$5 - $10 Middle School Close Reading Activities (by price, low to high)

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

What's Included:

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

Perfect For:

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

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

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

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

Ready to teach literary elements and concepts combined with historical fiction and social skills? This zip packet contains: Preview file with cover image 3 Readers theater-like scripts of 3-4 pages each 1 Readers' Script Getting Started Packet Readers' Script Critical Thinking handouts: Readers' Script Information Guideline for implementing activities Subject Theme Plot line Mood Tone Character analysis Text evidence Symbolism Genres 6 Project based assignments 2 Fact based, real life connection assignments Fabulous Vocabulary Handout with graphic organizer Differentiated vocabulary list 3 Readers' Scripts Stories: Readers’ Script Overview Script 1 Title: The Great Steamboat Race Genre: Historical Fiction Four Characters: Tom, Abby, Mr. Millborn, Mrs. Millborn Setting: Banks of Mississippi River No. of Acts: 1 (3 pages) Script Overview: Tom and Abby can’t wait for the Mississippi River steamboat race! Both are surprised when Tom’s former classmate is spotted working aboard one of the ships. However, Mr. and Mrs. Millborn are shocked to learn their son’s classmate dropped out of school to work on a river boat. Can two parents persuade their son to continue his education, or will an exciting life on the Mississippi River persuade him to join his classmate? Script 2 Title: The Frozen Fiancés Genre: Historical Fiction Four Characters: Narrator, Richard, Lydia, and Captain Setting: Ship’s Deck, December 22, 1850, Rockland Harbor, Maine No. of Acts: 3 (3 pages) Script Overview: Richard and Lydia are aboard a schooner on their way to Owl’s Head Lighthouse to be married when a winter storm delays them. Can the captain safely guide the ship across the harbor, or will their lives end in Rockland Harbor? This historical fiction script is based upon a true story that resulted in Owl’s Head Lighthouse being named the most famous haunted place in America. Script 3 Title: Terror Aboard the Titanic Genre: Historical Fiction Three Characters: Jane, John, Edward Setting: 1915 local newspaper office No. of Acts: 1 (4 pages) Script Overview: Jane and John, twin sister and brother, survived a horrifying night aboard the unsinkable Titanic. Now, the twins relive the story when Edward, a local reporter, interviews them for a fantastic scoop. But, is the journalist more interested in Jane or the Titanic tale? Historical facts about the Titanic and its fateful voyage make this historical fiction script an interesting read. These 3-4 page scripts are perfect for at-risk, ESL/ELL, homeschool, flipped classrooms, and even for AP. Great for classes with short time frames and students with short attention spans! Use for close readings and critical analysis. Perfect for standardized test prep for analyzing text and meaning. Social topics and historical fiction combined for quick lessons that reinforce reading and writing skills. Great for small group settings and literacy centers.

Edition 1 contains 25 readings ranging from easy to difficult-

Includes reading comprehension questions, unique topics and counting of words per minute.

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This engaging Halloween escape room activity combines the thrill of gamified learning with important close reading skills. Students start by reading an informative passage, which they will refer back to while completing four unique challenges. Each challenge emphasizes a different close reading skill:

• Vocabulary Matching
• True/False Statements
• Multiple Choice Questions
• Paragraph Identification

As students complete each task, they collect a one-digit number. Once they have all four digits, they solve the final puzzle to complete the escape room!

Designed to keep students excited and focused, this activity encourages critical thinking and close reading practice in a fun, interactive way. This versatile resource is perfect for independent work, group activities, or engaging early finishers, helping reinforce reading comprehension and critical thinking while embracing the spooky holiday theme.

Key Features:

• Gamified tasks to maintain engagement
• Emphasis on core close reading skills
• Great for collaborative or independent learning
• Fun, Halloween-themed to excite students

From Figurative Language to textual analysis, this 4-set, 100+-item TASK CARDS resource allows students to break apart Jewett's "A WHITE HERON." This resource has black/white and colored versions; numbered and unnumbered versions. Students get to delve deeply into the literature. Their readings will come to life and their comprehension will soar. These 54-question items will make your English Language Arts class the place to be!

A Grab-n-Go resource in 4 different variations that you can even tailor to your students with BLANK CARDS!

*These TASK CARDS are great for differentiation, absent student assignment, bell ringer, or class enders* [See Suggested Uses]

This resource includes:

1. 54-numbered, black&white question TASK CARDS

2. 54-numbered, black&white question TASK CARDS

3. 54-unnumbered, colored question TASK CARDS

4. 54-unnumbered, black&white question TASK CARDS

5. 14-item Suggested Uses page

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THE MEDICINE BAG [TEXT]

MIDDLE SCHOOL READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS [TASK CARDS AND WORKSHEETS]

OTHELLO [UNIT DOCUMENTS & ARTICLES]

OTHELLO [UNIT QUIZZES]

MACBETH [ESSAY EXAM]

PLEASE CONSIDER FINDING ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

INSTAGRAM

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

EMAIL LIST

TIKTOK

Hey ANGRY TEACHER FAM,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 20+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

Please consider checking out the other EDUCATIONAL materials and resources in my store.

Also, guys, remember that leaving REVIEWS is a way that TeachShare gives you credit on products! So let's do it!

Thanks for stopping by!

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!

The graphic novel, Frizzy - The Graphic Novel by Claribel A Ortega is great for children ages 9 - 15 years old, as they can relate with the main character, Marlene as she figures out who she is, what she likes, and who she wants to be. This is a book about friendship, developing interests, finding oneself, starting something new, being a good friend, being different from others and embracing those differences, standing up for oneself, and doing what is best for you. Comprehension questions, fill in the blank questions, and multiple choice questions are provided in this product and are separated by the books chapters.

The comprehension questions in this product relate with the text as well as students own experiences. Vocabulary words, their meanings, and a few example sentences are presented in the packet. 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. An answer key is provided for the comprehension questions.

If you like this product you may like these:

True Friend File Folder Activity:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/True-Friend-File-Folder-Activity-11022377

Friendship Role Playing Scenarios:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Friendship-Role-Playing-Scenario-Task-Cards-10869511

The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes - Every Cloud has a Silver Lining Comprehension Questions

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/The-Amazing-Days-of-Abby-Hayes-Every-Cloud-has-a-Silver-Lining-Questions-9539163

Allergic Graphic Novel Comprehension Questions:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Allergic-Graphic-Novel-Comprehension-Questions-10488464

Twins - Graphic Novel Comprehension Questions

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Twins-Graphic-Novel-Comprehension-Questions-11248161

Amelia Bedelia Comprehension Questions

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Good-Work-Amelia-Bedelia-Comprehension-Questions-11373711

Squished Graphic Novel Comprehension Questions:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Squished-Graphic-Novel-Comprehension-Questions-11165267

Besties Work it Out - By Kayla Miller - Graphic Novel Comprehension Questions:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Besties-Work-it-Out-Graphic-Novel-Comprehension-Questions-8548843

Camp - By Kayla Miller - Graphic Novel Comprehension Questions:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Camp-By-Kayla-Miller-Comprehension-Questions-8309835

Clash – By Kayla Miller – Graphic Novel Comprehension Questions:

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Act - By Kayla Miller - Graphic Novel Comprehension Questions:

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Real Friends Graphic Novel Comprehension Questions

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

Introduce your students to the thrilling no prep Soils, Rocks and Landforms Scavenger Hunt! This engaging and interactive activity puts students in the shoes of a geologist mining in a city in Arkansas that is rumored to be full of rare gems that would make the finder rich!

Each student, or group of students, will receive 10 reading task cards related to soil, weathering (chemical and physical), erosion, deposition, fossils, types of landforms and how they are created. The task is not only to read the cards but to solve 10 questions—the catch is that the answer to each question is found on a different card, encouraging students to read all the information thoroughly.

How It Works:

• Students will need to determine the code word for each card by answering the fill-in-the-blank questions.
• Once all the code words have been found, students must unscramble the letters from each code word to discover the final mystery word.
• In addition, they will collect clues to uncover a 4-digit code, which will help them successfully complete their journey.

Failing to unscramble the mystery word or crack the 4-digit code will result in the having failed to find any precious gems. However, completing the mission means students will become a legendary gem hunter and have mined enough gems to become rich!

What Makes This Activity Perfect for Your Classroom:

• Engaging and Educational: Your students will be excited to play the role of a geologist solving the clues to find the hidden gems within the dig site.
• Critical Thinking Skills: By having to cross-reference information from multiple task cards, students practice comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
• No-Prep Needed: Simply print the task cards and hand them out to your students! It’s ready to go with minimal prep.
• Flexible Usage: This scavenger hunt can be used independently, as a group activity, or even as a fast-finisher task. It works perfectly as a history lesson, or as a fun, educational activity!

Ideal for Different Learning Styles

Whether done individually or in groups, this scavenger hunt provides the perfect opportunity for students to collaborate and share ideas as they solve the puzzles. If students are working independently, it gives them a chance to practice self-paced learning while still engaging with the science background on soils, rocks and landforms.

Perfect for History Lessons or Fun Themed Activities This activity fits seamlessly into your classroom’s history curriculum. It’s a perfect way to introduce and reinforce learning about soil, weathering (chemical and physical), erosion, deposition, fossils, types of landforms and how they are created.

This Soils, Rocks and Landforms Scavenger Hunt is not only a fun, no-prep classroom activity, but it also ensures that students gain a deeper understanding of science while developing important reading and comprehension skills. Bring the excitement of the search for the rare gems into your classroom with this adventure-packed scavenger hunt.

From Figurative Language to textual analysis, this 4-set, 224-item TASK CARDS resource allows students to break apart Mikaelsen's Touching Spirit Bear . This resource has black/white and colored versions; numbered and unnumbered versions. Students get to delve deeply into the literature. Their readings will come to life and their comprehension will soar. These 56-question items will make your English Language Arts class the place to be!

A Grab-n-Go resource in 4 different variations that you can even tailor to your students with BLANK CARDS!

*These TASK CARDS are great for differentiation, absent student assignment, bell ringer, or class enders* [See Suggested Uses]

This Product Includes:

1. 56-numbered, black&white question TASK CARDS

2. 56-numbered, black&white question TASK CARDS

3. 56-unnumbered, colored question TASK CARDS

4. 56-unnumbered, black&white question TASK CARDS

5. 14-item Suggested Uses page

You may also appreciate:

THE MEDICINE BAG [TEXT]

MIDDLE SCHOOL READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS [TASK CARDS AND WORKSHEETS]

OTHELLO [UNIT DOCUMENTS & ARTICLES]

OTHELLO [UNIT QUIZZES]

MACBETH [ESSAY EXAM]

PLEASE CONSIDER FINDING ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

INSTAGRAM

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

EMAIL LIST

TIKTOK

Hey ANGRY TEACHER FAM,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 20+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

Please consider checking out the other EDUCATIONAL materials and resources in my store.

Also, guys, remember that leaving REVIEWS is a way that TeachShare gives you credit on products! So let's do it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Looking for a versatile resource that works with any fiction novel? This Lit Circle Packet is perfect for Upper Elementary and middle school students, offering a wide range of engaging activities designed to encourage deep analysis, creativity, and critical thinking, regardless of the novel being studied. Whether you're working on a class novel, independent reading, or small group book clubs, this resource provides a comprehensive approach to exploring literature.

What’s Included: This packet includes 20 flexible and meaningful activities that can be applied to any fiction text. From character analysis to creative writing, each activity is designed to help students engage with and understand the story on a deeper level.

Activities:

1. Summary – Students summarize key events of each chapter to track the story’s development.
2. List the Characters – Identify characters and describe their roles or actions in the chapter.
3. I Predict... – Students make predictions based on text evidence, promoting critical thinking.
4. Significant Quote – Choose a key quote and explain its importance to the story’s themes or characters.
5. Illustrate an Important Scene – Draw and explain a pivotal moment from the chapter.
6. Vocabulary – Define new words, use them in context, and draw pictures to reinforce meaning.
7. Character Adjectives – Describe the protagonist with three adjectives and support one with text evidence.
8. Musical Playlist for the Main Character – Create a playlist that represents the character's journey or emotions.
9. Character Identity – Explore six key elements of the character’s identity and support with text from the novel.
10. Window and Mirror – Compare and contrast yourself with the main character, identifying similarities and differences.
11. Conflict Analysis – Identify and explain three types of conflict (e.g., character vs. character, self, society, etc.).
12. Text Conversation – Write a text message conversation between yourself and a character to help them solve their conflict.
13. Setting Analysis – Explore how different settings impact the characters and the story’s events.
14. Imagery of Setting – Use sensory details to describe a setting and analyze the mood it creates.
15. Theme Statements – Write three universal theme statements that apply to the novel’s message or lesson.
16. Rewrite the Ending – Get creative by rewriting the final chapter or scene using the author’s tone and style.
17. Comic Strip – Draw a comic strip of four key moments from the story, showing the progression of the plot.
18. Breaking News – Write a newspaper article about a major event in the story, reporting it as breaking news.
19. Expository Essay – Write an essay explaining how the protagonist changes throughout the novel, supported by evidence.
20. Argumentative Essay – Argue whether the protagonist’s critical decision was justified, using textual evidence to support your claim.

Why You’ll Love This Resource:

• Flexible for Any Novel: These activities can be applied to any fiction text, making this packet a versatile tool for any reading assignment, novel study, or literature circle.
• Engaging and Interactive: Activities encourage students to think critically, make connections, and engage creatively with the story.
• Multiple Skills: Students will practice a variety of skills, including summarization, analysis, prediction, creative expression, and essay writing.
• Ready-to-Use: Simply print and go! Perfect for class novels, independent reading, or book clubs.

Use this Lit Circle Packet to foster a deeper understanding of any novel while encouraging meaningful discussion and creative expression in your classroom!

Looking for an exciting way to teach your students about soils and weathering? This New York State Escape Room is the perfect blend of social studies content, close reading, and gamified learning! In this activity, students will explore the geography of New York State including cities, landmarks, and state/country/body of water borders through an engaging close reading article and four unique challenges.

Overview of the Activity: Students begin by reading a two-page informational passage about New York state geography, borders, cities, important landmarks within the state, etc.. The article includes essential vocabulary like state, city, lake, country, border, river and mountain, providing a solid foundation for students before they tackle the four interactive challenges.

Each challenge targets a different skill:

• Challenge 1: Matching vocabulary terms to their definitions (reinforcing social studies concepts).
• Challenge 2: True/false questions based on key facts from the reading (to build comprehension).
• Challenge 3: Multiple-choice questions (testing understanding of key concepts).
• Challenge 4: Identifying the paragraph where certain information is found (developing close reading skills).

For each correct answer, students receive a clue—a one-digit number. After completing all four challenges, students use their numbers to solve a final puzzle and “escape” the room.

**Why Use Close Reading?:**Close reading is an instructional approach that encourages students to carefully analyze and interpret a text. In this escape room, students must return to the passage multiple times to find the answers to the questions, helping them:

• Improve their reading comprehension.
• Strengthen critical thinking skills.
• Become more independent readers who can tackle complex information.

Benefits of Gamified Learning: Using an escape room format transforms a traditional lesson into an adventure! Students love the thrill of solving puzzles, working together, and completing challenges, which boosts their engagement and motivation. Here’s why gamified learning is a hit in the classroom:

• Increases engagement: Students are naturally motivated by challenges and competition, making learning more interactive and exciting.
• Enhances problem-solving skills: Escape rooms require students to use logic and critical thinking to solve clues and progress through tasks.
• Encourages teamwork: As students collaborate, they practice communication and teamwork, skills essential for success in group settings.

**Perfect for Social Studies and Literacy Integration:**This escape room seamlessly integrates social studies content with reading comprehension, making it a powerful resource for interdisciplinary learning. While students strengthen their understanding of New York State geography, they’re also developing literacy skills by interpreting information, analyzing key details, and practicing vocabulary.

Whether you’re teaching about New York states borders, geography within the state itself, or just looking for a fun, engaging way to challenge your students, this New York State Escape Room is sure to captivate their attention while reinforcing key learning objectives.

From Figurative Language to textual analysis, this 4-set, 100+-item TASK CARDS product allows students to break apart Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." This product has black/white and colored versions; numbered and unnumbered versions. Students get to delve deeply into the literature. Their readings will come to life and their comprehension will soar. These 36 question items will make your English Language Arts class the place to be!

This Product Includes:

1. 36-numbered, colored question TASK CARDS

2. 36-numbered, black&white question TASK CARDS

3. 36-unnumbered, colored question TASK CARDS

4. 36-unnumbered, black&white question TASK CARDS

5. 14-item Suggested Uses page

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AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

A WORN PATH [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

INITIATION [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

SPACE [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

Hey guys,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 18+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

FIND ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

EMAIL LIST

INSTAGRAM

Youtube

Facebook

Pinterest

TeeSpring

TIKTOK

Hey guys,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 18+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

Please consider checking out the other short story materials and resources in my store.

Also, guys, remember that leaving REVIEWS is a way that TeachShare gives you credit on products! So let's do it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Product Label Comprehension is tailor-made for teachers seeking to provide real-world text practice using environmental print with text-dependent questions.

This resource is designed to expose students to everyday product labels that are often overlooked in classroom life skills. These specially crafted worksheets will help introduce and familiarize students with different kinds of common products, such as toilet paper, shampoo, and bandages and identify important product information during shopping.

By closely reading these product labels, students will be challenged to answer text-dependent questions, fostering critical thinking and language skills in a practical and relatable manner.

This resource is also available as part of a bundle with a 20% savings:

Product Label Comprehension BUNDLE

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

• 12 common product labels/ packaging
• 25 worksheets per set with 138 questions
• 50 different worksheets
• 2 levels
• Color set
• Black & white set
• Teacher answer key
• Follow up ideas

Level 1: Cut & Paste - Simpler Questions

• 12 worksheets per set
• 60 questions (5 questions per page)
• Teacher answer key

Level 2: Write in the Answer - More Complex Questions

• 13 worksheets per set
• 78 questions (6 questions per page)
• Teacher answer key

TOTAL:

⭐ 25 WORKSHEETS WITH 138 QUESTIONS PER SET

⭐ 50 DIFFERENT WORKSHEETS

Unit 1 & 2:

Product Label Comprehension Unit 1

Product Label Comprehension Unit 2

Similar Resources:

Medicine Label Comprehension Unit 3

Reading Recipes Unit 1

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)

Introduce your students to the thrilling no prep Ancient Egyptian Scavenger Hunt! This engaging and interactive activity puts students in the shoes of a detective trying to find a long lost burial site of an unknown pharaoh who was said to have more riches than even King Tutankhamun.

Each student, or group of students, will receive 10 reading task cards related to Ancient Egypt, how the Egyptians modified their environment, how they used their local resources, the role of artifacts and archaeological features. The task is not only to read the cards but to solve 10 questions—the catch is that the answer to each question is found on a different card, encouraging students to read all the information thoroughly.

How It Works:

• Students will need to determine the code word for each card by answering the fill-in-the-blank questions.
• Once all the code words have been found, students must unscramble the letters from each code word to discover the final mystery word.
• In addition, they will collect clues to uncover a 4-digit code, which will help them successfully complete their journey.

Failing to unscramble the mystery word or crack the 4-digit code will result in the tomb remaining sealed forever, and the expedition will be lost to the sands of time. However, completing the mission means students will have made one of the greatest discoveries in history, uncovering the forgotten pharaoh’s solid gold burial site, filled with unimaginable riches, artifacts, and secrets of Ancient Egypt!

What Makes This Activity Perfect for Your Classroom:

• Engaging and Educational: Your students will be excited to play the role of an explorer while learning about Ancient Egypt and how the Egyptians used/modified their environment.
• Critical Thinking Skills: By having to cross-reference information from multiple task cards, students practice comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
• No-Prep Needed: Simply print the task cards and hand them out to your students! It’s ready to go with minimal prep.
• Flexible Usage: This scavenger hunt can be used independently, as a group activity, or even as a fast-finisher task. It works perfectly as a history lesson, or as a fun, educational activity!

Ideal for Different Learning Styles

Whether done individually or in groups, this scavenger hunt provides the perfect opportunity for students to collaborate and share ideas as they solve the puzzles. If students are working independently, it gives them a chance to practice self-paced learning while still engaging with the history of Ancient Egypt.

Perfect for History Lessons or Fun Themed Activities This activity fits seamlessly into your classroom’s history curriculum. It’s a perfect way to introduce and reinforce learning about Ancient Egypt.

This Ancient Egypt Scavenger Hunt is not only a fun, no-prep classroom activity, but it also ensures that students gain a deeper understanding of history while developing important reading and comprehension skills. Bring the excitement of the search for the Ancient Egyptian burial site into your classroom with this adventure-packed scavenger hunt.

Keep your middle school students engaged in the world of Ray Bradbury's "There Will Come Soft Rains" with this all-encompassing week-long ELA unit. Designed specifically for educators teaching grades 6-8, this resource is perfect for deepening understanding of science fiction and dystopian themes, but it is flexible enough to be adjusted for other levels.

What’s Included:

• Interactive Lesson Slides: Engage students from the start with detailed slides that outline daily activities, from insightful readings to critical discussions.
• Socratic Seminar Toolkit: Equip your students for high-level academic discourse with comprehensive guides and tools for a Socratic seminar that emphasizes student-led discussions and analytical thinking.
• Choice Board Activities: Motivate students with diverse projects such as creating comic strips, crafting alternative endings, and more, allowing them to express their understanding creatively and diversely.
• Varied Writing Prompts: Challenge students with tailored writing prompts, including argumentative, informational, and correspondence essays that probe deeper into the story’s speculative and technological themes.
• Film vs. Text Comparative Analysis: Utilize our ready-to-use Venn diagram to compare the text with film adaptations, enhancing multimedia analytical skills.

Perfect For:

• End-of-Year Projects: Keep the learning momentum going with engaging material that captivates students’ imaginations and critical thinking skills until the final day.
• Sub Plans: Fully prepared and easy to follow, this unit ensures that learning is seamless and comprehensive, even when the regular teacher is away.
• Mini Dystopian Unit: Integrates smoothly with larger thematic studies, offering students a layered understanding of dystopian narratives and futuristic cautionary tales.

Educational Objectives:

• Foster critical analysis and discussion skills through structured and guided debates about technology and humanity.
• Encourage creative writing and narrative skills by having students explore and invent within the world Bradbury imagined.
• Promote student engagement and autonomy in learning through activities that require active participation and personal input.

Crafted with precision for both teacher ease and student engagement, this unit not only meets educational standards but also inspires students to consider deeper questions about technology, society, and human impact.

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

Looking for an exciting way to teach your students about soils and weathering? This Soils and Weathering Escape Room is the perfect blend of science content, close reading, and gamified learning! In this activity, students will explore how soil forms, the layers of soil, the importance of soil, and the difference between physical and chemical weathering through an engaging close reading article and four unique challenges.

Overview of the Activity: Students begin by reading a two-page informational passage that explains what soil is made of, how weathering occurs, and why soil is essential for plants and the environment. The article includes essential vocabulary like soil, rock, particles, silt, nutrients, weathering, and abrasion, providing a solid foundation for students before they tackle the four interactive challenges.

Each challenge targets a different skill:

• Challenge 1: Matching vocabulary terms to their definitions (reinforcing soil and weathering concepts).
• Challenge 2: True/false questions based on key facts from the reading (to build comprehension).
• Challenge 3: Multiple-choice questions (testing understanding of key concepts like the layers of soil and types of weathering).
• Challenge 4: Identifying the paragraph where certain information is found (developing close reading skills).

For each correct answer, students receive a clue—a one-digit number. After completing all four challenges, students use their numbers to solve a final puzzle and “escape” the room.

**Why Use Close Reading?:**Close reading is an instructional approach that encourages students to carefully analyze and interpret a text. In this escape room, students must return to the passage multiple times to find the answers to the questions, helping them:

• Improve their reading comprehension.
• Strengthen critical thinking skills.
• Become more independent readers who can tackle complex information.

Benefits of Gamified Learning: Using an escape room format transforms a traditional lesson into an adventure! Students love the thrill of solving puzzles, working together, and completing challenges, which boosts their engagement and motivation. Here’s why gamified learning is a hit in the classroom:

• Increases engagement: Students are naturally motivated by challenges and competition, making learning more interactive and exciting.
• Enhances problem-solving skills: Escape rooms require students to use logic and critical thinking to solve clues and progress through tasks.
• Encourages teamwork: As students collaborate, they practice communication and teamwork, skills essential for success in group settings.

**Perfect for Science and Literacy Integration:**This escape room seamlessly integrates science content with reading comprehension, making it a powerful resource for interdisciplinary learning. While students strengthen their understanding of soils and weathering, they’re also developing literacy skills by interpreting information, analyzing key details, and practicing vocabulary.

Whether you’re teaching about the formation of soil, the processes of physical and chemical weathering, or just looking for a fun, engaging way to challenge your students, this Soils and Weathering Escape Room is sure to captivate their attention while reinforcing key learning objectives.

From Figurative Language to textual analysis, this 4-set, 100+-item TASK CARDS product allows students to break apart Liam O'Flaherty's "The Sniper." This product has black/white and colored versions; numbered and unnumbered versions. Students get to delve deeply into the literature. Their readings will come to life and their comprehension will soar. These 36 question items will make your English Language Arts class the place to be!

This Product Includes:

1. 36-numbered, colored question TASK CARDS

2. 36-numbered, black&white question TASK CARDS

3. 36-unnumbered, colored question TASK CARDS

4. 36-unnumbered, black&white question TASK CARDS

5. 14-item Suggested Uses page

You may also appreciate:

A WORN PATH [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

INITIATION [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

SPACE [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

SHOOTING AN ELEPHANT [LESSON ACTIVITIES]

THE LOTTERY [ESSAY EXAM]

Hey guys,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 18+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

FIND ME ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

TheAngryTeacherBLOG

INSTAGRAM

Youtube

Facebook

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TeeSpring

EMAIL

TIKTOK

Hey guys,

I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 18+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

Please consider checking out the other short story materials and resources in my store.

Also, guys, remember that leaving REVIEWS is a way that TeachShare gives you credit on products! So let's do it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Engage and Inspire Your Middle School ELA Students!

Dive into the festive season with our Christmas Hip Hop Lyrics Analysis resource, exclusively designed for grades 6-8 ELA classrooms. This unique, print-and-go package on TeachShare brings the vibrant world of hip hop into your classroom, featuring iconic tracks "Christmas Rappin'" by Kurtis Blow and "Christmas in Hollis" by Run DMC.

What's Inside:

• Comprehensive Lyrics Annotation Guide: Students will delve into the lyrics, identifying key elements like setting, rhyme scheme, imagery, connotation, and repetition.
• Figurative Language Classification: A step-by-step guide to help students classify different types of figurative language used in the songs.
• Critical Thinking through Discourse: Utilize the innovative Agree, Disagree, Modify method for stimulating classroom discussions.
• Thematic and Plot Analysis: Students will explore the themes and plot elements, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
• Multiple Choice Quiz: Test their understanding with a 6-question multiple-choice quiz, tailored to middle school comprehension levels.

Why Choose This Resource?

• Culturally Relevant: Connects with students using the universal language of music, particularly hip hop.
• High Engagement: Keeps students interested and involved with contemporary and relatable content.
• Rigorously Designed: Meets educational standards while challenging students' critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Ready to Use: No prep needed, just print and you're ready to teach!

Looking for an exciting way to teach your students about the Iroquois and Algonquian tribes? This Iroquois and Algonquian Close Reading Escape Room is the perfect blend of social studies content, close reading, and gamified learning! In this activity, students will explore the civilizations through an engaging close reading article and four unique challenges.

Overview of the Activity: Students begin by reading a two-page informational passage that explains different aspects of each of the civilizations, (who the Iroquois and Algonquian tribes are, aspects of their daily lives, how they interacted with their environment, as well as similarities and differences between their cultures.). The article includes essential vocabulary like confederacy, longhouse, wigwam, and council, providing a solid foundation for students before they tackle the four interactive challenges.

Each challenge targets a different skill:

• Challenge 1: Matching vocabulary terms to their definitions (reinforcing social studies concepts).
• Challenge 2: True/false questions based on key facts from the reading (to build comprehension).
• Challenge 3: Multiple-choice questions (testing understanding of key concepts about the various civilizations).
• Challenge 4: Identifying the paragraph where certain information is found (developing close reading skills).

For each correct answer, students receive a clue—a one-digit number. After completing all four challenges, students use their numbers to solve a final puzzle and “escape” the room.

**Why Use Close Reading?:**Close reading is an instructional approach that encourages students to carefully analyze and interpret a text. In this escape room, students must return to the passage multiple times to find the answers to the questions, helping them:

• Improve their reading comprehension.
• Strengthen critical thinking skills.
• Become more independent readers who can tackle complex information.

Benefits of Gamified Learning: Using an escape room format transforms a traditional lesson into an adventure! Students love the thrill of solving puzzles, working together, and completing challenges, which boosts their engagement and motivation. Here’s why gamified learning is a hit in the classroom:

• Increases engagement: Students are naturally motivated by challenges and competition, making learning more interactive and exciting.
• Enhances problem-solving skills: Escape rooms require students to use logic and critical thinking to solve clues and progress through tasks.
• Encourages teamwork: As students collaborate, they practice communication and teamwork, skills essential for success in group settings.

**Perfect for Social Studies and Literacy Integration:**This escape room seamlessly integrates social studies content with reading comprehension, making it a powerful resource for interdisciplinary learning. While students strengthen their understanding of the Iroquois and Algonquian Native American tribes, they’re also developing literacy skills by interpreting information, analyzing key details, and practicing vocabulary.

This is a escape room uses gamified challenges and is based on how Iroquois and Algonquian tribes interacted with the environment and developed unique cultures which is studied in the 4th grade curriculum under the following standards:

4.2 Native American groups, chiefly the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) and Algonquian-speaking groups, inhabited the region that became New York State. Native American Indians interacted with the environment and developed unique cultures.

4.2a Geographic factors often influenced locations of early settlements. People made use of the resources and the lands around them to meet their basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter.

• Students will examine the locations of early Native American groups in relation to geographic features, noting how certain physical features are more likely to support settlement and larger populations.
• Students will investigate how Native Americans such as the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) and the Algonquian-speaking peoples adapted to and modified their environment to meet their needs and wants.

4.2b Native American groups developed specific patterns of organization and governance to manage their societies.

Students will compare and contrast the patterns of organization and governance of Native American groups such as the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) and Lenape, including matrilineal clan structure, decision-making processes, and record keeping, with a focus on local Native American groups.

4.2c Each Native American group developed a unique way of life with a shared set of customs, beliefs, and values.

• Students will examine Native American traditions; job specialization the roles of men, women, and children in their society; transportation systems; and technology.
• Students will examine contributions of Native Americans that are evident today.

If you want a fun, engaging way to challenge your students, this Iroquois & Algonquian Escape Room is sure to captivate their attention while reinforcing key learning objectives.