Less than $5 8th Grade Literature Circles (by date, latest first)

3 Little Pigs with a twist- Part of my first story of my Bilingual Series

Tales with a twist is designed to give students a familiar feel, but with surprising elements throughout the story.

Print out the stories in either English, or Spanish or both!!!

It is not direct translation rather I focused in translating the stories in a way they feel right and are authentic.

More stories coming soon!

For Middle Grade Students, all writers have it, but do you know what style is and how to recognize it? This 15 page presentation for will help students understand and analyze their own writing styles, as well as other authors' styles. Easy to follow format will have students analyzing style in no time! Includes: Checklist for Authors Handout Definitions for Author's Style . Examples of Classic Literature and Fairy Tale to Analyze How to Find Author's Style in Writing Extra Style Analysis Activities Author's Style Workshopping Handout How and Why to Improve Student's author's style Terminologies and definitions include: Audience—listeners, readers, viewers of work Author’s voice—sets writing apart from others; uniqueness of writing Genre—category/organization pattern of writing Purpose—intent of writing Mood—reader’s emotion to the writing Tone—author’s attitude about subject matter Sentence fluency—cadence, flow, transitions used Sentence variety—lengths/mixture of sentences Word choices—descriptions, figurative language, repetitions, synonyms… Excellent for introducing style, writing concepts, standardized testing reviews, class assessments, college readiness, CCSS, literacy centers, and grammar/editing revisions, Students will be able to identify their authors' styles after working through this presentation.

An easy-to-follow, 14-page guide for understanding and writing literature analysis. Includes: Individual/Group activities Writing process approach Definitions Purpose Goal Options Terminologies for students to look up and define Steps for analyzing Critical thinking components Literary Prior Knowledge Handout Worksheet for Analyzing Literature Extra Resources (Video and more...) Interactive approach to understanding how to properly begin, write, and complete literary analysis essays. Be sure to build a class model!

An easy to understand presentation to help students with mood and tone. Includes: Definitions Quotes Examples Group/Individual Activities with word banks Whole class reviews (Poetry and Prose) Great for literature classes and writing reviews! Meets CCSS.

This 31 page middle grade lesson plan comes ready to implement with easy to follow, color coded examples and activities for teaching, learning, and mastering author's style and types of sentences. Includes: History of Writing and Changes in Styles (1400s and 1700s to current) Models for writing great author's style and types of sentences Practice activities for sentence lengths and varieties Types of sentences (basic, compound, complex, compound-complex) Colorcoded examples of sentences Tips for writing Peer workshopping activities Excellent for homeschool, flipped classes, Gifted & Talented/Pre-Ap/AP, literacy centers, project based classrooms, and test prep. Meets CCSS and state guidelines for ELA. Requires critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Character traits and analysis fun!

Have some outdoor fun (or use butcher paper for indoors) with sidewalk novel characters! Students choose a character from their novels then do body outlines with sidewalk chalk. Fill these with physical and character traits from quotes within the novel...full directions for implementing and making a competitive game. Can be used with all ages and novels. Excellent for comprehension and assessment.

I used this resource with one of my guided reading groups. After they completed a book they choose from the list of extra activities.

Thanks for looking! Please rate and leave a comment.

Fostering avid readers means consistently presenting books to your class. I have witnessed, first-hand, the power of consistent Book Talks with my students. Book Talks have the power to foster continued love in avid readers and reach even the most struggling readers.
Check out my brand new series of no-prep Book Talk Guides for teachers--starting with this Freebie for Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.

What's Included?

• Teacher Tips and Tricks for successful book talks, including suggested links for book trailers*

• Book Talk Guide, including genre, what kind of students might enjoy each book, and a plot summary

• At least one student book talk response activity

Follow my store and check back as new titles and themed Book Talk bundles will be added in the days and weeks to come!

Are you searching for an engaging way for students to complete a literary analysis reading response activity? Stop your scroll! You'll love this printable reading response activity that combines an open-ended literary reponse with the element of creation and design--resulting in a deeper level of critical thinking and idea synthesis.

Students are invited to design and create the wallpaper for a phone lock screen based off of a text--any fictional text will work--and justify their design in writing.

Skills applied may include:

• critical thinking
• literary analysis
• text evidence
• synthesizing ideas
• thematic ideas
• symbolism
• figurative language
• tone/mood
• character
• plot

Ditch the reading logs; ignite your students' analytical fire!

The dialectical journal format becomes a springboard for engaging class discussions, fostering active participation and a deeper understanding of the text. I love to use these when we read short stories or novels when I want the students to notice something, but I want them to have the joy of discovery. Someone always, inevitably, picks up on what I wanted to highlight, and the added bonus is that other students get to share their insights, too. Dialectical Journals have been a great confidence builder!

Empower Students to Analyze, Question, and Create Meaning:

• Go beyond summaries: Unlike traditional reading logs, dialectical journals encourage students to think critically about the text, prompting them to identify key quotes, analyze their significance, and connect them to their own thoughts and experiences.
• Cultivate analytical skills: Students learn to question the author's intent, evaluate evidence, formulate their own interpretations, and ask their own questions.

Everything You Need to Get Started:

• Teacher-Friendly Guide: Get a clear roadmap with a Teacher's Guide featuring an introduction lesson for dialectical journals/lesson suggestions.
• Modeling & Practice: A sample journal page is included to model and practice the dialectical journal process with your students.
• Ready-to-Use Dialectical Journals: Choose from Fiction or Nonfiction templates, easily printed as a weekly journal or stand-alone pages. Both formats include:
  • Journal Cover Page
  • Ideas/Concepts to Consider Page to prime students' thinking
  • 5 Journal Pages for efficient printing
  • Weekly Summary Page to encourage reflection and synthesis
• Flexible & Adaptable: A PDF print version and Google Slides access (for all student pages) is included for a seamless transition into your existing classroom workflow.
• Easy Assessment: Scoring Rubric (suitable for both fiction and nonfiction) simplifies grading and provides clear expectations for students.

I hope you'll find this resource as valuable in your classroom as I have in mine, and I hope it makes your teacher life a little bit easier in the process!

Fostering avid readers means consistently presenting books to your class. I have witnessed, first-hand, the power of consistent Book Talks with my students. Book Talks have the power to foster continued love in avid readers and reach even the most struggling readers.
Check out my no-prep Book Talk Guides for teachers. And because I am so passionate about the power of Book Talks, my Book Talk Guides will ALWAYS BE FREE!

What's Included?

• Teacher Tips for successful book talks

• Book Talk Guide, including genre, what kind of students might enjoy each book, and a plot summary

• Two student book talk response activities

Follow my store and check back as new titles and themed Book Talk bundles will be added!

This mix-and-match reading log is designed to empower students to become mindful and engaged readers. It offers a variety of engaging components that can be used as stand-alone pages or combined in a mix and match fashion to create personalized reading journals.

Google Drive Folder includes a PDF and a digital Google Slides version.

Here's what you get in:

• "Books to Read" List: Spark excitement with a dedicated space for students to track books they're eager to dive into.

• "Book Hall of Fame": Celebrate literary discoveries with a page to record and cherish favorite books.

• "Favorite Authors": Encourage a love for specific authors by providing a space for students to keep a log of their favorite authors.

• "Reading Reflections": Deepen comprehension with a dedicated space for students to rate and review each book they finish.

• "Recommendations": Foster a sense of community by allowing students to share their thoughts and recommend books to peers. These can be kept private or can be shared with the class to grow a class of readers!

• Reading Trackers: Choose between two engaging options:

• Monthly Tracking Sheets: Students color in pictures of books as they complete them, creating a visual record of their reading journey.

• Grid-Style Tracker: This flexible tracker allows for color-coding genres and marking each finished book, offering a long-term overview of reading progress.

Benefits:

• Supports mindful reading: Encourages students to reflect on their reading experiences and develop a deeper appreciation for literature.
• Promotes accountability: Helps students stay on track with their personal reading goals.
• Print or Digital format: Adaptable to individual preferences and classroom needs.
• Interactive and engaging: Makes reading a fun and rewarding experience for students.

This reading log is the perfect tool for teachers and parents to cultivate a lifelong love of reading in young minds!

Are you looking for a new way to keep your readers engaged?!

This Sketch Notes Reading Response activity works for any genre, covers multiple skills, and can be used whole class OR in stations, and has been a life-saver in my middle school classroom!

Product Features:

• Compatible with any genre
• Two formats for maximum student choice & engagement
• RLA Skills Covered: text evidence, making connections, inferencing, symbolism, theme

Suggested Uses:

• During Class Read-Alouds (class novels or First Chapter Fridays)
• Independent Reading Activity
• Literature Circles
• Reading Station Activity

These book discussion task cards are an easy, low-prep way to engage students in any fiction text (novel, short story, picture book, etc.) they may read while supporting critical listening and speaking skills.

With a wide variety of questions, this set of 32 discussion cards covers many reading comprehension skills including:

• Inferencing & Text Evidence
• Making Connections
• Plot Elements
• Theme
• Tone/Mood
• Author's Purpose
• and many more!

What You Get:

32 task cards that can be printed two ways:

1. single-sided (Question side only)
2. double-sided (With a fun, patterned front cover)

This product features an engaging "Art Talk" activity that will have your new students thinking, writing, speaking, and moving on the very first day of school. In this activity, they must choose between 6 different quotes about art and articulate why the quote aligns with their perspective on art. I use this lesson every year to set the tone for what I expect in class - it is a great way to gain insight about their current attitudes towards art while they get to know one another with a higher level thinking activity as opposed to the same-old, same-old icebreaker. Product includes: - Comprehensive Lesson Plan - "Art Talk" Sheet for students to fill out - 6 Corresponding "Art Quote" signs to hang up around your room Though I utilize this product on the first day of school, it really can be used all year long. I hope that it is as successful in your class as it is in mine! _________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out these great products to start your school year off strong by Language Arts Excellence: First Day of School Powerpoint Study Hall Expectations Powerpoint Presentation Back to School / Open House Brochure

Sometimes the best classroom discussions arise when students say nothing at all!

This product features a thoughtful and engaging activity for use during your study of Shirley Jackson's The Lottery. Centering around 5 provocative passages from the story, this lesson provides your students with a chance to think, reflect, and respond to their peers without ever saying a word. This creative approach is a great way to differentiate instruction among your students and allows even your most quiet students to shine. I am confident that this no-prep lesson will become a must-do activity within your study of The Lottery!

Product Includes:

• 5 "Silent Conversation" worksheets with 5 different quotes from the story
• Lesson plan

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Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on The Lottery by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Lottery "Tossing Lines" Pre-Reading Activity

⭐ The Lottery ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Lottery Social Media Activities

⭐ The Lottery Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ The Lottery Theme Jigsaw Lesson Plan

⭐ The Lottery Digital Escape Room

⭐ The Lottery Literature Guide

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Socratic Seminar Materials for Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s Harrison Bergeron

A Socratic Seminar (or a "Fish Bowl" Conversation as I like to call them with my students) is a higher order way of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class texts. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource was created to include everything required to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., all with very little preparation required on your end.

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom

• Engaging Introductory Activity for Conversation Building

• 5 Editable Discussion Questions for each “Fishbowl” conversation

• “Fishbowl” Preparation Sheet

• Conversation Builder Prompts

• Observation Sheet

• Rubric

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Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on Harrison Bergeron by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Harrison Bergeron Pre-Reading Activity

⭐ Harrison Bergeron ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

⭐ Escape from Dystopia ESCAPE ROOM

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Sometimes the best classroom discussions arise when students say nothing at all!

This product features a thoughtful and engaging activity for use during the study of Harper Lee's ever-enduring tale, To Kill a Mockingbird. Centering around 5 different provocative passages from the book, this lesson provides your students with a chance to think, reflect, and respond to their peers without ever saying a word. This creative approach is a great way to differentiate instruction among your students and allows even your most quiet students to shine. I am confident that this no-prep lesson will become a must-do activity within your unit on To Kill a Mockingbird.

Product Includes:

- 5 "Silent Conversation" worksheets with 5 different quotes from the novel

- Full lesson plan

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Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on To Kill a Mockingbird by Language Arts Excellence:

To Kill a Mockingbird Anticipation Guide &

Lesson Plan

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Sometimes the best classroom discussions arise when students say nothing at all!

This product features a thoughtful and engaging activity for use during the study of Harper Lee's ever-enduring tale, To Kill a Mockingbird. Centering around 5 different provocative passages from the book, this lesson provides your students with a chance to think, reflect, and respond to their peers without ever saying a word. This creative approach is a great way to differentiate instruction among your students and allows even your most quiet students to shine. I am confident that this no-prep lesson will become a must-do activity within your unit on To Kill a Mockingbird.

Product Includes:

- 5 "Silent Conversation" worksheets with 5 different quotes from the novel

- Full lesson plan

_________________________________________________________________________

Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on To Kill a Mockingbird by Language Arts Excellence:

To Kill a Mockingbird Anticipation Guide &

Lesson Plan

___________________________________________________________________________

Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as I like to call them with my students) are fantastic, higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class text. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, I have done the work for you!

This packet includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding the classic short story, The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry - NO PREPARATION NEEDED!

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom

• 5 Discussion Questions for each “Fish Bowl”

• “Fish Bowl” Preparation Sheet

• Conversation Builder Prompts

• Observation Sheet

• Rubric

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Also, check out these resources to round our your unit on The Gift of the Magi:

⭐ The Gift of the Magi Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ The Gift of the Magi ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Gift of the Magi & The Necklace Compare Contrast Essay

More great holiday products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Christmas ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Christmas Poetry ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ A Christmas Carol ESCAPE ROOM

⭐‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Figurative Language Lesson Plan

⭐ The Little Match Girl Sensory Details Lesson Plan

⭐"Christmas Talk" Lesson Plan

⭐Figurative Language in Christmas Songs Task Cards

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence