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

While The Great Gatsby provides an in-depth portrayal of American culture during the Roaring Twenties, its storyline mirrors one told many times before, potentially as old as the country itself: a man rises from destitution to wealth, only to find that his fortune does not afford him the privileges enjoyed by those born into their elite status.

The central character is Jay Gatsby, a wealthy New Yorker whose occupation is vague. Gatsby is primarily known for the lavish parties he throws each weekend at his opulent Gothic mansion in West Egg. He is thought to be linked to illegal bootlegging and several criminal activities. The storyteller, Nick Carraway, resides next to Gatsby in West Egg.

This lesson plan for The Great Gatsby is designed to last approximately 90 minutes. The student activities vary and are presented in a separate worksheet. In the end, the answer key for the assignments is given separately at the end of the lesson plan.

Guided Reading is a research-based instruction process whereby the teacher works with small grouping of students being equal in a particular reading achievement level. The teacher provides for each reader's development of effective reading competencies. However different than in the earlier days of reading groups, small and temporary groups are flexible and dynamic. The observance and evaluation of the progress of readers are done by teachers on a systematic basis. Thus, grouping and regrouping students is based on the strengths of students and the intense changing needs throughout their reading development.

In the 1960s in New Zealand, Guided Reading was developed. It was enhanced over the years after it arrived in the United States thanks to educators like Gay Su Pinnell and Lesley Fountas. In 1996, Fountas & Pinnell published their enormously influential book, Guided Reading: Good First Teaching for All Children (Heinemann). This book changed how reading was taught, and it is still taught today to over a million teachers worldwide. The aim of Guided Reading lessons is to develop effective readers.

A set of 13 books is bundled together with all 13 worksheets of the Guided Reading series for grades KG-12. There are lesson plans and different activities for every grade, with the answers in the end section of the worksheet.

Romeo and Juliet is a play created by Shakespeare. It is a tragic romantic story where the two main characters, Romeo and Juliet, are supposed to be fierce opponents but ultimately fall in love. Due to the ongoing conflict between their families, they cannot be with each other, resulting in their decision to end their lives as they cannot bear the agony of being apart. Romeo and Juliet is a heartbreaking drama written by Shakespeare.

Unquestionably, the primary and most important theme of the play is love. The drama focuses on romantic love, especially the passionate longing that ignites immediately when Romeo and Juliet encounter each other for the first time. In Romeo and Juliet, love is a passionate, thrilling, prevailing force that transcends all other values, loyalties, and emotions.

This lesson plan focused on Shakespeare's famous tragedy is designed to last approximately 6 hours (of course, depending on your class size). Many tasks are organized in five worksheets. Their replies are also incorporated at the conclusion.

The tragedy of political aspirations

A courageous Scottish general called Macbeth is given a prediction by three witches that he will someday be King of Scotland. Driven by ambition and urged into action by his wife, Macbeth kills King Duncan and quickly transforms into a tyrannical leader. Core themes in Shakespeare's Macbeth encompass: the conflict of good and evil, the perils of ambition, the impact of supernatural elements, the disparity between appearance and truth, as well as loyalty and remorse. A prominent theme in Macbeth is ambition, evident in both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. They are lured by the notion that Macbeth will ascend to the throne – Macbeth is uncertain about his choices, but his wife is relentless in pursuing her desires – she considers her husband a coward and seems willing to go to any lengths.

Ambition drives one to wickedness - it empowers Macbeth, increasing his resolve, yet ultimately leads to his wife's madness.

Ambition ultimately destroys Macbeth as well, as he turns into a tyrant and consequently alienates his friends.

This lesson plan, which lasts nearly 6 hours (depending on your class size, of course), provides a comprehensive analysis of William Shakespeare's renowned play. It comprises spoken and written tasks, arranged into four worksheets. The responses are also incorporated.

The tragedy of political aspirations

A courageous Scottish general called Macbeth is given a prediction by three witches that he will someday be King of Scotland. Driven by ambition and urged into action by his wife, Macbeth kills King Duncan and quickly transforms into a tyrannical leader. Core themes in Shakespeare's Macbeth encompass: the conflict of good and evil, the perils of ambition, the impact of supernatural elements, the disparity between appearance and truth, as well as loyalty and remorse. A prominent theme in Macbeth is ambition, evident in both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. They are lured by the notion that Macbeth will ascend to the throne – Macbeth is uncertain about his choices, but his wife is relentless in pursuing her desires – she considers her husband a coward and seems willing to go to any lengths.

Ambition drives one to wickedness - it empowers Macbeth, increasing his resolve, yet ultimately leads to his wife's madness.

Ambition ultimately destroys Macbeth as well, as he turns into a tyrant and consequently alienates his friends.

This lesson plan, which lasts nearly 6 hours (depending on your class size, of course), provides a comprehensive analysis of William Shakespeare's renowned play. It comprises spoken and written tasks, arranged into four worksheets. The responses are also incorporated.

During their final year of middle school, 8th graders engage in preparing for high school by refining and enhancing skills acquired in previous middle school years, while also acquiring new (and frequently more challenging) abilities.

In numerous ways, 8th grade serves as a transitional year since students are anticipated to have mastered middle school skills and start evolving into “high-schoolers.” In particular, 8th graders are anticipated to be self-sufficient thinkers and doers, evaluating and articulating what they understand in both their written and spoken communication.

In the 8th grade, students further develop various skills acquired in previous grades, particularly focusing on aspects such as text evidence, language, and comparisons across different genres of text. Nonetheless, 8th graders deepen their text analyses by exploring the details and writing structures while evaluating how these aspects influence the text.

This ebook contains an in-depth guided reading lesson plan complete with activities, which takes around 90 minutes to complete. Proposed responses are also included.

Are you looking for a way to truly engage your students while fostering empathy, understanding, and critical thinking?

This Wonder Novel Study is more than just worksheets; it was created by someone who intimately understands what it’s like to live with a facial difference and raise children with similar experiences.

This novel study for Wonder by R.J. Palacio includes printable and digital versions.

There are over 100 pages of student work, plus answer keys! This novel study covers all 8 sections of the novel, and it also includes a Google Slides option for some of the novel study assignments.

INCLUDES:

Overview

Background info about the author

Learning about Facial Differences

Analyzing the Plot

Character Maps for main characters

Social media activity- create a social media profile for the main characters

Figurative Language

Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt

Book vs Movie Activities

Venn Diagram - Book vs. movie

Reflection Questions

Point of View Activity

Textual evidence prompts

Textual evidence exercise

Vocabulary from the Book: Parts 1-8

Printable vocabulary flashcards

Vocabulary activity for each section with answer keys when applicable

Vocabulary Bingo game with words from all sections which comes as a separate file from the novel study.

Comprehension questions for parts 1-8 with answer keys

Empathy and Kindness project and activity options

Design your own Choose Kindness T-shirt

Art and music connection activity option

Facial differences discussion questions

Journal prompts

Acrostic poem template

Precept poster activity

ALIGNS WITH COMMON CORE:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.1 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.2 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.5.4 RL.5.7: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.5 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.1 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.5 RL.6.7 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.5 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.6 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.1 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.2 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.2 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.3 RL.8.7

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

3 files:

112 Printable PDF Pages of the Wonder Novel Study

28 Printable PDF -Wonder Vocabulary Bingo Game- covers vocab from all 8 sections

PDF with link to access the Google Slides - 32 pages

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

The book, Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas is great for children ages 7 - 13 years old, as they can relate with Bree as she moves to a new state, starts a new middle school, makes friends along the way and the challenges with friendships she struggles to maintain, the lack of self confidence she has, and she becomes more confident along the way, how she solves disagreements with friends, tries her best, shares her talents with others, adjusts to changes that occur in her life, learning that it is okay not to be friends with everyone, the importance of friendship, doing things that you want to do - being a leader instead of a follower, and how to handle stressful situations, anxiety, conflict, and bullying.

The comprehension questions in this product relate with the text as well as students own experiences. Vocabulary words, their meanings, and example sentences are presented in the packet. Students can also write vocabulary words in sentences. As the book is being read aloud, as students are reading the book or after the book has been read, students can answer the comprehension questions in this packet. Comprehension questions are broken down into chapters that match the book's 9 chapters. An answer key is provided at the end of this product. Students can also answer comprehension questions towards the end of the packet as well that relate with the entire book.

If you download this product, and found it useful, please leave me a positive review! :)

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.

This is a novel study of Gary Paulsen's Brian’s Winter (The sequel to Hatchet). In this product, there are completed lesson plans (and a blank one if you need to write your own), a slideshow that includes everything for each chapter (introduction, review of content, copy of the doodle notes, copy of the end of chapter activity/discussion outline, and the closure question), the Doodle Notes outline for each chapter, and the End of Chapter/Discussion activities. This novel study is for 4th-grade to 7th-grade students.

****I would recommend reading Hatchet before Brian's Winter. Since it is a sequel, having the prior knowledge would help a lot. I also have a novel study to go along with Hatchet!**

Completed Lesson Plans

Each chapter comes with a completed lesson plan! The lesson plans include an I can statement (Chapter Goal), the materials needed, what students will be doing as a preview to the chapter, what they will be doing during the read, the activity after the chapter, some differentiation ideas, the assessment, and a closure. There is a spot for standards, but I did not include one because of different state standards. They are also all editable! It was made using Google Slides, so if you open the file in Google Slides or PowerPoint you can edit each lesson plan to fit your class's needs!

Doodle Notes and End of Chapter/Discussion Activities

Each chapter comes with doodle notes and an End of Chapter/Discussion Activity. Doodle notes are notes students take that involve more drawing than writing. Students will have a prompt to help them know what to focus on while listening/reading the chapter and what to take notes on. The activities focus on multiple different skills, Central Idea, Supporting Details, Problem/Solution, Cause/Effect, Summaries, Story Elements, Inferences, and more. There are also 5 discussion activities where students will need to work in groups discussing a prompt about the chapter.

Slideshow

To go along with the book, there is a Slideshow that includes an outline for each chapter! It includes what is written in the lesson plans. So there are introduction slides for each chapter, a copy of the doodle notes and chapter activities, and a slide for the closure. The slides are also editable! So if you would like to add/adapt anything to fit your class/lesson better, just open the file in Google Slides or PowerPoint. ***There is a slide, that you will need to edit. It is the “Discussion Expectations” slide. This is because each class will have different expectations for discussions.***

I hope you enjoy it! Please rate and review. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at ateacherssidekick@gmail.com

• 10 Winter Holiday Narrative Essay Picture Prompts & Planner: Engage students in narrative writing with holiday-themed picture prompts and a structured planner to develop plot, character, and setting in alignment with creative writing standards.
• Christmas Hip Hop Lyrics Analysis: Teach figurative language, rhyme schemes, and tone through an engaging analysis of hip hop lyrics, blending music and ELA standards for Grades 6-8.
• St. Nick: Informational Text Structures: Explore main ideas, text structures, and author’s purpose with this winter-themed set of informational texts designed to strengthen critical reading skills.
• Unraveling Krampus: Text Structures and Critical Analysis: Develop students’ ability to identify text structures and analyze information critically with this high-interest resource focused on the Krampus folklore.
• Informational Text Structure Coloring Sort: Combine creativity and learning as students sort and color-code winter-themed informational texts to practice identifying text structures.
• Winter Wonders: Exploring Text Features Through Snow-Themed Articles: Strengthen comprehension and analysis skills by examining text features in engaging snow-themed articles, perfect for enhancing nonfiction literacy.
• Christmas Winter Holiday Characters from Around the World Research PBL: Dive into global holiday traditions with this project-based learning activity that encourages research, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
• Holiday Figurative Language & Movie Clip Standard-Based Learning Activities: Analyze figurative language through fun, holiday-themed movie clips that align with ELA figurative language standards for middle schoolers.
• Virtual Winter Sports Exploration: Engage students in a digital exploration of winter sports, focusing on informational text comprehension and analysis for Grades 4-6.
• Analyzing Narrative Point of View Winter-Themed: Develop higher-order thinking with winter-themed narrative texts that challenge students to analyze and compare points of view using Bloom’s Taxonomy.
• Winter Vacation PBL: Inspire creativity and practical application with this low-prep, project-based learning activity where stude

Craft the ultimate narrative writing journey for your students with our Seasonal Narrative Writing Bundle! This comprehensive collection is designed to spark creativity and enhance writing skills across grades 4-6 throughout the year. Each season brings a unique set of picture prompts that invite students into worlds of imagination, exploration, and storytelling.

Spring Picture Prompts: Dive into the renewal and wonders of spring with our Spring Picture Prompts resource. It features 23 engaging slides that guide students through the elements of a plot diagram, the importance of showing vs. telling, and offers 10 unique, spring-inspired photo prompts. Each image is paired with a comprehensive writing guide to brainstorm settings, characters, and conflicts, cultivating well-structured stories that bloom like the season.

Summer Picture Prompts: Turn up the heat on narrative writing with our Summer Picture Prompts toolkit. This sun-drenched resource walks students through the narrative writing process with warmth and adventure as their backdrop. From mysterious summer camps to beach escapades, the 10 vibrant, summer-themed photo prompts are sure to ignite the spark of creativity. In-depth writing guides accompany each prompt, ensuring students can craft captivating stories under the summer sun.

Winter Holiday Narrative Essay Picture Prompts: Cozy up to the winter season with 10 Winter Holiday Narrative Essay Picture Prompts. This festive resource is perfect for inspiring stories of winter wonderlands, holiday adventures, and heartwarming family traditions. With a focus on narrative essays, this print-and-go package includes planners and engaging slides that help students capture the essence of the winter season in their writing.

Autumn Narrative Essay Picture Prompts: Fall into storytelling with our Autumn Narrative Essay Picture Prompts. This collection captures the essence of fall with 10 autumn-inspired photo prompts, from the mystical to the mundane. Accompanied by a planner and print-and-go slides, it provides a seamless transition into autumnal narratives, encouraging students to explore the rich colors, themes, and emotions of the season.

Narrative Essay Planning Guide with Engaging Picture Prompts: Lay the foundation for effective storytelling with our Narrative Essay Planning Guide. This essential resource is packed with engaging picture prompts that cover various themes and settings, making it a versatile tool for any narrative writing activity. It includes a planning guide to help students structure their stories, focusing on character development, setting, and plot, ensuring a deep and engaging writing experience.

This bundle offers a year-round solution to narrative writing, equipping educators with everything needed to foster creativity, enhance writing skills, and teach critical writing concepts in an engaging and adaptable format. Whether used for creative writing classes, homework assignments, or extension activities, these resources provide a gateway to imagination and critical thinking that will keep students engaged and excited about writing all year long.

1. Examination Day Full-Week ELA Unit Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Dive into Henry Slesar's thought-provoking short story, "Examination Day," with a full-week ELA unit plan designed for middle school. This comprehensive package includes detailed Socratic seminar procedures, engaging choice board activities, and dynamic presentation slides to encourage critical thinking and student-led discourse on themes of intelligence testing and government control.

1. Harrison Bergeron Full-Week ELA Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Explore Kurt Vonnegut's classic dystopian tale, "Harrison Bergeron," in this complete week-long ELA unit. Middle school students will engage deeply with themes of enforced equality and individuality through structured Socratic seminars, creative choice board activities, and informative slides, all designed to foster critical analysis and vibrant classroom discussions.

1. All Summer in a Day Comprehensive Week-Long Lesson Plan: Seminar, Choice Board

• Immerse your students in Ray Bradbury's poignant story, "All Summer in a Day," with this extensive unit plan. The curriculum includes everything you need to facilitate meaningful discussions around themes of isolation, bullying, and the longing for sunshine. Engaging seminars and diverse choice board activities provide varied learning opportunities that cater to different student interests and learning styles.

1. The Pedestrian Full-Week ELA Unit Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Step into the futuristic world of Ray Bradbury's "The Pedestrian" with this detailed unit plan for grades 6-8. Through thoughtful Socratic seminars, a creative choice board, and educational slides, students will analyze the story's critique of technological dependency and societal conformity, developing critical thinking skills that transcend the classroom.

Transform your middle school ELA classroom with this comprehensive bundle of 12 highly engaging short story units. Each unit is meticulously designed to provide a full week of dynamic lessons, complete with detailed plans, interactive slides, a choice activity board, Socratic seminar questions, three STAAR-aligned essay prompts, a film vs. text Venn diagram, and the text PDF. These short stories will captivate your students and enhance their literary analysis skills, making learning both fun and meaningful.

Included Short Stories:

1. The Most Dangerous Game
2. Sorry, Wrong Number
3. The Hitchhiker
4. The Way Up to Heaven
5. Lamb to the Slaughter
6. The Landlady
7. The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
8. Harrison Bergeron
9. Examination Day
10. The Pedestrian
11. All Summer in a Day
12. There Will Come Soft Rains

Bundle Features:

1. Comprehensive 5-Day Lesson Plans: Each story unit includes a detailed five-day lesson plan, ensuring a structured approach to teaching. Lessons are aligned with educational standards and include clear objectives and outcomes.

2. Interactive Slides: Engage your students with interactive slides that guide them through the story, provide context, and facilitate discussions. These slides are designed to keep students focused and involved.

3. Choice Activity Board: Each unit comes with a creative choice board, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding through various projects such as writing an alternate ending, creating a comic strip, designing a literary brochure, and more.

4. Socratic Seminar Questions: Encourage critical thinking and in-depth discussion with six thought-provoking Socratic seminar questions for each story. These questions help students delve deeper into the text and analyze its themes, characters, and literary elements.

5. Three STAAR-Aligned Essay Prompts: Each unit includes three essay prompts (argumentative, correspondence, and informational) that are aligned with STAAR standards, helping students practice their writing skills and prepare for standardized assessments.

6. Film vs. Text Venn Diagram: Enhance your students' analytical skills with a film vs. text Venn diagram activity. Students compare and contrast the short story with its film adaptation, focusing on key similarities and differences.

7. Text PDF: Each unit comes with a PDF of the short story, making it easy to provide students with the text for reading and annotation.

Why Choose This Bundle?

• Engaging Content: These short stories are highly engaging and perfect for capturing the interest of middle school students. The diverse selection of stories includes suspense, science fiction, dystopian themes, and more.
• Comprehensive and Ready-to-Use: Save time with ready-to-use lesson plans, activities, and resources. Each unit is designed for easy implementation, ensuring you can focus on teaching and engaging your students.
• Develop Critical Thinking: The activities and discussions included in each unit promote critical thinking, literary analysis, and deeper understanding of the text.
• Flexible and Adaptable: The bundle provides flexibility in teaching, with a variety of activities and assessment options to suit different learning styles and classroom needs.

Perfect for middle school humanities teachers, this bundle offers everything you need to deliver engaging and effective ELA lessons throughout the year. Enrich your curriculum and inspire your students with these timeless short stories and comprehensive teaching resources.

Elements of Suspense Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Dive into the spine-tingling world of suspense with this engaging lesson plan! Students will analyze the key elements of suspense—pacing, foreshadowing, red herrings, danger, and more—through guided notes, interactive activities, and media examples like film trailers. This resource is perfect for Halloween or any time you want to keep your students on the edge of their seats. Ideal for introducing or reviewing the genre of suspense.

Elements of Dystopia Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Welcome to the dark side of fiction with this comprehensive dystopian literature lesson. Students will explore themes like totalitarian regimes, environmental disasters, survival, and rebellion. Using multimedia examples and text excerpts, students will analyze how these elements create powerful dystopian worlds. This resource is perfect for introducing dystopian fiction or as a review of the genre, making it a great fit for discussions on social justice or government control.

Elements of Science Fiction Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Blast off into the universe of science fiction! This lesson plan introduces students to the exciting elements of sci-fi, including futuristic technology, space exploration, time travel, alien life, and parallel universes. Students will analyze these elements through guided notes, multimedia, and text excerpts. Whether you're teaching the genre for the first time or reviewing it with your class, this resource is out of this world!

Elements of Fantasy Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Step into magical realms with this enchanting lesson plan on the elements of fantasy. Students will explore key components such as world-building, magical systems, mythical creatures, quests, and good vs. evil. Using guided notes and multimedia, students will be transported into the fantastical worlds of dragons, wizards, and epic quests. This resource is perfect for immersing students in the magic of fantasy fiction, sparking their imaginations and developing their literary analysis skills.

Elements of Mystery Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Introduce your students to the mystery genre with this 60-minute, print-and-go lesson plan that includes everything you need to kick off a mystery unit! This engaging lesson features guided notes, teacher slides, a one-page mystery story, and answer keys. Students will explore key mystery elements, such as clues, suspects, and red herrings, and apply their knowledge by solving the included mystery. Perfect for grades 6-8, this resource makes it easy to teach critical thinking and deduction skills while introducing a fun and interactive genre.

Elevate your middle school students' narrative writing skills with this winter-themed essay planning guide. This resource features 10 captivating, holiday-themed photos, ranging from a snowman on the beach to a gingerbread family on the run, Krampus enjoying hot chocolate, and a pirate ship bathed in green holiday lights. These images are perfect for sparking creativity and guiding students through the narrative writing process.

Learning Objectives:

• Enhance the ability to plan and draft a narrative story that is both engaging and imaginative.
• Encourage creativity while ensuring narratives encompass all essential elements of a structured narrative text.

What's Inside:

• 10 double sided planning guides, one for each photo!
• Detailed graphic organizers to assist students in exploring the setting, characters, conflict, and resolution.
• A Google Slides presentation featuring each high-interest photo for classroom projection, facilitating the introduction of each new writing prompt.

How to Use:

• Day 1: Display the photo prompt using the slides and encourage students to brainstorm ideas with the graphic organizer.
• Day 2: Start drafting the narrative, drawing inspiration from the vivid image.
• Day 3: Continue the narrative, adding details and developing the storyline.
• Day 4: Conduct peer reviews or teacher feedback sessions, followed by revisions and editing.
• Day 5: Publish the final narrative piece, celebrating the students' creative achievements.

Standards Alignment:

• Aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3 through W.8.3, ensuring the resource meets educational standards for narrative writing.

Formats Available:

• A ready-to-use PDF for printouts and a Google Slides version for seamless classroom integration.

Usage Scenario:

• Ideal for middle school teachers to use as a standalone writing unit, an extension activity, or as a part of a choice board for students.

Highlights:

• Engaging and diverse photo prompts: Each image is carefully chosen to resonate with middle school students, featuring themes like winter holidays, mythical creatures, adventure, and family.
• Classroom-ready: The Google Slides format allows for easy introduction of each writing prompt, while print-ready PDFs ensure quick and effortless preparation.

Transform your classroom's narrative writing approach with this captivating, standards-aligned essay planning guide. Watch as your students' imaginations soar with each unique and inspiring photo prompt!

Elevate your teaching approach with this comprehensive RL.8.1 Resource Kit, meticulously crafted to align with Bloom's Taxonomy. This dynamic resource, featuring sports-themed texts for high engagement, is superbly suited for 8th Grade ELA teachers targeting Tier 1 instruction and 7th-grade educators with advanced students.

Key Features:

• Aligned with RL.8.1: Meticulously designed to fulfill the rigorous demands of RL.8.1, this kit emphasizes citing textual evidence and making inferences, essential for literary mastery.
• Bloom’s Taxonomy Framework: The activities, progressing from Remember to Create, are structured to cultivate higher-order thinking skills, making them ideal for both introducing new concepts and reteaching for mastery.
• Sports-Themed Texts: Engage your students with relatable, sports-themed texts that make learning both fun and relevant.
• Differentiated Instruction: This resource adapts to individual learning levels, ensuring every student is both challenged and supported.
• Engaging and Interactive: Dive into diverse activities like text analysis, lively group discussions, and creative writing prompts, all designed to stimulate critical thinking.
• Teacher-Friendly: Equipped with detailed instructions, comprehensive answer keys, and practical classroom implementation tips.
• Versatile Use: Tailored for varied instructional strategies, including classroom instruction, small group activities, and individual study.

Benefits:

• Deep Literary Analysis: Cultivate your students' ability to dissect literature with precision and insight.
• Critical Thinking: Foster essential analytical skills, preparing students for academic success.
• Effective Evidence Citing: Equip students with the skills to cite textual evidence confidently and make informed inferences.
• Interactive Learning: Engage students in a dynamic learning process with varied and thought-provoking activities.

Target Audience: 8th Grade ELA Teachers, 7th Grade Teachers with Advanced Students.

Whether you're introducing new concepts or reinforcing existing knowledge, this kit is an invaluable tool for elevating your teaching and enriching your students' learning experience.

Elevate classroom discussions with this comprehensive Habits of Discourse Lesson Plan and Graphic Organizer! Designed for middle school humanities teachers, this resource provides everything you need to foster meaningful, respectful, and structured conversations in your classroom. Whether you're working on developing your students' verbal communication skills or introducing them to nonverbal signals, this resource is your go-to tool for teaching effective discourse habits.

Why This Resource is Essential:

• Promotes Structured Communication: Teach students how to engage in Turn and Talk, Table Talk, and Whole Class Talk with clear expectations for what each form of discourse "Looks like," "Sounds like," and "Feels like."
• Develops Critical Thinking: Encourages students to express their ideas, listen actively, and respond thoughtfully, building a strong foundation for analytical thinking and collaborative learning.
• Incorporates Nonverbal Communication: Introduce your students to nonverbal signals like "agree," "disagree," and "connect" to enhance their ability to communicate without interrupting others.
• Fosters a Positive Classroom Culture: By establishing norms for respectful and inclusive discussions, you help create a classroom environment where every student feels valued and heard.

What’s Included:

• Detailed 60-Minute Lesson Plan: Step-by-step instructions for guiding students through the habits of discourse, including Do Now prompts, discussion activities, and reflection exercises.
• Engaging Discussion Topics: Ten thought-provoking prompts tailored for middle school students, ensuring relevance and engagement in each discourse format.
• Graphic Organizer: A user-friendly tool for students to visualize and document their understanding of effective communication during Turn and Talk, Table Talk, and Whole Class Talk activities.

Perfect For:

• Middle School Humanities Teachers: Ideal for those teaching language arts, social studies, or any subject where discussion is key.
• Back to School: Establish classroom norms early in the school year with this essential resource.
• Ongoing Use: Revisit throughout the year to reinforce and expand your students' discourse skills.

Benefits:

• Improves Student Engagement: Students actively participate in discussions, leading to deeper understanding and retention of material.
• Builds Confidence: Helps shy or hesitant students find their voice in a safe and structured environment.
• Supports SEL Goals: Aligns with social-emotional learning objectives by teaching students how to communicate respectfully and empathically.

How to Use:

• Start the School Year Strong: Implement this lesson during the first weeks of school to set a positive tone for the year.
• Enhance Group Projects: Use the discourse habits as guidelines during collaborative work to ensure productive and respectful teamwork.
• Reflect and Revise: Encourage students to reflect on their communication skills regularly, using the graphic organizer as a tool for self-assessment and growth.

Is your classroom ready to dive into the dark, twisted futures of dystopian worlds? This Elements of Dystopia lesson plan is a totalitarian teaching tool that will captivate your middle school students while helping them identify and analyze key features of dystopian literature. Whether you're introducing this thought-provoking genre for the first time or reviewing it as part of a unit, this resource is your survival guide to dystopian education!

This Lesson is “Utopia” for Teachers Because:

✔️ Perfect for the fall and Halloween season, bringing an eerie edge to your ELA or humanities class.
✔️ Multi-media magic with guided notes, engaging discussions, a dystopian movie trailer (The Hunger Games), and short story (Examination Day) activities.
✔️ Makes teaching complex concepts like government control, surveillance, and rebellion easy to understand!

What’s Inside:

• Detailed lesson slides on the key elements of dystopia: Government Control, Surveillance, Lack of Individual Freedom, Dehumanization, Resistance/Rebellion, and Environmental Disaster/Scarcity.
• Fill-in-the-blank guided notes to engage students as they explore dystopian features in both The Hunger Games trailer and the short story Examination Day.
• Practice activities to identify dystopian themes in multimedia (film and literature).
• Creative writing and analysis opportunities to deepen understanding of the genre.

Use This Resource To:

• Introduce or review dystopian literature with your students.
• Engage learners with multi-modal content (video, text, and discussion).
• Teach during the spooky fall season for maximum engagement with dystopian fears.
• Reinforce essential reading comprehension and critical thinking skills as students analyze dystopian societies.

What You’ll Love:

• The guided practice with The Hunger Games trailer hooks students right from the start!
• Independent analysis of Examination Day lets students practice identifying dystopian elements on their own.
• Eerie, thematic puns and a structured approach make this lesson perfect for dystopian fans and curious minds alike.

Take your students to a world where nothing is as it seems—except the high-quality teaching materials you can rely on. This resource is your key to unlocking the chilling, totalitarian thrill of dystopian literature in your classroom!

Ready to take your students on a magical adventure into the world of fantasy literature? This Elements of Fantasy lesson plan is a spellbinding resource that introduces students to the key components of the fantasy genre. Whether you’re exploring magical systems, embarking on heroic quests, or battling dark forces in the ultimate good vs. evil showdown, this lesson plan has everything you need to cast an enchantment over your classroom.

What’s Included:

✔️ Engaging Slides covering the 6 key elements of fantasy:

• World-Building
• Magical Systems
• Hero’s Journey
• Mythical Creatures
• Quests
• Good vs. Evil

✔️ Fill-in-the-blank Guided Notes for students to actively engage with the lesson content.

✔️ Practice Activities using Harry Potter movie trailers and an excerpt from The Lightning Thief to reinforce concepts.

✔️ Exit Ticket Assessment to ensure student understanding.

Suggested Uses:

• Introduction to Fantasy: Perfect for introducing the genre to 6th-8th graders with relatable, age-appropriate examples.
• Unit Review: Use this resource to review fantasy elements at the end of a genre study.
• Engaging Activities: Incorporate multimedia elements, like Harry Potter trailers and Percy Jackson excerpts, to keep students engaged.

Key Benefits:

• Interactive & Student-Centered: Engages students through guided notes, discussions, and multimedia examples.
• Aligned with Standards: Supports literary analysis and genre exploration aligned with middle-grade ELA standards.
• Flexible for Multiple Uses: Use as a standalone lesson or integrate into a larger fantasy literature unit.
• Easy to Prep: Slides, guided notes, and assessments are ready to go, saving you valuable time!

Get ready to ignite the magic of learning with this detailed and easy-to-use Elements of Fantasy lesson! Whether you’re looking for a fun way to introduce fantasy or need an engaging resource for genre review, this lesson will help your students unlock the door to fantastical worlds.