8th Grade Short Stories Activities (by date, latest first)

Immerse your students in the magic of the holidays with this engaging ELA resource, centered on the heartwarming short story The Key to Christmas Hollow. This resource combines reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and creative thinking activities, making it perfect for the festive season.

What’s Included:

The Short Story:

A captivating tale about Liam, a "quiet dreamer" who discovers the true spirit of Christmas in a magical town called Christmas Hollow.

Vocabulary Awareness Activity:

A pre-reading vocabulary chart featuring key terms such as "intricately," "palpable," and "astonishment." Students record their familiarity with each word, look up definitions, and rephrase them in their own words.

Comprehension Questions (with Answer Key):

Questions designed to develop critical thinking, including:

• Setting and Atmosphere
• Character Motivation and Analysis
• Inference and Theme Exploration
• Symbolism and Cause & Effect
• Creative Thinking Prompts

Answer Key for Teachers:
Detailed responses to all comprehension questions, aiding in efficient grading and discussion facilitation.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop vocabulary and reading fluency.
• Analyze characters, themes, and literary elements.
• Encourage creative writing and personal reflection.

Usage:

• Perfect for whole-class reading, independent assignments, or as a holiday-themed ELA activity.
• Designed for upper elementary to middle school students.
• Printable and ready to use!

Teach themes and morals through this Aesop's Fable Unit [Worksheets & Task Cards] Product. 6th through 10th graders will students learn how to live with each other and learn about their world through these age-old stories. Students learn symbolism, self-reflection, and other vital lessons through their use of this unit. This Unit has 10 popular Aesop Fables pages, 30+ Comprehension questions, 10 Worksheets, Suggested Uses, 10 sets of TASK CARDS, and 50+ TASK CARDS to help make your classroom be GREAT! Check 'em out!

This Unit includes:

1. 10 Aesop Fables

2. Suggested Uses

3. 10 WORKSHEETS

4. Black & White Versions

5. 50+ TASK CARDS

6. 30 Writing prompts/Comprehension Worksheets

FABLES included:

1. The Fox & The Grapes

2. The Crow & The Pitcher

3. The Farmer & The Fox

4. The Ass & His Purchaser

5. The Ant & The Grasshopper

6. The Ass Carrying an Image

7. A Raven & A Swan

8. The Ass & The Load of Salt

9. The Hares & The Frogs

10. The Travelers & The Sea

You may also appreciate:

Aesop's Fables Unit

Nella Larsen's "Sanctuary" Short Story Unit

Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" Bundle

Sandra Cisnero's "Eleven" Lesson Activities

Willa Cather's "A Wagner Matinee" Short Story Bundle

The Metamorphosis Unit [Lesson Activities]

FIND ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

INSTAGRAM

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

TeeSpring

EMAIL

TIKTOK

Hey guys,

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Teach themes and morals through this ANANSI [the spider] STORIES resource. Middle through 9th graders will students learn how to live with each other and learn about their world through these age-old stories. Students learn symbolism, self-reflection, and other vital lessons through their use of this unit. This Unit has 5 popular ANANSI Folk Tales, 15 Comprehension questions, Suggested Uses, 50 TASK CARDS, and 11 PROJECTS to help make your classroom be GREAT! Check 'em out!

This Resource includes:

1. 5 ANANSI TALES

2. LESSONS FROM ANANSI STORIES [TEACHER NOTES]

3. 11 Lesson plan activities/Projects

4. 50 TASK CARDS

5. 15 MULTIPLE CHOICE/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

6. YOUTUBE videos for each folktale to add multimodal parts to your lesson

FOLKTALES included:

1. ANANSI and the WISDOM POT

2. ANANSI and the TURTLE'S DINNER

3. ANANSI and the MAGIC ROCK

4. ANANSI and the EAR OF CORN

5. ANANSI and the TALKING MELON

You may also appreciate:

• SEVENTH GRADE [LESSON PLANS and TEACHER NOTES]
• HIGH HORSE GOES COURTING [LESSON ACTIVITIES]
• THE OPEN WINDOW [LESSON ACTIVITIES]
• AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE [TASK CARDS]
• THE SNIPER [TASK CARDS]
• A WORN PATH [TASK CARDS]

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

EMAIL LIST

INSTAGRAM

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

TIKTOK

Hey Angry Teacher Fam,

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Teach themes and morals through this ANANSI [the spider] STORIES resource. Middle through 9th graders will students learn how to live with each other and learn about their world through these age-old stories. Students learn symbolism, self-reflection, and other vital lessons through their use of this unit. This Unit has 5 popular ANANSI Folk Tales, 15 Comprehension questions, Suggested Uses, and 11 PROJECTS to help make your classroom be GREAT! Check 'em out!

This Resource includes:

1. 5 ANANSI TALES

2. LESSONS FROM ANANSI STORIES [TEACHER NOTES]

3. 11 Lesson plan activities/Projects

4. 15 MULTIPLE CHOICE/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

5. YOUTUBE videos for each folktale to add multimodal parts to your lesson

6. Answer Keys Provided

FOLKTALES included:

1. ANANSI and the WISDOM POT

2. ANANSI and the TURTLE'S DINNER

3. ANANSI and the MAGIC ROCK

4. ANANSI and the EAR OF CORN

5. ANANSI and the TALKING MELON

You may also appreciate:

• SEVENTH GRADE [LESSON PLANS and TEACHER NOTES]
• HIGH HORSE GOES COURTING [LESSON ACTIVITIES]
• THE OPEN WINDOW [LESSON ACTIVITIES]
• AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE [TASK CARDS]
• THE SNIPER [TASK CARDS]
• A WORN PATH [TASK CARDS]

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

EMAIL LIST

INSTAGRAM

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

TIKTOK

Hey Angry Teacher Fam,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 20+ years, and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

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

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Teach themes and morals through this ANANSI [the spider] STORIES resource. Middle through 9th graders will students learn how to live with each other and learn about their world through these age-old stories. Students learn symbolism, self-reflection, and other vital lessons through their use of this unit. This Unit has 5 popular ANANSI Folk Tales, 15 Comprehension questions, Suggested Uses, 50 TASK CARDS, and 11 PROJECTS to help make your classroom be GREAT! Check 'em out!

This Resource includes:

1. 5 ANANSI TALES

2. LESSONS FROM ANANSI STORIES [TEACHER NOTES]

3. 11 Lesson plan activities/Projects

4. 50 TASK CARDS

5. 15 MULTIPLE CHOICE/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

6. YOUTUBE videos for each folktale to add multimodal parts to your lesson

FOLKTALES included:

1. ANANSI and the WISDOM POT

2. ANANSI and the TURTLE'S DINNER

3. ANANSI and the MAGIC ROCK

4. ANANSI and the EAR OF CORN

5. ANANSI and the TALKING MELON

You may also appreciate:

• SEVENTH GRADE [LESSON PLANS and TEACHER NOTES]
• HIGH HORSE GOES COURTING [LESSON ACTIVITIES]
• THE OPEN WINDOW [LESSON ACTIVITIES]
• AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE [TASK CARDS]
• THE SNIPER [TASK CARDS]
• A WORN PATH [TASK CARDS]

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

EMAIL LIST

INSTAGRAM

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

TIKTOK

Hey Angry Teacher Fam,

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

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

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

Thanks for stopping by!

Teach themes and morals through this ANANSI [the spider] STORIES resource. Middle through 9th graders will students learn how to live with each other and learn about their world through these age-old stories. Students learn symbolism, self-reflection, and other vital lessons through their use of this unit. This Unit has 5 popular ANANSI Folk Tales, 15 Comprehension questions, Suggested Uses, and 11 PROJECTS to help make your classroom be GREAT! Check 'em out!

This Resource includes:

1. 5 ANANSI TALES

2. LESSONS FROM ANANSI STORIES [TEACHER NOTES]

3. 11 Lesson plan activities/Projects

4. 15 MULTIPLE CHOICE/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

5. YOUTUBE videos for each folktale to add multimodal parts to your lesson

6. Answer Keys Provided

FOLKTALES included:

1. ANANSI and the WISDOM POT

2. ANANSI and the TURTLE'S DINNER

3. ANANSI and the MAGIC ROCK

4. ANANSI and the EAR OF CORN

5. ANANSI and the TALKING MELON

You may also appreciate:

• SEVENTH GRADE [LESSON PLANS and TEACHER NOTES]
• HIGH HORSE GOES COURTING [LESSON ACTIVITIES]
• THE OPEN WINDOW [LESSON ACTIVITIES]
• AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE [TASK CARDS]
• THE SNIPER [TASK CARDS]
• A WORN PATH [TASK CARDS]

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

EMAIL LIST

INSTAGRAM

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

TIKTOK

Hey Angry Teacher Fam,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 20+ years, and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

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

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

Thanks for stopping by!

AP SPANISH LANGUAGE BUNDLE

This bundle includes many activities, project, reading opportunities, workbooks

to help students practice and feel comfortable with reading and writing in Spanish.

Save more than 35% off by purchasing this BUNDLE!

The Real 5 de Mayo and Other Important Cultural Aspects

Focusing heavily in Mexican history.

Las mujeres mexicanas

La historia verdadera de 5 de Mayo

mini- Investigación Cubana, dia de los muertos, posadas navideñas

Saturnino el pintor

Benito Juarez

Origen de la Musica norteña

La China Poblana story with questions

etc.

includes module (many activities) for DESAFIOS MUNDIALES-

This bundle of lessons should accompany the last five short stories of the book Flying Lessons and Other Stories edited by Ellen Oh.

Those five stories are:

- Choctaw Bigfoot, Midnight in the Mountains by Tim Tingle

- Main Street by Ellen Oh

- Flying Lessons by Soman Chainani

- Seventy-Six Dollars and Forty-Nine Cents by Kwame Alexander

- Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push by Walter Dean Myers

Each lesson includes a presentation and student worksheets which address:

- pre-reading journal prompts

- story vocabulary (except Main Street)

- tiered reading questions

- questions focused on one specific ELA standard

- answer keys

Depending on the length of your classes, this resource could take 4 days or 2 weeks. I have 50 minute classes, and it would take me 2 weeks.

This bundle includes resources for the first five short stories in the book Flying Lessons and Other Stories. Those stories are: How to Transform an Everyday, Ordinary Hoop Court into a Place of Higher Learning and You at the Podium, The Difficult Path, Sol Painting, Inc., Secret Samantha, and The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn.

Each resource includes a presentation and student worksheets which come in color and b/w for easy printing.

This bundle includes:

38 student worksheet pages

52 slides

Answer Keys

Each resource includes:

story vocabulary

pre-reading activities

tiered reading questions

an emphasis on one particular ELA standard

Depending on the length of your class periods, this resource could last 4 days or 2 weeks.

This bundle includes lessons for all stories in the book Flying Lessons and Other Stories edited by Ellen Oh. The stories are not included in this resource. Lessons are focused on the following stories:

- How to Transform an Everyday, Ordinary Hoop Court into a Place of Higher Learning and You at the Podium by Matt De La Peña

- The Difficult Path by Grace Lin

- Sol Painting, Inc. by Meg Medina

- Secret Samantha by Tim Federle

- The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn by Kelly J. Baptist

- Choctaw Bigfoot, Midnight in the Mountains by Tim Tingle

- Main Street by Jacqueline Woodson

- Flying Lessons by Soman Chainani

- Seventy-Six Dollars and Forty-Nine Cents by Kwame Alexander

- Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push by Walter Dean Myers

Each lesson includes WORKSHEETS and a PRESENTATION. Worksheets come in color and b/w. Presentations include answer keys.

Each lesson contains:

- Pre-reading journal prompt

- Story vocabulary (except Main Street)

- Tiered reading questions

- Questions focused on one particular ELA standard

- Answer keys

BONUS ESSAY WRITING PROMPTS ARE INCLUDED!

If you teach 90 minute block classes, you would likely get through one lesson per day. If you teach 50 minute classes like I do, each lesson could take two days. This bundle could last from 2 weeks to 4 weeks depending on your schedule.

This resource should accompany the short story Secret Samantha by Tim Federle. This story can be found in the book Flying Lessons and Other Stories.

This resource includes five student worksheets in color and in b/w for printing. There is also a presentation to accompany the worksheets. The presentation and worksheets include a pre-reading journal entry, vocabulary from the story, tiered reading questions, and post-reading questions focused on a standard about determining the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text.

This resource should accompany the short story The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn by Kelly J. Baptist. The page numbers listed in this resource align with the book Flying Lessons and Other Stories. This resource includes 4 pages of both color and b/w worksheets which include a pre-reading journal question, tiered reading questions, vocabulary, and a focus on supporting analysis with textual evidence. A 10 page presentation accompanies the worksheets and includes an answer key.

This is a sensitive story. One of the tiered reading questions addresses coping strategies in times of grief. This question needs to be approached in an open, honest, non-judgmental way. If this is not the way you operate, skip this resource.

This resource should accompany Tim Tingle's short story Choctaw Bigfoot, Midnight in the Mountains. This resource includes 4 student worksheet pages in both color and b/w. There is also a 12 page presentation to accompany the worksheets. The presentation contains answer keys for vocabulary and short answer questions. You will also get an Easel reading quiz with this resource.

This resource includes:

- a pre-reading journal question

- story vocabulary

- tiered reading questions

- questions focused on ELA standard about point of view and its impact on suspense and humor

- an Easel reading quiz

This resource should accompany Meg Medina's short story Sol Painting, Inc. This short story can be found in the book Flying Lessons and Other Stories, which is an amazing compilation of short stories by diverse authors about diverse characters. This resource includes a 12 page presentation and 6 student worksheets. The worksheets and presentation include a pre-reading journal entry, a focus on theme and central idea (which I teach as two separate things), vocabulary using context clues, tiered reading questions, and post-reading questions regarding the story's themes and central idea. The worksheets come in a colored version for posting online and a b/w version for printing.

This resource defines theme as the message, lesson, or moral of the story. Central idea is defined as what the story is all about- a single sentence which unifies all elements of the story.

This social emotional learning lesson uses Amy Tan's short story Fish Cheeks. The short story is not included in this resource, but it can be found online. The focus of this lesson is embracing our own differences.

This resource is a Google File that includes a PDF and Google Slides version of the teaching slides, which can be projected in front of the class, 4 student worksheets in color and 4 in b/w, and a teaching guide.

The lesson includes:

- Pre-reading Journal and Discussion Question

- Reading Questions for Fish Cheeks

- Discussion Questions for Personal Reflection Focused on Embracing our Differences

- An Interview Assignment Related to Embracing our Differences

This lesson should accompany the short story Eraser Tattoo by Jason Reynolds. The story can be found in the anthology Fresh Ink.

This lesson focuses on making inferences and identifying themes. Students will provide and explain textual evidence that supports inferences and themes that they identify from the story.

This resource includes 6 slides for display at the front of the class and 2 student worksheet pages which come in color and b/w.

This social emotional learning lesson uses Ray Bradbury's short story "All Summer in a Day." The short story is not included in this resources, but it can be found online. The focus of the lesson is social awareness.

This resource is a Google File that includes a PDF and Google Slides version of the teaching slides, which can be projected in front of the class, 4 student worksheets in color and 4 in b/w, and a teaching guide.

The lesson includes:

- Pre-reading Journal and Discussion Question

- Reading Questions for All Summer in a Day

- Cause and Effect Questions for All Summer in a Day

- Definition of Social Awareness

- Discussion Questions Regarding Social Awareness Situations

- Social Awareness Questions Related to All Summer in a Day and a Personal Reflection Question

This resource should accompany Walter Dean Myers's short story Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push. The story is not included but can be found in the book Flying Lessons and Other Stories.

This resource includes 5 worksheet pages in color for posting online and in b/w for easy printing. A presentation aligns with the worksheets and includes an answer key for vocabulary and short answer questions.

This resource has:

- a pre-reading journal prompt

- story vocabulary

- tiered reading questions

- a focus on the standard: Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.

- answer keys

This social emotional learning lesson uses Langston Hughes' short story Thank You, M'am. During this SEL lesson, students complete a pre-reading journal activity, read the short story (not included), answer questions related to the text, and contemplate the ways that they can build trust with the people in their lives. There is also an opportunity for whole class discussion regarding the idea of building trust.

This resource includes:

- a slides presentation to follow

- 3 worksheets: pre-reading, questions about trust in the text, and building trust reflection

- an answer sheet

Students care deeply about trust. They want to be trusted, but they don't always understand how their actions contribute to their trustworthiness. This lesson encourages students to think about how they can build trust with the people in their lives, and makes them think about what they might receive in return for demonstrating their trustworthiness. Students will think about the ways Roger showed that he was untrustworthy, the things he did to gain Mrs. Jones' trust back, and what he ended up receiving for demonstrating that he was trustworthy.