8th Grade Informational Text Handouts (by date, oldest first)

Enhance Reading Comprehension with our Informational Text Marking Handout!

Empower your students to excel in reading comprehension with our engaging and effective Informational Text Marking Handout! This must-have AVID resource is designed to boost student understanding through strategic text annotation right at their desks. Your students will love this!

This handout is a game changer for educators seeking to improve literacy skills. By providing a structured approach to text annotation, students learn to identify key details, make connections, and deepen their comprehension effortlessly.

Key Features:

✨ Clear and Concise Design: This handout is hands-on-practice visually appealing and easy to use, making it accessible for all students.

✨ Promotes Active Learning: Encourages students to interact with texts actively, leading to improved retention and analysis.

✨ Supports Differentiation: Suitable for various grade levels and subject areas, promoting inclusivity and adaptability.

✨ Fosters Critical Thinking: Students develop critical thinking skills by engaging in purposeful text annotation.

✨Black and white & color versions

✨ English and Spanish versions included

Why Choose This Handout?

☑ Reading Comprehension Tools: Enhance students’ comprehension skills with a proven method that supports academic success.

☑ Teacher-Tested: Developed by experienced educators, ensuring practicality and effectiveness in the classroom.

☑ Engaging Resource: Captivate students’ interest in reading and analyzing texts with our interactive handout.

☑ Ideal for implementing AVID strategies daily in your classroom and setting up testing strategies and routines in your classroom.

Transform your classroom into a hub of active learning and literacy development! Download the Informational Text Marking Handout today and witness the positive impact on your students’ reading comprehension skills. Let’s empower students to become confident, strategic readers—one annotation at a time!

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This includes two Articles "How do hurricanes form? A step-by-step guide" and "How Do Hurricanes Form?" plus a graph titled "Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale" . After reading these two articles students are given a prompt for an expository essay on how hurricanes are formed. There is also an outline sheet included for students to use in order to help them organize their essay. Plus a rubric for easy grading of final essay.

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Essay prompt and articles :Narcissism

Essay prompt and articles: Colonization in Africa

This includes two Articles "The History of Narcissistic

Personality Disorder" and "Selfies, Facebook, and Narcissism: What's the Link? Exploring the link between Facebook and Narcissism" plus a graph titled "College Students' Narcissistic Personality Inventory Scores 1982-2006" . After reading these two articles students are given a prompt for an expository essay on narcissism. There is also an outline sheet included for students to use in order to help them organize their essay. Plus a rubric for easy grading of final essay.

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Counterclaim and Rebuttal

Interactive Essay Writing Flipbook

Argumentative Essay

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Essay prompt and articles: Hurricanes

Essay prompt and articles: Colonization in Africa

A close reading activity of the Declaration of Independence which asks students to cite textual evidence to evaluate author's purpose, persuasive techniques, and literary devices. Good for any ELA or History class.

*Update* Available under TeachShare Digital Resources which adds an interactive layer on top of the pdf for distance learning.

This is an excellent worksheet to give prior to having students read Shakespeare's play "As You Like It". It has historical information about the play and 7 short answer questions. *** You may also like my study guide for As You Like It *** As You Like It Interactive Flipbook

Excerpts from Letters from Birmingham Jail with questions and answer key. Goes well with a unit on persuasive writing or with black history.

Covering the As You Like It? Don't know where to get started? This bundle includes everything you need for your students to analyze the text for plot development, characterization, language, and more. Makes learning Shakespeare fun and easy for your students.

Complete Unit.

Covers the entire play of As You Like It !

Great for differentiation.

Shakespeare Ultimate Bundle. Includes resources for the following plays: Hamlet, As You Like It, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Macbeth, A Midsummer's Night Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest, and The Twelfth Night. Great for covering Shakespeare at multiple grade levels or multiple plays. Includes different activities, study guides, games, and more. Works great as a school resource.

Includes prompts for writing informative and argumentative essays. Also includes writing powerpoints, outlines, and rubrics

This 4-page pre-reading handout provides students with important background information for understanding William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. This resource includes a two-page handout on the history of the Roman Republic. The resource also included is a comprehension check and answer key so that teachers can assess whether students have understood important details from the handout.

Learning about the history of the Roman Republic will provide students with the contextual information necessary for understanding certain lines in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. You could have students read this handout for homework before starting the play; or you could have students read the handout aloud together in class before giving them the comprehension check worksheet.

If you like this pre-reading handout, you'll definitely want to check out my 160-page Complete Teaching Unit on Julius Caesar. The complete unit features colorful and engaging worksheets on every scene in Shakespeare's play. Because the complete unit is both professionally designed and academically rigorous, it is especially well-suited for courses like Honors English and AP Lang.

Wishing you an amazing experience with teaching this complex play. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to get in touch. And don't forget to check out the Complete Teaching Unit on Julius Caesar....

Happy teaching,

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

P.S. Remember to “follow” my store to receive email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!

Feel free to check out these complete units on Shakespeare's masterpieces:

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Romeo and Juliet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Julius Caesar

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Macbeth

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Othello

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Hamlet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Much Ado About Nothing

INTRO TO SHAKESPEARE: Biography, Globe Theater, Language, & Meter

Elevate your students' reading comprehension skills with this comprehensive lesson on identifying and understanding author's purpose. This resource is designed to help students in grades 6-8 develop critical thinking skills and become more effective readers by analyzing various elements of a text, such as word choice, writing techniques, and main ideas.

The package includes:

A detailed, 40-slide presentation covering:

• The importance of understanding author's purpose
• The three main types of author's purpose: persuade, inform, and entertain
• How word choice, writing techniques, and main ideas contribute to author's purpose
• Practical tips and strategies for identifying author's purpose in various texts
• Two example passages with in-depth analysis of author's purpose, word choice, writing techniques, and main ideas
• Recap of key points and encouragement for students to practice their skills

20 carefully curated non-fiction texts from diverse genres, such as opinion pieces, advertisements, and informative essays, providing ample opportunities for students to apply their learning

Text Titles:

• Bonjour! A Fun Guide to Speaking French
• Cleopatra: The Last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt
• Dumplings: A Delicious Journey Around the World
• Elon Musk: The Visionary Entrepreneur Shaping Our Future
• Escape to Paradise: Discover the Magic of Tahiti
• Felix Baumgartner: The Man Who Fell from the Edge of Space
• From Runway to Sky: A Pilot's Step-by-Step Guide to Launching an Airbus A320
• Lost in the Jungle: A Guide to Survival
• Silk: The Luxurious Fabric with a Fascinating History
• Taylor Swift: The Unstoppable Force in Pop Music
• The Ballad of Mulan: A Tale of Bravery and Filial Piety
• The Devastating Truth About Cigarettes: A Plea to Save Your Life
• The Incredible Journey: A Child's Development from Birth to Graduation
• The Incredible Story of Our Universe: A Journey Through Time and Space
• The Plight of Mountain Gorillas in Gabon: A Call to Action
• The Secret to Cockroach Success: Uncovering the Extraordinary Adaptability of These Resilient Insects
• The Secret to Longevity: Why People Are Living Longer Than Ever Before
• The Silk Route: A Journey from Kashgar to Beijing
• The Web of Life: Why Biodiversity Matters
• Vincent van Gogh: The Tortured Artist Who Changed the World

A versatile worksheet that guides students through analyzing each text, focusing on:

1. Summarizing the main points
2. Identifying the main idea and author's purpose
3. Examining key writing techniques and their effects

By working through this lesson and completing the accompanying activities, your students will:

• Gain a deep understanding of author's purpose and its significance in reading comprehension
• Learn to identify and analyze the elements of a text that contribute to author's purpose
• Develop critical thinking skills by examining word choice, writing techniques, and main ideas
• Improve their ability to summarize and interpret various types of non-fiction texts
• Become more confident and engaged readers, equipped with strategies for tackling complex texts

This resource is perfect for English Language Arts, Reading, or Writing classes, as well as for test preparation and literacy intervention programs. The slides and activities can be easily adapted to suit your classroom's needs and can be used for whole-class instruction, small-group work, or independent practice.

Empower your students to become skilled, critical readers with this comprehensive lesson on author's purpose. Purchase now and unlock the key to improved reading comprehension!

This resource is aimed at 7th to 10th grade.

The political landscape in the United States is deeply polarized, with Republicans and Democrats often having starkly different positions on many issues. 

Here are ten hot contentious topics that hav been prominent in the political discourse. These topics are highly dynamic, and the positions associated with each party can evolve over time, influenced by current events, leadership changes, and public opinion. Always consult the most recent sources for the latest information on these and other political issues.

Each issue has further been divided into two short stories, or rather scenarios, one from the perspective of a democrat, and one from the perspective of a republican.

Finally, there are sets of questions that probe each scenario and dig deeper into the issues and perspectives.

The topics covered are:

Gun control

Abortion

Healthcare reform

Climate change & environmental policy

Tax policy

Immigration

Economic inequality & social welfare

Education

LGBTQ+ Rights

Voting rights and electoral integrity

Description

Elevate your students' reading comprehension skills with this comprehensive lesson on identifying and understanding author's purpose. This resource is designed to help students in grades 6-8 develop critical thinking skills and become more effective readers by analyzing various elements of a text, such as word choice, writing techniques, and main ideas.

The package includes:

A detailed, 40-slide presentation covering:

• The importance of understanding author's purpose

• The three main types of author's purpose: persuade, inform, and entertain

• How word choice, writing techniques, and main ideas contribute to author's purpose

• Practical tips and strategies for identifying author's purpose in various texts

• Two example passages with in-depth analysis of author's purpose, word choice, writing techniques, and main ideas

• Recap of key points and encouragement for students to practice their skills

20 carefully curated non-fiction texts from diverse genres, such as opinion pieces, advertisements, and informative essays, providing ample opportunities for students to apply their learning

A versatile worksheet that guides students through analyzing each text, focusing on:

1. Summarizing the main points
2. Identifying the main idea and author's purpose
3. Examining key writing techniques and their effects

Text Titles:

Literary Nonfiction

1. Biography of Malala Yousafzai - Explore the life of a young woman who stood up for education rights and won a Nobel Peace Prize.
2. Emma Raducanu: A Rising Star Overcoming the Odds - An account focusing on the challenges and triumphs in youth sports.
3. Personal Essay on Bullying - Reflections from someone who experienced bullying, discussing its impacts and lessons learned.
4. Travel Writing about a Trip to the Amazon Rainforest - Descriptions and adventures in one of the world's most vital and diverse ecosystems.

Journalism

1. News Article on Climate Change - Current events and scientific explanations regarding global climate shifts.
2. Feature Story on Innovations in Technology - In-depth look at how technology is changing education.
3. Investigative Reporting on Plastic Pollution - Uncovering the sources and solutions of plastic pollution in oceans.
4. Opinion Piece on the Importance of Recycling - Persuasive arguments about why recycling should be a part of daily life.

Academic Writing

1. Research Paper on Habitats of Endangered Species - Study and presentation of critical habitats that need protection.
2. Case Study on the Impact of Video Games on Youth - Analysis of positive and negative effects of gaming.
3. Review of a Science Documentary - Critical evaluation of a popular science documentary's content and presentation.

Practical Nonfiction

1. How-to Guide on Starting a Community Garden - Step-by-step instructions for school-based or community garden projects.
2. Self-help Book for Teens on Managing Stress - Practical advice and techniques for handling school and social stress.
3. Instructions for cooking lasagne - From the history, to the ingredients, to the recipe and execution.

Creative Nonfiction

1. Narrative Nonfiction on a Significant Historical Event - A compelling retelling of the moon landing, focusing on lesser-known facts and figures.
2. Historical Account of the Civil Rights Movement - A blend of factual history and personal stories from the 1960s.
3. True Crime Story about a Famous Art Heist - Examination of the theft, the investigation, and the impact on the art world.

Additional Engaging Topics

1. Exploration of the Ancient Civilization of Egypt  - Delving into their culture, technology, and contributions to modern society.

2. Science Behind Natural Disasters - Understanding earthquakes, hurricanes, and volcanoes through a scientific lens.

3. The Evolution of Music from Classical to Modern Pop - Tracing how music has changed over the centuries and its influence on society.

By working through this lesson and completing the accompanying activities, your students will:

• Gain a deep understanding of author's purpose and its significance in reading comprehension

• Learn to identify and analyze the elements of a text that contribute to author's purpose

• Develop critical thinking skills by examining word choice, writing techniques, and main ideas

• Improve their ability to summarize and interpret various types of non-fiction texts

• Become more confident and engaged readers, equipped with strategies for tackling complex texts

This resource is perfect for English Language Arts, Reading, or Writing classes, as well as for test preparation and literacy intervention programs. The slides and activities can be easily adapted to suit your classroom's needs and can be used for whole-class instruction, small-group work, or independent practice.

Empower your students to become skilled, critical readers with this comprehensive lesson on author's purpose. Purchase now and unlock the key to improved reading comprehension!

Engage Your Students in a Conversation with History: A Unique AI-Powered Interview with Winston Churchill

Bring history to life with this innovative resource! This simulated interview, powered by artificial intelligence, offers a unique and engaging way for your students to explore the life, legacy, and complexities of one of the 20th century's most iconic figures: Winston Churchill.

What's Included:

12 Poignant Interview Questions: Covering key events and themes from Churchill's life, including his early military experiences, political career, leadership during World War II, and views on the Cold War.

Project & Assignment Ideas: Historical analysis, research, creative & analytical Projects.

Churchill's Thoughtful Responses: Crafted using historical accuracy and cutting-edge AI technology to emulate Churchill's characteristic wit, eloquence, and strong opinions.

Benefits:

• Promotes active learning and historical inquiry
• Develops critical thinking and analytical skills
• Encourages perspective-taking and empathy
• Provides a springboard for research and further exploration
• Introduces students to the potential of AI in education
• Suitable for individual, small group, or whole-class activities

Perfect for history, social studies, government, and language arts classrooms

Go beyond textbooks and lectures! This resource offers a dynamic and interactive way to engage your students with history and delve deeper into the life and times of Winston Churchill. The use of AI adds a modern twist and sparks curiosity about the evolving role of technology in education.

Spark lively classroom discussions and ignite your students' curiosity about the past and the future!

Aligning with Learning Objectives:

While specific standards might vary depending on your state or country, here's how this resource aligns with common learning objectives found in frameworks like Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS):

Analyzing Text Structure and Author's Purpose: Students will analyze how the interview format structures information and how Churchill's responses reveal his perspectives and purpose in conveying his experiences. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.6, TEKS 8.6.B)

Evaluating Arguments and Evidence: Students will evaluate the historical accuracy of Churchill's statements and the evidence he provides to support his views. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.8, TEKS 8.16.A)

Integrating and Evaluating Multiple Sources: The interview can be used alongside other historical texts and materials to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Churchill and his era. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.9, TEKS 8.22.C)

Writing:

Writing Arguments: Students can use the interview as a springboard to write argumentative essays, taking a stance on Churchill's actions or the historical events discussed. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-12.1, TEKS 8.21.A)

Research and Inquiry: The interview can inspire students to conduct further research on Churchill, World War II, or other related topics. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-12.7, TEKS 8.19.B)

Speaking and Listening:

Comprehension and Collaboration: Students can engage in discussions about the interview, sharing their interpretations and perspectives while actively listening to their peers. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1, TEKS 8.24.A)

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: Students can present their research findings or arguments based on the interview, using evidence to support their claims. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4, TEKS 8.25.B)

This story is also available as part of an eight story ebook, "Young Voices: Eight Short Stories of Courage & Resilience."

Embark on a poignant journey with "Rising Tides, Resilient Hearts," a heart-rending tale of resilience in the face of nature's relentless force. This narrative follows Ana and Lani, two young girls from the imperiled island of Kiribati, as they grapple with the reality of their sinking homeland. With the rising tides threatening to erase their ancestral roots, the community faces a heart-wrenching decision. Through the bonds of friendship and the echoes of ancestral wisdom, our young heroines navigate the emotional tides of leaving their beloved island. This story not only reflects the global issue of climate change but also illuminates the enduring spirit of a culture on the brink of displacement. Witness how love, memory, and the power of storytelling become the vessel for preserving a disappearing world, inspiring young readers to understand and embrace the challenges of change.

There are thought provoking questions (and possible answers) at the end of the story.

General Learning Objectives for Deep by Design stories:

Understanding Conflict: The material offers insights into the dynamics of territorial conflicts and their ramifications for those caught in the crossfire.

Effects of War or Conflict on Youth: The content underlines the deep-seated impact of hostilities on the mental and physical health of children and adolescents.

Resilience and Hope: Through character experiences, the narrative highlights the human capacity for endurance and the quest for collective healing amidst adversity.

Cultural Insight: The text provides a window into the complexities of a region's culture and the intense obstacles its inhabitants endure.

Human Rights: The narrative serves as a primer for dialogues concerning the safeguarding of civilians and the enforcement of human rights in times of strife.

Peacebuilding: The book promotes an investigation into the adoption of nonviolent strategies for mitigating disputes and fostering reconciliation at the community level.

Since the Pandemic, so much has gone digital, including testing--both campus and state testing. If your campus and/or state has made the switch to online testing, and you are looking for strategies to help your students adapt their annotating strategies, these graphic organizers can help!

This product includes graphic organizers for poetry (TPCASTT format) and text (can be used for fiction or informational) and is designed to be a gradual release model:

• Students use fully-structured graphic organizers to guide annotating during online testing
• Teachers can print graphic organizers as posters, and blank organizers w/ no text are included to help students transition from guided annotations
• Finally students will be able to transition from graphic organizers to being able to annotate freely using scratch or notebook paper

What You Get

• Poetry (TPCASTT) structured graphic organizer
• Text (Fiction or Informational) structured graphic organizer

-This can be customized to add personal teacher tips or specific classroom annotation symbols or Signposts

• Blank Poetry (TPCASTT) graphic organizer (no text)
• Blank Text (Fiction or Informational) graphic organizer (no text)

-Graphic Organizers can also be printed by the teacher in a poster size as a classroom anchor chart.

Students can chart Earth's changes from the beginning of time through the future with this 35 page, interactive timeline for students to make and share. Uses fact-based writing, inferencing skills, interpreting information, research skills, application of knowledge, and writing skills.

Includes handouts/printables of:

Directions

Extra Handout/Video Resources

5 Title pages

5 The End pages

My Earth Timeline page to fill in

Covers time periods:

Beginning of Earth

Compare/Contrast over how Earth was formed

Cambrian Period

Permian Period

Mesozoic Period

Forming of 7 Continents

Stone Age

Ice Age

Neolithic Period

Bronze Age and hieroglyphics

Pyramids/Stonehenge

Iron Age

Hellenistic Period

Roman Period

Byzantine Period

Middle Ages: Classic, Middle, Modern

Renaissance and Reformation

Enlightenment and Age of Reason

Industrial Revolution

20th and 21st Century

What about Earth's future?

A brief overview of Earth's time periods for students to learn about, and review then apply knowledge to complete their books. Can be used for assessment, journaling activities, history/social studies, for celebrating Earth Day, or as overview of unit on how Earth was formed and changed. Requires critical thinking skills for completion.

Complete set of 7 graphic organizers for cause and effect writings. Easy to use and follow, and comes with: Cause and Effect Relationship Word Chart Cause and Effect Topics Sheet Categories: Arts, Humanities, Music, Education, STEM 7 different Graphic Organizers to Xerox Writing Tips Writing Challenges Reinforces fact based writing, cause and effect relationship words, planning stage, working with writing process, and peer workshopping. Critical thinking skills needed! Great for ELA and STEM connections, AP, charter, ESL, GT, dual credit, and homeschool students.

This is a 33-page set of worksheets for the book "Saint Francis of Assisi" by Mary Emmanuel Alves. For each chapter, there is one page of comprehension questions (multiple choice and short answer). There are also four pages of vocabulary words and three pages of reflection/writing activities. Also, there is an answer key included at the end of the file.

This THE RHETORICAL SITUATION [GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS & WORKSHEETS] product highlights the purpose, definition and clarification, common rhetorical techniques, and methods of appeals . You will find 2 versions of THE RHETORICAL TRIANGLE, 50+ Pages, 10+ Assignments/worksheets, a 12 -item multiple choice quiz, answer keys, THE RHETORICAL CHART, and 6 PROJECTS. This product will lighten your load in covering some RHETORICAL ANALYSIS in your classroom. 6 - 12th Graders will love The Angry Grammar Series because it'll make your class GREAT! Check it out!

This Product Includes:

1. 10 practice worksheets

2. Easy to Comprehend RHETORIC Notes:

PURPOSE, METHODS OF APPEAL, and MORE

3. A 12-Item Multiple Choice Quiz

4. 2 RHETORICAL TRIANGLE Versions

5. 6 MAJOR PROJECTS to make your classroom GREAT!

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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!

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