8th Grade English Language Arts Homework (by date, latest first)

Engage students in a creative and reflective activity with "The Cloud Who Couldn’t Cry!" This comprehensive activity encourages critical thinking, emotional connection, and artistic expression.

What's Included:

• Story Retell Activity: Students will draw and describe their favorite part of the story "The Cloud Who Couldn’t Cry". This activity helps reinforce comprehension as students reflect on the key moments in the narrative.
• Reflection Questions: A set of open-ended questions that prompt students to think about the story's themes, such as self-discovery, helping others, and emotional growth. Students will also be asked to explain why they liked the part they chose to draw.
• Creative Drawing: After reading the story, students will select a scene to illustrate and provide an explanation for their choice, fostering both artistic expression and a deeper understanding of the narrative.

Learning Objectives:

• Enhance reading comprehension by identifying and reflecting on the key events of the story.
• Develop emotional intelligence by connecting with the themes of empathy, growth, and helping others.
• Improve writing skills through descriptive explanations and reflections.
• Encourage creativity through drawing and visual storytelling.

This activity is ideal for:

• Grades 1-5
• Teachers looking for a fun, engaging, and thoughtful activity to reinforce reading comprehension and emotional literacy.
• Classrooms or homeschool settings where students explore feelings, relationships, and nature-themed stories.

Perfect for:

• Literacy centers
• Reading comprehension lessons
• Creative writing prompts
• Art integration activities

Note: This activity includes both a drawing and writing component to keep students engaged while exploring the deeper meanings of the story. It can also be used as a group activity or individual reflection task.

Religious Word Search Puzzle Pack - 15 Printable Activities in One ZIP File

This zip file contains a rich collection of 15 Bible-inspired puzzles, ready to print and ideal for children, Sunday school, homeschooling, and faith-based classrooms.

🧩 Contents:

• 10 individual puzzles in PDF format (A4 size, printable)

• Topics include: Moses, Noah, the Prophets, , Passover, the Ten Commandments, Angels, the Parables of Jesus, Lent, and more.

• Answer keys included for each puzzle

• Designed for ages 8 and up

🎯 Suitable for: ✔️ Sunday School ✔️ Homeschooling Activities ✔️ Bible Study Groups ✔️ Christian Education

🖨️ Simply download the ZIP file, extract the PDF files, and print as needed!

Turn Reading Into a Game with the Printable Book Bingo Challenge!

Are your middle-grade students struggling to stay engaged with their reading? This printable book bingo challenge gamifies reading, making it exciting and rewarding for all students.

Designed specifically for grades 5-8, it’s perfect for classroom use, library programs, homework assignments, or homeschool programs.

Why This Book Bingo Is a Must-Have:

✔️ Motivates Reluctant Readers: By turning reading into a fun, interactive challenge, students are inspired to explore new genres, discover unique stories, and tackle their reading goals with enthusiasm.

✔️ No Prep and Easy to Use: This printable bingo sheet is versatile enough to fit any curriculum. Use it as a class-wide competition, a homework assignment, or even an independent reading tracker. All you have to do is print it out and get creative with rewards once students achieve a bingo goal!

✔️ Encourages Variety of Reading: This book bingo game encourages students to read across genres, exploring different authors, and broadening their literary horizons.

✔️ Perfect for Middle Grades: Tailored to the interests and developmental needs of 5th to 8th graders, this resource aligns with their growing curiosity and ability to analyze deeper themes in literature.

The Book Bingo Challenge transforms middle school reading into a fun, achievable adventure that students will love. It’s the perfect way to foster a reading culture in your classroom or homeschool while making your job easier.

➡️ Grab your printable bingo sheet today and get your students excited to read!

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

1 file with 1 PDF page, US letter size

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

This is a digital download. You will not receive anything in the mail.

Please use a computer to download and not your phone.

This file is for personal use only and may not be reproduced or sold commercially.

I don't accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations. But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.

Thank you! :)

-Jennifer

Copyright  © 2024 ArnoldWellnessDesign

Looking for a fun and functional way to keep students motivated to read? These Reading Log Bookmarks are just what you need! Designed for upper elementary through high school, these printable bookmark templates double as a creative reading challenge tool, helping students track their reading progress in a visually appealing and convenient format.

Bookmarks include space for:

• Tracking book titles
• Recording start and finish dates

These printable bookmarks are ideal for classrooms, libraries, or homeschool settings. Students can use them as part of a reading challenge or simply to stay organized with their independent reading.

What's Included:

• 6 engaging printable bookmark templates
• Black-and-white designs for easy printing and optional student coloring
• Suitable for grades 4–12

Why You'll Love This Resource:

• Easy to print and use—no prep required!
• Encourages accountability and goal-setting in students' reading habits
• Versatile for individual use or as part of a class-wide reading challenge

Whether you're a teacher, librarian, or parent, these Reading Log Bookmarks will inspire students to stay on top of their reading and make progress toward their goals.

Tip: Print on heavier paper for longevity!

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

This is a digital download. You will not receive anything in the mail.

Please use a computer to download and not your phone.

This file is for personal use only and may not be reproduced or sold commercially.

I don't accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations. But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.

Thank you! :)

-Jennifer

Copyright  © 2024 ArnoldWellnessDesign

Engage your students with this comprehensive reading comprehension worksheet on the theme of family and relationships! This worksheet includes:

• A thoughtfully written text focusing on family, friendship, and personal development, emphasizing individuality, mutual support, conflict resolution, tolerance, and humanity.
• Multiple-choice questions to assess understanding of key ideas and details.
• True/False statements for critical thinking.
• A matching exercise to reinforce key concepts.
• Short-answer questions that encourage students to reflect and write thoughtfully about the topic.

Perfect for middle and high school students, this resource promotes meaningful discussions while enhancing literacy skills. Ideal for in-class activities, homework, or group discussions!

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.

Ready to 'color your students' world' with understanding this Valentine's Day?

Introducing our vibrant new resource, perfect for grades 4-6: the Valentine's Day Authors' Purpose Coloring Activity! This unique coloring resource brings together 20 engaging Valentine's-themed prompts, each carefully crafted to illustrate the six different author's purposes: Inform, Persuade, Entertain, Critique, Report, and Instruct.

In this colorful learning adventure, students will need our PDF and six specific colors to identify and color-code each author's purpose. It's not just a coloring activity; it’s a journey into the heart of reading comprehension and critical thinking, tailored specifically for young learners.

But wait, there's more love to spread! If you're looking for another delightful Valentine's Day coloring resource, don't miss our Valentine's Day Text Structure Color Sorts: A Rainbow of Learning. This free activity complements our Authors' Purpose Coloring Activity and is perfect for reinforcing text structure skills.

These resources are ideal for classroom activities, homework assignments, or as a part of your literacy centers. They're not just educational tools; they're a way to bring joy, color, and deeper understanding into your classroom this Valentine's Day.

So, why wait? Download our Valentine's Day Authors' Purpose Coloring Activity today, and watch as your students 'color their way' to mastering author's purposes, one hue at a time!

These worksheets will help students learn to use vivid words in their writing instead of boring, overused words!

This Martin Luther King, Jr. "I HAVE A DREAM" product [Suggested Uses, Posters, Discussion Questions, exams/quizzes, Assignments, and more] provides students a chance to experience what happens when we fight for the betterment of everyone. This SPEECH allows students to read and analyze this canonized work about fighting for one's rights. 11th - 12th Graders will love this short work and product. Check it out!

SUMMARY:

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" Speech before a crowd of some 250,000 people at the 1963 March on Washington, remains one of the most famous speeches in history. Weaving in references to the country’s Founding Fathers and the Bible, King used universal themes to depict the struggles of African Americans before closing with an improvised riff on his dreams of equality. The eloquent speech was immediately recognized as a highlight of the successful protest, and has endured as one of the signature moments of the civil rights movement.

This 11th - 12th grade canonized work allows students to understand the need for standing up for equality and what you believe is right.

You may also appreciate:

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I HAVE A DREAM" [TEXT]

Plato's "The Allegory of the Cave" [TEXT]

Brent Staples's "Black Men and Public Spaces" Text

"Black Men & Public Spaces" [Lesson Activities, Assignments, and Handouts]

FIND ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

Instagram

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

TeeSpring

EMAIL

Hey guys,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 18+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

Please consider checking out the other short story materials and resources in my store.

Also, guys, remember that leaving REVIEWS is a way that TeachShare gives you credit on products! So let's do it!

Thanks for stopping by!

This BLACK HISTORY MONTH [Worksheets & Handouts] product provides [4+ handouts/worksheets and 2 major projects] students a chance to experience what happens when we become challenge leadership, question status quo, and see the vital role BLACK AMERICANS play in our society. 6th - 12th Graders will love this product. Check it out!

This Product Includes:

1. Two Bio-Maps

2. a 4-page Worksheet

3. 1 Handout

4. 2 Major Projects

5. Black&White Versions

You may also appreciate:

THOMAS PAINE'S "COMMON SENSE" [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

Plato's "The Allegory of the Cave" [TEXT]

Brent Staples's "Black Men and Public Spaces" Text

"Black Men & Public Spaces" [Lesson Activities, Assignments, and Handouts]

FIND ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

Instagram

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

TeeSpring

EMAIL

Hey guys,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 18+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

Please consider checking out the other short story materials and resources in my store.

Also, guys, remember that leaving REVIEWS is a way that TeachShare gives you credit on products! So let's do it!

Thanks for stopping by!

This WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH [Worksheets & Handouts] product provides [4+ handouts/worksheets and 2 major projects] students a chance to experience what happens when we become challenge leadership, question status quo, and see the vital role women play in our society. 6th - 12th Graders will love this product. Check it out!

This Product Includes:

1. Two Bio-Maps

2. a 4-page Worksheet

3. 1 Handout

4. 2 Major Projects

5. Black&White Versions

You may also appreciate:

THOMAS PAINE'S "COMMON SENSE" [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

Plato's "The Allegory of the Cave" [TEXT]

Brent Staples's "Black Men and Public Spaces" Text

"Black Men & Public Spaces" [Lesson Activities, Assignments, and Handouts]

FIND ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

Instagram

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

TeeSpring

EMAIL

Hey guys,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 18+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

Please consider checking out the other short story materials and resources in my store.

Also, guys, remember that leaving REVIEWS is a way that TeachShare gives you credit on products! So let's do it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Perfect for Veteran's Day!

This Unit Resource Teaching Bundle contains the following resources:
* Women during World War II: Primary Sources and DBQ's
* Women during World War II: Reading Assignment and Worksheet
* Women during World War II: Power Point Lesson

Topics in these resources including the following:
- Women Workers

- Nurses during World War I

- Women in the Military

- Japanese-American Women

- African-American Women

- Life on the Home Front

- Victory Gardens and Rationing

- Women Volunteers
- End of War Issues

Primary Source Analysis and DBQ's

The 27-page Primary Source and DBQ resource with 44 primary sources, 35 comprehension questions and 3 DBQ prompts gives students a chance to look in depth at women's experiences and contributions during World War II. The first two pages include Background, Notes on Primary Sources and Teacher Notes.

Here’s a chance for students to read documents and look at images that shed light on issues facing women and facing the country during World War II. These include photographs, speeches, newspaper articles, posters, letters, pamphlets and memoirs. As this was "total war", women were needed in all sorts of capacities in the workforce, the military and on the home front. African-American women also found opportunities, despite ongoing discrimination and segregation. Japanese-American women faced great challenges due to internment in camps, although a few were able to avoid that circumstance.

Assign just one, a few or all of the sources depending on time constraints and student interest. This can be completed in one or two class periods.

Each page of primary sources includes comprehension questions at the end in order for students to analyze perspectives, consider key ideas and identify bias.

Included is a one-page sheet that explains what primary sources are and how to analyze them using specific questions through a process called HAPPY (Historical Context, Audience, Purpose, Point of View and Why Significant). There is also a page at the end for students to apply the HAPPY process to the sources.

Three DBQ prompts are included at the end with instructions on how to create a response to the prompt.

An Answer Key to all the comprehension questions and the DBQ prompts are available at the end of the packet. This is excellent practice for all high school students, particularly Honors and AP students, but all students will find these resources engaging.

Please note that this NOT an editable file.

A bonus file is also included: How to Integrate Sources into DBQ's.

Reading Assignment and Worksheet

This quick three-page Reading Assignment and Worksheet provides an overview of the various activities, contributions and activities of women during World War II. It works well as a Guided Reading activity or as an exercise for Reading Comprehension.

It covers the time period 1941 through 1945. Women's participation and contributions were essential to the success of Allied efforts in World War II and this shift is explored in this assignment. This resource addresses the following topics:

Women and Factory Work
Japanese-American Women

African-American Women
Women in the Military
Life on the Home Front
Other Volunteer Efforts

Students can read this on their own as a homework assignment or it can be a group activity in a classroom. It is also ideally suited for home-schoolers or independent learners who want to learn more about women's contributions. A Worksheet with questions based on the reading is included, along with an Answer Key.

Reading Assignment - 3 pages

Worksheet - 1 page

Power Point Lesson

This 17-slide PowerPoint presentation covers World War II between 1941 and 1945. It is an ideal lesson to augment a World War II lesson or as a stand-alone resource for women’s history. The presentation includes descriptive text as well as primary source documents and images. It is also a good resource to use during Women’s History Month!

A slide with Teaching Notes is included at the beginning of the lesson.

Each content slide contains information and graphics that highlight how women participated in World War II:

Topics include:

Background and causes United States' entrance into World War II

Women workers during World War II

Nurses during World War II

Women in the military

African-American women

Japanese-American women

Life on the home front

This file has been secured via Flat Pack but if you'd also like the Power Point file, please email me at cnonnemaker@gmail.com.

Whether for standard classroom use, Home Schoolers or for asynchronous learning, these are valuable digital tools.

This is part of the Women in American History Series which includes Power Point lessons as well as Reading Assignments and Worksheets, Analyzing Primary Sources/DBQ's and Activities for other eras.

Follow I Like History

Follow my store to be alerted when I add new products. Click the star next to my name and my new products will appear on the front page of your TeachShare account.

Provide Feedback

Also, don’t forget that you can earn credit towards future purchases when you give feedback!

For each purchase that you make, you can leave feedback which earns you credit for future purchases. Easy and financially-savvy too! Feedback helps me to know what teachers want for their students.

Interested in Free Resources?

Sign up for my mailing list to receive the FREE resource: World War II Oral Histories from the Homefront. (not available on TeachShare)

To receive information about podcasts, offers for freebies, and more, join my mailing list here.

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more about teaching, researching and sharing about history!

I have been a high school history teacher for over 15 years, both in-person and online with involvement in education for over 25 years. I have primarily taught U.S. History, AP World History, World History, AP World History and U.S. Women’s History.

Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns or comments about this resource at christa@historyprisms.com.

Thank you for your interest in this resource!

- Christa Nonnemaker

This Teaching Bundle includes eleven Reading Assignments and Worksheets from 1600-1920:

* Native American Women Reading Assignment and Worksheet
* Colonial Women Reading Assignment and Worksheet
* Women of the American Revolution Reading Assignment and Worksheet
* Early Women's Rights Movement Reading Assignment and Worksheet
* Women during the Civil War
* Women during the Industrial Revolution
* Women's Suffrage Movement
* Women during the Progressive Era
* Women during the 1920s

* Women during the Great Depression
* Women during World War II

Each Reading Assignment and Worksheet is designed to take one class period or for students to complete on their own as independent study or to complete as homework. These close reading assignments will help students learn more about women's contributions in American society as well as the challenges that women faced during each of these eras.

Worksheets provide students with an opportunity to process key facts and developments about women's experiences and to reflect on their reading.

Follow I Like History

Follow my store so that you know when I add new products. Click the star next to my name and my new products will appear on the front page of your TeachShare account.

Provide Feedback

Also, don’t forget that you can earn credit towards future purchases when you give feedback!

For each purchase that you make, you can leave feedback which earns you credit for future purchases. Easy and financially-savvy too! Feedback helps me to know what teachers want for their students.

Interested in Free Resources?

Sign up for my mailing list to receive the FREE resource: Nurses during the Civil War: Mini-DBQ and Primary Source Analysis (also included in Women in the Civil War DBQ and Primary Source Analysis resource).

Sign up for my mailing list to receive the FREE resource: World War II Oral Histories from the Homefront. (not available on TeachShare)

To receive information about podcasts, offers for freebies, and more, join my mailing list here.

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more about teaching, researching and sharing about history!

I have been a high school history teacher for over 15 years, both in-person and online with involvement in education for over 25 years. I have primarily taught U.S. History, AP World History, World History, AP World History and U.S. Women’s History.

Thank you for your interest in this resource!

Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns or comments about this resource at christa@historyprisms.com.

Deepen your students' understanding of women's experiences during World War II!

This quick three-page Reading Assignment and Worksheet provides an overview of the various activities, contributions and activities of women during World War II. It works well as a Guided Reading activity or as an exercise for Reading Comprehension.

It covers the time period 1941 through 1945. Women's participation and contributions were essential to the success of Allied efforts in World War II and this shift is explored in this assignment. This resource addresses the following topics:

Women and Factory Work

African-American Women
Japanese-American Women
Women in the Military
Life on the Homefront
Other Volunteer Efforts

Students can read this on their own as a homework assignment or it can be a group activity in a classroom. It is also ideally suited for home-schoolers or independent learners who want to learn more about women's contributions. A Worksheet with questions based on the reading is included, along with an Answer Key.

Reading Assignment - 3 pages

Worksheet - 1 page

This is part of the Women in American History Series which includes Reading Assignments and Worksheets from other eras:

Women in the US Military during WWII: Reading Assignment and Worksheet
Women during the 1920s: Reading Assignment and Worksheet

Progressive Era Women: Reading Assignment and Worksheet
Women's Suffrage Movement: Reading Assignment and Worksheet

Women during the Industrial Era: Reading Assignment and Worksheet
Early Women's Rights: Reading Assignment and Worksheet
Women of the American Revolution: Reading Assignment and Worksheet
Women in Colonial America: Reading Assignment and Worksheet
Native American Women: Reading Assignment and Worksheet

Note that the Homefront during World War II: Reading Assignment and Worksheet is very similar to this assignment but covers both gender experiences.

This is NOT an editable file.

Follow I Like History

Follow my store so that you know when I add new products. Click the star next to my name and my new products will appear on the front page of your TeachShare account.

Provide Feedback

Also, don’t forget that you can earn credit towards future purchases when you give feedback!

For each purchase that you make, you can leave feedback which earns you credit for future purchases. Easy and financially-savvy too! Feedback helps me to know what teachers want for their students.

Interested in Free Resources?

Sign up for my mailing list to receive the FREE resource: World War II Oral Histories from the Homefront. (not available on TeachShare)

To receive information about podcasts, offers for freebies, and more, join my mailing list here.

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more about teaching, researching and sharing about history!

I have been a high school history teacher for over 15 years, both in-person and online with involvement in education for over 25 years. I have primarily taught U.S. History, AP World History, World History, AP World History and U.S. Women’s History.

Thank you for your interest in this resource!

Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns or comments about this resource at christa@historyprisms.com.

Do you or your students like historical fiction? Hearts of War is about a Nisei soldier who served in the Military Intelligence Service and a woman who served in the Women Army Corps. In writing this book, I wanted to bring an unknown aspect of history to light. Available on Amazon or Kindle and I appreciate any reviews. Thank you!

Christa Nonnemaker
M.A./B.A. - History

This is a bundle of three dice roll writing assignments. This bundle includes assignments about author's purpose, rhetorical appeals, and character reading response which works for any book.

With these assignments, students roll a die to determine the format, topic, and character/rhetorical appeal/purpose they will use for their writing piece. These assignments offer a lot of flexibility and options for students. They are fun and engaging! This resource includes writing rubrics for the character reading response and author's purpose assignments.

This bundle should accompany Kwame Alexander's novel The Door of No Return. The story is not included in this resource.

This bundle includes:

- Chapter Vocabulary Lists

- Chapter Vocabulary Quizlet Links

- Google Form Vocabulary Tests

- A Reading Journal with 8 Prompts

- A Thorough Study Guide with Middle School English Vocabulary Embedded (personification, summarize, simile, etc.)

- A Final Writing Project Including Research

- A Final Writing Project Rubric

BONUS: Two prompts and worksheets for a socratic seminar discussion regarding the book.

These resources cover everything you could need for a unit about this novel.

With this activity, students will use a die to determine the format, topic, and purpose to use in their writing assignment. Students should have a solid understanding of what it means for an author to persuade, inform, or entertain before diving in to this activity. A rubric is included. This is meant to be a fun, amusing exercise for students learning about author's purpose. Both the instructions and the rubric come in color and b/w.

Check out my free Ethos, Logos, Pathos Dice Roll Writing Activity, and my Character Reading Response Dice Roll Writing Activity as well!

Students use a die to decide the character, format, and topic that they will use for this reading response writing assignment. Students will have to assume the perspective of the character they roll first. You can use this resource with any book. Students simply need to write in the names of characters. This is meant to be a fun, amusing activity for students to think more deeply about what they have read. A writing rubric is included. Both the instructions and the rubric come in color and b/w.

Check out my FREE Ethos, Logos, Pathos Dice Roll Writing Activity, and my Author's Purpose Dice Roll Writing Activity.

This resource should accompany Kwame Alexander's novel The Door of No Return. There are 8 journal prompts total. One should be completed before starting the story, and one after finishing the story. Cover pages are included. This resource contains 18 PDF pages. 9 sheets are in color, and 9 are black/white.

The questions in this journal are related to the story. They ask students to predict, characterize, think about text structure and author's choice, and compare this story to others about slavery. There are many lines for students to use while journaling to organize their writing.

This resource should be used with Edgar Allan Poe's short story The Tell-Tale Heart. With this activity, students will read the M'Naghten rule of 1843 and decide whether or not they believe the main character of The Tell-Tale Heart would be found legally sane or insane. This resource includes space for students to collect textual evidence to support their answer, space for students to write other open-ended questions for discussion, and a discussion grading rubric.

I used this activity with my 8th grade students, and they absolutely loved it. They found great evidence to back up their explanations, and gained a deeper understanding of the short story and the M'Naghten rule. We used this resource in a socratic seminar formatted discussion, and they had enough to say about the main character and the M'Naghten rule that the majority of our 55 minute class period was covered.