8th Grade Writing-Essays Research (by date, oldest first)

A detailed powerpoint explaining the difference between formal and informal writing and when to use each. Useful for any students who need help understanding what formal writing is.

***** 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: Hurricanes

Essay prompt and articles: Colonization in Africa

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

Are you an AVID or English teacher? Need to explain argumentative writing to middle or high school students? In this product you will find 16 teaching slides that explain argumentative writing.

What do you get?

• 16 teaching slides that cover argumentative writing and format

Use For:

• focused note taking practice, ELA, AVID

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

Follow KJ Inspired Resources:

TeachShare Store- Receive updates on new products and sales

Instagram

Tik Tok

This is an engaging product with straightforward resources! Students will research a notable figure and will write a five paragraph essay about their early life, adulthood, and achievements/contributions.

When you purchase this product you will receive:

- A list of websites appropriate for research and an outline for students to take notes on

- A graphic organizer to organize information for a five paragraph essay

- A powerpoint presentation that walks students through the five paragraph essay using an example

- A printable with step-by-step instructions of how to cite in MLA format

All materials editable so you can customize them for your classroom needs!

Do your students need help categorizing and defining their research sources? Are you asking them to meet a minimum number of research sources for their essays? If so, then these worksheets are just what you need! Included are: 2 formatted sets of worksheets: Table format & Listing format for Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Research Sources Easy to understand definitions Examples of all sources Blank space for recording students' own research sources Number of Sources Used line for each source Students can easily understand Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary research sources, their examples, and can easily define and chart their research sources. Perfect for developing upper level critical thinking skills and research skills! Great for homeschooling, AP, dual credit, college composition, and elementary GT students. Excellent for non-fiction based CCSS and state standardized research writing.

This resource should accompany Kwame Alexander's book The Door of No Return. This writing project asks students to conduct a small amount of research about the real Door of No Return. They will consider why the author may have chosen this title for his book, and they will think about how their reading experience may have been different if they had known about the door before reading.

This resource includes the writing prompt, a space for collecting information regarding the research questions, an essay outline, and a grading rubric. All sheets come in color and black/white for easy printing.

This bundle should accompany Kwame Alexander's novel The Door of No Return. The story is not included in this resource.

This bundle includes:

- Chapter Vocabulary Lists

- Chapter Vocabulary Quizlet Links

- Google Form Vocabulary Tests

- A Reading Journal with 8 Prompts

- A Thorough Study Guide with Middle School English Vocabulary Embedded (personification, summarize, simile, etc.)

- A Final Writing Project Including Research

- A Final Writing Project Rubric

BONUS: Two prompts and worksheets for a socratic seminar discussion regarding the book.

These resources cover everything you could need for a unit about this novel.

Unlock the Power of Student Voices with Our Human Rights Research Project!

Are you looking to engage your middle school students in meaningful learning while empowering them to explore critical global issues? Our Human Rights Research Project is designed to do just that! Perfect for cross-curricular activities, social justice units, or as an extension of your writing or research lessons, this comprehensive resource provides everything you need to guide your students through an in-depth exploration of human rights.

What's Inside?

• 5 Detailed Lesson Plans – Tailored for middle school students, these plans come with built-in scaffolds and IEP accommodations to ensure every student can participate meaningfully.
• Essay Graphic Organizer – Simplify the writing process with an easy-to-use organizer that helps students structure their ideas and evidence.
• Engaging Videos – Incorporate multimedia learning with carefully selected videos that complement each lesson and keep students engaged.
• Teacher Slides – Save time with ready-to-use slides that guide you through each lesson, complete with discussion prompts and visuals to enhance learning.
• Human Rights Research Guide – Equip students with the tools they need to conduct effective research on relevant human rights issues.

Checklist for Teachers:

• Ready-to-use, standards-aligned lesson plans.
• Built-in supports for diverse learners, including IEP and 504 accommodations.
• Engaging multimedia resources (videos and slides).
• Graphic organizers to scaffold the writing process.
• Opportunities for cross-curricular integration.

Benefits for You and Your Students:

• Empower Student Voice: Encourage your students to dive deep into human rights issues that matter to them, fostering a sense of global citizenship and advocacy.
• Time-Saving Resources: With everything prepared for you, from lesson plans to slides, you can focus on what you do best – teaching!
• Differentiated Instruction: Our materials include IEP accommodations and multiple entry points, making it easy to reach every student.
• Critical Thinking and Research Skills: Guide students in developing their research, analysis, and writing skills through a topic that’s both relevant and impactful.

Make your next unit unforgettable with our Human Rights Research Project! Your students will not only learn about the world around them, but they’ll also be inspired to make a difference. Download now and bring this powerful learning experience to your classroom!

1. 18-Day Disabilities & Equity Unit Grades 6+ | Project, Essay, Assessments, Seminar

Description:
Explore the theme of equity and disabilities in schools and society with this 18-day unit designed for grades 6+. Students will engage with informational texts, videos, and case studies, leading to a STAAR-aligned extended essay and research project. This resource includes Socratic seminars, assessments, and creative projects to promote critical thinking and empathy. Perfect for SEL, humanities, and cross-curricular classrooms.

2. 18-Day Human Migration & Immigration Unit Grades 7+ | Project, Poetry, Assessments

Description:
Dive into the global topic of migration and immigration with this 18-day thematic unit for grades 7+. Through poetry, short stories, and informational texts, students will explore the historical and contemporary experiences of immigrants. Includes project-based assessments, writing tasks, and creative multimedia projects to foster understanding and empathy. A great resource for ELA, social studies, and SEL instruction.

3. 18-Day Multimedia Anti-Bullying Thematic Unit for Grades 5-8 | SEL Humanities

Description:
This 18-day multimedia unit on anti-bullying for grades 5-8 engages students with a range of media—films, political cartoons, short stories, and songs—to understand the impact of bullying in schools and society. Includes two Socratic seminars, a STAAR-aligned extended essay, and a creative capstone project. Ideal for SEL-focused classrooms and humanities teachers.

4. 19-Day Social Identity Unit | Low Prep | Grades 6-8 | Texts, Videos, and Project

Description:
Help students explore their own social identity and the factors that shape it in this 19-day unit for grades 6-8. The unit includes videos, readings, and group projects focused on themes like identity, community, and belonging. A low-prep, high-impact resource that encourages self-reflection and empathy through engaging multimedia activities and a culminating project.

5. 20-Day Social Media Mental Health Unit Grades 7+ | Project, Essay, Assessments

Description:
Explore the intersection of social media and mental health in this 20-day unit for grades 7+. Students will examine the effects of social media on well-being through informational texts, videos, and podcasts. Includes a STAAR-aligned essay, Socratic seminar, and multimedia project, making it an essential resource for teaching critical thinking and digital literacy.

6. 7-Day World Religions Research & Presentation Unit: Interdisciplinary Grades 6-8

Description:
This 7-day research and presentation unit allows students to explore major world religions through research-based learning. Perfect for grades 6-8, students will develop presentations on various religions, fostering understanding and global awareness. Includes guided research templates, presentation rubrics, and cross-curricular connections.

7. Human Rights 5-Day Research and Writing Unit | Middle School Social Essay Project

Description:
Introduce your middle school students to the concept of human rights in this 5-day research and writing unit. Students will engage with informational texts to explore human rights issues globally and locally, culminating in a social justice essay project. This unit is ideal for quick yet impactful lessons that combine research, writing, and advocacy.