over time.
• Versatile Usage: Ideal for whole group instruction, independent work, or spooky-themed projects that spark creativity and discussion!

Suggested Uses:

• Reading & Comprehension: Use the article to teach informational text standards, boost inferencing skills, and explore the central ideas of folklore.
• Creative Writing: Let students unleash their imagination by crafting their own Goatman stories using a spooky story starter.
• Classroom Debate: Engage students in a debate about whether the Goatman is fact or fiction, and have them support their claims with textual evidence.
• Socratic Seminars: Facilitate discussions around urban legends, exploring why these stories endure and how they reflect local culture.

Checklist of Benefits: ✅ Engaging Goatman legend with critical thinking tasks
✅ Perfect for spooky-themed lessons and creative writing
✅ Standards-aligned (CCSS)
✅ Supports critical thinking and analysis
✅ Includes a writing prompt for creativity
✅ Flexible for a range of classroom activities
✅ Designed for grades 6-8

Don’t let your students get lost in the woods—grab this legendary resource today and bring the mystery of the Goatman into your classroom!

Looking for a lesson that’s spooky AND standards-aligned? Your students will be haunted by curiosity as they dive into the eerie tale of the Bell Witch! Perfect for grades 6-8, this two-day lesson plan takes students on a thrilling exploration of one of America’s oldest ghost stories while building essential reading and writing skills. Whether they believe in the supernatural or not, they’ll be engaged and eager to investigate the legend while meeting CCSS standards.

This Bell Witch Urban Legends Resource Includes: Elements of Urban Legends – A comprehensive mini-lesson that breaks down the mysterious features of urban legends, focusing on storytelling, culture, and the supernatural.
Bell Witch Informational Text – A captivating article about the legend of the Bell Witch and her terrifying haunt of the Bell family in early 19th-century Tennessee.
Character Profile Worksheet – Students will analyze key details from the article to create a legendary profile of the Bell Witch.
Bell Witch Comprehension Quiz – A 10-question quiz to assess students’ ability to infer, analyze, and comprehend textual evidence using STAAR-like questions.
✍️ Spooky Story Starter – A chilling writing prompt that will have your students crafting their own thrilling endings to the Bell Witch saga.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Engaging & Spooky: Ghost stories never go out of style! This lesson will hook students with the thrilling mystery of the Bell Witch, perfect for a spooky classroom theme.
• Standards Aligned: Fully aligned with CCSS standards (RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.5, W.6.2) to help students improve critical thinking, reading comprehension, and writing skills.
• Critical Thinking & Creativity: Students will analyze the text, draw inferences, and use evidence, while also engaging in creative writing with a suspenseful story starter.
• Two-Day Lesson Plan: A structured, easy-to-follow two-day lesson plan that includes reading, group activities, comprehension, and creative writing.
• Flexible for All Learning Styles: This resource can be used for independent work, small groups, whole-class activities, and even Socratic seminars.

Suggested Uses:

• Reading Comprehension: Use the article and quiz to teach important skills such as identifying the central idea, supporting details, and making inferences.
• Creative Writing: Engage students' imaginations as they write their own spooky stories, inspired by the Bell Witch.
• Classroom Discussions: Use this resource for thoughtful discussions about why ghost stories and urban legends endure in culture.
• Socratic Seminars: Guide students in discussing how storytelling reflects cultural fears and beliefs.

Checklist of Benefits: ✅ Captivating Bell Witch legend for spooky-themed learning
✅ Standards-aligned (CCSS) for grades 6-8
✅ Builds critical thinking and reading comprehension skills
✅ Engages students in both creative and analytical tasks
✅ Includes a 10-question STAAR-like quiz
✅ Perfect for 2-day classroom instruction
✅ Flexible for a variety of classroom activities

Don’t let this resource vanish into thin air—grab your Bell Witch urban legend lesson plan today and make learning hauntingly fun for your students!

Uncover the excitement of mystery writing with this engaging, print-and-go lesson plan!

Designed to introduce middle school students (grades 5-8) to the elements of the mystery genre, this comprehensive, 60-minute lesson plan is perfect for kicking off a new unit. With a focus on deduction, clue-finding, and critical thinking, students will explore the foundations of mystery stories in a fun and interactive way!

What’s Included:

• Guided Notes: Fill-in-the-blank format for easy comprehension and engagement as students learn the essential elements of a mystery.
• Teacher Slides: Ready-to-use slides that cover key elements such as crime, suspects, clues, red herrings, and more. Perfect for both in-person and virtual teaching!
• One-Page Mystery Story: "The Case of the Missing Trophy" is an original, age-appropriate mystery that encourages students to apply the elements they’ve learned to solve the case.
• Answer Keys: Complete with answers for the guided notes and mystery-solving tasks, making grading and discussion a breeze.
• Movie Trailer Activity: Includes a fun activity where students watch the Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase trailer and identify mystery elements.

Key Features:

• Print & Go: All materials are ready to use, requiring no prep time!
• Interactive & Engaging: Combines visual learning through slides, critical thinking with guided notes, and hands-on problem-solving with a mystery story.
• Assessment Included: Students are tasked with identifying the elements of a mystery using the provided story, with clear rubrics and answer keys.
• Flexible for Classroom Use: Adaptable for a wide range of students in grades 5-8, perfect for both in-person and remote learning.
• Builds Critical Thinking Skills: Encourages students to analyze evidence, question suspects, and solve a puzzle, preparing them for deeper reading comprehension.

Perfect For:

• Teachers introducing a new mystery unit.
• ELA classrooms looking for a fun and structured one-day lesson.
• Educators seeking an engaging, low-prep way to teach genre elements and get students excited about mystery stories.

Grab this engaging introduction to the mystery genre today, and watch your students become master detectives!

Students roll the dice to unravel an exciting tapestry of fall and winter themed settings, protagonists, antagonists, conflicts, and spring elements, igniting creativity and narrative fluency! Perfect for before or after winter break, narrative writing units, centers, daily writing, public speaking practice, Fun Friday, and more!

What's Included

• A PowerPoint with 5 unique boards
• 1 editable Roll a Story Board
• A QR Code on each board that leads to digital dice (so no dice needed, just devices!)
• Vocabulary page
• Writing page

**Themes included: winter, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day

Story Elements

• Setting (examples: mysterious ice maze that rearranges itself every midnight, magical toy workshop where unfinished toys come to life, a town where all the houses are gingerbread houses)

• Protagonists (examples: ice skater who discovers a hidden ice kingdom beneath a frozen lake, snowman that came to life, boy or girl whose New Year’s wish accidentally creates an endless winter, snow globe maker who discovers their creations control real winter worlds)

• Conflict (examples: is stalked by, is spellbound by, is trapped by)

• Antagonists (examples: Sentient full-size gingerbread house with attitude, resolution fairy who grants bad New Year’s wishes, angry Easter bunny who wants to stop Christmas)

• Winter Elements (examples: time traveling sled, magical snow globe that shows the future, cursed scarf that forces the wearer to sing carols nonstop)