Middle School ELA Test Prep Activities (by date, latest first)

Engage 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders with tools to master Short Constructed Responses (SCR) and Extended Constructed Responses (ECR) practice using 35 student opportunities for RACE in a creative way. Ideal for ESL, ELA STAAR, RTI, stations, review, bell ringers, or differentiated independent work.

This No Prep roadmap will help students craft clear, structured, and thoughtful writing responses.

➡️ Why You Will Love

⭐35 student practice opportunities planned and prepped so you get your planning time back!

⭐Science of reading-aligned strategies for students to apply to their reading and writing.

⭐Leverages the UPS framework to help students combine visuals, analogies, and hands-on practice, emphasizing Understanding, Processing, and Sharing knowledge.

⭐Flexible Format to integrate into any curriculum.

⭐Embedded support to help reach all learners.

➡️ What’s Included

• Structured Writing Frameworks:
  *RACE Method
  *UPS Framework
• Mini Quizzes
• 35 Practice Opportunities
• Scaffolding and Differentiation Tools Embedded
• 5 Quick Checks

➡️ How to Use

• Workbook
• Daily Warm-Ups
• Test Prep Stations
• Whole-Class Lessons
• Small-Group Lessons
• Differentiated Resource
• Accommodations

Bring STEP UPS to life with this incredible resource today!

➡️ LET’S CONNECT

Follow ELA Vibes

➡️ Additional Supports

Mini-Lessons

Activity Packs

STAAR Prep

Short and Extended Constructed Responses

➡️Receive TeachShare Store Credits

• You can receive TeachShare store credits to use on future purchases by leaving feedback on any products you buy! Click on "My Purchases" to access the feedback link. I really appreciate your support, please leave feedback on my products. Your feedback will ensure I make the very best products for you and your students!

To come

Transform Writing with Engaging Figurative Language Lessons

Boost your students’ writing skills with this comprehensive Figurative Writing Resource Pack, designed for Grades 3-6. Teach similes, metaphors, and personification using vivid presentations, hands-on worksheets, and editable Google Slides/PowerPoint. Perfect for whole-class instruction, small groups, or independent learning, this resource is fully aligned with Common Core, TEKS, and the UK National Curriculum.

Save time with ready-to-use materials and differentiated tasks for all abilities. Featuring step-by-step guidance, interactive activities, and creative writing challenges, this pack helps students craft vivid, descriptive pieces while building confidence and autonomy. Proven effective in classrooms, it delivers an engaging, curriculum-aligned learning experience for teachers and students alike.

What’s Included? 

✏️  Print Materials: Worksheets, Answer keys, PDF of slides

✅✅ Digital Content: Part-Editable Google Slides/PowerPoint Presentation

What’s Inside?

✔️ 20 pg PowerPoint Presentation/Google Slides

✔️ 7 Worksheets

✔️ Student Directions

✔️ Teacher Answer Key

✔️ Teacher Directions, Tips and Differentiation

✔️ Learning Objective

✔️ Success Criteria

✔️ Lesson Route

Perfect for Grades 3-6!

Why You’ll Love This Resource:

✏️ No Prep

✏️ Print and Go

✏️ Cross-Curricular

✏️ Aligned with Common Core, TEKS, and UK National Curriculum.

✏️ Highly Engaging

✏️ Great for whole-class instruction, small groups, or independent work

✏️ Classroom-tested 

When to use this? 

✅ Literacy ELA Lesson (1-2 hour lessons)

✅ Sub Plans

✅ Review

What Do You Need?

✏️ Pencils

✏️ Computer

✏️ Projector for slides (Slides are in PowerPoint format and can be uploaded to Google Drive to open as Google Slides)

Skills Used:

✔️ Identifying figurative language

✔️Creative writing

✔️ Reading comprehension

✔️ Vocabulary development

✔️ Critical thinking

✔️ Independent learning

Curriculum Alignment

This resource meets several educational standards, including:

Common Core State Standards (CCSS):

• RL.4.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases, including figurative language.
• W.4.3: Write narratives with descriptive details and clear event sequences.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS):

• 110.5 (ELA): Analyze how authors use figurative language to create meaning.
• 110.5(b)(20): Write literary texts using figurative language.

UK National Curriculum (Years 3-6):

• Writing Composition: Create vivid descriptions using figurative language.
• Reading Comprehension: Discuss words/phrases that capture the reader’s imagination.

Bonus Benefits:

✅ Encourages Creativity

✅ Promotes Self-Learning

✅ **✅**Addresses Common Misconceptions

Extra Perks:

• Earn TeachShare Credit: Leave a review to earn credits for future purchases.
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We Strive for 5 Stars! If you have any questions, use the Q&A tab before leaving feedback.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LOVE ♥️…

• Sensory Writing 
• Show, Don't Tell - Slides & Worksheets
• Descriptive Writing Independant Worksheets

Inspire your students to write with flair and confidence. Grab this versatile, high-quality resource today!

This bundle includes a great range of activities perfect for grades 5-8 for all of February!

1. Speed Friending Activity: A dynamic classroom icebreaker designed for middle and high school students. It includes a comprehensive teacher protocol, an interactive Google Slides presentation, engaging conversation rounds with embedded timers, a note-taking sheet, and a reflection writing prompt. Ideal for building classroom community, enhancing behavior management, and fostering open communication.
2. ELA Matchmaker Review Game: An 81-page ELA review resource covering synonyms, antonyms, figurative language, literary elements, and affixes & roots. It includes printable and digital versions for flexible classroom use, promoting interactive learning and critical thinking in literary concepts.
3. Black History Month Digital Resource: A set of 45 Google Slides featuring 15 influential African American artists. This resource includes detailed informational texts, short videos, and interactive response prompts. It's a comprehensive tool for exploring African American history and art, ideal for daily classroom activities.
4. Civil Rights Movement Song Analysis: Titled 'Harmony of Hope,' this resource integrates Valentine's Day and Black History Month themes for middle schoolers. It includes a Google Slides presentation and a comprehensive PDF packet, featuring analysis of seven influential Civil Rights era songs.
5. GenZ Valentine's Day Cards: A collection of 24 unique, humorous, and inclusive Valentine's Day cards suitable for middle school students. These printable cards are gender-neutral, featuring relatable puns and high-quality graphics, adding a fun twist to traditional valentine exchanges.
6. The Science of Crushes and Heartbreak: An educational resource that blends science with Valentine's Day themes, targeting middle schoolers. It includes an article, a mini-lesson in Google Slides, a graphic organizer, and analytical questions. This resource enhances understanding of text features and author's purpose.
7. Valentine's Day Argumentative Writing Resource: A tool for grades 4-8 to enhance argumentative writing skills. It features 28 'Would You Rather' prompts, available in both PDF and Google Slides, to encourage debate and persuasive writing. Ideal for various classroom activities, including warm-ups and group discussions.

Dive into the rich tapestry of Black history with our Ultimate Black History Month Educational Bundle, meticulously crafted for educators passionate about providing a comprehensive, interactive, and engaging learning experience. This bundle combines a variety of resources, ensuring a well-rounded approach to teaching pivotal moments and figures in Black history. Suitable for grades 4-8, these resources are perfect for integrating into ELA, Social Studies, Art, and more.

1. Black History Month Athlete Trading Cards - Interactive Digital & Print Resource: Engage and educate your students with this interactive set of athlete trading cards. Celebrate the achievements of influential Black athletes with this 60-slide resource, perfect for classroom activities, creative projects, and bulletin board displays.
2. Claudette Colvin STAAR Test Prep Text (Grades 6-8) - FREEBIE: Dive into the inspiring story of Claudette Colvin with this STAAR test prep text. Designed for students in grades 6-8, this resource not only enriches students' knowledge about an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement but also sharpens their test-taking skills.
3. MLK 3 Interactive Timelines, Bulletin Boards & Door Decor: Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with interactive timelines and visually appealing decor. This resource is perfect for creating an educational environment that celebrates MLK's journey and teachings, inspiring students through interactive learning and creative expression.
4. Black History Month Digital Resource - 45 Google Slides, 15 Texts, Video & Writing: This comprehensive digital resource is a treasure trove of information, featuring 45 Google Slides, 15 texts, videos, and writing prompts. It's designed to provide a rich educational experience, sparking discussions and deepening understanding.
5. Civil Rights Movement Song Analysis (Grades 5-8) - Valentine's Day Special: Analyze the profound messages in songs from the Civil Rights Movement with this unique resource. It's an engaging way for students to connect with history through music, enhancing their analytical skills and emotional understanding of the era.
6. Color & Discover Modern Heroes of Black History Month - Freebie: This creative resource allows students to learn about modern heroes of Black History Month through coloring activities. It's a fun, engaging way to introduce younger students to influential figures and their contributions.
7. Claudette Colvin STAAR Test Prep Text (Grades 6-8) - FREEBIE (Duplicate): Reinforce your students' understanding and appreciation of Claudette Colvin's courageous stand during the Civil Rights Movement with this STAAR test prep text. This resource doubles the opportunity to integrate critical reading and historical knowledge into your test preparation activities.

Each resource in this bundle is thoughtfully designed to cater to different learning styles and classroom needs, making it the perfect package to explore, celebrate, and honor Black History Month in your classroom. Equip your students with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and a deep appreciation for the contributions and stories of Black individuals with our Ultimate Black History Month Educational Bundle.

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

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

• STAAR ECR Mastery Resource Informational Essay Test Prep Grades 6-8 Thesis Claim
  This comprehensive resource breaks down the Extended Constructed Response (ECR) process for middle school students. It guides them through crafting a solid thesis, developing claims, and supporting their ideas with evidence and reasoning. The engaging, step-by-step format ensures students master the writing skills they need for STAAR success.

• Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit Debate Topics & Lesson Plans 4 STAAR ECRs
  Make argumentative writing fun and seasonal with this resource. Students tackle Thanksgiving-themed debate topics while practicing essential STAAR ECR skills. The unit includes structured lessons, 4 debate topics, guided notes, and activities that focus on developing strong arguments with evidence and counterarguments.

• ECR Relay Race: Engaging STAAR Writing Prep Grades 5-8 Comprehension 12 Prompts!
  Turn essay writing into a collaborative, competitive game! This relay race-style resource includes 12 engaging prompts and helps students build comprehension and writing skills through interactive learning. Ideal for both individual and group work, this resource is perfect for STAAR test prep and building writing confidence.

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

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

Elevate your middle school ELA classes with our comprehensive 90-day warm-up routine, meticulously designed to bolster end-of-year testing performance and reinforce grade-level skills. This resource is the perfect tool for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade educators seeking a hassle-free, standards-aligned solution that covers all priority CCSS and TEKS for 6th-grade English Language Arts. It can be used for intervention, extension, review, and introduction for grades 6-8!

Key Features:

• Curriculum-Aligned: Targets 18 essential ELA skills, including inference making, theme development, plot analysis, vocabulary enhancement through Greek and Latin affixes, text structure, author's craft, elements of drama and poetry, interpreting informational texts, figurative language, finding supporting evidence, evaluating arguments in speeches, and more.
• Diverse Content: Engages students with a variety of topics, from sports and video games to wildlife and excerpts from iconic speeches, ensuring relevance and interest.
• Comprehensive Resource: Offers 271 slides in a versatile PowerPoint and Canva format, plus a Google Doc with daily questions and open-ended justifications, complete with an answer key for each.
• Classroom Flexibility: Seamlessly integrates into your teaching approach, with options for print or digital use, perfect for Google Classroom or notebook-based learning.
• Student-Centered Learning: Encourages discourse, builds academic stamina, and fosters confidence through rigorous, thought-provoking content.
• Assessment Ready: Each multiple-choice question is paired with an answer key, allowing for immediate feedback and ongoing assessment of student understanding.

Benefits:

• Time-Saving: Ready-to-use slides and documents save precious planning time, allowing you to focus on teaching and student interaction.
• Skill Retention: Spiral review format ensures continuous reinforcement of critical ELA skills, aiding retention and mastery.
• Engagement & Rigor: A diverse range of topics and question formats keeps students engaged and challenges them to think critically.
• Curriculum Integration: Easily implemented as a 10-minute daily warm-up, this resource aligns with your curriculum goals and supports students' preparation for end-of-year assessments.

How to Use: Ideal for the first 10 minutes of class, this ELA warm-up routine can be projected, printed, or distributed digitally. It's designed to integrate smoothly into your existing curriculum, providing a daily opportunity for students to demonstrate and build upon their ELA competencies.

Get Your Copy Today: Don't miss out on this essential ELA warm-up routine that promises to make your classroom a hub of learning and discussion. Prepare your students for success with a resource that's as educational as it is engaging!

Shake up your classroom by playing this fun ELA matchmaker review game! As the testing season approaches, this comprehensive 81-page PDF resource offers a perfect blend of fun and education, ensuring a thorough review of essential literary concepts.

Our resource is thoughtfully crafted to cover five crucial categories: Synonyms, Antonyms, Figurative Language, Literary Elements, and Affixes & Roots. Each category is rich with 30 pairs, enabling full class participation and ensuring that every student is actively engaged in the learning process.

Our 'ELA Review Extravaganza' is designed to be flexible and adaptable to your classroom needs. Here are two effective ways to use this resource:

Option 1: Print and Cut

Prepare the Activity:

• Print out the pages of the resource
• Carefully cut out each pair from the categories

Distribute the Pieces:
Hand out one piece of the puzzle to each student.

• Activity Instructions for Students:
  Each student should first define or describe their term or concept.
• Then, allow students to get up and mingle in the classroom, searching for the student who holds the matching pair to their piece.

Finding Matches:

• As students find their pairs, they can sit together and discuss why they are a match, reinforcing their understanding of the concept.

Class Discussion:

• After everyone has found their pairs, have a class discussion or sharing session about the matches.

Option 2: Assign & Go (Digital Version)

Assign the Activity:

• Assign the digital version of the resource to students through your preferred educational platform.

Independent or Pair Work:

• Students can work through the slides independently or with a partner. They will find the best match for each term or concept from the word bank provided in the slides.

Interactive Learning:

• The digital format allows for interactive learning, as students can easily navigate through the slides and select their answers.

Review and Feedback:

• After completion, you can review their answers and provide feedback, or students can share their answers with the class.

Embrace the Versatility

• Print & Digital Formats: Choose the print version for a hands-on classroom experience or the digital version for a seamless, tech-integrated lesson. The digital version is perfect for 1:1 device classrooms and offers an easy-to-assign-and-go option for busy teachers.
• Interactive Learning: Students can enjoy the interactive elements in the digital version or the physical engagement of the print version.
• Ideal for Centers & Independent Work: Set up as learning stations in your classroom or assign digitally for individual completion - adaptable to various teaching strategies.
• Hassle-Free Preparation: With the digital version, say goodbye to cutting and prepping. It's all ready to use at the click of a button!

Perfect Tool for Diverse Educational Needs

• Comprehensive Test Review: An engaging way to review and reinforce ELA concepts before exams.
• Builds Core Skills: Enhances vocabulary and understanding of literary terms in an interactive manner.
• Encourages Critical Thinking: Students analyze, match, and connect concepts, fostering deeper comprehension.
• Flexible and Convenient: Whether in a traditional classroom setting or a remote learning environment, this resource fits seamlessly into your lesson plan.

Transform your ELA review sessions into an 'Extravaganza' of learning and excitement. With our 'ELA Review Extravaganza,' education is not just about memorizing; it's about engaging, interacting, and understanding. Download now for an enriching educational experience that your students will love!

Did you know that one young girl's courage was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement? Introduce your students to the inspiring story of Claudette Colvin with our engaging and educational resource, perfect for Black History Month and STAAR test preparation. Suitable for grades 6-8, this free, print-and-go resource combines historical significance with critical thinking.

Our resource includes a short, informative text about Claudette Colvin, followed by four carefully crafted multiple-choice questions. These questions are aligned with STAAR standards, focusing on skills such as inference, summary, and author's purpose. It's an ideal tool for deepening students' understanding of important historical figures while honing their test-taking abilities.

This versatile resource is perfect for various classroom needs:

☑️ Center in stations

☑️ Homework assignment

☑️ Warm-up activity

☑️ Part of a larger unit on informational text

As a free resource, it’s designed to be easy for teachers – just print and you're ready to go. It's a valuable addition to any lesson plan during Black History Month and beyond.

Don't forget to check out our other free February resources, including the Valentine's Day Text Structure Color Sorts and the Valentine's Day Author's Purpose Coloring Quest! Grade 5-8 FREEBIE! (TeachShare.com)!

Be sure to follow our store for more free resources that bring ease and effectiveness to your teaching. Download now and bring Claudette Colvin's remarkable story into your classroom!

Transform STAAR writing preparation into an exhilarating adventure with our "ECR Relay Race" resource! Designed specifically for grades 6-8, this product turns the daunting task of essay writing into a collaborative, fun, and competitive experience. Dive into high-engaging topics while practicing informational, argumentative, and correspondence writing skills critical for STAAR success.

✅ Engaging Topics for Every Genre:

• Informational ECRs: Explore Texas Rodeo, Texas State Fair, and NASA's monumental contributions.
• Argumentative ECRs: Delve into captivating debates like Selena vs. Beyonce, Roblox vs. Minecraft, and Messi vs. Ronaldo.
• Correspondence ECR: Address real-world issues in letters concerning Ocean pollution, VR headsets in education, and Sports accessibility for students with disabilities.

✅ Collaborative Learning: Encourage teamwork with relay races that make writing a shared journey. Students can work together or individually, pushing them to think critically and write effectively.

✅ Interactive Progress Tracking: Watch as students advance their stick figure characters across the board with each completed paragraph, igniting a sense of accomplishment and urgency.

✅ Comprehensive ECR Refresher: Kickstart your classes with 15 slides designed to refresh students on ECR essentials, providing a solid foundation for success.

✅ Inclusive Support Materials: Includes sentence stems for each writing genre, aiding students in structuring their thoughts and arguments clearly and cohesively.

✅ Fun, Engaging, and Educational: Our resource is not just about STAAR prep; it's about creating memorable learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and a love for writing.

Prepare your students for STAAR writing with a resource that’s as educational as it is exhilarating. Make test preparation something students look forward to with our ECR Relay Race. Perfect for teachers seeking innovative, engaging ways to enhance writing skills and STAAR readiness.

Looking for a high-engagement, standards-aligned resource to teach argumentative writing? This Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit is perfect for middle school (grades 6-8) and provides four unique Thanksgiving-themed writing prompts that help students practice developing claims, providing evidence, and addressing counterarguments and rebuttals.
This resource includes:

• A full lesson plan designed for a 75-minute class, guiding students through argument writing with structured slides and engaging activities.

• Four thought-provoking Thanksgiving debate topics, including:

• "Should Black Friday be banned due to its impact on society?"

• "Is it ethical to celebrate Thanksgiving given the historical conflicts with Native Americans?"

• "Should Thanksgiving Day parades be canceled due to their environmental impact?"

• "Should Thanksgiving football games be banned on the holiday?"

• Slides and Guided Notes: Step-by-step instruction on writing an argumentative essay using claims, evidence, counterarguments, and rebuttals.

• Practice Activities: Hands-on exercises to help students identify and write each part of an argument.

• Templates for Writing: Easy-to-use templates for students to organize their essays and develop their writing.

This unit is ideal for teaching the basics of argumentative writing in a fun, seasonal way, with relevant and engaging Thanksgiving topics that students care about. It's also perfect for debate prewriting, essay interventions, or building towards state assessments like STAAR.
What’s Included:

• Complete 60-minute lesson plan
• 4 Thanksgiving-themed argument writing prompts
• Guided notes and practice passages
• Slide deck covering key writing components (claim, evidence, counterargument, rebuttal)

Help your students develop strong, clear arguments while engaging with Thanksgiving traditions in a meaningful way. Perfect for teaching argumentative writing and improving students' ability to express their ideas logically and persuasively!

Challenge your students with a deep exploration of figurative language with this complete, standards-aligned lesson plan centered on Langston Hughes’ classic poems Dreams and Harlem. Perfect for grades 6-8, this 60-minute lesson introduces and reinforces figurative language skills with a variety of Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels, from identification to detailed analysis. Through engaging activities, guided notes, fill-in-the-blank practice, and insightful discussions, students will strengthen their understanding of metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, repetition, and more!

What's Included:

• Do Now Prompt: Connect students personally to the theme of dreams and aspirations.
• Guided Notes & Slides: Fill-in-the-blank notes and a comprehensive slide deck introduce and review key figurative language concepts.
• Figurative Language Practice Handout: Allows students to identify and categorize figurative language independently or in pairs.
• Detailed Analysis of Dreams and Harlem: Thought-provoking questions and guided analysis help students apply figurative language skills in context, from interpreting similes and metaphors to discussing theme.
• Reflection and Discussion: Encourages students to connect poetic themes to real life and deepen their understanding of how figurative language enhances literature.

Why Teachers Love It: This resource provides a complete and flexible plan that fits seamlessly into any poetry or figurative language unit, with resources to support all stages of learning—from foundational identification to advanced interpretation. It’s ideal for introducing figurative language or deepening students’ analysis skills, making it a versatile addition to any ELA classroom.

Key Features:

• Differentiated Levels of Analysis: Activities move from DOK Level 1 (identifying figurative language) to DOK Levels 3-4 (interpreting meaning and thematic connections).
• Engagement-Boosting Content: Uses two of Hughes’ most powerful poems to explore big ideas about dreams, aspirations, and consequences, making learning relevant and impactful.
• Aligned with Language Standards: Perfect for reinforcing figurative language standards through high-interest texts.

Boost your students' confidence with figurative language and inspire thoughtful conversations with this enriching lesson plan! Download today to elevate your poetry and figurative language instruction with this ready-to-use, engaging resource!

This is the perfect game for centers or just extra practice. The goal is to get students sorting parts of speech. Say goodbye to boring cutting and pasting exercises! Students will be begging to sort words and have a great SNOWBALL BATTLE! This set even includes ideas for differentiated instruction! You get 8 regular parts of speech cards, 8 differentiated instruction parts of speech cards with definitions, and 18 sheets of snowball words to sort. That is a total of 108 snowball words! Your students will love practicing with this game!

If you enjoyed this activity, try some of my other products:

Switcheroo: The fun and exciting review game for any subject

Christmas Countdown Writing Prompts

Create a Story Picture Prompts

Vivid Word Choice Activities Bundle

Make end mark punctuation easy to use for students! 13 slide pdf has student examples, peer workshopping activities, tips for writer as reader, reading with emotion, clarity, and meaning, as well as dangling and misplaced modifiers.Includes "Dear Jack" letter as a fun punctuation piece and "That Is" to get students to think about how punctuation affects meaning.Also, comes with Peer Workshopping End Punctuation Mark Check List handout.Great for introducing basic skills for emergent writers or for reviewing basic skills for test prep. Meets CCSS ELA.

What is multigenre writing, and how can you use it in your classroom? This Common Core, across-curriculum, interactive presentation includes: Fact-based/non-fiction or fictional Defining: "Multi" and "Genre" Student examples of multigenre projects Interactive small group activity for introducing multigenre Research and extra resources on multigenres 2 levels of assignments: lower and upper Brainstorming Topics chart Find Your Topic graphic organizer Multigenre list for choosing types of writings Peer Workshopping guide Supplemental Resources Works Cited Ready to use with students, and a great way to re-visit an old topic or to revive research essays, whether using non-fiction or fiction. Can be used to introduce topics or as assessment for unit or research for any discipline.. Multigenre activities are engaging, educational, meaningful, and fun.

What are readability levels, how do you turn on the function in MS Word, and how can knowing the information help student writers? These questions are answered in this interactive presentation that uses screenshots and step-by-step directions to turn on readability and check sentences and passages. Benefits of knowing and using readability levels include: Understanding Audience Understanding Computerized Testing Scoring Understanding and Using Types of Sentences Understanding and Using Syllable Counts Building and Using Higher Level Vocabulary Objectives are: Build vocabulary through synonyms Identify and use sentence clarity Identify and use sentence variety in writing Understand audience and their reading levels Understand computerized essay tests grading Understand syllable counts within words Easy to follow and assessment included! Excellent for anyone about to take a computerized standardized graded essay or who will be focused on addressing and writing to specific target audience grade levels. Great for AP students, flipped classes, GT, homeschool, Pre-Ap, and college level students.

Free checklist of parts of an introductory literary analysis for AP, Pre-AP, G/T, college level writers. Students are asked to locate: Hook--different kinds list Author's name Title of text Summary Area of literary analysis list Thesis, and write down your thesis Makes writing an introduction for a literary analysis easier to understand. Great for ELA test prep! Meets CCSS.

10 hyperbole images for students to engage with! Includes: 10 black and white coloring images 10 hyperboles Definition Directions Example Write Your Own Illustrate Your Own Extra Activity: Decipher classmates' hyperboles Hyperboles included: I had a ton of homework. Her smile brought out the sunshine. I am so hungry I could eat a horse. It is raining cats and dogs. She cried for days. He runs faster than a race car. I was so thirsty I drank an ocean. Grandma seems older than time. He was stronger than an elephant. He would move mountains for her. Meets ELA state guidelines. Fun and engaging! Follow Educator Helper for FREE weekly products at www.bethhammett.blogspot.com