8th Grade Writing-Essays Activities

• STAAR ECR Mastery Resource Informational Essay Test Prep Grades 6-8 Thesis Claim
  This comprehensive resource breaks down the Extended Constructed Response (ECR) process for middle school students. It guides them through crafting a solid thesis, developing claims, and supporting their ideas with evidence and reasoning. The engaging, step-by-step format ensures students master the writing skills they need for STAAR success.

• Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit Debate Topics & Lesson Plans 4 STAAR ECRs
  Make argumentative writing fun and seasonal with this resource. Students tackle Thanksgiving-themed debate topics while practicing essential STAAR ECR skills. The unit includes structured lessons, 4 debate topics, guided notes, and activities that focus on developing strong arguments with evidence and counterarguments.

• ECR Relay Race: Engaging STAAR Writing Prep Grades 5-8 Comprehension 12 Prompts!
  Turn essay writing into a collaborative, competitive game! This relay race-style resource includes 12 engaging prompts and helps students build comprehension and writing skills through interactive learning. Ideal for both individual and group work, this resource is perfect for STAAR test prep and building writing confidence.

Calling all reformed villains! This holiday season, ditch the coal and rewrite your story. This activity allows students to use their imagination and persuasive writing skills to convince Santa Claus they deserve a spot on the nice list!

What's Included:

• Reformed Villain Graphic Organizer: Help students brainstorm and visualize their villainous character and their path to redemption.
• Persuasive Letter to Santa Template: Provide a structured format for students to craft their convincing arguments.
• List of Infamous Villains: Offer inspiration and a starting point for character selection.

⭐Want more writing for Christmas?⭐

Trapped in a Snow Globe | Narrative Writing

Who Will Guide The Sleigh | Persuasive Writing**⭐**

⭐Thanksgiving narrative writing: How the Turkey Escaped Thanksgiving Dinner**⭐**

⭐Journey to the center of the Earth narrative/descriptive: Earth Layers**⭐**

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

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

8.5 x 11 inches, 200 Pages Blank Pages Paper, College Ruled, Lined Journal & Music Sheet for Writing and Music Composition

Perfect for teachers and students to write in everything they want

Enjoy it, Thanks

Get ready for argumentative units with this engaging activity centered around persuasive techniques in rhetorical devices, and logical fallacies.

Teacher students what makes a good and bad argument with a short lesson and 5 practice paragraphs to evaluate for effectiveness. Afterwards, students can practice rhetorical devices in advertisements and analyze why the device was chosen (author's purpose).

ALSO INCLUDED IS AN EXTENSION ACTIVITY where students can get creative and make their own ads.

- Teacher directions

- Grading Rubric

- Student instructions

- Research and Brainstorm document

(no templates for creation are included)

PROVIDED IN WORD/POWERPOINT & PDF

Basic, simple, easy-to-follow rules with examples that cover writing concepts of: Numbers Dates Money Time Includes: Tips for using and writing numbers, dates, money, time Peer Workshopping Activity for student/peer essays Activities/comprehension checks for numbers, dates, money, time in sentences Answers to sentences Great for centers, flipped classes, homeschool, small/whole group, ELL/ESL, adult learners, beginning writers, test prep, assessment, and quick brush up on skills. Easy to use and follow!

This product has 3 parts. First, there is a hi-lighting activity that requires students to go back into an Argument Essay they've already written and color-code the different essential parts of their writing. You could post this assignment on Google classroom or project the directions onto the Smart Board. The second part is a checklist for Argument Writing. You will make a copy for each student. The students could use it themselves for self- assessment, OR they could switch and use it for peer feedback. Finally, there is a very helpful chart that includes transition words for Argument Writing, including power words, transition words, turnback words, and counter argument words. You can copy this for all students, hang it on the wall, project it on the Smart Board, or post it on Google classroom. My students keep this in their binders to refer to all year long.

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Are you an AVID teacher or English Language arts teacher? Need to explain how to write a thesis statement in an argumentative essay to middle or high school students? In this product you will find everything you need to help your students craft their thesis statements!

What You Get:

✏️5 teach slides

✏️"make it better" activity direction slide

✏️7 bad thesis statements

✏️7 better thesis statement examples

✏️argumentative writing prompt

✏️21 argumentative writing topic ideas

✏️4 steps guiding students in crafting their thesis statements

Make it Better Directions:

• Each slide students will be given a bad thesis statement.
• In small groups, their goal is to fix it and make it better.
• Classmates, selected judges, or teacher will vote on the best one and that group earns a point.

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*Note this product may be used in brick and mortar classes as well as virtual systems like Outschool

This word sleuth will provide your students/children with a fun journey in writing ELA Essays with key vocabulary words. It can be done in class, centers, or as a fun homework assignment.

Word sleuth is in PPTX format along with the answer key.

If you and your students/children, enjoy this activity, please go to your purchases and let me a review.

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Tina

Big Easy Homeschooling Mom

This packet includes 2 essay templates that are useful for students who are just beginning to write an essay or for students who are going to write a rough draft after brainstorming.

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Self-reflection is so important for students of all ages and what better time to reflect on learning than at the end of the school year? With that in mind, I created this end of year reflection assignment that prompts students to consider all of the meaningful experiences they had all year in my class. My students really get into this assignment and I'm sure yours will too! I've included in this product a model of my assignment and a fully editable template for you - it will only take a few minutes to tweak it and make it your own. Your students will thank you for offering this differentiated assessment! I also included three exemplary student examples. ___________________________________________________________________________ Check out these related resources by Language Arts Excellence to finish your school year strong: ⭐ End of Year ELA Escape Room
⭐ End of Year ELA Escape Room - Pop Culture Edition ⭐ End of Year Mad Libs ⭐ We Didn't Start the Fire Activity ⭐ End of Year "Book Talk" Activity
⭐ Guess Your Grade - Effective Effort Form ___________________________________________________________________________ ⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐

This all-in-one resource includes both the full text and a differentiated version with guided annotations, making it accessible to a range of learners. This resource includes a variety of activities that are focused on growing specific skills as well as activities that assess multiple skills in a variety of formats.

Included in This Resource:

• “The Tell-Tale Heart” Text

  • Standard Text
  • Differentiated Text With Guided Annotation

• Skill-Focused Practice:

  • Inference & Text Evidence with Dialectical Journal Chart
  • Context Clues
  • Analyzing Main Idea & Details
  • Point of View Through Creative Writing

• Mixed-Skill Practice:

  • Literary Analysis Scavenger Hunt
  • Literary Analysis One-Pager with Rubric

• Assessment:

  • Comprehension Quiz

• Constructed Responses:

  • Four Informational Prompts
  • One Argumentative Prompts
  • BONUS Paired Argumentative Prompt (Paired w/ William Sleator’s “The Elevator”--text not included)
  • Planning Guides (Informational/Argumentative)
  • Scoring Rubrics (Informational/Argumentative)

• **Answer Keys (for Applicable Activities)
  **

This resource is perfect for differentiating instruction and meeting the needs of all learners. Save time and focus on building strong literary analysis skills with this ready-to-use unit.

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Follow along with Mandy in the Middle for more resources!

Looking for a high-engagement, standards-aligned resource to teach argumentative writing? This Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit is perfect for middle school (grades 6-8) and provides four unique Thanksgiving-themed writing prompts that help students practice developing claims, providing evidence, and addressing counterarguments and rebuttals.
This resource includes:

• A full lesson plan designed for a 75-minute class, guiding students through argument writing with structured slides and engaging activities.

• Four thought-provoking Thanksgiving debate topics, including:

• "Should Black Friday be banned due to its impact on society?"

• "Is it ethical to celebrate Thanksgiving given the historical conflicts with Native Americans?"

• "Should Thanksgiving Day parades be canceled due to their environmental impact?"

• "Should Thanksgiving football games be banned on the holiday?"

• Slides and Guided Notes: Step-by-step instruction on writing an argumentative essay using claims, evidence, counterarguments, and rebuttals.

• Practice Activities: Hands-on exercises to help students identify and write each part of an argument.

• Templates for Writing: Easy-to-use templates for students to organize their essays and develop their writing.

This unit is ideal for teaching the basics of argumentative writing in a fun, seasonal way, with relevant and engaging Thanksgiving topics that students care about. It's also perfect for debate prewriting, essay interventions, or building towards state assessments like STAAR.
What’s Included:

• Complete 60-minute lesson plan
• 4 Thanksgiving-themed argument writing prompts
• Guided notes and practice passages
• Slide deck covering key writing components (claim, evidence, counterargument, rebuttal)

Help your students develop strong, clear arguments while engaging with Thanksgiving traditions in a meaningful way. Perfect for teaching argumentative writing and improving students' ability to express their ideas logically and persuasively!

Unleash your students' creativity with this Halloween-themed writing bundle!

This engaging resource combines narrative writing and persuasive writing prompts to inspire your students' imaginations and hone their writing skills.

What's Included:

• Narrative Writing Prompts: Spooky and fun prompts to encourage students to write creative stories.
• Persuasive Writing Prompts: Topics related to Halloween that require students to argue their point of view.
• Writing Templates: Optional templates to provide structure and guidance for students.
• Rubric: A scoring rubric to help students assess their writing.

How it Works:

1. Choose a Prompt: Students select a narrative or persuasive writing prompt.
2. Plan and Write: Students brainstorm ideas, develop a plot, and write their story or persuasive piece.
3. Revise and Edit: Students review their writing for clarity, coherence, and grammar.
4. Share and Reflect: Students share their work with classmates and receive feedback.

Benefits:

• Engaging and Fun: The Halloween theme makes writing more exciting and enjoyable.
• Improves Writing Skills: Helps students develop their narrative and persuasive writing abilities.
• Sparks Creativity: Encourages students to think outside the box and create unique stories.
• Promotes Critical Thinking: Challenges students to analyze and argue their point of view.

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

If you like this product, follow my store -Mettry Teaches- for more.

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.

***** Check out my other Writing Resources*****

Writing Thesis Statements

Counterclaim and Rebuttal

Writing Graphic Organizers

Interactive Essay Writing Flipbook

Argumentative Essay

Essay prompt and articles :Narcissism

Essay prompt and articles: Colonization in Africa

Looking to help your students master the passive voice for standardized tests like the STAAR? This 16-page resource is your go-to guide for teaching passive voice with a gradual increase in complexity.

Start with the basics of identifying subjects and verbs in sentences, then progress to understanding direct objects and other key components essential for a full grasp of passive voice. This packet is designed to make learning passive voice engaging and effective.

Included are:

• 5 Pages of handouts to make sure to make sure students understand each part of passive voice.
• Practice pages that progressively challenge students, ensuring they can identify and use passive voice with confidence.
• Exercises in evaluating and revising sentences, crucial for mastering the revising sections of tests.
• 2 editing passages for applied practice, perfect for honing skills in a test-like environment.

Ideal for both classroom use and independent practice, this resource is an excellent tool for students in middle and high school.

Free checklist of parts of an introductory literary analysis for AP, Pre-AP, G/T, college level writers. Students are asked to locate: Hook--different kinds list Author's name Title of text Summary Area of literary analysis list Thesis, and write down your thesis Makes writing an introduction for a literary analysis easier to understand. Great for ELA test prep! Meets CCSS.

These 8 protocol/guideline slides are perfect for any essay in any subject! Students will follow the guidelines in order to present their essays to their peers and recieve direct and specific feedback through 3 column note taking.

Before the Lesson:

• Students should have completed a rough draft of their writing.
• Pre decide small revision groups.
• Make copies of each students essay for each of their group members.

Directions:

• Go through each of these 8 protocol slides with students as they recieve feedback from their peers in order to make revisions on their essay:

1. Distribute
2. Explain
3. Read
4. Read again
5. Share
6. Receive
7. Clarify
8. Repeat

Click HERE to see our other AVID resources. We also have several great AVID bundle options available down below!

AVID Mega Growing Bundle

AVID Teambuilding Bundle

AVID Writing Bundle

*Note this product may be used in brick an mortar classes as well as virtual systems like Outschool.

Keep students engaged at the end of the school year with with our week-long ELA unit for "Examination Day" by Henry Slesar. Designed for the curious middle school mind, this all-inclusive resource is your ticket to end-of-year engagement, student-led discourse, and rich academic conversations. Perfect for grades 6-8, our flexible materials invite students to think critically and creatively as they navigate a story of suspense and societal introspection.

What's Included:

• Text Included Jumpstart engaging classroom discussions with the included text, "Examination Day," poised to captivate your students.
• Dynamic Presentation Slides: Bring the narrative to life and streamline your teaching experience with our ready-to-use slides.
• Structured Socratic Seminar: Our detailed procedures and evidence writing guides promote deep, analytical, and student-driven discussions.
• Engaging Choice Board Activities: Offer a personalized learning experience with creative assignments like alternate endings, comic strips, and more.
• Comprehensive Essay Prompts: Challenge your students with argumentative, informational, and correspondence writing exercises, all crafted to reinforce critical thinking.
• Comparative Analysis Tool: A film vs. text Venn diagram activity to sharpen analytical skills and media comprehension.

Perfect For:

• End-of-Year Engagement: Maintain the learning momentum right up to the final bell with thought-provoking content that students love.
• Ready-to-Go Sub Plans: Comprehensive and easy to navigate, these plans ensure productive learning even when you can't be there.
• Mini Dystopian Unit: Seamlessly integrate with existing units on "The Pedestrian" and "All Summer in a Day" for an expansive dystopian exploration.

Ideal Pairing: Complement this unit with our Complete Week-Long Dystopian Unit Plan for "The Pedestrian" and All Summer in a Day Seminar and Choice Board, and watch as your classroom transforms into a hub of critical analysis and passionate debate.

Gear up for a lesson plan that promises not just to meet standards but to exceed them, ensuring your students are not only ready for their tests but are also equipped to question and evaluate the world around them. Make "Examination Day" the highlight of your teaching year and witness student engagement soar!

Included in this 12 week unit: Ultimate Middle School Short Story Bundle: 12 Week Engaging Suspense ELA Units (TeachShare.com)

Engage your students in a creative writing activity that combines imagination, persuasion, and argumentation. This resource provides students with a compelling prompt to write a persuasive letter to their parents, arguing why their witch should remain a permanent member of the family!

What's Included?

• Customize the witch's face to match their imagination.
• Start with opinion and reasons.
• Continue to write the essay.

Don't forget to share with me how it went with your little ones. I hope it was useful in your classroom.

If you like this product, follow my store -Mettry Teaches- for more.