Less than $5 8th Grade Short Stories Lesson (by price, low to high)

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 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 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 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.

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 features an anticipation guide for O. Henry's ironic tale of love and sacrifice, "The Gift of the Magi", and a meticulously-explained lesson plan that I believe is the absolute best way to approach a new story. Using a non-intimidating method called "Numbered Heads", this activity will get your students thinking, writing, conversing, and reporting about themes you will be encountering during your study of "The Gift of the Magi" and your overall short story unit. I am confident that your students will enjoy this thoughtful, engaging activity and beg you to begin reading the classic story this holidayseason.

Product Includes:

- 2 Page Anticipation Guide with 7 Debate Statements

- "Numbered Heads" Lesson Plan

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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 ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Gift of the Magi Socratic Seminar Materials

⭐ 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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This resource features an anticipation guide for Edgar Allan Poe's chilling tale of murder and mutilation, The Tell-Tale Heart, and a meticulously-explained lesson plan that I believe is the absolute best way to approach a new story. Using a non-intimidating method called "Numbered Heads", this activity will get your students thinking, writing, conversing, and reporting about themes you will be encountering during your study of The Tell-Tale Heart and your overall Poe unit. This lesson is particularly useful for Poe's tale which can be difficult for students to understand at first, thus going in with knowledge of themes will help them connect. I am confident that your students will enjoy this thoughtful, engaging activity and beg you to begin reading one of the most notoriously gruesome stories in American literature!

Product Includes:

• 2 Page Anticipation Guide with 7 Debate Statements
• "Numbered Heads" Lesson Plan

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Check out these great products to supplement your study of The Tell-Tale Heart:

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Literature Guide

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Figurative Language Challenge Activity

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Human Tic Tac Toe Review Game

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart & The Black Cat Socratic Seminar Materials

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart/The Black Cat Compare Contrast Essay

More resources to round out your Edgar Allan Poe unit:

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe PowerPoint

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe Scavenger Hunt

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Brochure

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Quote Posters

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Resource Bundle

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This resource features an engaging lesson plan for students to discuss symbols found within Kurt Vonnegut's dystopian short story, Harrison Bergeron. The gallery walk is an ideal technique to achieve 100% student engagement within your classroom in a non-intimidating way. It is a great lesson for administrator observations due to the high level of student engagement, physical movement around the classroom, and deep level of interaction with the text.

Resource Includes:

• Full-length CCSS-aligned lesson plan
• Student worksheet

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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

This resource features an anticipation guide for Roald Dahl's ironic tale of a scorned housewife, Lamb to the Slaughter, and a meticulously-explained lesson plan that I believe is the absolute best way to approach a new story. Using a non-intimidating method called "Numbered Heads", this activity will get your students thinking, writing, conversing, and reporting about themes you will be encountering during your study of Lamb to the Slaughter and your overall short story unit. I am confident that your students will enjoy this thoughtful, engaging activity and beg you to begin reading this creepy yet cheeky tale.

Product Includes:

• 2 Page Anticipation Guide with 7 Debate Statements
• "Numbered Heads" Lesson Plan

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Check out more great resources for your study of Lamb to the Slaughter by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Lamb to the Slaughter Literature Guide

⭐ Lamb to the Slaughter Escape Room
⭐ Lamb to the Slaughter & The Black Cat Compare Contrast Essay

⭐ Lamb to the Slaughter Activity Bundle

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This product features a thoughtful and engaging supplemental activity for Edgar Allan Poe's tale of ultimate revenge, "The Cask of Amontillado." In this mini-project that can be done in class or as homework, students will closely examine Montresor's family crest (or is it!?), then create their own symbolic family crest using meticulous instructions and the template provided. They will also need to thoroughly explain what they have included on their family crest. A detailed lesson plan is included for use on the following day that allows students to showcase and explain their family crests using an imaginative teaching method. This is a fantastic activity to get your students to think symbolically and to reflect upon the ideals of their own families. Your students will thank you for offering such a thoughtful activity to go along with their reading of "The Cask of Amontillado"!

Product Includes:

- Detailed Instructions

- Family Crest Template

- Explanation Template

- Student Example

- Suggested Lesson Plan

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Check out these great products to supplement your study of The Cask of Amontillado:

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado Literature Guide

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado Socratic Seminar

More resources to round out your Edgar Allan Poe unit:

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe PowerPoint

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe Scavenger Hunt

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Crossword Puzzle

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Brochure

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe's Obituary

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Quote Posters

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Resource Bundle

But why stop with one story? We have enough Edgar Allan Poe resources to frighten your students for months!

⭐ The Raven Literature Guide

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Literature Guide

⭐ The Black Cat Literature Guide

⭐ The Pit and the Pendulum Literature Guide

⭐ The Masque of the Red Death Literature Guide

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado Literature Guide

⭐ The Fall of the House of Usher Literature Guide

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Short Story BUNDLE

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This product features an engaging pre-reading activity for Kurt Vonegut Jr.'s cautionary tale of government overreach, Harrison Bergeron. The lesson, called "Tossing Lines," will have each and every one of your students thinking, conversing, writing, and moving all in one class period as they become deeply immersed in the words of the story. At the end of this lesson, students will be chomping at the bit to find out what Harrison Bergeron is all about. Over the years, this non-intimidating approach to literature has been the most often requested anticipatory activity that I do with my students.

Product Includes:

• Comprehensive 30 minute Lesson Plan
• 30 Unique "Tossing Lines" cards tailored to Harrison Bergeron

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Also, check out these great products to supplement your unit on Harrison Bergeron and dystopian fiction by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ What is Equality Activity
⭐ Harrison Bergeron ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

⭐ Escape from Dystopia ESCAPE ROOM

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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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This product features an engaging pre-reading activity for Shirley Jackson's classic tale of an idyllic town with a shocking tradition, The Lottery. The lesson, called "Tossing Lines," will have each and every one of your students thinking, conversing, writing, and moving all in one class period as they become immersed in the words of the story. At the end of this lesson, students will be chomping at the bit to find out what The Lottery is all about! Over the years, this non-intimidating approach to literature has been the most often requested anticipatory activity that I do with my students.

Product Includes:

• Comprehensive 30 minute Lesson Plan
• 30 Unique "Tossing Lines" cards tailored to The Lottery

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Also, check out these great products to supplement your unit on "The Lottery" and dystopian fiction by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Lottery Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ The Lottery ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Lottery Social Media Activities

⭐ The Lottery Comprehension Questions, Literary Elements & Vocabulary

⭐ 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 your study of Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron. 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 Harrison Bergeron!

Product Includes:

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

___________________________________________________________________

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

⭐ Harrison Bergeron Socratic Seminar

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

⭐ Escape from Dystopia ESCAPE ROOM

___________________________________________________________________

Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

This resource features an engaging lesson plan for students to discuss symbols found within Richard Connell's thrilling tale, The Most Dangerous Game. The gallery walk is an ideal technique to achieve 100% student engagement within your classroom in a non-intimidating way. It is a great lesson for administrator observations due to the high level of student engagement, physical movement around the classroom, and deep level of interaction with the text.

Resource Includes:

• Full-length CCSS-aligned lesson plan
• Student worksheet

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Also, check out these great resources to supplement your unit on The Most Dangerous Game by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Most Dangerous Game Escape Room

⭐ The Most Dangerous Game Socratic Seminar

⭐ The Most Dangerous Game Reader's Theater Script

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This resource features a Jigsaw activity for discovering themes about human nature and tradition in Shirley Jackson's The Lottery. Literary theme can be a difficult topic for students to grasp, therefore this lesson guides students to closely analyze the text and extrapolate theme statements without relying on teacher-led instruction. In this Jigsaw activity and lesson plan, students cooperatively study and specialize in a quote from The Lottery in one small group_,_ then teach the material to new group members. You will find that this special technique will build comprehension, encourage cooperation, and improve communication among your students (not to mention, allow them a chance to move around the room a bit). Your students will come away from this lesson with a much better grasp on literary theme, as well as some aha-moments as they connect themes within The Lottery to systems and traditions that need a second look in our own society today.

Product Includes:

• Meticulous instructions for Jigsaw activity and full length lesson plan
• 2-Page Graphic Organizer
• Detailed Answer Key to help guide discussion

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

⭐Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint Presentation

⭐The Lottery Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan & Materials

⭐ The Lottery ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Lottery "Tossing Lines" Pre-Reading Activity

⭐ The Lottery Social Media Activities

⭐Escape from Dystopia ESCAPE ROOM

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This resource features a lesson plan and materials for the Human Tic Tac Toe Review Game, an engaging and competitive way to review Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s dystopian classic story, Harrison Bergeron. Let's face it, review days can be boring for both teachers and students, so liven them up with this collaborative game. The resource includes not only a meticulously detailed lesson plan and set-up instructions, but over 35 questions on plot, literary elements, and vocabulary from Harrison Bergeron, as well as questions about Vonnegut himself. Besides simple set-up, very little preparation is needed for this lesson and if your students are like mine, they will ask for this form of review for every unit of study!

Product Includes:

• Comprehensive lesson plan and set-up instructions
• 35+ questions on plot, literary elements, vocabulary, and Vonnegut
• 1 blank question sheet to write your own questions
• Signs and materials for game play

This lesson plan is ideal on a day leading up to the final quiz on Harrison Bergeron. It is recommended to be used in conjunction with the Harrison Bergeron Literature Guide.

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Check out these great products to supplement your study of Harrison Bergeron:

⭐ Harrison Bergeron Pre-Reading Activity

⭐ Harrison Bergeron Socratic Seminar

⭐ Harrison Bergeron ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Harrison Bergeron "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

⭐ What is Equality Activity

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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 your study of Richard Connell's thrilling tale of the hunter becoming the hunted, The Most Dangerous Game. Centering around 5 thoughtful 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. This no-prep lesson will become a must-do activity within your study of The Most Dangerous Game!

Product Includes:

• Detailed lesson plan
• 5 "Silent Conversation" worksheets with 5 different quotes from the story
• 1 blank editable worksheet to create your own
• 1 student example

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

⭐ The Most Dangerous Game Escape Room

⭐ The Most Dangerous Game Socratic Seminar

⭐ The Most Dangerous Game Reader's Theater Script

⭐The Most Dangerous Game Gallery Walk

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

This resource features a lesson plan and materials for the Human Tic Tac Toe Review Game, an engaging and competitive way to review the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe. Let's face it, review days can be boring for both teachers and students, so liven them up with this collaborative game. The resource includes not only a meticulously detailed lesson plan and set-up instructions, but 25 questions on the Master of Suspense. Besides simple set-up, very little preparation is needed for this lesson and if your students are like mine, they will ask for this form of review for every unit of study!

Product Includes:

• Comprehensive lesson plan and set-up instructions
• 25 questions on Edgar Allan Poe
• 1 blank question sheet to write your own questions
• Signs and materials for game play

This lesson plan is ideal on a day leading up to the final quiz on Poe.

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Also, check out these great products to supplement your Edgar Allan Poe unit by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe PowerPoint

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe Scavenger Hunt

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Crossword Puzzle

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Brochure

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe's Obituary

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Quote Posters

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Resource Bundle

Chilling literature guides to frighten your students for months:

⭐ The Raven Literature Guide

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Literature Guide

⭐ The Black Cat Literature Guide

⭐ The Pit and the Pendulum Literature Guide

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado Literature Guide

⭐ The Fall of the House of Usher Literature Guide

⭐ The Masque of the Red Death Literature Guide

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Short Story BUNDLE

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

This resource features a meticulous lesson plan for introducing and reading the story, comprehension questions, a literary elements chart, a vocabulary worksheet, and comprehensive answer keys for Kurt Vonnegut's cautionary tale of government overreach and equality gone wrong, Harrison Bergeron. Materials encourage students to examine the text closely and make inferences based on their observations. Each resource is meant to enhance your students' understanding of the story so that you can really dive into the deep stuff! This product is suitable for inside or outside of class and can also function as an emergency substitute plan.

Product Includes:

• Comprehensive Lesson Plan for Reading the Story
• What is Equality? Pre-Reading Activity
• Attractive Cover Page for Student Packet
• Comprehension Questions
• Literary Elements Chart
• Vocabulary Worksheet
• Meticulous Answer Keys for all Components

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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 Socratic Seminar

⭐ Harrison Bergeron ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence