8th Grade Writing Lesson (by date, latest first)

Blush Notes 8.5 x 11 inches 200 Pages for Notebooks and journals

The book, Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas is great for children ages 7 - 13 years old, as they can relate with Bree as she moves to a new state, starts a new middle school, makes friends along the way and the challenges with friendships she struggles to maintain, the lack of self confidence she has, and she becomes more confident along the way, how she solves disagreements with friends, tries her best, shares her talents with others, adjusts to changes that occur in her life, learning that it is okay not to be friends with everyone, the importance of friendship, doing things that you want to do - being a leader instead of a follower, and how to handle stressful situations, anxiety, conflict, and bullying.

The comprehension questions in this product relate with the text as well as students own experiences. Vocabulary words, their meanings, and example sentences are presented in the packet. Students can also write vocabulary words in sentences. As the book is being read aloud, as students are reading the book or after the book has been read, students can answer the comprehension questions in this packet. Comprehension questions are broken down into chapters that match the book's 9 chapters. An answer key is provided at the end of this product. Students can also answer comprehension questions towards the end of the packet as well that relate with the entire book.

If you download this product, and found it useful, please leave me a positive review! :)

Writing an Arctic animal research report can be a fun and interesting project for your students. This provides them with the opportunity to learn about an Arctic animal that interests them and share it with their peers! This packet includes information to share with your students about what an Arctic animal research report is, topic ideas, why an Arctic animal research report is written, what is shared in an Arctic animal research report, who the audience will be, how the completed Arctic animal research report will be published, rules to follow when writing an Arctic animal research report, where to locate information and the possible sources one could find when completing an Arctic animal research report, opening paragraph tips to hook the reader, tips that make a great Arctic animal research report, and an idea that shows the structure of an Arctic animal research report are included in this product.

An example of three possible writing topics, a completed KWL chart, and a brainstorming chart that will serve as a guide when writing the rough draft of the Arctic animal research report are included in this product. An example of a rough draft on the Arctic animal, narwhals, and an example of the sources that were used to write this Arctic animal research report are also provided to help support students and serve as a guide to help them when writing their own rough draft. Templates are included after the example along with a rough draft template and reminder checklist, so students remember to go back and check their work once it is completed.

Students can also complete the questions that are included with this product about their Arctic animal, such as what the name of you Arctic animal?, where does your Arctic animal eat?, how much does your Arctic animal weigh? Etc. Students will also be required to draw a picture of their Arctic animal. Using this template may be better to use with students who require the Arctic animal research report to be adapted.

This is a novel study of Gary Paulsen's Brian’s Winter (The sequel to Hatchet). In this product, there are completed lesson plans (and a blank one if you need to write your own), a slideshow that includes everything for each chapter (introduction, review of content, copy of the doodle notes, copy of the end of chapter activity/discussion outline, and the closure question), the Doodle Notes outline for each chapter, and the End of Chapter/Discussion activities. This novel study is for 4th-grade to 7th-grade students.

****I would recommend reading Hatchet before Brian's Winter. Since it is a sequel, having the prior knowledge would help a lot. I also have a novel study to go along with Hatchet!**

Completed Lesson Plans

Each chapter comes with a completed lesson plan! The lesson plans include an I can statement (Chapter Goal), the materials needed, what students will be doing as a preview to the chapter, what they will be doing during the read, the activity after the chapter, some differentiation ideas, the assessment, and a closure. There is a spot for standards, but I did not include one because of different state standards. They are also all editable! It was made using Google Slides, so if you open the file in Google Slides or PowerPoint you can edit each lesson plan to fit your class's needs!

Doodle Notes and End of Chapter/Discussion Activities

Each chapter comes with doodle notes and an End of Chapter/Discussion Activity. Doodle notes are notes students take that involve more drawing than writing. Students will have a prompt to help them know what to focus on while listening/reading the chapter and what to take notes on. The activities focus on multiple different skills, Central Idea, Supporting Details, Problem/Solution, Cause/Effect, Summaries, Story Elements, Inferences, and more. There are also 5 discussion activities where students will need to work in groups discussing a prompt about the chapter.

Slideshow

To go along with the book, there is a Slideshow that includes an outline for each chapter! It includes what is written in the lesson plans. So there are introduction slides for each chapter, a copy of the doodle notes and chapter activities, and a slide for the closure. The slides are also editable! So if you would like to add/adapt anything to fit your class/lesson better, just open the file in Google Slides or PowerPoint. ***There is a slide, that you will need to edit. It is the “Discussion Expectations” slide. This is because each class will have different expectations for discussions.***

I hope you enjoy it! Please rate and review. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at ateacherssidekick@gmail.com

Bundle together five dynamic New Year's resources for an enriching learning experience in your middle school classroom. Here's a brief overview of each component in this comprehensive package:

New Year's Informational Text Set: Structure, Central Idea, Author's Purpose!
A collection of five diverse articles, each exemplifying a different text structure like Description, Chronological, Problem and Solution, Compare and Contrast, and Cause and Effect. This set focuses on Times Square New Year’s celebrations and includes STAAR-aligned questions on the central idea, author's purpose, vocabulary, and text structure.

Classroom Synergy: Resetting Expectations in the New Year – 4 Engaging Activities!
Kick off the new year with four activities designed to reinforce classroom expectations and promote a positive learning environment. This resource includes expectation role-playing, creating expectations posters, and connecting expectations to SEL with reflective writing prompts.

Global Bites: New Year’s Celebrations and Food Traditions – Inquiry Based Learning
Explore New Year's traditions and food customs from around the world with this inquiry-based learning project. This resource encourages research and presentation skills as students delve into diverse cultural celebrations and their unique culinary traditions.

Cheers to A New Year: How to Write A Toast Workshop
Enhance public speaking skills with this engaging workshop on crafting toasts. Perfect for New Year celebrations, this resource guides students through the process of writing and delivering a meaningful toast, fostering both creativity and confidence in public speaking.

Spill the Tea: 2023 Year in Review – Google Slides Photo Project
A fun and engaging Google Slides project that allows students to reflect on the year 2023. Students create a photo-based presentation, capturing key moments, trends, and personal experiences from the year, making it an excellent activity for New Year reflections.

This bundle is perfect for middle school teachers looking to add a mix of educational and engaging activities to their New Year curriculum. Each resource is designed to be cross-curricular, supporting skills in reading, writing, research, public speaking, and social-emotional learning.

1. Examination Day Full-Week ELA Unit Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Dive into Henry Slesar's thought-provoking short story, "Examination Day," with a full-week ELA unit plan designed for middle school. This comprehensive package includes detailed Socratic seminar procedures, engaging choice board activities, and dynamic presentation slides to encourage critical thinking and student-led discourse on themes of intelligence testing and government control.

1. Harrison Bergeron Full-Week ELA Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Explore Kurt Vonnegut's classic dystopian tale, "Harrison Bergeron," in this complete week-long ELA unit. Middle school students will engage deeply with themes of enforced equality and individuality through structured Socratic seminars, creative choice board activities, and informative slides, all designed to foster critical analysis and vibrant classroom discussions.

1. All Summer in a Day Comprehensive Week-Long Lesson Plan: Seminar, Choice Board

• Immerse your students in Ray Bradbury's poignant story, "All Summer in a Day," with this extensive unit plan. The curriculum includes everything you need to facilitate meaningful discussions around themes of isolation, bullying, and the longing for sunshine. Engaging seminars and diverse choice board activities provide varied learning opportunities that cater to different student interests and learning styles.

1. The Pedestrian Full-Week ELA Unit Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Step into the futuristic world of Ray Bradbury's "The Pedestrian" with this detailed unit plan for grades 6-8. Through thoughtful Socratic seminars, a creative choice board, and educational slides, students will analyze the story's critique of technological dependency and societal conformity, developing critical thinking skills that transcend the classroom.

Comprehensive Dahl Exploration: This bundle combines three of Roald Dahl’s most compelling stories, each presented in a detailed ELA unit designed to engage middle school students. Perfect for an author’s study, this bundle allows students to analyze Dahl’s unique narrative style and recurring themes across different works. From the mysterious escalations in "Way Up to Heaven" to the unsettling undertones of "The Landlady" and the darkly comic "Lamb to the Slaughter," students will appreciate Dahl’s mastery in crafting suspense and surprise. This bundle is an excellent resource for end-of-year activities, sub plans, or a focused thematic unit on one of literature’s most intriguing authors.

1. Way Up to Heaven ELA Unit

Description: Explore the suspenseful realms of Roald Dahl’s "Way Up to Heaven" with this detailed ELA unit. This package includes engaging slides for easy teaching, a structured Socratic seminar to foster deep discussion, comprehensive lesson plans for effective learning, and versatile choice board activities to cater to diverse learning preferences. Students will delve into thematic analysis, character study, and the craft of writing through guided essays and creative projects.

2. The Landlady ELA Unit

Description: Dive deep into the chilling story of "The Landlady" with this complete ELA unit. It features dynamic slides that enrich the narrative experience, a Socratic seminar to enhance critical thinking, and a choice board that offers creative and analytical options like comic strips and alternate endings. Additional essays and activities, including a film comparison using a Venn diagram, make this unit perfect for a comprehensive study of narrative techniques and thematic development.

3. Lamb to the Slaughter ELA Unit

Description: Unpack the intrigue of Roald Dahl’s "Lamb to the Slaughter" in this all-inclusive ELA unit. This resource provides detailed slides for seamless instruction, engaging seminar guidelines to discuss the complexities of the plot, and a range of activities including a choice board for student-driven projects. The unit also includes tailored essay prompts and additional activities that encourage a deeper understanding of the story’s themes and Dahl’s distinctive writing style.

Bonus:

Includes in-depth character analysis across three stories and synthesizing essay prompt with graphic organizers!

Transform your middle school ELA classroom with this comprehensive bundle of 12 highly engaging short story units. Each unit is meticulously designed to provide a full week of dynamic lessons, complete with detailed plans, interactive slides, a choice activity board, Socratic seminar questions, three STAAR-aligned essay prompts, a film vs. text Venn diagram, and the text PDF. These short stories will captivate your students and enhance their literary analysis skills, making learning both fun and meaningful.

Included Short Stories:

1. The Most Dangerous Game
2. Sorry, Wrong Number
3. The Hitchhiker
4. The Way Up to Heaven
5. Lamb to the Slaughter
6. The Landlady
7. The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
8. Harrison Bergeron
9. Examination Day
10. The Pedestrian
11. All Summer in a Day
12. There Will Come Soft Rains

Bundle Features:

1. Comprehensive 5-Day Lesson Plans: Each story unit includes a detailed five-day lesson plan, ensuring a structured approach to teaching. Lessons are aligned with educational standards and include clear objectives and outcomes.

2. Interactive Slides: Engage your students with interactive slides that guide them through the story, provide context, and facilitate discussions. These slides are designed to keep students focused and involved.

3. Choice Activity Board: Each unit comes with a creative choice board, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding through various projects such as writing an alternate ending, creating a comic strip, designing a literary brochure, and more.

4. Socratic Seminar Questions: Encourage critical thinking and in-depth discussion with six thought-provoking Socratic seminar questions for each story. These questions help students delve deeper into the text and analyze its themes, characters, and literary elements.

5. Three STAAR-Aligned Essay Prompts: Each unit includes three essay prompts (argumentative, correspondence, and informational) that are aligned with STAAR standards, helping students practice their writing skills and prepare for standardized assessments.

6. Film vs. Text Venn Diagram: Enhance your students' analytical skills with a film vs. text Venn diagram activity. Students compare and contrast the short story with its film adaptation, focusing on key similarities and differences.

7. Text PDF: Each unit comes with a PDF of the short story, making it easy to provide students with the text for reading and annotation.

Why Choose This Bundle?

• Engaging Content: These short stories are highly engaging and perfect for capturing the interest of middle school students. The diverse selection of stories includes suspense, science fiction, dystopian themes, and more.
• Comprehensive and Ready-to-Use: Save time with ready-to-use lesson plans, activities, and resources. Each unit is designed for easy implementation, ensuring you can focus on teaching and engaging your students.
• Develop Critical Thinking: The activities and discussions included in each unit promote critical thinking, literary analysis, and deeper understanding of the text.
• Flexible and Adaptable: The bundle provides flexibility in teaching, with a variety of activities and assessment options to suit different learning styles and classroom needs.

Perfect for middle school humanities teachers, this bundle offers everything you need to deliver engaging and effective ELA lessons throughout the year. Enrich your curriculum and inspire your students with these timeless short stories and comprehensive teaching resources.

Elements of Suspense Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Dive into the spine-tingling world of suspense with this engaging lesson plan! Students will analyze the key elements of suspense—pacing, foreshadowing, red herrings, danger, and more—through guided notes, interactive activities, and media examples like film trailers. This resource is perfect for Halloween or any time you want to keep your students on the edge of their seats. Ideal for introducing or reviewing the genre of suspense.

Elements of Dystopia Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Welcome to the dark side of fiction with this comprehensive dystopian literature lesson. Students will explore themes like totalitarian regimes, environmental disasters, survival, and rebellion. Using multimedia examples and text excerpts, students will analyze how these elements create powerful dystopian worlds. This resource is perfect for introducing dystopian fiction or as a review of the genre, making it a great fit for discussions on social justice or government control.

Elements of Science Fiction Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Blast off into the universe of science fiction! This lesson plan introduces students to the exciting elements of sci-fi, including futuristic technology, space exploration, time travel, alien life, and parallel universes. Students will analyze these elements through guided notes, multimedia, and text excerpts. Whether you're teaching the genre for the first time or reviewing it with your class, this resource is out of this world!

Elements of Fantasy Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Step into magical realms with this enchanting lesson plan on the elements of fantasy. Students will explore key components such as world-building, magical systems, mythical creatures, quests, and good vs. evil. Using guided notes and multimedia, students will be transported into the fantastical worlds of dragons, wizards, and epic quests. This resource is perfect for immersing students in the magic of fantasy fiction, sparking their imaginations and developing their literary analysis skills.

Elements of Mystery Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Introduce your students to the mystery genre with this 60-minute, print-and-go lesson plan that includes everything you need to kick off a mystery unit! This engaging lesson features guided notes, teacher slides, a one-page mystery story, and answer keys. Students will explore key mystery elements, such as clues, suspects, and red herrings, and apply their knowledge by solving the included mystery. Perfect for grades 6-8, this resource makes it easy to teach critical thinking and deduction skills while introducing a fun and interactive genre.

Engage your middle school students with this spooky Halloween Urban Legend Bundle, perfect for Grades 6-8! This comprehensive resource includes informational text on popular urban legends, interactive slides, and a fun, challenging quiz to boost reading comprehension. Whether you're looking for Halloween literacy activities or thrilling lessons to excite your students, this bundle delivers. Perfect for building critical thinking skills, analyzing scary stories, and creating a memorable classroom experience with a Halloween twist.

1. Jersey Devil Urban Legend Resource

Uncover the chilling mystery of the Jersey Devil in this engaging resource! Students will explore the legend of this winged creature, diving into its history and sightings in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The resource includes an informational text, comprehension questions, and creative writing prompts to help students analyze and craft their own spine-tingling stories.

2. Rougarou Urban Legend Resource

Journey into the swamps of Louisiana with the legend of the Rougarou, a fearsome werewolf-like creature! This resource provides an informative article about Cajun folklore, a 10-question quiz to assess comprehension, and creative activities to get students writing their own eerie tales of the Rougarou. Perfect for building writing skills through myth and legend.

3. Bell Witch Urban Legend Resource

Enter the haunted world of the Bell Witch, one of America's most famous ghost stories! Students will learn about the haunting of the Bell family in early 19th-century Tennessee. The resource includes a detailed article, STAAR-aligned quiz, and a writing prompt where students can craft their own ghostly urban legend based on this timeless tale.

4. Goatman Urban Legend Resource

Introduce your students to the spine-chilling legend of the Goatman, the axe-wielding creature from Maryland! This resource includes an informational text that dives into the origins of this urban legend, followed by critical thinking and comprehension activities. Students will develop their own spooky stories based on this fearsome figure, complete with an engaging quiz.

5. Create Your Own Urban Legend Resource

Empower your students to become urban legend creators with this exciting, interdisciplinary writing activity! Students will choose a local landmark, develop a mysterious creature or event, and write their legend as a two-page newspaper article. The resource includes brainstorming worksheets, character development guides, and newspaper templates, plus a 3-day lesson plan to guide them through the creative process.

• Thanksgiving Gratitude Toast Writing Unit with Slides and Awards
• Looking for a meaningful and engaging way to bring gratitude into your classroom this Thanksgiving season? This 4-Day Thanksgiving Toast Writing Unit has everything you need to help your students craft heartfelt toasts while building their public speaking and writing skills.
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Informational Texts: Central Idea & Author’s Purpose
• This resource features informational texts centered around the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Students will practice identifying the central idea and author’s purpose using guided activities, perfect for grades 4-6. Includes quizzes and engaging slides to bring the festive event into your classroom!
• Multiple Genre Thanksgiving Writing Fun: Story Starters, Centers, and Activities
  Spark creativity with these 10 engaging Thanksgiving-themed story starters! This freebie offers writing prompts perfect for centers or bell-ringers, allowing students to explore genres while creating their own holiday-inspired tales. Ideal for grades 4 and up!
• Text Features with Thanksgiving Football Text Set, Quizzes, and Slides
  Bring excitement to your lessons with this text feature set using Thanksgiving football articles. Students will analyze and identify different text features while engaging with a fun, seasonal topic. Quizzes and slide presentations are included for easy, interactive learning.
• Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit: Debate Topics & Lesson Plans for STAAR ECRs
  Help your students master argumentative writing with this resource, complete with four Thanksgiving-themed debate prompts. Perfect for middle school, the unit includes a 75-minute lesson plan, guided notes, and templates for teaching claims, evidence, and rebuttals.
• Thanksgiving Author’s Purpose Reading Unit: Passages, Slides, Guided Notes (Grades 5-7)
  This reading unit features five double-sided Thanksgiving-themed passages that explore different author’s purposes. With interactive slides and guided notes, this resource is great for whole-group instruction, centers, or intervention activities in grades 5-7.
• Thanksgiving Digital Resource: Interactive Slides for Middle School Fall Break Vibes
  This non-academic, interactive slide deck is perfect for building community and having fun the day before Fall Break. Featuring 22 slides with thought-provoking and engaging Thanksgiving prompts, it's a fun, low-prep activity to wrap up the season.
• Thanksgiving Persuasive Writing Activity: Rhetoric for Grades 5-7 (Ethos, Pathos, Logos)
  This resource guides students through persuasive writing with a focus on rhetoric. Using Thanksgiving-themed prompts, students will practice developing strong arguments using ethos, pathos, and logos. Perfect for building writing and critical thinking skills in grades 5-7.
• Thanksgiving Text Structure Coloring Sort & Lesson
  Teach text structures in a creative and interactive way with this Thanksgiving coloring activity. Students will learn about different text structures and apply them through sorting and coloring activities, making the lesson both educational and fun.
• 10 Fall Narrative Essay Picture Prompts and Planner: Print and Go & Slides
  This resource includes 10 narrative essay prompts, each with a fall theme, designed to help students craft compelling stories. Perfect for middle school students, the resource includes both print-and-go materials and a slide deck for easy classroom use.

This bundle could cover 20-25 days of classroom instruction, depending on how the resources are paced and implemented. It offers a great variety of activities for both Thanksgiving season and beyond.

• 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.

1. 90 Day Reading Comprehension Bell Ringer Warm-Up Routine: This daily bell-ringer routine provides 90 days of reading comprehension practice, helping students build consistency in analyzing texts, identifying main ideas, and drawing inferences. Perfect for regular, bite-sized practice that reinforces key comprehension skills.
2. ECR Relay Race: Engaging STAAR Writing Prep: This interactive relay race activity is designed to make STAAR writing preparation engaging. With 12 prompts focused on extended constructed responses (ECR), students will work on crafting thoughtful, structured responses, honing their ability to articulate ideas clearly and support their answers with evidence.
3. STAAR ECR Mastery Resource for Informational Essays: This resource focuses on informational essay writing with a strong emphasis on developing thesis statements, claims, and supporting evidence. It’s a targeted approach to mastering the essential components of STAAR informational essays, equipping students with skills in organization and argumentation.
4. Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit: Debate Topics & Lesson Plans: This seasonal resource engages students in argument writing through Thanksgiving-themed debate topics. Students will practice constructing persuasive arguments, making claims, and providing relevant evidence—core skills for STAAR ECRs and persuasive writing in general.

This bundle provides comprehensive practice in reading comprehension, essay structure, argumentation, and evidence-based responses, setting students up for success in standardized test preparation.

Engage your middle school students with a thrilling 5-day detective unit centered around Roald Dahl's gripping short story, "Lamb to the Slaughter." This comprehensive unit combines critical thinking, inferencing, and multimedia analysis, making it perfect for ELA classrooms. Students will step into the shoes of detectives, analyze texts, watch film adaptations, and compare their experiences, all while meeting key CCSS standards.

What’s Included:

• Detailed Lesson Plans: Each day is thoughtfully planned to guide students through reading, analyzing, writing, and discussing "Lamb to the Slaughter."
• Graphic Organizers: Scaffolded organizers for each day to help students track evidence, make inferences, and compare the text with the film.
• Texts and Multimedia: The original short story and a link to the film adaptation, complete with an introduction by Roald Dahl.
• Writing Prompts: Engaging prompts to encourage students to write opinion essays and reflections.
• Class Discussion Guides: Questions and prompts to facilitate meaningful classroom discussions.

Day-by-Day Breakdown:

Day 1: Introduction to the Detective Activity

• Students are introduced to the murder mystery and work in groups to analyze witness statements and evidence photos.
• Focus on inference and deduction skills.

Day 2: Writing an Opinion Essay

• Students write an opinion essay based on their detective work from Day 1.
• Emphasis on textual evidence and structured writing.

Day 3: Reading "Lamb to the Slaughter"

• Students read the short story in chunked sections, making inferences and annotating the text.
• Use of scaffolding techniques to support all learners.

Day 4: Comparing Text and Film

• Students watch the film adaptation of "Lamb to the Slaughter."
• They use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast the text and film, analyzing differences in storytelling techniques.

Day 5: Final Analysis and Discussion

• Students discuss their findings and the differences between the text and film.
• Wrap-up activities include reflective writing and sharing insights.

CCSS Alignment:

This unit aligns with CCSS standards for grades 5-8, focusing on quoting accurately from texts, citing textual evidence, and analyzing multimedia elements. Standards covered include:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.1
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.7

Benefits:

• Engaging and Interactive: Students love the hands-on detective work and multimedia elements.
• Skill-Building: Focus on inferencing, textual evidence, and critical thinking skills.
• Comprehensive and Ready-to-Use: All materials and instructions are included for a seamless implementation.

Bring excitement and depth to your ELA classroom with this 5-day detective unit on "Lamb to the Slaughter." Your students will love stepping into the role of detectives while honing their reading and analytical skills.

Introducing "Cheers to the New Year: Writing Memorable Toasts" – an engaging and ready-to-use resource perfect for middle and high school English Language Arts and public speaking classes. This print-and-go product is ideal for your January back-to-school curriculum, offering a unique blend of writing workshop elements, cultural education, and public speaking skills.

Product Description:

Duration: Structured to span across four class periods, this resource includes:

• Day 1: Introduction to the art of toasting and analysis of exemplar and non-exemplar toasts.
• Day 2: Brainstorming session, guiding students through the creative process of crafting their toasts.
• Day 3: Final draft writing, where students refine and perfect their toasts.
• Day 4: Toast presentations, allowing students to showcase their work and public speaking skills.

Key Components:

• Comprehensive Slide Presentations: Includes 25 informative Google Slides on the history and culture of toasting, and what toasting symbolizes today. Slides include clear directions guiding theteacher and class through the writing process. Designed for easy understanding and engagement, students can participate in popcorn reading and interactive discussions.
• Toastmasters Video and Analysis: Engage students with a professional insight on crafting toasts, followed by interactive discussions and check-for-understanding questions.
• Real-World Examples: Includes both a non-example and a successful example of toasts from popular media, fostering critical thinking and discussion among students.
• Detailed Handouts: Four handouts guide the students from brainstorming ideas to drafting their final toasts. Includes sentence stems for easy differentiation.
• Interactive Tea Cup Activity: A creative cutout activity where students write their wishes for 2024, doubling as a charming bulletin board decoration.
• Presentation Rubric: A detailed rubric is included to assess student presentations, focusing on content, delivery, creativity, and audience engagement.
• How to use resource guide included!

Educational Benefits:

• Cultural Awareness: Students gain insight into the global tradition of toasting, understanding its historical and cultural significance.
• Writing and Communication Skills: Enhances students' writing abilities, focusing on structure, creativity, and clarity.
• Public Speaking: Develops public speaking skills, including articulation, body language, and audience engagement.
• Social-Emotional Learning: Encourages self-expression and reflection, making it a valuable tool for SEL.

"Cheers to the New Year: Writing Memorable Toasts" is more than just a lesson plan; it's an interactive and multifaceted approach to learning that will captivate and inspire your students. Whether it's for a writing workshop or a public speaking exercise, this resource is sure to make the first weeks back at school both memorable and educational.

This resource is included in the New Year 2024 Bundle Here: Ring in Learning: New Year's Thematic Middle School Classroom Bundle (TeachShare.com)

Searching for a lesson that’s legendary? Your students will be dying to dive into this spine-chilling exploration of urban legends! Perfect for grades 6-8, this highly engaging resource takes your students through the mysterious world of urban myths like the New Jersey Devil, Mothman, and more. Whether they believe the legends or not, they’ll get hooked on analyzing the creepy details, all while meeting CCSS standards.

This Urban Legends Resource Includes: Elements of Urban Legends – A detailed mini-lesson exploring the key features of urban legends: mysterious creatures, storytelling traditions, fear of the unknown, and cultural connections.

New Jersey Devil Informational Text – A captivating article about one of America’s most infamous urban legends.
Creature Profile Worksheet – Students will use evidence from the text to create their own legendary creature profile.
Horror Story Starter – A thrilling writing prompt to inspire students to create their own creepy tales, encouraging creativity and critical thinking.

Why You'll Love It:

• High Engagement: Who doesn’t love a good mystery? This resource hooks even the most reluctant readers with thrilling legends.
• Standards Aligned: Aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.5, and W.6.2. Your students will analyze, infer, and explain using textual evidence!
• Perfect for Critical Thinking: Students will compare legends, use logical reasoning to debunk myths, and cite textual evidence.
• Versatile Usage: Ideal for whole group lessons, independent work, or spooky-themed projects!

Suggested Uses:

• Reading & Comprehension: Use the articles to teach informational text standards, build inference skills, and analyze author’s purpose.
• Creative Writing: Turn your classroom into a ghost story-writing workshop!
• Discussion & Debate: Let students debate whether the legends are fact or fiction while citing their sources.
• Socratic Seminars: Engage your class in thoughtful, standard-aligned discussions about the purpose of urban legends.

Checklist of Benefits: ✅ Highly engaging urban legend topics
✅ Perfect for spooky-themed lessons
✅ Standards-aligned (CCSS)
✅ Supports critical thinking and analysis
✅ Includes a writing prompt for creativity
✅ Flexible for a range of classroom activities
✅ Perfect for 6-8 grade classrooms

Don’t be left in the dark—grab this unbelievably good resource today and make your lessons legendary!

Looking to transport your students to other worlds while teaching core literary elements? This Science Fiction Elements Lesson Plan is out of this world! Packed with engaging guided notes, multimedia activities, and text-based analysis, this resource is perfect for teaching the key components of science fiction.

Whether you're exploring futuristic technology, time travel, or alien encounters, this lesson will help your students boldly go where they've never gone before in their understanding of science fiction.

What's Inside?

✅ Detailed Slides breaking down the elements of science fiction:

• Futuristic Technology
• Space Exploration
• Time Travel
• Alien Life
• Parallel Universes

✅ Guided Notes to help students follow along and actively participate in the lesson.

✅ Multimedia Analysis: Includes practice with the Avengers: Endgame trailer to identify sci-fi elements in a fun and interactive way.

✅ Text-Based Practice: Excerpts from A Wrinkle in Time, Ender's Game, The Last Human, and The Wild Robot for in-depth analysis.

Suggested Uses:

Introduction to Science Fiction: Kick off your sci-fi unit with an engaging overview of the genre.
Genre Review: Perfect for reinforcing science fiction concepts and elements.
Cross-Subject Application: Use the multimedia elements to blend ELA with film analysis.

Benefits:

• Student Engagement: Combines multimedia, guided notes, and engaging excerpts to keep students focused and excited.
• Critical Thinking: Challenges students to think deeply about the core elements of science fiction and how they influence stories.
• Versatility: Can be used in ELA classes or as a cross-curricular lesson to explore both literature and film.
• Easy to Implement: Ready-to-use slides, notes, and assessments save you time and prep work.

Prepare your students for intergalactic learning adventures with this comprehensive science fiction lesson plan that will have them mastering literary elements faster than light speed!

Looking to haunt your students' imaginations and get them excited about suspenseful storytelling? This Elements of Suspense lesson is a bone-chilling introduction or review of key suspense techniques that will leave your students on the edge of their seats! Perfect for humanities teachers, this resource brings thrills, chills, and academic skills to the classroom just in time for the fall and Halloween season.

Designed for grades 6-8, this engaging lesson breaks down the five essential elements of suspense—Pacing, Foreshadowing, Uncertainty, Danger, and Red Herrings—with fun, easy-to-understand examples, guided notes, and opportunities for practice using classic literature and media. Whether you're introducing these concepts for the first time or reinforcing them for deeper understanding, this lesson is sure to give your students a frighteningly good grasp of suspense in literature.

What's Included:

• Detailed lesson slides breaking down each element of suspense
• Fill-in-the-blank guided notes to keep students engaged
• Interactive practice with both the Tell-Tale Heart and a suspenseful twist on a popular movie trailer (ELF turned spooky!)
• Step-by-step guidance for identifying suspense in texts and media

Why You'll Love This Resource:

✔️ Engaging, spooky themes that make learning fun and memorable
✔️ Perfect for fall/Halloween, adding an eerie twist to your classroom
✔️ Adaptable for grades 6-9, ensuring a wide range of students benefit
✔️ Easy-to-use format for quick prep and effective teaching
✔️ Great for introduction or review, fitting seamlessly into any unit on suspense, literature, or storytelling

Transform your classroom into a realm of suspense and surprises this fall with this high-quality, student-centered resource. It’s a fang-tastic way to teach the art of suspense while keeping your students engaged in their learning. Don't miss out on this spine-tingling lesson just in time for Halloween!

Perfect for:

• Humanities & ELA teachers
• Fall and Halloween lesson planning
• Review or introduction of suspense techniques in literature

Let the spooky season creep into your classroom with this thrilling lesson on suspense!

Brew up some spook-tacular writing skills with this engaging Witch's Brew Persuasive Writing Activity! Perfect for grades 6-8, this resource is designed to help students master the persuasive writing techniques of ethos, pathos, and logos—all while crafting their own witch’s brew! With creative potion designs, spooky ingredients, and persuasive advertisements, students will have a wickedly good time.

Whether you're introducing persuasive techniques for the first time or reviewing them, this activity is sure to enchant your class. Students will design their own magical potion, complete with eerie ingredients, a custom potion bottle, and a persuasive ad convincing others to buy their brew using ethos, pathos, and logos.

What's Included:

• Witch’s Brew Worksheet: A template for potion ingredients, potion bottle drawing, and persuasive ad writing using ethos, pathos, and logos.
• Persuasive Writing Techniques Slides: Clear, engaging slides introducing the three modes of persuasion.
• Guided Notes: Fill-in-the-blank notes to reinforce understanding of persuasive techniques.

Wickedly Good Benefits:

✔️ Creative & Fun: Combines creative potion-making with persuasive writing techniques.
✔️ No Prep: Ready-to-use worksheets, slides, and notes—just print and go!
✔️ Critical Thinking: Encourages students to think deeply about how to persuade their audience.
✔️ Versatile Use: Great for Halloween season or any time you want to add some magical flair to your writing lessons.
✔️ Engaging for Middle School: Keeps students motivated with fun, spooky elements while mastering important ELA skills.

Suggested Uses:

• Halloween Writing Activity: Perfect for adding spooky fun to your classroom.
• Persuasive Writing Unit: Use as an introduction or review of persuasive techniques (ethos, pathos, logos).
• Centers or Stations: Great for independent or group work in a literacy center.
• Extension Activity: Challenge students to create more complex ads for their potions.

Broom up some excitement in your classroom and let your students' creativity soar with this Witch’s Brew Persuasive Writing Activity—it’s sure to cast a spell on their writing skills!

Ready to dig into a legendary lesson? Your students will howl with excitement as they explore the spine-tingling tale of the Rougarou, a famous Cajun folklore creature! Perfect for grades 6-8, this highly engaging resource leads your students through the eerie swamps of Louisiana to discover the legend of the Rougarou. Whether they believe it or not, they’ll be hooked on analyzing the mysterious details, all while meeting CCSS standards.

This Rougarou Urban Legends Resource Includes: Elements of Urban Legends – A detailed mini-lesson exploring the key features of urban legends: mysterious creatures, storytelling traditions, fear of the unknown, and cultural connections.
Rougarou Informational Text – A fascinating article about the legendary werewolf-like creature from Cajun folklore.
Creature Profile Worksheet – Students will use evidence from the text to create their own legendary creature profile.
Horror Story Starter – A thrilling writing prompt to inspire students to craft their own creepy tales, encouraging creativity and critical thinking.

Why You'll Love It:

• High Engagement: Who can resist a good swampy mystery? This resource captivates even the most reluctant readers with thrilling folklore.
• Standards Aligned: Aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.5, and W.6.2. Your students will analyze, infer, and explain using textual evidence!
• Perfect for Critical Thinking: Students will compare legends, use logical reasoning to explore myths, and cite evidence from the text.
• Versatile Usage: Ideal for whole group lessons, independent work, or spooky-themed projects!

Suggested Uses:

• Reading & Comprehension: Use the article to teach informational text standards, build inference skills, and analyze the author’s purpose.
• Creative Writing: Turn your classroom into a spooky story-writing workshop!
• Discussion & Debate: Let students debate whether the Rougarou is fact or fiction while citing their sources.
• Socratic Seminars: Engage your class in thoughtful, standards-aligned discussions about the purpose of urban legends.

Checklist of Benefits: ✅ Highly engaging legend of the Rougarou
✅ Perfect for spooky-themed lessons
✅ Standards-aligned (CCSS)
✅ Supports critical thinking and analysis
✅ Includes a writing prompt for creativity
✅ Flexible for a range of classroom activities
✅ Perfect for 6-8 grade classrooms

Don’t be left howling in the dark—grab this unbelievably good resource today and make your lessons legendary!