8th Grade Reading Cultural Activities (by date, oldest first)

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

"Echoes of Hope: The Children of Sarajevo" is an inspiring story of resilience and creativity amidst the devastating siege of Sarajevo. A group of children, led by Luka, Maja, Amir, and Zlata, transform a war-ravaged hideout into "The Nook," a sanctuary of learning, art, and music. They preserve the city’s spirit through storytelling, makeshift classes, and concerts, becoming a symbol of hope. Post-siege, "The Nook" evolves into a community center, its mural a poignant reminder of courage. The children, now adults, impart lessons of unity and creativity to future generations, showcasing the enduring power of the human spirit.

There are thought provoking questions (and suggested 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.

Do you want to engage and motivate your students to learn about Thanksgiving? Do you need a comprehensive Thanksgiving activity that is easy to differentiate? Then download this Thanksgiving Activity Research and Reading Comprehension for Middle School resource!

You'll receive the activity in print and digital formats when you purchase this scavenger hunt resource. The research questions provided allow for scaffolded instruction that can be completed individually, in pairs, or in small groups. You can even use this lesson as a fun team-building or gamified activity. Your students are guaranteed to learn more about Thanksgiving with this high-quality, no-prep resource!

How you can use this resource:

• This can be completed in one full 45-minute class
• Great for meaningful homework OR extra credit
• Makes for a great sub-plans

This resource includes:

• Multi-step WebQuest/scavenger hunt (The URLs provided in this WebQuest are not 'live.' They are kept very simple so that students can easily type the URLs in the search bar to hunt for their answers).
• Reflection questions
• Live links are provided on the last page of the resource
• Instructions, Answer Key, Terms of Use

✈️ Click here to follow A World to Explore Store and be the first to know about brand-new games and activities!

❤ Other Resources You'll LOVE:

• Thanksgiving Around the World
• Thanksgiving Bulletin Board - Quotes & SEL Reflections
• Thanksgiving TRUTH or DARE Activity
• Thanksgiving 3 Trivia Games with Handout
• Thanksgiving BUNDLE WebQuest, Bulletin Board, 3 Trivia Games

Do you want to make learning about Thanksgiving fun? Do you want to engage and motivate your students to learn? Do you struggle to find appropriate decorations? Then download this Bundle Thanksgiving Activities with a Research WebQuest, Games, & Bulletin Board resource!

Your students are guaranteed to learn this holiday's history and traditions as well as contemporary and local topics!

TRIVIA ACTIVITIES

This resource comes with 40+ multiple-choice questions and instructions for three different games. Games can be played while moving around the classroom or sitting in their seats or on the floor. A handout is included to be used as quiet seat work - also great for emergency sub plans!

WEBQUEST

Students will learn about Thanksgiving's history, culture, turkeys, lore, and more as well as contemporary and local topics in this engaging WebQuest scavenger hunt! When you purchase this scavenger hunt resource, you'll receive the activity in both print and digital formats. The research questions provided allow for scaffolded instruction that can be completed individually, in pairs, or in small groups. You can even use this lesson as a fun team-building or gamified activity. Your students are guaranteed to learn more about Thanksgiving with this high-quality, no-prep resource!

BULLETIN BOARD SET

This Thanksgiving interactive bulletin board will encourage your student to reflect on what they have in their lives to be thankful for. With several relevant quotes and thought-provoking prompts on being thankful, this is all you need for your holiday decorations!

How to Use:

• Hang the mini-posters and encourage students to write their answers directly on the mini-poster. 
• Several students can write their responses on each poster.
• You can print out 2-3 copies of each prompt to ensure the students have an adequate space in which to write.

To Print: Print on regular 8.5 X 11 paper. No prep!

Resources included in this purchase:

• 40+ unique multiple-choice trivia questions
• Instructions on how to play 3 different trivia games.
• WebQuest/scavenger hunt with relevant questions (including a reflection question)
• Website evaluation form
• Five 8.5 X 11 quotes about gratitude & being thankful
• Five 8.5 X 11 prompts on things to be grateful for. The prompt is at the top of the page with a cute border.
• One 8.5 X 11 “Happy Thanksgiving” mini-poster
• Terms of Use

✈️ Click here to follow A World to Explore Store and be the first to know about brand-new games and activities!

❤ Other Resources You'll LOVE:

• Thanksgiving WebQuest
• Thanksgiving Bulletin Board - Quotes & SEL Reflections
• Thanksgiving TRUTH or DARE Activity
• Thanksgiving 3 Trivia Games with Handout
• Thanksgiving BUNDLE WebQuest, Bulletin Board, 3 Trivia Games

Do you need engaging last-minute activities for your History or ELA students? Do you want to support diversity and foster an inclusive classroom community? Then download this Emergency Sub Plans Bundle for ELA, Social Studies, and History resource! These 10 unique WebQuests will keep students entertained as they learn about Halloween, Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Valentine's Day, St Patrick's Day, Easter and Memorial Day!

When you purchase this scavenger hunt resource, you'll receive the activity in both print and digital formats. The research questions provided allow for scaffolded instruction that can be completed individually, in pairs, or in small groups. You can even use this lesson as a fun team-building or gamified activity. Your students are guaranteed to learn more about the diversity in our country with this high-quality, no-prep resource!

Included in this resource:

• Halloween WebQuest - Learn the history and traditions of this fun holiday
• Day of the Dead, WebQuest - Also known as Dia de los Muertos, students will learn about this holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries
• Thanksgiving WebQuest - Students will learn about the history behind many of our Thanksgiving traditions
• Kwanzaa WebQuest - Students will learn all about this annual celebration of African-American culture
• Christmas WebQuest - Students will learn about the history as well as enjoy finding all sorts of fun trivia about this international holiday
• Martin Luther King Day WebQuest - Students will learn all about MLK's life, his activism, and the profound effect he had on our country
• Valentine's Day WebQuest - Students will learn about this lovely holiday's history and the stories behind our customs
• St Patrick's Day WebQuest - Students will learn about St Patrick himself and the history behind the traditions
• Easter WebQuest - Students will learn all about both the history and modern customs associated with this holiday
• Memorial Day WebQuest - Students will learn about the history as well as modern and local activities and events
• Website evaluation form (located in each WebQuest)

✈️ Click here to follow A World to Explore Store and be the first to know about brand-new games and activities!

❤ Other Resources You'll LOVE:

• Emergency Sub Plans for English or History WEBQUESTS for Heritage Months
• Emergency Sub Plans Bundle WEBQUESTS of 1st Semester HOLIDAYS
• Wildfires 3 Trivia Activities to Learn Facts!
• Wildfire WebQuest
• Endangered Animal WebQuest
• Global Warming/Climate Change WebQuest
• Nuclear Energy, Global Warming and Climate Change WebQuests BUNDLE

Do you need engaging last-minute activities for your History or ELA students? Do you want to support diversity and foster an inclusive classroom community? Then download this Bundle Emergency Sub Plans Activity Research WebQuests of 1st Semester HOLIDAYS resource! These 5 unique WebQuests will keep students entertained as they learn about Halloween, Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, or Christmas!

When you purchase this scavenger hunt resource, you'll receive the activity in both print and digital formats. The research questions provided allow for scaffolded instruction that can be completed individually, in pairs, or in small groups. You can even use this lesson as a fun team-building or gamified activity. Your students are guaranteed to learn more about the diversity in our country with this high-quality, no-prep resource!

Included in this resource:

➟Halloween WebQuest - Learn the history and traditions of this fun holiday

➟Day of the Dead, WebQuest - Also known as Dia de los Muertos, students will learn about this holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries

➟Thanksgiving WebQuest - Students will learn about the history behind many of our Thanksgiving traditions

➟Kwanzaa WebQuest - Students will learn all about this annual celebration of African-American culture

➟Christmas WebQuest - Students will learn about the history as well as enjoy finding all sorts of fun trivia about this international holiday

➟Website evaluation forms (included in individual WebQuests)

✈️ Click here to follow A World to Explore Store and be the first to know about brand-new games and activities!

❤ Other Resources You'll LOVE:

• Emergency Sub Plans Bundle - 10 Holidays
• Emergency Sub Plans for English or History WEBQUESTS for Heritage Months
• Wildfires 3 Trivia Activities to Learn Facts!
• Wildfire WebQuest
• Endangered Animal WebQuest
• Global Warming/Climate Change WebQuest
• Nuclear Energy, Global Warming and Climate Change WebQuests BUNDLE

Engage your middle school ELA and humanities curriculum with our meticulously crafted "Survivor" by Destiny's Child Lesson 3-day bundle, designed for grades 5-8. This culturally relevant, comprehensive package seamlessly integrates music and media studies with critical ELA standards, making learning an engaging and transformative experience for students.

What's Included?

• Detailed Lesson Plans: Three structured plans for 60-minute classes, focusing on figurative language, visual elements, and literary analysis.
• Google Slides Presentations: Interactive presentations for easy instruction and student engagement.
• ✅ Answer Keys: Complete solutions for all activities, ensuring straightforward assessment.
• Visual and Literary Analysis Tools: Resources to explore music videos and lyrics in-depth.

Who Is This For?

• Middle School Teachers (Grades 5-8)
• ELA, Writing, and Humanities Educators
• Elective Teachers in Film and Music Study

How to Use This Resource

1. Engage Students: Begin each lesson with a "Do Now" to spark interest.
2. Teach with Technology: Use Google Slides for a dynamic presentation.
3. Collaborative Learning: Encourage group activities for deeper analysis.
4. Assessment Made Easy: Utilize provided answer keys for quick grading.

Standards Aligned

• CCSS 7.3: Determining the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text.
• CCSS 7.4: Analyzing how elements of a story interact.
• CCSS 7.7: Integrating and evaluating content presented in diverse media and formats.

This resource not only meets critical educational standards but also caters to diverse learning environments, whether in traditional ELA settings or innovative electives. By incorporating "Survivor" into your curriculum, you'll offer students a unique lens through which to explore themes of resilience, empowerment, and the artistic expression of personal growth. Equip your students with the skills to analyze and appreciate the depth of language and media with this all-encompassing resource.