$5 - $10 Informational Text Activities (by date, latest first)

Jumper: A Day in the life of a Backyard Jumping Spider is a gorgeously illustrated picture book that offers a detailed look at the life of a jumping spider. This activity pack includes ideas for STEM projects and printables for

*vocabulary development

*compare and contrast

*labeling diagrams

*research project

Perfect for libraries, classrooms or homeschooling. 

This title is part of the Texas 2x2 list for 2024-2025 and the NC Children's Book Award for 2024-2025.

Get your students excited about reading instruction with my High-Interest Reading Passage Bundle!

Included in this Bundle are passages about:

YouTube

The World Cup

The Super Bowl

Fortnite

Mr. Beast

NBA

Playstation

Nintendo

LeBron James

And More!!

Comprehension and Vocabulary Questions:

• Enhance critical thinking skills with thought-provoking comprehension questions. Strengthen vocabulary through targeted questions that encourage deeper understanding of the content.

Ample Writing Space:

• Addressing the needs of special education students, our resources offer larger writing spaces. This allows for comfortable expression and better engagement with the material.

Why You'll Love This Product:

1. Interest-Driven Learning: Capture the attention of even the most uninterested learners with topics that resonate with their interests.
2. Comprehensive Assessment: Assess comprehension and vocabulary skills effectively with well-crafted questions that encourage critical thinking.
3. Inclusivity for Special Education: Larger writing spaces cater to the needs of special education students, providing a comfortable environment for expression and learning.

Identifying text structure can be tricky, but this interactive and hands-on sort makes practice engaging, particularly because the topics are relevant for middle school students. This set includes sports, video games, and social media topics, students will enjoy reading through each prompt and moving the pieces to the correct spot on the gameboard. For low prep, teachers can choose to avoid cutting out the pieces for the gameboard and opt for students to follow the coloring guide to sort through the prompts.

What is included:

• Three engaging and interactive sorts to identify problem and solution, description, compare and contrast, cause and effect, and sequence prompts.
• Three game boards to paste prompts onto the correct column.
• Three 20-piece themed sorts about sports, social media, and video games.
• Three color by structure pages for low prep.
• Three answer keys.

Ideas for implementation:

• This product would be great for extra practice once text structures are introduced!
• These sorts can be done for Do now, stations, morning work, homework, or intervention.

Dive into the Winter Text Features educational resource, a perfect blend of winter wonder and academic rigor crafted for middle school ELA classrooms. This unique tool is designed to help students explore the fascinating world of snowflakes, snowstorms, and the artistry of snow, all while honing their ability to navigate and comprehend various text features such as timelines, subheadings, maps, captions, photographs, and includes three quizzes.

What's Included:

• Engaging Articles: Two in-depth articles, "The Secret World of Snowflakes" and "Historical Snowstorms: A Timeline of Winter’s Fury," provide context-rich content that is both informative and captivating.
• Interactive Quizzes: Reinforce learning with quizzes tailored to each article, testing comprehension of text features and content.
• Visual Aids: High-quality photographs and diagrams not only capture students' interest but also serve as practical examples of text features in action.
• Educator's Guide: Get tips on how to integrate this resource into your lesson plans effectively, ensuring a seamless fit with your curriculum goals.
• Answer Keys: Save time with ready-to-go answer sheets for quizzes, making assessment straightforward and efficient.
• Google Slides: Introduce or review text features with a presentation, have students skim through their articles finding each text feature

Highlights:

• Targeted for Middle School ELA: Ideal for grades 6-8, this resource aligns with common core reading standards.
• Text Features Focus: Enhances skills in identifying and understanding the purpose of various text features.
• Winter-Themed Content: Engages students with high-interest topics like snowflakes and snowstorms, keeping them motivated during the winter months.
• Ready for Classroom Use: Print-friendly format allows for easy distribution and assignment in the classroom setting.
• Versatile Application: Use as part of a reading unit, a supplemental activity, or as a fun educational break during the winter season.

With Winter Text Features, you're not just buying worksheets; you're providing an experience that will warm up your students' enthusiasm for reading and analysis, even on the coldest days. Add this resource to your teaching toolkit today and watch your students' comprehension skills snowball!

Dive into the heart of American tradition with our Thanksgiving Football Informational Texts, meticulously crafted for middle school students in grades 5-8. This resource, tailored to a 6th-grade lexile level, is a touchdown for any ELA curriculum, aligning with key standards that focus on the analysis of print and graphic features.

What’s Inside:

• Three Compelling Articles: Ranging from the mechanics of football to the historical significance of Thanksgiving games, and the cherished Detroit Lions' traditions, these texts are rich with educational content and football fervor.
• Dynamic Text Features: Each article is a playbook of knowledge, featuring captions, subheadings, glossaries, footnotes, maps, diagrams, sidebars, graphs, timelines, and photographs to engage students and enhance comprehension.
• Comprehensive Quizzes: Test understanding with 18 multiple-choice questions that challenge students to apply their knowledge of text features and content.
• GoogleSlides: Present information about text features before reading to build background knowledge or act as a refresher.

Curricular Alignment:

• Standards-Focused: This resource supports ELA goals, encouraging students to dissect the author's use of print and graphic elements for specific purposes, meeting key educational standards.

Easy Implementation:

• Teacher-Friendly: Designed for ease of use, this print-and-go resource includes a 12-slide Google Slides presentation to introduce text features, ensuring a smooth start to each lesson.
• Answer Key Included: Save time with ready-to-use answer keys, simplifying assessment and review.

Student Engagement:

• High-Interest Topic: By combining the universally engaging topics of football and Thanksgiving, this resource tackles the challenge of engaging reluctant readers head-on.

Holiday Relevance: Capitalize on the excitement of Thanksgiving to bring ELA standards to life.

• Rigorous & Multiskilled: Students aren't just learning about football; they're enhancing critical reading skills through a sports lens.
• No Additional Prep: Everything you need is at your fingertips, from the articles to the quizzes and presentation slides.

Perfect for the Season:

Whether you're looking to supplement your curriculum with seasonal material, add rigor to your lessons, or simply bring a high-engagement topic to your classroom, our Thanksgiving Football Informational Texts are your MVP. Score big with students and educators alike by integrating this resource into your middle school ELA game plan today!

Delve into the intriguing world of Krampus with this comprehensive ELA resource, designed specifically for upper middle school students. "Unraveling Krampus" presents a unique opportunity to explore this mythical figure through a literary lens, enhancing key reading and analysis skills.

What’s Inside:

• Five Engaging Articles on Krampus: Each article focuses on a different text structure – compare and contrast, description, problem and solution, cause and effect, and chronological order
• – providing a multifaceted view of Krampus' lore and cultural significance.
• Skill-Focused Comprehension Quizzes: After reading, students can apply their knowledge with quizzes targeting central ideas, author's purpose, inferences, summaries, and text-dependent questions.
• 15-Slide Google Slides Presentation: A visually engaging presentation to introduce or reinforce each literacy skill. These slides are interactive and tailored for upper middle school learners, perfect for both classroom and remote instruction.
• Targeted Skill Development: This resource is crafted to bolster students' abilities in identifying text structures, understanding authorial intent, drawing inferences, summarizing, and engaging with text-dependent analysis.
• Interactive Annotation and Reading Experience: Encourage active reading with annotation prompts, fostering deeper comprehension and critical thinking.

Benefits:

• Enhances Critical Thinking: Cultivates analytical skills essential for upper middle school ELA.
• Captivating Content: The mysterious and intriguing subject of Krampus keeps students engaged and curious.
• Facilitates Deeper Understanding: Helps students grasp complex concepts like text structure and author's purpose in an engaging context.
• Ready for Classroom Use: A complete, ready-to-use package that saves preparation time for busy educators.

Ideal For:

• Upper Middle School ELA Teachers
• Reading and Literacy Coaches
• Homeschool Educators
• Tutors Specializing in Advanced Literacy

Step into the captivating folklore of Krampus and transform your ELA lessons into an exciting and educational exploration. "Unraveling Krampus" not only offers a deep dive into a unique cultural phenomenon but also arms students with critical literacy skills. Add this rich, engaging resource to your educational toolkit and elevate your teaching approach today!

For lower level readers, try this resource: St. Nick: Informational Text Structures, Main Idea, Author's Purpose 5 text sets (TeachShare.com)

Engage your middle schoolers with a festive dive into informational text skills using the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as the backdrop. This comprehensive resource is designed to captivate students while reinforcing critical reading skills over two to three class periods.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and analyze the central idea in informational texts.
• Understand and evaluate the author's purpose.
• Recognize and interpret various text structures.
• Determine the meaning of academic words in context.

What's Included:

• Five high-interest informational texts centered on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• A four-question multiple-choice quiz for each text, complete with an answer key.
• A Google Slides presentation to introduce and review key informational text skills.

How It Works:

• Day 1: Kickstart the lesson with a Google Slides presentation to refresh students on each skill's definition. Then, dive into the first two texts with guided annotation and strategic multiple-choice question approaches.
• Day 2: Continue with the remaining texts and quizzes, followed by a comprehensive review of the answers, solidifying students' understanding.

Perfect for Busy Teachers:

• Print & Go: No prep needed! Simply print the materials or share them digitally for an interactive class experience.
• Highly Engaging Material: The vibrant history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade keeps students interested and learning.
• Holiday Themed: Bring the Thanksgiving spirit into your classroom with content that's both educational and festive.
• Rigorous & Multi-Skill Focused: Challenge students with texts that are rigorous and cover multiple ELA standards.

Usage Scenario: Ideal for ELA, special education, and interventionist teachers, this resource serves as an excellent review of priority standards. It's adaptable to various student abilities and can be used after teaching the skills explicitly, ensuring that all students can participate and learn effectively.

Highlights:

Holiday Material: Students will enjoy learning with content themed around a beloved national holiday event.

• Engagement & Rigor: Not only does this set engage students, but it also challenges them to apply multiple literacy skills in a cohesive manner.

Elevate your ELA curriculum with this ready-to-use Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade informational text set. It's the perfect blend of holiday cheer and academic rigor, designed to keep your students engaged and on track with their literacy skills!

Immerse your middle school students in the festive spirit of learning with this "Winter Holiday Text Sort" ELA resource. This unique, holiday-themed package offers a hands-on approach to mastering informational text structures, perfectly blending educational rigor with seasonal fun.

Product Highlights:

• Dynamic Learning Experience: Embrace kinesthetic learning as students color sort and match texts, reinforcing their understanding of six different text structures.
• Broad Range of Holiday Topics: From the magical lore of Santa Claus to the fascinating facts about snowflakes, this resource covers a variety of winter holiday topics, ensuring high engagement and cultural enrichment.
• Designed for Middle School Students: Tailored to captivate and challenge young adolescents, the activities encourage critical thinking, analysis, and application.
• Comprehensive Instructional Tool: Includes a Google Slides presentation for direct instruction or as a refresher, along with a graphic organizer for note-taking and guided learning.
• Versatile Usage: Perfect for group activities, individual practice, or as a part of your ELA stations. This resource adapts seamlessly to different classroom settings and teaching styles.

Benefits:

• Enhances Text Structure Comprehension: Students gain a clear understanding of various informational text structures, a crucial skill for ELA proficiency.
• Interactive and Engaging: Moves beyond traditional worksheets, offering a tactile and interactive learning experience.
• Facilitates Independent Learning: Students can self-check their work, fostering autonomy and confidence in their ELA skills.
• Holiday Themed: Adds a festive touch to your classroom, keeping students engaged and excited about learning during the holiday season.

Ideal For:

• Middle School ELA Teachers
• Literacy Coaches
• Homeschool Educators
• Tutors specializing in Reading and Writing

With the "Winter Holiday Text Sort," transform your classroom into a winter wonderland of learning. Engage your students’ minds and hands in an educational journey through the holidays. Watch as they unwrap the gift of knowledge, one text structure at a time!

Unveil the world of St. Nicholas through this captivating ELA resource, specifically crafted for middle school students. "Discovering St. Nicholas" offers a rich, multifaceted learning experience, designed to enhance key literacy skills while diving into the historical and cultural aspects of this beloved figure.

What’s Inside:

• Five Comprehensive Articles: Explore the intriguing story of St. Nicholas through five meticulously written articles, each employing a different text structure – descriptive, chronological, cause and effect, compare and contrast, and problem and solution.
• Interactive Comprehension Quizzes: After reading, students can test their understanding with comprehension quizzes. Questions are crafted to reinforce central/main ideas, author's purpose, inferences, summaries, and text-dependent analysis.
• 15-Slide Google Slides Presentation: Kickstart each lesson with our engaging presentation slides, designed to introduce or reinforce each focused skill. Perfect for classroom or remote learning, these slides are interactive and visually appealing.
• Skill Building Focus: This resource hones vital ELA skills such as understanding text structures, pinpointing author’s purpose, making inferences, summarizing text, and answering text-dependent questions.
• Annotation and Interactive Reading: Encourage students to engage actively with the text through annotation, fostering a deeper understanding and critical thinking.

Benefits:

• Boost Literacy Skills: Strengthen reading comprehension, analysis, and critical thinking abilities.
• Cultural Insight: Dive into the historical and cultural significance of St. Nicholas, enriching students' global understanding.
• Engage and Inspire: The intriguing content about St. Nicholas keeps students interested and motivated to learn.
• Versatile Teaching Tool: Ideal for in-depth study units, literacy centers, independent work, or as supplementary material for your ELA curriculum.
• Ready-to-Use: Save valuable prep time with this ready-to-go, comprehensive package.

Ideal For:

• Middle School ELA Teachers
• Reading Specialists
• Homeschooling Parents
• Tutors focusing on Literacy and Comprehension

Transform your ELA sessions into an exciting exploration of St. Nicholas and his world. "Discovering St. Nicholas" is not just an educational journey; it's a gateway to mastering essential literacy skills while uncovering the layers of a fascinating historical figure. Add this invaluable resource to your teaching toolkit today and watch as your students' comprehension and analytical skills soar!

For higher level students, try this resource: Unraveling Krampus: Text Structures and Critical Analysis Print and Go! (TeachShare.com)

Dive into the festive spirit and broaden your students' horizons with this unique ELA resource, "Holiday Characters from Around the World." Perfect for middle school educators, this comprehensive package offers an engaging journey into the diverse and rich traditions of holiday celebrations across the globe.

Key Features:

• In-Depth Articles: Discover well-researched, student-friendly articles on nine iconic holiday characters, including Santa Claus, La Befana, Krampus, and more. Each article delves into the origins, traditions, and modern-day significance of these beloved figures.
• Culturally Rich Content: Enhance cultural awareness in your classroom. This resource serves as an excellent tool for exploring global customs, fostering an appreciation for cultural diversity during the holiday season.
• Interactive Learning: Engage students with thought-provoking questions and activities. From creative writing prompts to comparative analysis, these materials are designed to stimulate critical thinking and discussion.
• Versatile Usage: Ideal for reading comprehension, cultural studies, or as a basis for projects and presentations, this resource adapts to various teaching styles and curriculum needs.
• Teacher-Friendly Format: Easy-to-use PDF format, perfect for both in-person and remote learning environments. Print-ready for classroom handouts or viewable on digital platforms. Google slides are ready to assign and go!

How to Use This Resource:

Day 1 Read articles 1 and 2 and use the thought catcher to take notes about the character
Day 2 Read articles 3 and 4 and use the thought catcher to take notes about the character
Day 3 Read articles 5 and 6 and use the thought catcher to take notes about the character
Day 4 Read articles 7, 8, and 9 and use the thought catcher to take notes about the character
Day 5 Complete the reading quiz. Students should choose a character to create their project on 
Day 6 Students begin researching the country of origin for their Slides presentation
Day 7 Students begin section 2 (Character analysis) of the slides presentation
Day 8 Students begin planning their own Holiday character in Section 3
Day 9 Students continue planning their own Holiday character in Section 3
Day 10Presentation day! Have students present their own holiday character to the class. Alternatively, have them bring in a food from the country of their cultural holiday character!

Benefits:

• Enhance Global Awareness: Help students understand and appreciate winter traditions from different cultures.
• Develop Critical Thinking: Encourage analysis and reflection on how holidays are celebrated worldwide.
• Boost Engagement: With colorful and captivating content, keep your students intrigued and eager to learn more.
• Cross-Curricular Integration: Seamlessly integrate these materials into ELA, social studies, and art lessons.

Who Is It For?

• Middle School Teachers
• ELA Educators
• Homeschooling Parents
• Cultural Studies Instructors

Embark on a festive educational journey with "Holiday Characters from Around the World." Bring the magic of global holiday traditions into your classroom today and watch as your students' understanding and curiosity grow!

Did you know the theme for Black History Month 2024 focuses on African Americans and the Arts? Do you only have 20 minutes per day to incorporate Black History Month?

Switch up your classroom's exploration of African American history through art with our comprehensive digital resource, which includes 45 interactive Google Slides. This engaging and educational tool is designed to offer an in-depth look into the lives and works of 15 influential African American artists, perfect for daily learning activities in February or any time of the year perfect for daily warm-ups or part of a larger Black History Month unit.

Key Features:

• 15 Detailed Informational Texts: Each of the 15 African American artists across generations featured in this resource comes to life through meticulously crafted informational texts. These texts provide a rich narrative of each artist's journey, achievements, and impact on society.
• Engaging Short Videos: Accompanying each informational text is a carefully selected video, under five minutes in length, providing a visual and auditory learning experience. These videos are designed to complement the texts, offering a well-rounded understanding of each artist's contributions.
• Interactive Open-Ended Response Prompts: Following each informational text and video, students are encouraged to reflect and respond with open-ended questions. These prompts are designed to stimulate critical thinking, personal connection, and deeper comprehension of the material.
• 45 Easy-to-Navigate Slides: With a total of 45 slides, this digital resource provides a comprehensive yet accessible educational experience. Each artist is given a dedicated set of slides, ensuring an organized and focused learning journey.
• Digital Convenience and Accessibility: Hosted on Google Slides, this resource is easily accessible for both in-person and remote learning environments. It offers the convenience of digital use, allowing for interactive and engaging classroom or homework assignments.

Benefits:

• Cultivates an Appreciation for Diversity in Art: Students will gain a deeper understanding and respect for the diverse contributions of African American artists throughout history.
• Enhances Multimedia Learning: The combination of texts, videos, and writing prompts caters to different learning styles, ensuring a more engaging and effective educational experience.
• Promotes Critical Thinking and Expression: The open-ended response prompts encourage students to think critically and express their thoughts and interpretations, enhancing their analytical and communication skills.
• Ready-to-Use and Time-Saving for Educators: This all-in-one resource requires no additional prep, making it a valuable tool for educators looking for comprehensive, ready-to-use teaching materials.

Ideal for Teachers Who:

• Seek to provide a multimedia learning experience in their exploration of African American history and art.
• Require ready-to-go, comprehensive resources for Black History Month or cultural studies.
• Value the integration of videos and interactive elements in classroom instruction.
• Want to incorporate BHM briefly throughout February.

Transform your teaching approach with this enriching digital resource on African American artists. Inspire your students with the powerful stories, artistic expressions, and cultural impacts of these remarkable individuals. Add this multifaceted educational tool to your collection today and bring history to life in your classroom!

"New Year's Insights: Informational Text Structure Set" is a comprehensive educational resource expertly crafted for middle school ELA teachers. This engaging and cross-curricular package is designed to enhance students' understanding of various text structures, aligning perfectly with STAAR and other standardized testing requirements.

Product Description:

• Rich Content Spanning Five Articles: Dive into five captivating articles, each centered around the iconic Times Square New Year's celebrations. These articles are not only informative but also diverse in their presentation, covering a range of topics from the history and evolution of the celebrations to their environmental impact.
• Diverse Text Structures: Each article in this set is a model of a different text structure – Description, Chronological, Problem and Solution, Compare and Contrast, and Cause and Effect. This variety provides a dynamic learning experience, helping students recognize and understand these essential components of informational texts.
• Aligned with Standardized Testing: Accompanying each article is a set of carefully crafted multiple-choice questions focusing on the central idea, vocabulary, author's purpose, and text structure. These questions are specifically aligned with STAAR and other standardized tests, making this resource an invaluable tool for test preparation.
• Cross-Curricular Learning Experience: While rooted in ELA, this resource offers a cross-curricular approach, touching on aspects of history, culture, science, and environmental studies, thus enriching the overall educational experience.
• Introduction to Text Structures: Included is an introductory Google Slides presentation that either refreshes or introduces students to the concept of text structures. This presentation is designed to be interactive and student-friendly, making it an excellent starting point for the lesson.
• Graphic Organizer for Effective Learning: To aid in comprehension and retention, a graphic organizer is provided for students to take notes during the presentation. This organizer serves as a valuable reference tool during work time, helping students organize their thoughts and analysis.
• Comprehensive Answer Keys: For each article's question set, a detailed answer key is provided, simplifying grading and allowing for in-depth class discussions on each topic.

"New Year's Insights: Informational Text Structure Set" is a must-have for any middle school ELA classroom. It not only bolsters students' reading and comprehension skills but also encourages critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the world around them. This resource is perfect for teachers looking to add depth and variety to their instruction while aligning with educational standards.

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

Bring the vibrant essence of spring into your middle school classroom with our "Spring Text Structure Color Sort" ELA resource. This fun, season-themed toolkit offers a dynamic way for students to engage with informational text structures, marrying educational depth with the rejuvenating spirit of spring.

Product Highlights:

• Dynamic Learning Adventure: Propel kinesthetic and visual learning as students engage in color sorting and matching activities, solidifying their grasp on six distinct text structures.
• Diverse Spring Topics: Covering everything from the rejuvenation of plant life to Easter traditions and St. Patrick's Day lore, this package guarantees engagement and broadens cultural and seasonal awareness.
• Custom-Designed for Middle School: Crafted to captivate and intellectually stimulate young learners, these activities promote critical thinking, analytical skills, and practical application.
• All-Inclusive Educational Resource: Comes equipped with a Google Slides presentation for straightforward instruction or a quick review, alongside a graphic organizer for note-taking and facilitated learning.
• Flexible Application: Ideal for cooperative group tasks, solo practice, or inclusion in your ELA centers, adapting effortlessly to varied educational environments and teaching methodologies.

Benefits:

• Boosts Text Structure Mastery: Elevates students' understanding of different informational text structures, essential for achieving ELA competence.
• Interactive & Captivating: Transcends conventional teaching aids by providing a tactile, engaging learning experience.
• Promotes Autonomous Learning: With self-assessment opportunities, it encourages student independence and self-assurance in ELA abilities.
• Spring-Themed Learning: Infuses your teaching space with the lively, hopeful essence of spring, maintaining student interest and enthusiasm for learning.

Ideal For:

• Middle School ELA Educators
• Literacy Specialists
• Homeschooling Parents
• Reading and Writing Tutors

With the "Spring Text Structure Color Sort," transform your educational environment into a blossoming garden of knowledge. Embark on a refreshing educational journey with your students, exploring the wonders of spring while unraveling the intricacies of text structures, one colorful sort at a time!

Teaching Science/Weather through Close Reading and Fine Arts using GLAD strategies. Prep free! Grade 1-5.

Materials include lesson plans, activity pages, and posters with both student version and teacher’s version (with teaching scripts).

Major components of the product:

- Student Package:

- 1 Info Organizer

- 4 Reading Passages

- 4 Text Dependent Questions Sets ( Each with 4 questions)

- 1 Vocabulary Sheet

-Teacher Package:

- 1 Info Organizer with answers

- 4 Reading Passages with Close Reading marks

- 4 Text Dependent Questions Sets with answers

- 1 Vocabulary Sheet with answers

- 1 Black and White Drawing without labels

- 1 Black and White Drawing with labels

- 1 Color Drawing without labels

- 1 Color Drawing with labels (Great for open house student project)

- 1 Vocab Poster with Post-it notes

- Lesson Plan embedded in 2 teaching scripts: 1 for Reading Passage and 1 for Text Dependent Questions.

This product is included in Close Reading Bundle: Science + Holidays.

Save $$$s when you buy in bundles!

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Click a link below to see my other Close Reading Lessons:

Close Reading Bundle: Science + Holidays from Gail Gibbons

Plant:

Close Reading: Plant Unit

Close Reading: Apples

Close Reading: Corn

Close Reading: From Seed to Plant

Close Reading: Tell Me, Tree

Close Reading: The Fruits We Eat

Close Reading: The Pumpkin Book

Close Reading: The Vegetables We Eat

Animals:

Close Reading: Animal Unit

Amphibian:

Close Reading: Frogs

Arachnid:

Close Reading: Spiders

Bird:

Close Reading: Owls

Close Reading: Penguins!

Fish:

Close Reading: Sharks

Insect:

Close Reading: Monarch Butterfly

Close Reading: The Honey Makers

Close Reading: Ladybugs

Mammal:

Close Reading: Bats

Close Reading: Elephants of Africa

Close Reading: Polar Bears

Close Reading: Wolves

Close Reading: Whales

Reptile:

Close Reading: Alligators and Crocodiles

Close Reading: Dinosaurs!

Close Reading: Sea Turtles

Close Reading: Snakes

Environment:

Close Reading: Environment Unit

Close Reading: Caves and Caverns

Close Reading: Coral Reefs

Close Reading: Deserts

Close Reading: Marshes & Swamps

Close Reading: Rain Forests

Close Reading: Recycle!

Weather:

Close Reading: Weather Unit

Close Reading: It's Hurricanes!

Close Reading: It's Raining!

Close Reading: It's Snowing!

Close Reading: Tornadoes!

Season:

Close Reading: The Reasons for Seasons

Astronomy:

Close Reading: Astronomy Unit

Close Reading: GALAXIES, GALAXIES!

Close Reading: Planet Earth/Inside Out

Close Reading: The Moon Book

Close Reading: THE PLANETS

Matter:

Close Reading: States of Matter

Social Studies/Holidays:

Close Reading: Holiday Unit

Close Reading: Christmas Is ...

Close Reading: Easter

Close Reading: Halloween Is ... by Gail Gibbons

Close Reading: St. Patrick's Day by Gail Gibbons

Close Reading: Thanksgiving Is ... by Gail Gibbons

Close Reading: Valentine's Day Is ... by Gail Gibbons

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Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy this lesson.

• Check out my store https://www.TeachShare.com/store/Qiang-Ma for more lessons to help your students have fun while learning!

• Comments, suggestions, feedback and questions always welcomed!

• Each time you give feedback, TeachShare gives you feedback credits that you use to lower the cost of your future purchases. I value your feedback greatly!

• Be sure to click on the green ★ to follow me for updates and new product announcements!

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This comprehensive resource will have students critically examine the Vietnam War. The provided slide presentation is full of primary based sources, problem-posing discussion questions, POV simulations, & informative video clips that are designed to engage the students in the learning process. Three supplementary activities are included;

Materials:

• Slide Presentation (67 Slides) & Guided Notes Packet (Answer Key Included)
• Vietnamese Independence Debate Activity
• Scavenger Hunt POV Activity
• Secondary Source

Extension Activity #1: Vietnamese Independence Debate

• Each student will be assigned one of two POINTS OF VIEW (POV);
  1. French business leaders 2) Vietnamese communists.
• Central to the debate are the following questions; Why should the U.S. care what happens in Vietnam, along with what happens in France? Whether the U.S. should feel threatened by communism in Vietnam? What do they want President Truman to do about the Vietnamese Declaration of Independence— support it, ignore it, oppose it? Whether the U.S. government should support the French?

Extension Activity #2: Song Analysis

• Students will compare two defining songs of the Vietnam era; The Ballads of the Green Berets, & the War Song.

Extension Activity #3: What is a Whistleblower?

• Students will analyze four individuals; all of whom revealed information about activity within a private or public organization that was deemed illegal, immoral, illicit, unsafe or fraudulent.
• Students can delve further by referring to the Whistleblower Timeline,  and choosing a whistleblower to research (1700’s to contemporary times). Students will prepare a 3 to 5 minute class presentation. 

If you liked this lesson see other related ‘Cold War’ lessons here:

• Hot War Turns into the Cold War
• Cold War Unit Review & Assessment
• The Cuban Missile Crisis Declassified
• The Korean War: A Critical Reading Activity

This resource is designed to have students critically explore the period of Reconstruction. Two highly engaging, interactive Slide Presentations will vicariously draw students into the lives of the Freedmen during this historical period of time.

LESSON ONE: Reconstruction Era [Intro]

Includes:

• 45 Slide Presentation & Guided Notes Handout
• POV Freedmen Scenario Activity

LESSON ONE will have students examine;

• the different ways in which newly freed slaves expressed their emancipation
• the POV of a Freedmen (POV Activity). Students will respond and debate four questions central to this time period from a Freedman's perspective;

1. Now that the Civil War is over, who should own and control the plantations?
2. What do you propose should happen to the ex-Confederate leaders?
3. Who should be allowed to vote in the new South? Everyone? Only formerly enslaved people? Only those who were loyal to the United States during the war? Women?
4. How will African Americans be protected from the revenge of the defeated soldiers and from the plantation owners?
5. What conditions should be put on the Southern states before they are allowed to return to the Union?

LESSON TWO: The Pursuit to Vote

Includes:

• 48 Slide Presentation & Guided Notes Handout
• Black Codes Scenarios Matching Game
• Louisiana State Literacy Test

LESSON TWO will have students examine;

• Black Codes (Matching Game included)
• Three Reconstruction Plans
• the POV of a Freedmen in regards to the different obstacles they faced in their pursuit to vote (Inequality of land, the Grandfather Clause, Literacy Test, Poll Tax, Intimidation & Violence)

*Class discussion, simulations, and critical thinking is promoted throughout the entire resource.

*All THREE lessons (Era of Reconstruction, the Ku Klux Klan, & Jim Crow) is available in the BUNDLE for a discounted %.

This resource will have students critically explore the period of the Jim Crow era, with a focus on the segregation of schools. This highly engaging, interactive, primary based Slide Presentation will have students analyze and understand the implications of the Jim Crow laws, along with the monumental Supreme Court decisions of 'Plessy v. Ferguson', and 'Brown V. Board of Education'.

The teacher will have a choice of three supplementary activities; 

• The 1st Optional Activity will have students analyze four political cartoons. Students will identify whether the author was FOR or AGAINST the Jim Crow Laws, & describe supportive details from the cartoon on their POLITICAL CARTOON HANDOUT.

• The 2nd Optional Activity will have students critically read a primary source article titled ‘A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS’, and respond to text dependent questions in their **‘**TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS QUESTIONS HANDOUT. The teacher can do a read-aloud, OR students can read independently. Class discussion is encouraged.

• The 3rd Optional Activity will have students analyze a film titled ‘FREEDOM SONG’. Students will apply their knowledge from their guided notes, and respond to open-ended questions in their FREEDOM SONG HANDOUT.

Materials Include:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• 38 Slide Slide Presentation & Guided Notes Handout (Answer Key Included)
• A Tale of Two Schools' Supplementary Reading Comprehension Activity
• 'Freedom Song' Movie Handout

*All THREE lessons (Era of Reconstruction, the Ku Klux Klan, & Jim Crow) is available in the BUNDLE for a discounted %.

Save money by purchasing this STEM bundle for your students. Do one STEM activity a week and have students asking for more! Read what one happy teacher wrote, "Hands down one of the best activities I have purchased on TeachShare! My students loved this!"

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Save money and have lots of fun with your middle schoolers in February! Do this all

while learning or reviewing important science concepts!

Related Resources

⭐ Famous People in the Area of STEM Posters for Middle School BUNDLE

⭐ Middle School NGSS: Earth Science BUNDLE

⭐ Middle School NGSS: Earth and Human Activity BUNDLE

⭐ Middle School NGSS: Earth's Place in the Universe BUNDLE

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Customer Tips:

How to get TeachShare credit to use towards future purchases:

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Biomes in pdf form has now been made for use in the Google Classroom™. You can share this resource with your students through Google Classroom™ or Google Drive™. Students can then type directly on this document and share it back with you.

This resource contains six non-fiction texts about biomes of the United States. The passages were written with third graders in mind, but the information is very interesting and would be useful for upper grades as well. Some passages are shorter than others and have less complex language so that you can easily differentiate for students.

There is a tips sheet for teachers and a recording sheet for students on which they can note where the biome is found, the average annual precipitation, the average temperature, and plants and animals of the biome. Students respond to a question asking if they would like to live and that biome and tell why or why not.

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Related Resources

⭐ Animal Adaptations Non-Fiction Texts and Activities for Use with Google Slides™
⭐ Distance Learning: Science at Home Creating a Field Notebook
⭐ Distance Learning: Visit the San Diego Zoo

⭐ Animal Intelligence Non-Fiction Texts and Activities for Use with Google Slides™

⭐ Insects: Build a Bug STEM Challenge for Use with Google Slides™

⭐ Creating a Musical Instrument STEM Challenge for Use with Google Slides™

⭐ Natural Disasters Non-Fiction Texts and Activities for Use with Google Slides™

⭐ Plant Adaptations Non-Fiction Texts and Activities for Use with Google Slides™

⭐ Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Texts and More for Use with Google Slides™

⭐ Spider Webs Reading and Create a Web STEM Challenge for Use with Google Slides™

⭐ Distance Learning: Science at Home Virtual Museums and Activities

Customer Tips: How to get TeachShare credit to use towards future purchases: *Please go to your My Purchases page (you need to login). Next to each purchase, you’ll see a Provide Feedback button. Click that and you will be taken to a page where you can give a rating and leave a short comment about the product. Each time you give feedback, TeachShare gives you credit that you can use towards your future purchases.