8th Grade ELA Test Prep Resources (by date, latest first)

Who Wants to Be an Millionaire: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots (Oh my!) Digital makes it easy! Differentiated learning makes reviewing affixes fun! Animated, automated, with video/audio engagement, this is the best ELA-related Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game experience on this marketplace! Elevate your English Language Arts (ELA) classroom review sessions with this digital, dynamic, and interactive Millionaire game that offers unlimited replay and is designed to make learning about affixes (prefixes and suffixes), base words, and roots (Greek, Latin, etc.) fun and engaging for students of all ages.

This digital Millionaire-inspired game focuses on English Language Arts (ELA), with a particular emphasis on identifying, decoding, and comprehending prefixes, suffixes, base words, and Greek, Latin, and other roots. This differentiated Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game is perfect for test prep, topic review, early finishers, end-of-year review, or just a lively classroom activity.

My Who Wants to be a Millionaire-style game mimics the excitement of the popular TV show while reinforcing what you’ve taught about prefixes, suffixes, base words, and roots, but with animation, automation, and a few fun and engaging twists. If you are ready to take your class through a next-level Who Wants to Be a Millionaire experience, this is the game for you! So let me ask, "who wants to score a million points?"

Suggested Price: $8.99 - $11.99 (AI generated)

Key Features:

• Interactive Gameplay: Students advance through one round of 12 increasingly challenging topics. The game includes three boosters — Go Halfsies, Text a Buddy, and Poll the Audience — to help students when they’re stumped.

• Differentiated: Learners choose their review:

  • Timed and scored
  • Timed only
  • Scored only
  • No pressure

Engaging: You’ll find learners amazed and sometimes even laughing out loud when they discover that some of the Text a Buddy boosters include school-approved texting lingo, emojis, dad jokes, a working “x” key, diverse buddies, and even occasional reminders from their “teacher”. Also, learners will appreciate the additional opportunity to continue earning points even after they’ve answered a question incorrectly.

• No Prep Whatsoever: This game is ready to use right out of the box —simply save the link as a Favorite and share with learners accordingly.

• Comprehensive: Check out these categories!

  • 1K – 10K: Define and identify prefixes, suffixes, base words, and roots
  • 15K – 50K: Consider affixes to decode and build words
  • 75K – 500K: Distinguish words with similar roots
  • 750K – 1 Million: Align affixes to parts of speech

Play the preview version to see this in action.

Benefits:

• Reinforces key concepts in an engaging, memorable way
• Encourages critical thinking and decision-making under pressure
• Supports differentiated instruction allowing learners to choose their review
• Promotes friendly competition when students try to outscore each other

Perfect For:

• Test prep and review sessions
• End-of-unit assessments
• Substitute teacher plans
• Engaging students in hybrid or virtual classrooms
• Self-paced learning

Basic Features:

• Standards Aligned: Meets TEKS, CCSS, and VA SOL.
• Remote Learning Friendly: Online game. Internet required.
• Fully Automated: Automatic scoring and self-correcting answer key. Learners get immediate notification of correct or incorrect answers.
• Sleek and Professional: High-quality design with no annoying home or back button.
• Unlimited Replay option: Questions are selected randomly from a pool. Each question level is aligned to at least 12 questions, and there are well over 170 questions in total. This makes it possible to produce a unique quiz with each replay attempt and ensures you get the biggest bang for your buck when you buy once and use forever. In addition, new questions will be added to the pool periodically to keep the pool robust and current.
• Personalized Fun: Learners are acknowledged by the name they entered when launching the game.
• Truly No Prep: Automatic scoring and answer key. Just open/send the link and go!
• Copyright-friendly audio.
• No macros = play on any device.
• A Google account is not required!
• Quick and Effective: 10 - 15 minutes = Perfect for a quick refresher or energizer.

Why Students Love It:

• Differentiated review options empower students with the flexibility to engage in ways that best support their learning preferences while keeping them motivated and improving key skills.
• Personalized recognition for correct answers encourages, motivates, and boosts engagement, as students feel that the game is tailored specifically for them.
• Engagment through discovering various Easter eggs with the Text a Buddy booster.

Why Teachers Love It:

Teachers love how this game turns review sessions into a high-energy, student-centered activity. It’s a fantastic way to motivate students and help them retain important information. Plus, with the easy-to-use format, there’s no need to spend hours prepping!

What to Expect:

Please play the preview version before purchasing. This is the best way to understand how the game works and is also the best way to avoid surprises after purchase.

This fully automated game is packed with engaging audio, video, and animations for an immersive experience! To ensure everything runs smoothly, it may take a moment to load depending on your Internet speed—but trust us, it’s worth the wait!

You'll receive a PDF file that includes a link to the online game. This content is not editable. If there is something you would like added, please let me know.

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.

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

This product is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with any television game show or any other intellectual property owned by their respective trademark holders. All content has been independently created for educational purposes to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience.

Help Me Get Better:

If you encounter any issues, please email 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. Again, please play the preview version before purchasing. This is the best way to understand how the game works and is also the best way to avoid surprises after purchase.

Engage 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders with tools to master Short Constructed Responses (SCR) and Extended Constructed Responses (ECR) practice using 35 student opportunities for RACE in a creative way. Ideal for ESL, ELA STAAR, RTI, stations, review, bell ringers, or differentiated independent work.

This No Prep roadmap will help students craft clear, structured, and thoughtful writing responses.

➡️ Why You Will Love

⭐35 student practice opportunities planned and prepped so you get your planning time back!

⭐Science of reading-aligned strategies for students to apply to their reading and writing.

⭐Leverages the UPS framework to help students combine visuals, analogies, and hands-on practice, emphasizing Understanding, Processing, and Sharing knowledge.

⭐Flexible Format to integrate into any curriculum.

⭐Embedded support to help reach all learners.

➡️ What’s Included

• Structured Writing Frameworks:
  *RACE Method
  *UPS Framework
• Mini Quizzes
• 35 Practice Opportunities
• Scaffolding and Differentiation Tools Embedded
• 5 Quick Checks

➡️ How to Use

• Workbook
• Daily Warm-Ups
• Test Prep Stations
• Whole-Class Lessons
• Small-Group Lessons
• Differentiated Resource
• Accommodations

Bring STEP UPS to life with this incredible resource today!

➡️ LET’S CONNECT

Follow ELA Vibes

➡️ Additional Supports

Mini-Lessons

Activity Packs

STAAR Prep

Short and Extended Constructed Responses

➡️Receive TeachShare Store Credits

• You can receive TeachShare store credits to use on future purchases by leaving feedback on any products you buy! Click on "My Purchases" to access the feedback link. I really appreciate your support, please leave feedback on my products. Your feedback will ensure I make the very best products for you and your students!

This bundle includes a great range of activities perfect for grades 5-8 for all of February!

1. Speed Friending Activity: A dynamic classroom icebreaker designed for middle and high school students. It includes a comprehensive teacher protocol, an interactive Google Slides presentation, engaging conversation rounds with embedded timers, a note-taking sheet, and a reflection writing prompt. Ideal for building classroom community, enhancing behavior management, and fostering open communication.
2. ELA Matchmaker Review Game: An 81-page ELA review resource covering synonyms, antonyms, figurative language, literary elements, and affixes & roots. It includes printable and digital versions for flexible classroom use, promoting interactive learning and critical thinking in literary concepts.
3. Black History Month Digital Resource: A set of 45 Google Slides featuring 15 influential African American artists. This resource includes detailed informational texts, short videos, and interactive response prompts. It's a comprehensive tool for exploring African American history and art, ideal for daily classroom activities.
4. Civil Rights Movement Song Analysis: Titled 'Harmony of Hope,' this resource integrates Valentine's Day and Black History Month themes for middle schoolers. It includes a Google Slides presentation and a comprehensive PDF packet, featuring analysis of seven influential Civil Rights era songs.
5. GenZ Valentine's Day Cards: A collection of 24 unique, humorous, and inclusive Valentine's Day cards suitable for middle school students. These printable cards are gender-neutral, featuring relatable puns and high-quality graphics, adding a fun twist to traditional valentine exchanges.
6. The Science of Crushes and Heartbreak: An educational resource that blends science with Valentine's Day themes, targeting middle schoolers. It includes an article, a mini-lesson in Google Slides, a graphic organizer, and analytical questions. This resource enhances understanding of text features and author's purpose.
7. Valentine's Day Argumentative Writing Resource: A tool for grades 4-8 to enhance argumentative writing skills. It features 28 'Would You Rather' prompts, available in both PDF and Google Slides, to encourage debate and persuasive writing. Ideal for various classroom activities, including warm-ups and group discussions.

Dive into the rich tapestry of Black history with our Ultimate Black History Month Educational Bundle, meticulously crafted for educators passionate about providing a comprehensive, interactive, and engaging learning experience. This bundle combines a variety of resources, ensuring a well-rounded approach to teaching pivotal moments and figures in Black history. Suitable for grades 4-8, these resources are perfect for integrating into ELA, Social Studies, Art, and more.

1. Black History Month Athlete Trading Cards - Interactive Digital & Print Resource: Engage and educate your students with this interactive set of athlete trading cards. Celebrate the achievements of influential Black athletes with this 60-slide resource, perfect for classroom activities, creative projects, and bulletin board displays.
2. Claudette Colvin STAAR Test Prep Text (Grades 6-8) - FREEBIE: Dive into the inspiring story of Claudette Colvin with this STAAR test prep text. Designed for students in grades 6-8, this resource not only enriches students' knowledge about an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement but also sharpens their test-taking skills.
3. MLK 3 Interactive Timelines, Bulletin Boards & Door Decor: Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with interactive timelines and visually appealing decor. This resource is perfect for creating an educational environment that celebrates MLK's journey and teachings, inspiring students through interactive learning and creative expression.
4. Black History Month Digital Resource - 45 Google Slides, 15 Texts, Video & Writing: This comprehensive digital resource is a treasure trove of information, featuring 45 Google Slides, 15 texts, videos, and writing prompts. It's designed to provide a rich educational experience, sparking discussions and deepening understanding.
5. Civil Rights Movement Song Analysis (Grades 5-8) - Valentine's Day Special: Analyze the profound messages in songs from the Civil Rights Movement with this unique resource. It's an engaging way for students to connect with history through music, enhancing their analytical skills and emotional understanding of the era.
6. Color & Discover Modern Heroes of Black History Month - Freebie: This creative resource allows students to learn about modern heroes of Black History Month through coloring activities. It's a fun, engaging way to introduce younger students to influential figures and their contributions.
7. Claudette Colvin STAAR Test Prep Text (Grades 6-8) - FREEBIE (Duplicate): Reinforce your students' understanding and appreciation of Claudette Colvin's courageous stand during the Civil Rights Movement with this STAAR test prep text. This resource doubles the opportunity to integrate critical reading and historical knowledge into your test preparation activities.

Each resource in this bundle is thoughtfully designed to cater to different learning styles and classroom needs, making it the perfect package to explore, celebrate, and honor Black History Month in your classroom. Equip your students with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and a deep appreciation for the contributions and stories of Black individuals with our Ultimate Black History Month Educational Bundle.

• Thanksgiving Gratitude Toast Writing Unit with Slides and Awards
• Looking for a meaningful and engaging way to bring gratitude into your classroom this Thanksgiving season? This 4-Day Thanksgiving Toast Writing Unit has everything you need to help your students craft heartfelt toasts while building their public speaking and writing skills.
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Informational Texts: Central Idea & Author’s Purpose
• This resource features informational texts centered around the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Students will practice identifying the central idea and author’s purpose using guided activities, perfect for grades 4-6. Includes quizzes and engaging slides to bring the festive event into your classroom!
• Multiple Genre Thanksgiving Writing Fun: Story Starters, Centers, and Activities
  Spark creativity with these 10 engaging Thanksgiving-themed story starters! This freebie offers writing prompts perfect for centers or bell-ringers, allowing students to explore genres while creating their own holiday-inspired tales. Ideal for grades 4 and up!
• Text Features with Thanksgiving Football Text Set, Quizzes, and Slides
  Bring excitement to your lessons with this text feature set using Thanksgiving football articles. Students will analyze and identify different text features while engaging with a fun, seasonal topic. Quizzes and slide presentations are included for easy, interactive learning.
• Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit: Debate Topics & Lesson Plans for STAAR ECRs
  Help your students master argumentative writing with this resource, complete with four Thanksgiving-themed debate prompts. Perfect for middle school, the unit includes a 75-minute lesson plan, guided notes, and templates for teaching claims, evidence, and rebuttals.
• Thanksgiving Author’s Purpose Reading Unit: Passages, Slides, Guided Notes (Grades 5-7)
  This reading unit features five double-sided Thanksgiving-themed passages that explore different author’s purposes. With interactive slides and guided notes, this resource is great for whole-group instruction, centers, or intervention activities in grades 5-7.
• Thanksgiving Digital Resource: Interactive Slides for Middle School Fall Break Vibes
  This non-academic, interactive slide deck is perfect for building community and having fun the day before Fall Break. Featuring 22 slides with thought-provoking and engaging Thanksgiving prompts, it's a fun, low-prep activity to wrap up the season.
• Thanksgiving Persuasive Writing Activity: Rhetoric for Grades 5-7 (Ethos, Pathos, Logos)
  This resource guides students through persuasive writing with a focus on rhetoric. Using Thanksgiving-themed prompts, students will practice developing strong arguments using ethos, pathos, and logos. Perfect for building writing and critical thinking skills in grades 5-7.
• Thanksgiving Text Structure Coloring Sort & Lesson
  Teach text structures in a creative and interactive way with this Thanksgiving coloring activity. Students will learn about different text structures and apply them through sorting and coloring activities, making the lesson both educational and fun.
• 10 Fall Narrative Essay Picture Prompts and Planner: Print and Go & Slides
  This resource includes 10 narrative essay prompts, each with a fall theme, designed to help students craft compelling stories. Perfect for middle school students, the resource includes both print-and-go materials and a slide deck for easy classroom use.

This bundle could cover 20-25 days of classroom instruction, depending on how the resources are paced and implemented. It offers a great variety of activities for both Thanksgiving season and beyond.

• STAAR ECR Mastery Resource Informational Essay Test Prep Grades 6-8 Thesis Claim
  This comprehensive resource breaks down the Extended Constructed Response (ECR) process for middle school students. It guides them through crafting a solid thesis, developing claims, and supporting their ideas with evidence and reasoning. The engaging, step-by-step format ensures students master the writing skills they need for STAAR success.

• Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit Debate Topics & Lesson Plans 4 STAAR ECRs
  Make argumentative writing fun and seasonal with this resource. Students tackle Thanksgiving-themed debate topics while practicing essential STAAR ECR skills. The unit includes structured lessons, 4 debate topics, guided notes, and activities that focus on developing strong arguments with evidence and counterarguments.

• ECR Relay Race: Engaging STAAR Writing Prep Grades 5-8 Comprehension 12 Prompts!
  Turn essay writing into a collaborative, competitive game! This relay race-style resource includes 12 engaging prompts and helps students build comprehension and writing skills through interactive learning. Ideal for both individual and group work, this resource is perfect for STAAR test prep and building writing confidence.

1. 90 Day Reading Comprehension Bell Ringer Warm-Up Routine: This daily bell-ringer routine provides 90 days of reading comprehension practice, helping students build consistency in analyzing texts, identifying main ideas, and drawing inferences. Perfect for regular, bite-sized practice that reinforces key comprehension skills.
2. ECR Relay Race: Engaging STAAR Writing Prep: This interactive relay race activity is designed to make STAAR writing preparation engaging. With 12 prompts focused on extended constructed responses (ECR), students will work on crafting thoughtful, structured responses, honing their ability to articulate ideas clearly and support their answers with evidence.
3. STAAR ECR Mastery Resource for Informational Essays: This resource focuses on informational essay writing with a strong emphasis on developing thesis statements, claims, and supporting evidence. It’s a targeted approach to mastering the essential components of STAAR informational essays, equipping students with skills in organization and argumentation.
4. Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit: Debate Topics & Lesson Plans: This seasonal resource engages students in argument writing through Thanksgiving-themed debate topics. Students will practice constructing persuasive arguments, making claims, and providing relevant evidence—core skills for STAAR ECRs and persuasive writing in general.

This bundle provides comprehensive practice in reading comprehension, essay structure, argumentation, and evidence-based responses, setting students up for success in standardized test preparation.

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)

Shake up your classroom by playing this fun ELA matchmaker review game! As the testing season approaches, this comprehensive 81-page PDF resource offers a perfect blend of fun and education, ensuring a thorough review of essential literary concepts.

Our resource is thoughtfully crafted to cover five crucial categories: Synonyms, Antonyms, Figurative Language, Literary Elements, and Affixes & Roots. Each category is rich with 30 pairs, enabling full class participation and ensuring that every student is actively engaged in the learning process.

Our 'ELA Review Extravaganza' is designed to be flexible and adaptable to your classroom needs. Here are two effective ways to use this resource:

Option 1: Print and Cut

Prepare the Activity:

• Print out the pages of the resource
• Carefully cut out each pair from the categories

Distribute the Pieces:
Hand out one piece of the puzzle to each student.

• Activity Instructions for Students:
  Each student should first define or describe their term or concept.
• Then, allow students to get up and mingle in the classroom, searching for the student who holds the matching pair to their piece.

Finding Matches:

• As students find their pairs, they can sit together and discuss why they are a match, reinforcing their understanding of the concept.

Class Discussion:

• After everyone has found their pairs, have a class discussion or sharing session about the matches.

Option 2: Assign & Go (Digital Version)

Assign the Activity:

• Assign the digital version of the resource to students through your preferred educational platform.

Independent or Pair Work:

• Students can work through the slides independently or with a partner. They will find the best match for each term or concept from the word bank provided in the slides.

Interactive Learning:

• The digital format allows for interactive learning, as students can easily navigate through the slides and select their answers.

Review and Feedback:

• After completion, you can review their answers and provide feedback, or students can share their answers with the class.

Embrace the Versatility

• Print & Digital Formats: Choose the print version for a hands-on classroom experience or the digital version for a seamless, tech-integrated lesson. The digital version is perfect for 1:1 device classrooms and offers an easy-to-assign-and-go option for busy teachers.
• Interactive Learning: Students can enjoy the interactive elements in the digital version or the physical engagement of the print version.
• Ideal for Centers & Independent Work: Set up as learning stations in your classroom or assign digitally for individual completion - adaptable to various teaching strategies.
• Hassle-Free Preparation: With the digital version, say goodbye to cutting and prepping. It's all ready to use at the click of a button!

Perfect Tool for Diverse Educational Needs

• Comprehensive Test Review: An engaging way to review and reinforce ELA concepts before exams.
• Builds Core Skills: Enhances vocabulary and understanding of literary terms in an interactive manner.
• Encourages Critical Thinking: Students analyze, match, and connect concepts, fostering deeper comprehension.
• Flexible and Convenient: Whether in a traditional classroom setting or a remote learning environment, this resource fits seamlessly into your lesson plan.

Transform your ELA review sessions into an 'Extravaganza' of learning and excitement. With our 'ELA Review Extravaganza,' education is not just about memorizing; it's about engaging, interacting, and understanding. Download now for an enriching educational experience that your students will love!

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!

Transform STAAR writing preparation into an exhilarating adventure with our "ECR Relay Race" resource! Designed specifically for grades 6-8, this product turns the daunting task of essay writing into a collaborative, fun, and competitive experience. Dive into high-engaging topics while practicing informational, argumentative, and correspondence writing skills critical for STAAR success.

✅ Engaging Topics for Every Genre:

• Informational ECRs: Explore Texas Rodeo, Texas State Fair, and NASA's monumental contributions.
• Argumentative ECRs: Delve into captivating debates like Selena vs. Beyonce, Roblox vs. Minecraft, and Messi vs. Ronaldo.
• Correspondence ECR: Address real-world issues in letters concerning Ocean pollution, VR headsets in education, and Sports accessibility for students with disabilities.

✅ Collaborative Learning: Encourage teamwork with relay races that make writing a shared journey. Students can work together or individually, pushing them to think critically and write effectively.

✅ Interactive Progress Tracking: Watch as students advance their stick figure characters across the board with each completed paragraph, igniting a sense of accomplishment and urgency.

✅ Comprehensive ECR Refresher: Kickstart your classes with 15 slides designed to refresh students on ECR essentials, providing a solid foundation for success.

✅ Inclusive Support Materials: Includes sentence stems for each writing genre, aiding students in structuring their thoughts and arguments clearly and cohesively.

✅ Fun, Engaging, and Educational: Our resource is not just about STAAR prep; it's about creating memorable learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and a love for writing.

Prepare your students for STAAR writing with a resource that’s as educational as it is exhilarating. Make test preparation something students look forward to with our ECR Relay Race. Perfect for teachers seeking innovative, engaging ways to enhance writing skills and STAAR readiness.

Looking for a high-engagement, standards-aligned resource to teach argumentative writing? This Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit is perfect for middle school (grades 6-8) and provides four unique Thanksgiving-themed writing prompts that help students practice developing claims, providing evidence, and addressing counterarguments and rebuttals.
This resource includes:

• A full lesson plan designed for a 75-minute class, guiding students through argument writing with structured slides and engaging activities.

• Four thought-provoking Thanksgiving debate topics, including:

• "Should Black Friday be banned due to its impact on society?"

• "Is it ethical to celebrate Thanksgiving given the historical conflicts with Native Americans?"

• "Should Thanksgiving Day parades be canceled due to their environmental impact?"

• "Should Thanksgiving football games be banned on the holiday?"

• Slides and Guided Notes: Step-by-step instruction on writing an argumentative essay using claims, evidence, counterarguments, and rebuttals.

• Practice Activities: Hands-on exercises to help students identify and write each part of an argument.

• Templates for Writing: Easy-to-use templates for students to organize their essays and develop their writing.

This unit is ideal for teaching the basics of argumentative writing in a fun, seasonal way, with relevant and engaging Thanksgiving topics that students care about. It's also perfect for debate prewriting, essay interventions, or building towards state assessments like STAAR.
What’s Included:

• Complete 60-minute lesson plan
• 4 Thanksgiving-themed argument writing prompts
• Guided notes and practice passages
• Slide deck covering key writing components (claim, evidence, counterargument, rebuttal)

Help your students develop strong, clear arguments while engaging with Thanksgiving traditions in a meaningful way. Perfect for teaching argumentative writing and improving students' ability to express their ideas logically and persuasively!

Transform your students’ writing skills with this STAAR ECR Mastery Resource, designed to make essay writing both engaging and effective for grades 6-8. This product breaks down the often overwhelming task of essay writing into clear, manageable steps, ensuring that your students feel confident and prepared for the Extended Constructed Response (ECR) section of the STAAR exam. Whether for classroom instruction, intervention, or test prep, this resource delivers everything you need to support your students in writing strong, structured essays.

✅ Thorough Skill Development Across 3 Days

This 3-day lesson plan guides students through each critical step of informational essay writing. Starting with a solid foundation in developing a thesis, students will then practice writing claims, supporting them with evidence, and providing sound reasoning. By the end of the unit, students will have completed a full-length informational essay on a highly engaging topic—Fortnite—a subject that captures their attention while reinforcing essential writing skills.

✅ Engaging and Interactive Resources

To maintain student engagement, this resource includes interactive slides that break down each element of essay writing. These slides are designed to support all learners by making the concepts of thesis development, claims, evidence, and reasoning more accessible and relatable. The step-by-step instructions and accompanying answer keys ensure that students receive clear feedback and can refine their skills with guided practice.

✅ Real-World Topic for Practice

Students will have the opportunity to write a complete essay on Fortnite, a popular video game that they are likely familiar with and excited to discuss. This essay topic makes practicing the skills they need for STAAR ECR a fun, relevant experience, allowing them to see the real-world application of writing techniques.

✅ Key Features of the Resource:

• Full 3-Day Lesson Plan: Walks you through each stage of essay instruction, from teaching concepts to peer review and revision.
• Comprehensive Essay Practice: A full-length essay assignment on Fortnite to engage students while practicing thesis, claims, evidence, and reasoning.
• Interactive Slides: Detailed slides to introduce and guide each stage of writing, ensuring clarity and engagement.
• Answer Keys: Provided for every activity so that students can receive clear, actionable feedback.
• Test Prep and Intervention: Ideal for helping students strengthen their essay writing skills, both for general classroom use and targeted interventions.

✅ Perfect for Test Prep and Classroom Instruction

This resource is perfect for helping students master the skills needed to succeed on the STAAR Extended Constructed Response. Whether used for whole-class instruction or focused intervention, the STAAR ECR Mastery Resource delivers everything you need to elevate your students' essay writing abilities.

Prepare your students for STAAR writing success with a resource that not only builds essential writing skills but also keeps them engaged and excited to learn. Perfect for middle school teachers looking for practical, engaging ways to improve writing outcomes.

Additional STAAR resources:

ECR Relay Race: Engaging STAAR Writing Prep Grades 5-8 Comprehension 12 Prompts!

Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit Debate Topics & Lesson Plans 4 STAAR ECRs

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!

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.