Less than $5 Higher Education English Language Arts Activities (by date, oldest first)

Easter Word Search Pages/+100 word search speciale for April Easter and Spring

Immerse yourself in the joyful celebration of Easter in April and the vibrant spirit of spring with this Easter word search scene! Immerse yourself in over 100 meticulously designed word searches, each designed to fascinate and entertain puzzle lovers of all ages.

Embark on an egg-hunting journey with a collection of Easter-themed puzzles, where you'll search for words like 'bunny', 'chocolate', 'egg hunt' and 'basket'. Enjoy the cheerful atmosphere of spring as you explore puzzles containing words like “blossom,” “rainbow,” “sunshine,” and “picnic.”

With varying levels of difficulty, from beginner to expert, our word search pages offer an exhilarating challenge for everyone. Whether you're an experienced puzzle solver or just starting your word search adventure, our collection guarantees hours of fun and mental stimulation.

Experience the joy of Easter and the rejuvenation of spring by viewing this Easter word search. Gather your family and friends to enjoy a delightful puzzle that celebrates the essence of this wonderful season. Let the hunting begin!

Fun Activities with Worksheets for Kindergarten 100th Day Math of School

Celebrate the centennial milestone of the school year in a thrilling manner by incorporating our dynamic "100th Day Fun Pack" into your festivities! This comprehensive educational resource is designed to infuse excitement into the learning experience with a plethora of engaging activities tailored to meet the diverse needs of your students.

Key Features and Activities:

Colorful Celebration: Engage students with a vibrant coloring page to kick off the festivities.

Creative Writing Prompts: Foster imaginative expression through thought-provoking writing prompts, stimulating the minds of young learners.

Number Maze Challenge: Navigate through a stimulating number maze, adding an element of fun to numerical comprehension.

Counting Extravaganza (1 to 100): Reinforce counting skills from 1 to 100 with an interactive and entertaining activity.

Mind the Gap (Missing Numbers 1 to 100): Enhance numerical acumen by filling in missing numbers in this engaging exercise.

Spin to Win (Counting Game): Make learning fun with a 'Spin to 10' game, combining chance and counting skills.

Quantitative Expression: Develop mathematical proficiency with activities like 'Count and Write How Many.'

Skip Counting Spectacle (by 10s to 100): Introduce skip counting by 10s in an exciting way, reinforcing multiplication skills.

Numeral and Word Fusion: Foster a connection between numerals and words through a captivating cut-and-paste matching activity.

Race Against Time (In 100 Seconds, I Can…): Infuse a sense of urgency and accomplishment with a challenge to complete various tasks within 100 seconds.

Sensory Exploration (I Would Like 100… But Not 100…): Engage the senses by prompting students to express preferences using the 5 senses when imagining interactions with the number 100.

Elevate the 100th day celebration with this enriching resource, promoting both learning and enjoyment for your students!

Dive into a world of positivity and creativity with these free Acts of Kindness Quotes coloring pages. This inspiring activity sheet set is a joyful collection designed to lift your spirits and spread kindness through the power of words and art.

To access the full range of Kindness Quotes Coloring Bundle, simply follow the link below:

-Printable Kindness Quote Coloring pages - Bundle Kindness Activities sheets:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Printable-Kindness-Quote-Coloring-pages-Bundle-Kindness-Activities-sheets-11182741

Kindness coloring sheets

Positive affirmations coloring pages

Insrirational Quotes Coloring Pages

Charity coloring pages

Empathy coloring sheets

Mercy coloring pages

Mindfulness coloring pages

Gratitude coloring sheets

Love and kindness coloring pages

Anti-bullying coloring pages

In this Mini Socratic Seminar students will have Socratic dialogue in small groups in order to discuss and plan for a social contract. By the end of this lesson your students will have a deep understanding of what it means to have a cooperative and inclusive environment for learning!

What's Included:

• definition slide
• purpose slide
• advantages slide
• preparation slide
• Mini Seminar directions slide
• 2 slides explaining roles and responsibilities
• slide for management tips
• Essential question slide
• 3 Costa's Level of Thinking reference slides
• 12 Socratic Seminar guiding questions for creating a positive classroom environment

Preparation:

• Share the essential question with students
• Provide time for all students to record the essential question and their personal thoughts/questions.
• Share the opening question which has no single “right” answer, is framed to generate dialogue leading to greater understanding of the ideas.
• The teacher may share all possible discussion questions with students before the seminar or the teacher may share only one question at a time.

Seminar:

• Students are placed in small groups or virtual break out rooms of 5-6 students.
• Teacher poses the essential question.
• Students respond to the question through writing their own questions using Costas.
• Teacher chooses a Socratic Seminar leader for each group.
• The leader facilitates the seminar discussion by guiding group members to a deeper and clarified consideration of the ideas, a respect for varying points of view, and adherence to and respect for the seminar process.
• Students may pose new questions when the discussion is exhausted. New questions posed must relate to students’ ideas and contributions in response to the initial essential question.
• Students write a list of classroom norms with their group.

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

NEW IN 2020: Rigorous! Engaging! Thought-provoking! This 8-page EDITABLE document will invite your students to analyze the symbolic significance of colors in The Great Gatsby. This activity promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The worksheets will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and generate profound interpretive insights!

What you'll get are 4 handouts focused on the colors that appear most frequently in Fitzgerald's novel: green, yellow, white, and blue. Begin this lesson by having your students to divide into small groups of 2-3 students. Invite each group to choose one of four colors. Then challenge each group to determine the symbolic significance of their color by analyzing a list of 6-8 quotations from The Great Gatsby. Finally, invite each group to present their findings to the class!

These color symbolism worksheets are designed to will help your students appreciate the dual symbolic meanings — or double-edged significance — of each color: for example, while green symbolizes hope and wonder, it also represents envy. An answer key for each color is included. But your students are likely to generate insights that go beyond mine!

These worksheets will come to you in a 8-page EDITABLE Word document which you can customize to the needs of your students! The previews for my resources provide access to dozens of pages of actual content. Click on the green “PREVIEW” button to see what you’ll get. . . .

Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Note: These discussion questions are also included in my Gatsby MEGA-Bundle. The bundle contains everything you'll need to deliver amazing and comprehensive lessons on Fitzgerald's novel: over 40 slides and over 240 pages of content-rich handouts and activities. If you have already purchased the bundle, you do not need to purchase these discussion questions.

Click to view the Gatsby MEGA-Bundle

Click to view my TeachShare store

NEW IN 2020: Rigorous! Engaging! Thought-provoking! This 5-page EDITABLE document helps your students to analyze the hierarchy of social classes and then to decode the signs of social status in The Great Gatsby. This activity promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The worksheets on socioeconomic differences will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and generate profound interpretive insights!

Here's what you'll find inside:

• Symbolic Settings Worksheet (or Quiz): The first worksheet challenges students to come up with adjectives to describe East Egg and West Egg based on how those symbolic settings are described in The Great Gatsby. This worksheet can be used either as a fun exercise or as a quiz. (1 pages)

• Decoding Socioeconomic Status Handout: Not only was Fitzgerald was a careful reader of sociologist Thorstein Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class (1899), but he incorporated many of Veblen's insights into The Great Gatsby. For example, it was Veblen who coined the term "conspicuous consumption" to describe a type of consumer spending that was intended primarily to show off one's wealth — which is one reason why Gatsby's parties are so lavish! This handout features key quotations from Veblen and other sociologists that will help students arrive at a deeper understanding of the difference between "Old Money" and "New Money." (1 page).

• "Old Money" vs. "New Money" Worksheet (or Quiz): The second worksheet builds upon the handout above and enables teachers to assess whether students are able to decode status differences. The worksheet challenges students to determine whether 16 different adjectives — such as "refined," "ostentatious," "exuberant," and "aloof" — would most likely characterize "Old Money" or "New Money." Answer key included. (2 pages)

• Analyzing Evidence Worksheet: This short worksheet challenges students to connect Nick's assessment that Jordan is a "rotten driver" with Nick's last words to Gatsby, "They're a rotten crowd." Did Fitzgerald mean to suggest that the residents of East Egg and/or West Egg amount to a batch of rotten eggs? (1 page)

These worksheets will come to you in a 5-page EDITABLE Word document which you can customize to the needs of your students! The preview for this resource provides viewing access to the entire document. Click on the green “PREVIEW” button to see what you’ll get. . . .

Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Note: These handouts on social class are also included in my Gatsby MEGA-Bundle. The bundle contains everything you'll need to deliver amazing and comprehensive lessons on Fitzgerald's novel: over 40 slides and over 240 pages of content-rich handouts and activities. If you've already purchased the bundle, you don't need to purchase these handouts. Thanks!

Click to view the Gatsby MEGA-Bundle

Click to view my TeachShare store

Looking for a figurative language activity for William Shakespeare's Macbeth? This resource invites students to identify various types of figurative language found in Macbeth. The resource features a glossary with definitions of 7 types of figurative language as well as examples of how they're used in passages from Macbeth. The resource also includes a two-page quiz in which students have to identify the type of figurative language used in each of 25 quotations from Macbeth. For teachers, the resource features an answer key that will enable you to grade students' quizzes quickly and efficiently.

Here's what you'll find in this editable 5-page resource:

• Glossary of Figurative Language: The glossary features definitions for the 7 types of figurative language which appear most prominently in Macbeth: metaphor, simile, paradox, oxymoron, personification, apostrophe, and hyperbole. The glossary also includes examples of how Shakespeare uses each type of figurative language in passages from early scenes in the play. So you'll be able to review the types of figurative language with students before they've finished the play — and before they take the quiz. (1 page)
• Quiz on Figurative Language: The quiz challenges students to identify 7 types of figurative language — metaphor, simile, paradox, oxymoron, personification, apostrophe, and hyperbole — used across 25 quotations from Macbeth. (2 pages)
• Answer Key: The answer key provides the correct answer for each question on the quiz. Having an answer key will enable teachers to grade and return the quiz with speed and efficiency. (2 pages)

This entire resource will come to you in two separate formats: Word Docs *and* PDFs. Because the Word docs are fully editable, you'll be able to customize them to match the skill levels of your students year after year. If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access PDF versions — which are easy to navigate and quick to print.

Rigorous Resources is your one-stop shop for top-quality resources on William Shakespeare. Wishing you an amazing experience with teaching the "Scottish play." If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I love hearing from fellow teachers who share a passion for great literature! 

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

P.S. Remember to “follow” my store to receive email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!

Feel free to check out these complete units on Shakespeare's masterpieces:

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Romeo and Juliet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Julius Caesar

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Macbeth

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Othello

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Hamlet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Much Ado About Nothing

INTRO TO SHAKESPEARE: Biography, Globe Theater, Language, & Meter

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 Margaret Atwood's chilling dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale. Centering around 5 different provocative passages from the book, 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 unit on The Handmaid's Tale!

Product Includes:

- 5 "Silent Conversation" worksheets with 5 different quotes from the novel

- Full Lesson plan

__________________________________________________________________________________

Save 20% off this resource when you purchase as part of a growing bundle of all The Handmaid's Tale products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Activity Bundle

__________________________________________________________________________________

Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on The Handmaid's Tale:

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale "Hot Seat!"

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Journal Prompts

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Social Media Materials

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Essay Questions

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Quote Posters

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Escape Room

___________________________________________________________________________

⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐

This product features an anticipation guide for Margaret Atwood's chilling dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, and a meticulously-explained lesson plan that is in my opinion, the absolute best way to approach a new novel. 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 Handmaid’s Tale.

Product Includes:

- 2 Page Anticipation Guide with 7 Debate Statements

- "Numbered Heads" Lesson Plan

I am confident that your students will enjoy this thoughtful, engaging activity as much as my students have for years!

__________________________________________________________________________________

Save 20% off this resource when you purchase as part of a growing bundle of all The Handmaid's Tale products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Activity Bundle

__________________________________________________________________________________

Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on The Handmaid's Tale:

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale "Hot Seat!"

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Journal Prompts

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Social Media Materials

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Essay Questions

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Quote Posters

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Escape Room

___________________________________________________________________________

⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐

Now with newly added material!!

Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as I like to call them with my students) are fantastic, higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class text. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding F. Scott Fitzgerald's beloved classic, The Great Gatsby... and no preparation is required by you at all!

This product includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom

• Fun Introductory Lesson Plan on Academic Conversations

• 5 Discussion Questions for each “Fish Bowl”

• “Fish Bowl” Preparation Sheet

• Conversation Builder Prompts

• Observation Sheet

• Rubric

__________________________________________________________________________________________

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

⭐ The Great Gatsby "Hot Seat!"

⭐ The Great Gatsby "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ The Great Gatsby Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ The Great Gatsby Escape Room

⭐ The Great Gatsby Social Media Materials

⭐ The Great Gatsby Human Tic Tac Toe Review Game

⭐ The Great Gatsby Quote Posters

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as I like to call them with my students) are fantastic, higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class text. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding the novel, The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood... and no preparation is required by you at all!

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom

• Engaging Introductory Activity for Building Conversations

• 5 Discussion Questions for each “Fish Bowl”

• “Fish Bowl” Preparation Sheet

• Conversation Builder Prompts

• Observation Sheet

• Rubric

__________________________________________________________________________________

Save 20% off this resource when you purchase as part of a growing bundle of all The Handmaid's Tale products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Activity Bundle

__________________________________________________________________________________

Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on The Handmaid's Tale:

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale "Hot Seat!"

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Journal Prompts

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Social Media Materials

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Essay Questions

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Quote Posters

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Escape Room

This product features all the materials you need to conduct a thoughtful and engaging "HOT SEAT" for The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. The hot seat is set up essentially like a talk show, however in order to allow for full class participation, there are multiple interviewers and multiple character guests. Through role play, this lesson tests your students' understanding of the novel and allows them to showcase their knowledge of the characters and the relationships between them. Your students will be having so much fun that they will not even realize the high-order thinking skills they are applying.

Product Includes:

- Meticulously Explained 2-Day Lesson Plan

- Character Instructions

- Interviewer Instructions

- Sample Chart

- 8 Character Signs

- 3 Fire Signs

- Student Example

This is the perfect activity for when a school vacation is coming up and you’re scrounging for lesson ideas. I always like to use it prior to a break; while so many other classes are watching movies, you have a practically hands-free lesson that your students (and administration) will love!

__________________________________________________________________________________

Save 20% off this resource when you purchase as part of a growing bundle of all The Handmaid's Tale products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Activity Bundle

__________________________________________________________________________________

Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on The Handmaid's Tale:

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Journal Prompts

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Social Media Materials

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Essay Questions

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Quote Posters

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Escape Room

___________________________________________________________________________

⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐

Celebrate Valentine's Day with this Shakespearean Sonnet Analysis and Creative Writing Activity!

In this creative and engaging lesson plan, students will analyze one of Shakespeare's most famous love sonnets and create their own original poetry inspired by the Bard. This resource provides step-by-step instructions using a format of warm-up, explanation, application, and synthesis with the aim to engage students from beginning to end. A teacher cheat sheet is also included with full notes on Sonnet 130 so no preparation is needed. Your students will thank you for offering such a fun way to learn about and practice writing poetry!

Product Includes:

- Comprehensive lesson plan

- Copy of Sonnet 130

- Teacher's notes

- Meticulous assignment directions

- Rubric

This lesson is Common Core aligned and appropriate for grades 9-12.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Save 20% off this resource when you purchase as part of a bundle of Shakespeare products:

⭐ Shakespeare Resource Bundle

______________________________________________________________________________________

Also, check out these great Valentine's Day resources from Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Valentine's Day Collaborative Writing Activity

⭐ Valentine's Day Figurative Language Practice

⭐ Valentine's Day Figurative Language in Love Songs PowerPoint

⭐ Valentine's Day Figurative Language in Love Songs Task Cards

⭐ Valentine's Day Love Song Figurative Language BUNDLE

⭐ Shakespeare Valentine's Day Lesson Plan

⭐ Sonnet 18 Valentine's Day Lesson Plan

⭐ Valentine's Day Mad Libs

⭐ Valentine's Day "Love Talk" Lesson Plan

___________________________________________________________________________

⭐ 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 F. Scott Fitzgerald's beloved classic about the disillusionment of the American Dream, The Great Gatsby. Centering around 5 different provocative passages from the novel, 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 unit on The Great Gatsby!

Product Includes:

• 5 "Silent Conversation" worksheets with 5 different quotes from the novel
• Lesson plan

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

⭐ The Great Gatsby "Hot Seat!"

⭐ The Great Gatsby "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ The Great Gatsby Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ The Great Gatsby Escape Room

⭐ The Great Gatsby Human Tic Tac Toe Review Game

⭐ The Great Gatsby Social Media Materials

⭐ The Great Gatsby Socratic Seminar Lesson & Materials

_______________________________________________________________________________

Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

This product features an anticipation guide for F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, and a meticulously-explained lesson plan that is in my opinion, the absolute best way to approach a new novel. 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 Great Gatsby.

Product Includes:

- 2 Page Anticipation Guide with 7 Debate Statements

- "Numbered Heads" Lesson Plan

I am confident that your students will enjoy this thoughtful, engaging activity as much as my students have for years!

__________________________________________________________________________________________

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

⭐ The Great Gatsby "Hot Seat!"

⭐ The Great Gatsby "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ The Great Gatsby Escape Room

⭐ The Great Gatsby Social Media Materials

⭐ The Great Gatsby Quote Posters

⭐ The Great Gatsby Socratic Seminar Lesson & Materials

__________________________________________________________________________________________

⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐

Zodiac Killer Case Overview: Forensic Science Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Dive into one of the most chilling unsolved mysteries in American history with this detailed reading comprehension worksheet on the Zodiac Killer. Designed for high school forensic science classes, this resource gives students an in-depth look at the Zodiac Killer’s timeline of crimes, the infamous ciphers, key suspects, and the lasting impact of the case on law enforcement and popular culture.

This worksheet provides a gripping narrative of the case, broken into detailed sections that guide students through the events from the Zodiac's first known attack to his cryptic messages sent to media outlets. Students will be introduced to the key aspects of the investigation, the challenges faced by law enforcement, and the suspects that have emerged over the years. The inclusion of a case study on the "340-symbol cipher" helps students explore how breakthroughs in cryptographic analysis can influence criminal investigations.

Each section of this resource is followed by engaging questions—multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer—that challenge students to think critically about the evidence and the impact of media on criminal cases. This makes it perfect for deeper learning and is ideal for use as sub plans to keep students actively engaged.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop skills in evaluating evidence and analyzing historical crime cases.
• Gain an understanding of forensic science techniques used in criminal investigations.
• Explore the role of media and cryptography in high-profile cases.

Common Core Standards and Suggested Courses:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.3: Analyze a complex set of ideas or events.
• Suggested for Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Social Studies, Psychology, and U.S. History courses.

Ready to unlock your students' critical thinking potential? Explore my store for a treasure trove of reading comprehensions that tackle diverse themes and inspire insightful discussions. From historical mysteries to scientific explorations, there's something for every classroom!

Support a fellow educator and get rewarded! Purchase this resource, leave a review, and earn TeachShare credits you can use on any product on the platform. Your feedback helps others and benefits you too!

If you like this, please check out my related bundle on famous serial killers

High School Forensic Science Crime Scene Investigations: 10 Engaging Cases for Critical Thinking

Bring the excitement of crime-solving into your classroom with this 10 Crime Scene Investigation Activity Bundle tailored specifically for high school forensic science students. Each investigation immerses students in realistic scenarios that will have them thinking like detectives, evaluating evidence, and piecing together the clues to solve each mystery. These cases are designed to challenge students' critical thinking, develop their analytical skills, and keep them fully engaged throughout the learning process.

What’s Included:

• Case Overviews: Ten different crime scene narratives present unique situations for students to investigate.
• Witness Statements: Detailed accounts from multiple witnesses encourage students to evaluate reliability and bias.
• Suspect Graphic Organizer: A pre-filled suspect list for each case that allows students to gather evidence for and against each suspect.
• Investigation Questions: Guided questions that promote analysis and draw students to logical conclusions.
• Answer Keys: Comprehensive answer keys to assist teachers in evaluating student work.

The 10 Crime Scene Cases:

The Poisoned Picnic:

• A festive community picnic turns tragic when several attendees fall ill after eating a shared dish. Students must piece together witness testimonies, evaluate food contamination, and narrow down the suspect list to find out who tampered with the dish

The Sabotaged Science Experiment:

• A promising chemistry student’s science fair experiment goes awry, producing dangerous smoke instead of the expected results. Students will explore motivations, analyze evidence of tampering, and determine if jealousy played a role in this case of sabotage.

The Art Heist:

• A priceless painting is stolen from a museum, seemingly without a trace. Students will evaluate security footage, question suspicious behaviors, and investigate relationships among museum staff and attendees to figure out who walked away with the masterpiece.

The Vandalized Car:

• A quiet neighborhood is shocked when Mr. Thompson's car is found covered in graffiti and with its tires slashed. Was it an act of revenge, a prank gone wrong, or something else entirely? Students must determine which suspect had the motive, opportunity, and means.

The Warehouse Fire:

• A warehouse storing construction supplies goes up in flames under suspicious circumstances. Students will investigate the possibility of arson, analyzing witness testimonies and suspect motives to determine who had the most to gain from the fire.

The Missing Test Papers:

• Final exam papers disappear from Mrs. Thompson’s locked desk drawer. Students will evaluate who had access to the staff room and investigate motives ranging from helping friends to undermining authority, leading them to uncover the truth behind the missing tests.

The Stolen Cow:

• On a small farm, a prize-winning cow named Bessie mysteriously vanishes overnight. Students must explore the relationships between the farm owner, neighboring farmers, and farmhands to determine who had a reason to steal Bessie and how they did it.

The Stolen Formula:

• A groundbreaking chemical formula goes missing from a high-tech research lab, jeopardizing months of work. Students will investigate rival scientists, disgruntled employees, and others who had access to the formula to determine who could have stolen it—and why.

The Warehouse Theft:

• A series of items go missing from a shipping warehouse, with no clear sign of forced entry. Was it an inside job, or did someone find a way to bypass security? Students will work through testimonies and logistics to identify the culprit and the methods used.

The Stolen Necklace:

• A valuable necklace disappears during a high-society event. The investigation leads students through alibis, potential motivations of jealousy or greed, and witness contradictions to determine who was responsible for the theft.

Great for:

• Sub Plans: These activities require minimal setup, making them perfect for substitute teachers while keeping students actively engaged in learning.
• Deeper Learning: Encourage deeper thinking with activities that challenge students to evaluate evidence critically and make informed decisions based on the data provided.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze and Evaluate Evidence: Students will practice gathering, evaluating, and connecting evidence to solve complex problems.
• Develop Logical Reasoning: Students will build logical reasoning skills by connecting witness testimonies and physical evidence to identify suspects.
• Enhance Reading Comprehension and Writing: Students will improve their reading comprehension through case studies and articulate their findings in investigation summaries.

Aligned Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.3: Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1: Initiate and participate effectively in collaborative discussions.

Courses:

• Forensic Science: Perfect for supplementing a high school forensic science course, providing hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities.
• English Language Arts (ELA): Ideal for ELA classes that want to incorporate nonfiction and analytical reading components into their lessons.
• Criminal Justice and Social Studies: Great for exploring themes related to criminal justice, sociology, and human behavior.

Ready to unlock your students' critical thinking potential? Explore my store for a treasure trove of reading comprehensions that tackle diverse themes and inspire insightful discussions. From historical mysteries to scientific explorations, there's something for every classroom!

Support a fellow educator and get rewarded! Purchase this resource, leave a review, and earn TeachShare credits you can use on any product on the platform. Your feedback helps others and benefits you too!

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• Unleash the CSI in your students! Explore 10 real-life forensic mysteries with this captivating reading comprehension bundle!

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• Unleash the detective within your students with this captivating bundle of 12 reading comprehension worksheets that explore the diverse wonders of forensic science!

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Unleash the Mindhunter Within: Dive into the Darkly Fascinating World of Forensic Psychology ️‍♀️

Engage your students like never before with this captivating reading comprehension worksheet that aligns with Common Core Standards to explore the thrilling realm of forensic psychology. Unravel the hidden motives and twisted patterns behind criminal behavior, all while honing essential reading and critical thinking skills.

This standards-aligned resource covers:

• The Dark Detective of the Mind (RI.7.8.8): Uncover the scientific foundation of forensic psychology, where intuition meets science and the whispers of the mind reveal dark secrets.
• Unraveling the Criminal Mosaic (RI.7.8.7): Learn how psychological assessments, behavioral analysis, and criminological insights piece together the fractured puzzle of criminal motives and modus operandi.
• Beyond Profiling: Demystifying the Myth (W.7.6.2): Discover the true power and limitations of offender profiling, how it guides investigations, and its role in understanding the bigger picture of criminal behavior.
• Future Horizons: A Glimpse into the Evolving Mind (SL.7.1.3): Explore the cutting-edge advancements in neuroimaging and big data analysis, and their potential to reshape the future of crime prevention and detection.

Boost student engagement with:

• Gripping Case Study (RI.7.8.7): Analyze a real-world example of forensic psychology in action, where a skilled expert cracks a chilling serial killer case.
• Thought-provoking Questions: Multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions test comprehension and ignite critical thinking.
• Clear Answer Key: Save valuable time with a detailed answer key for effortless assessment.

Don't wait! Unlock the secrets of the criminal mind and spark your students' curiosity with this invaluable addition to your standards-aligned classroom arsenal.

Deciphering an Icon's End: The Unsolved Murder of Tupac Shakur (Reading Comprehension & Critical Thinking)

Unmask a Hip-Hop Mystery, Spark Curiosity & Critical Thinking Skills

Worksheet Breakdown & Teacher Benefits

• Explore a Cultural Icon's Death: Students delve into the life and death of Tupac Shakur, analyzing the shooting, theories, suspects, and his lasting impact.
• Develop Analysis & Reasoning Skills: Multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions encourage analysis of evidence, motives, and the challenges of a cold case.
• Primary Source Integration: A real-life news report excerpt sparks critical thinking about Tupac's influence and the impact of his death.
• Versatile Tool: Integrate seamlessly into your curriculum or use as an engaging sub plan activity.

Learning Objectives & Common Core Standards Alignment

• Learning Objectives:

  • Analyze the complexities of unsolved murders in the music industry.
  • Evaluate the impact of music and cultural figures on society.
  • Develop critical thinking skills through evidence analysis and reasoning.

• Common Core Standards Alignment:

  • RI.1 (Informational Text): Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it.
  • RI.2 (Informational Text): Determine the central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key details.
  • RI.3 (Informational Text): Analyze how a specific sentence, paragraph, or section contributes to the overall progress of the text.

• Ignite Critical Thinking: This product offers a thought-provoking and informative reading comprehension activity for middle and high school students. It fosters critical thinking skills, aligns with common core standards, and provides a valuable learning experience for both regular lessons and substitute plans.

Ready to unlock your students' critical thinking potential? Explore my store for a treasure trove of reading comprehensions that tackle diverse themes and inspire insightful discussions. From historical mysteries to scientific explorations, there's something for every classroom! Support a fellow educator and get rewarded! Purchase this resource, leave a review, and earn TeachShare credits you can use on any product on the platform. Your feedback helps others and benefits you too!

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Uncovering the Truth: The Mystery of the Hinterkaifeck Murders – Forensic Science Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Take your students on a journey into one of Germany’s most haunting unsolved crimes with this reading comprehension worksheet focused on the 1922 Hinterkaifeck murders. This resource provides an intriguing look at how early forensic science was applied to an intensely puzzling case, sparking both critical thinking and analytical skills. Students will explore the limitations of early forensic investigation, the disturbing evidence found at the crime scene, and the theories that emerged over time as detectives worked to uncover the truth.

What’s Inside:

• Reading Passage: A detailed look at the Hinterkaifeck murders, including evidence from the scene, autopsy findings, and the eerie aftermath.
• Primary Source Excerpt: A chilling report from the medical examiner, analyzing the severity and motives behind the murders.
• Questions & Answer Key: Thought-provoking multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions that encourage critical thinking and reinforce key concepts in forensic science and criminal investigation.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the role of early forensic techniques in a historical criminal investigation.
• Discuss how forensic evidence is interpreted and the limitations of forensic technology in the early 20th century.
• Evaluate multiple theories about the motive and profile of the killer(s) and the impact of forensic challenges on solving cold cases.

Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.2: Determine central ideas of a text and analyze its development.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.4: Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words.

Suggested Courses:

• Forensic Science
• Criminal Justice
• History

This worksheet is perfect for deeper learning, helping students connect forensic science concepts with real-life historical mysteries. It’s ideal for full lessons, homework, or sub plans, giving students insight into the evolving field of forensic science and the enduring intrigue of unsolved cases.

Ready to unlock your students' critical thinking potential? Explore my store for a treasure trove of reading comprehensions that tackle diverse themes and inspire insightful discussions. From historical mysteries to scientific explorations, there's something for every classroom!

Support a fellow educator and get rewarded! Purchase this resource, leave a review, and earn TeachShare credits you can use on any product on the platform. Your feedback helps others and benefits you too!

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