Less than $5 Middle School Informational Text Handouts (by date, oldest first)

Enhance Reading Comprehension with our Informational Text Marking Handout!

Empower your students to excel in reading comprehension with our engaging and effective Informational Text Marking Handout! This must-have AVID resource is designed to boost student understanding through strategic text annotation right at their desks. Your students will love this!

This handout is a game changer for educators seeking to improve literacy skills. By providing a structured approach to text annotation, students learn to identify key details, make connections, and deepen their comprehension effortlessly.

Key Features:

✨ Clear and Concise Design: This handout is hands-on-practice visually appealing and easy to use, making it accessible for all students.

✨ Promotes Active Learning: Encourages students to interact with texts actively, leading to improved retention and analysis.

✨ Supports Differentiation: Suitable for various grade levels and subject areas, promoting inclusivity and adaptability.

✨ Fosters Critical Thinking: Students develop critical thinking skills by engaging in purposeful text annotation.

✨Black and white & color versions

✨ English and Spanish versions included

Why Choose This Handout?

☑ Reading Comprehension Tools: Enhance students’ comprehension skills with a proven method that supports academic success.

☑ Teacher-Tested: Developed by experienced educators, ensuring practicality and effectiveness in the classroom.

☑ Engaging Resource: Captivate students’ interest in reading and analyzing texts with our interactive handout.

☑ Ideal for implementing AVID strategies daily in your classroom and setting up testing strategies and routines in your classroom.

Transform your classroom into a hub of active learning and literacy development! Download the Informational Text Marking Handout today and witness the positive impact on your students’ reading comprehension skills. Let’s empower students to become confident, strategic readers—one annotation at a time!

Need Help or Have Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance with this product, feel free to reach out to me at ashlee@msgamification.com. I'm here to help!

Love This❤️? Check These Out!
If this product has you inspired, you'll love these other resources too

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Copyright 2024 ©️ Ms Gamification

This includes two Articles "How do hurricanes form? A step-by-step guide" and "How Do Hurricanes Form?" plus a graph titled "Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale" . After reading these two articles students are given a prompt for an expository essay on how hurricanes are formed. There is also an outline sheet included for students to use in order to help them organize their essay. Plus a rubric for easy grading of final essay.

***** Check out my other Writing Resources*****

Writing Thesis Statements

Counterclaim and Rebuttal

Writing Graphic Organizers

Interactive Essay Writing Flipbook

Argumentative Essay

Essay prompt and articles :Narcissism

Essay prompt and articles: Colonization in Africa

This includes two Articles "The History of Narcissistic

Personality Disorder" and "Selfies, Facebook, and Narcissism: What's the Link? Exploring the link between Facebook and Narcissism" plus a graph titled "College Students' Narcissistic Personality Inventory Scores 1982-2006" . After reading these two articles students are given a prompt for an expository essay on narcissism. There is also an outline sheet included for students to use in order to help them organize their essay. Plus a rubric for easy grading of final essay.

***** Check out my other Writing Resources*****

Counterclaim and Rebuttal

Interactive Essay Writing Flipbook

Argumentative Essay

Writing Thesis Statements

Essay prompt and articles: Hurricanes

Essay prompt and articles: Colonization in Africa

A close reading activity of the Declaration of Independence which asks students to cite textual evidence to evaluate author's purpose, persuasive techniques, and literary devices. Good for any ELA or History class.

*Update* Available under TeachShare Digital Resources which adds an interactive layer on top of the pdf for distance learning.

This is an excellent worksheet to give prior to having students read Shakespeare's play "As You Like It". It has historical information about the play and 7 short answer questions. *** You may also like my study guide for As You Like It *** As You Like It Interactive Flipbook

Excerpts from Letters from Birmingham Jail with questions and answer key. Goes well with a unit on persuasive writing or with black history.

This 4-page pre-reading handout provides students with important background information for understanding William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. This resource includes a two-page handout on the history of the Roman Republic. The resource also included is a comprehension check and answer key so that teachers can assess whether students have understood important details from the handout.

Learning about the history of the Roman Republic will provide students with the contextual information necessary for understanding certain lines in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. You could have students read this handout for homework before starting the play; or you could have students read the handout aloud together in class before giving them the comprehension check worksheet.

If you like this pre-reading handout, you'll definitely want to check out my 160-page Complete Teaching Unit on Julius Caesar. The complete unit features colorful and engaging worksheets on every scene in Shakespeare's play. Because the complete unit is both professionally designed and academically rigorous, it is especially well-suited for courses like Honors English and AP Lang.

Wishing you an amazing experience with teaching this complex play. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to get in touch. And don't forget to check out the Complete Teaching Unit on Julius Caesar....

Happy teaching,

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

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

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

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Romeo and Juliet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Julius Caesar

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Macbeth

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Othello

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Hamlet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Much Ado About Nothing

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

This resource is aimed at 7th to 10th grade.

The political landscape in the United States is deeply polarized, with Republicans and Democrats often having starkly different positions on many issues. 

Here are ten hot contentious topics that hav been prominent in the political discourse. These topics are highly dynamic, and the positions associated with each party can evolve over time, influenced by current events, leadership changes, and public opinion. Always consult the most recent sources for the latest information on these and other political issues.

Each issue has further been divided into two short stories, or rather scenarios, one from the perspective of a democrat, and one from the perspective of a republican.

Finally, there are sets of questions that probe each scenario and dig deeper into the issues and perspectives.

The topics covered are:

Gun control

Abortion

Healthcare reform

Climate change & environmental policy

Tax policy

Immigration

Economic inequality & social welfare

Education

LGBTQ+ Rights

Voting rights and electoral integrity

Engage Your Students in a Conversation with History: A Unique AI-Powered Interview with Winston Churchill

Bring history to life with this innovative resource! This simulated interview, powered by artificial intelligence, offers a unique and engaging way for your students to explore the life, legacy, and complexities of one of the 20th century's most iconic figures: Winston Churchill.

What's Included:

12 Poignant Interview Questions: Covering key events and themes from Churchill's life, including his early military experiences, political career, leadership during World War II, and views on the Cold War.

Project & Assignment Ideas: Historical analysis, research, creative & analytical Projects.

Churchill's Thoughtful Responses: Crafted using historical accuracy and cutting-edge AI technology to emulate Churchill's characteristic wit, eloquence, and strong opinions.

Benefits:

• Promotes active learning and historical inquiry
• Develops critical thinking and analytical skills
• Encourages perspective-taking and empathy
• Provides a springboard for research and further exploration
• Introduces students to the potential of AI in education
• Suitable for individual, small group, or whole-class activities

Perfect for history, social studies, government, and language arts classrooms

Go beyond textbooks and lectures! This resource offers a dynamic and interactive way to engage your students with history and delve deeper into the life and times of Winston Churchill. The use of AI adds a modern twist and sparks curiosity about the evolving role of technology in education.

Spark lively classroom discussions and ignite your students' curiosity about the past and the future!

Aligning with Learning Objectives:

While specific standards might vary depending on your state or country, here's how this resource aligns with common learning objectives found in frameworks like Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS):

Analyzing Text Structure and Author's Purpose: Students will analyze how the interview format structures information and how Churchill's responses reveal his perspectives and purpose in conveying his experiences. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.6, TEKS 8.6.B)

Evaluating Arguments and Evidence: Students will evaluate the historical accuracy of Churchill's statements and the evidence he provides to support his views. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.8, TEKS 8.16.A)

Integrating and Evaluating Multiple Sources: The interview can be used alongside other historical texts and materials to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Churchill and his era. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.9, TEKS 8.22.C)

Writing:

Writing Arguments: Students can use the interview as a springboard to write argumentative essays, taking a stance on Churchill's actions or the historical events discussed. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-12.1, TEKS 8.21.A)

Research and Inquiry: The interview can inspire students to conduct further research on Churchill, World War II, or other related topics. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-12.7, TEKS 8.19.B)

Speaking and Listening:

Comprehension and Collaboration: Students can engage in discussions about the interview, sharing their interpretations and perspectives while actively listening to their peers. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1, TEKS 8.24.A)

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas: Students can present their research findings or arguments based on the interview, using evidence to support their claims. (e.g., CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4, TEKS 8.25.B)

Empower your students with the story of Malala Yousafzai, a young woman who bravely stood up for education and became a global advocate for girls' rights.

This resource provides a brief biography of Malala in four languages (French, English, Chinese, and Spanish) and offers a variety of engaging assignments and projects suitable for grades 4-6.

What's included:

• French: Malala Yousafzai : Une voix courageuse pour l'éducation
• English: Malala Yousafzai: A Courageous Voice for Education
• Chinese: 马拉拉·尤萨夫扎伊：为教育发声的勇者
• Spanish: Malala Yousafzai: Una voz valiente por la educación

10 Engaging Projects for Grades 4-6 Inspired by Malala:

Activities range from research and analysis to creative expression and taking action, encouraging students to connect with Malala's story and become advocates for change.

How to use this resource:

• Introduce your students to Malala's story using the provided biographies in their preferred language.

• Choose from the suggested projects based on your students' interests and learning objectives.

• Adapt and modify the activities to fit your classroom needs and curriculum.

• Encourage discussion and reflection on the importance of education, courage, and standing up for what you believe in.

• This resource is perfect for:

• Social studies lessons on human rights, global issues, and influential figures.

• Language arts activities focusing on reading comprehension, writing, and storytelling.

• Character education initiatives promoting courage, perseverance, and social responsibility.

Download this free resource today and inspire your students with the remarkable story of Malala Yousafzai!

Sunrise/Sunset/Earth’s Axis/Seasons/Shadows/Tilt  Scavenger Hunt 

Hi fellow teachers

I often do scavenger hunts in grade 4 to 7  classrooms. I find them particularly useful when I’m feeling tired or lacking energy (hey, we’ve all been there).

Why do I like them?

1. They are easy to set up, 
2. The students get to move around
3. The students are focussed & engaged
4. The students enjoy it 
5. The teacher is free to take notes, observe and give guidance, if necessary. 

It can look chaotic, but if observed you can see students really trying, really reading the information, and really collaborating and cooperating.

How it works:

There are two components:

1. A two page worksheet (print double-sided, one per student)
2. 12 informational panels that contain the answers to the questions (these need to be printed on one side, cut in half and pinned in various locations around your room).
3. Hand out the worksheet and off they go!

My students are currently doing this very activity as I write!

The whole activity takes about 40 minutes and I might suggest watching a couple of Youtube videos on the topic to ‘get them in the mood.

Good luck!

This story is also available as part of an eight story ebook, "Young Voices: Eight Short Stories of Courage & Resilience."

Embark on a poignant journey with "Rising Tides, Resilient Hearts," a heart-rending tale of resilience in the face of nature's relentless force. This narrative follows Ana and Lani, two young girls from the imperiled island of Kiribati, as they grapple with the reality of their sinking homeland. With the rising tides threatening to erase their ancestral roots, the community faces a heart-wrenching decision. Through the bonds of friendship and the echoes of ancestral wisdom, our young heroines navigate the emotional tides of leaving their beloved island. This story not only reflects the global issue of climate change but also illuminates the enduring spirit of a culture on the brink of displacement. Witness how love, memory, and the power of storytelling become the vessel for preserving a disappearing world, inspiring young readers to understand and embrace the challenges of change.

There are thought provoking questions (and possible answers) at the end of the story.

General Learning Objectives for Deep by Design stories:

Understanding Conflict: The material offers insights into the dynamics of territorial conflicts and their ramifications for those caught in the crossfire.

Effects of War or Conflict on Youth: The content underlines the deep-seated impact of hostilities on the mental and physical health of children and adolescents.

Resilience and Hope: Through character experiences, the narrative highlights the human capacity for endurance and the quest for collective healing amidst adversity.

Cultural Insight: The text provides a window into the complexities of a region's culture and the intense obstacles its inhabitants endure.

Human Rights: The narrative serves as a primer for dialogues concerning the safeguarding of civilians and the enforcement of human rights in times of strife.

Peacebuilding: The book promotes an investigation into the adoption of nonviolent strategies for mitigating disputes and fostering reconciliation at the community level.

Since the Pandemic, so much has gone digital, including testing--both campus and state testing. If your campus and/or state has made the switch to online testing, and you are looking for strategies to help your students adapt their annotating strategies, these graphic organizers can help!

This product includes graphic organizers for poetry (TPCASTT format) and text (can be used for fiction or informational) and is designed to be a gradual release model:

• Students use fully-structured graphic organizers to guide annotating during online testing
• Teachers can print graphic organizers as posters, and blank organizers w/ no text are included to help students transition from guided annotations
• Finally students will be able to transition from graphic organizers to being able to annotate freely using scratch or notebook paper

What You Get

• Poetry (TPCASTT) structured graphic organizer
• Text (Fiction or Informational) structured graphic organizer

-This can be customized to add personal teacher tips or specific classroom annotation symbols or Signposts

• Blank Poetry (TPCASTT) graphic organizer (no text)
• Blank Text (Fiction or Informational) graphic organizer (no text)

-Graphic Organizers can also be printed by the teacher in a poster size as a classroom anchor chart.

Introduce character traits to students then tie the concepts to real life with this pot o' gold activity. Students choose one character trait to define each of their classmates. Then, they write the character traits on gold coins, cut and paste onto peers' pot o' gold. Informative writing activity that reinforces using examples for fact-based essays. Includes: Easy to follow directions with optional age-based activities Pot o' Gold Coins handout Character Trait Sheet Follow-up writing activities Fun, engaging activity for elementary students who need introductions or reinforcement in working with character traits and fact-based writing.

Students can chart Earth's changes from the beginning of time through the future with this 35 page, interactive timeline for students to make and share. Uses fact-based writing, inferencing skills, interpreting information, research skills, application of knowledge, and writing skills.

Includes handouts/printables of:

Directions

Extra Handout/Video Resources

5 Title pages

5 The End pages

My Earth Timeline page to fill in

Covers time periods:

Beginning of Earth

Compare/Contrast over how Earth was formed

Cambrian Period

Permian Period

Mesozoic Period

Forming of 7 Continents

Stone Age

Ice Age

Neolithic Period

Bronze Age and hieroglyphics

Pyramids/Stonehenge

Iron Age

Hellenistic Period

Roman Period

Byzantine Period

Middle Ages: Classic, Middle, Modern

Renaissance and Reformation

Enlightenment and Age of Reason

Industrial Revolution

20th and 21st Century

What about Earth's future?

A brief overview of Earth's time periods for students to learn about, and review then apply knowledge to complete their books. Can be used for assessment, journaling activities, history/social studies, for celebrating Earth Day, or as overview of unit on how Earth was formed and changed. Requires critical thinking skills for completion.

Complete set of 7 graphic organizers for cause and effect writings. Easy to use and follow, and comes with: Cause and Effect Relationship Word Chart Cause and Effect Topics Sheet Categories: Arts, Humanities, Music, Education, STEM 7 different Graphic Organizers to Xerox Writing Tips Writing Challenges Reinforces fact based writing, cause and effect relationship words, planning stage, working with writing process, and peer workshopping. Critical thinking skills needed! Great for ELA and STEM connections, AP, charter, ESL, GT, dual credit, and homeschool students.

This is a 56-page set of worksheets for the book "What Is the Declaration of Independence?" by Michael C. Harris. This includes a four-page story test. There are three worksheets for each chapter: * comprehension questions * vocabulary * story analysis Also, there are twenty-six worksheets at the end: * story review * language skills * story reflection * review activity * cause and effect * compare and contrast * W questions * illustrations * book design * news report * critical thinking * inferences * summaries * transformation * interviews * word search * crossword puzzle * story test (four pages) There is also an answer key included at the end of the file. Worksheets for the “Who Was…?” series: * What Is the Declaration of Independence? * What Was the Boston Tea Party? * What Was Pearl Harbor? * What Was Pompeii? * What Was the Underground Railroad? * Where Are the Galapagos Islands? * Where Is the Amazon? * Where Is the Grand Canyon? * Where Is the Great Wall? * Where Is Mount Everest? * Who Is Barack Obama? * Who Was Albert Einstein? * Who Was Amelia Earhart? * Who Was Anne Frank? * Who Was Ben Franklin? * Who Was Charles Darwin? * Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? * Who Was Gandhi? * Who Was Harriet Tubman? * Who Was Helen Keller? * Who Was Isaac Newton? * Who Was Jackie Robinson? * Who Was Jacques Cousteau? * Who Was John F. Kennedy? * Who Was King Tut? * Who Was Leonardo da Vinci? * Who Was Louis Armstrong? * Who Was Marie Curie? * Who Was Mark Twain? * Who Was Nelson Mandela? * Who Was Roald Dahl? * Who Was Rosa Parks? * Who Was Sally Ride? * Who Was Seabiscuit? * Who Was Thomas Alva Edison? * Who Was William Shakespeare? * Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? * Who Were The Beatles?

This is a 47-page set of worksheets for the book "What Were the Twin Towers?" by Jim O'Connor. This includes a four-page story test. For each set of two chapters, there are four worksheets: * comprehension questions (2 pages) * vocabulary * story analysis Also, there are twenty-two worksheets at the end: * story review * language skills * story reflection * review activity * cause and effect * compare and contrast * W questions * illustrations * book design * news report * critical thinking * inferences * summaries * transformation * word search * crossword puzzle * story test (four pages) There is also an answer key included at the end of the file. Worksheets for the “Who Was…?” series: * What Is the Declaration of Independence? * What Was the Boston Tea Party? * What Was Pearl Harbor? * What Was Pompeii? * What Was the Underground Railroad? * What Were the Twin Towers? * Where Are the Galapagos Islands? * Where Is the Amazon? * Where Is the Grand Canyon? * Where Is the Great Wall? * Where Is Mount Everest? * Who Is Barack Obama? * Who Was Albert Einstein? * Who Was Amelia Earhart? * Who Was Anne Frank? * Who Was Ben Franklin? * Who Was Charles Darwin? * Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? * Who Was Gandhi? * Who Was Harriet Tubman? * Who Was Helen Keller? * Who Was Isaac Newton? * Who Was Jackie Robinson? * Who Was Jacques Cousteau? * Who Was John F. Kennedy? * Who Was King Tut? * Who Was Leonardo da Vinci? * Who Was Louis Armstrong? * Who Was Marie Curie? * Who Was Mark Twain? * Who Was Nelson Mandela? * Who Was Roald Dahl? * Who Was Rosa Parks? * Who Was Sally Ride? * Who Was Seabiscuit? * Who Was Thomas Alva Edison? * Who Was William Shakespeare? * Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? * Who Were The Beatles?

This is a 53-page set of worksheets for the book "Who Was Jacques Cousteau?" by Nico Medina. This includes a four-page story test. There are three worksheets for each chapter: * comprehension questions * vocabulary * story analysis Also, there are twenty worksheets at the end: * story review * story reflection * review activity * cause and effect * compare and contrast * illustrations * biography (story map) * news report * critical thinking * inferences * summaries * scrambled sentences * word search * crossword puzzle * story test (four pages) There is also an answer key included at the end of the file. Worksheets for the “Who Was…?” series: * What Was Pearl Harbor? * What Was Pompeii? * What Was the Underground Railroad? * Where Are the Galapagos Islands? * Where Is the Amazon? * Where Is the Grand Canyon? * Who Is Barack Obama? * Who Was Albert Einstein? * Who Was Amelia Earhart? * Who Was Anne Frank? * Who Was Ben Franklin? * Who Was Charles Darwin? * Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? * Who Was Harriet Tubman? * Who Was Helen Keller? * Who Was Isaac Newton? * Who Was Jackie Robinson? * Who Was Jacques Cousteau? * Who Was John F. Kennedy? * Who Was King Tut? * Who Was Leonardo da Vinci? * Who Was Louis Armstrong? * Who Was Marie Curie? * Who Was Mark Twain? * Who Was Nelson Mandela? * Who Was Roald Dahl? * Who Was Rosa Parks? * Who Was Sally Ride? * Who Was Seabiscuit? * Who Was Thomas Alva Edison? * Who Was William Shakespeare? * Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? * Who Were The Beatles?

This is a 58-page set of worksheets for the book "Where Is Our Solar System?" by Stephanie Sabol.

This includes a four-page story test.

For each chapter, there are three worksheets:

* comprehension questions

* vocabulary

* story analysis

Also, there are twenty-five worksheets at the end:

* story review

* language skills

* story reflection

* review activity

* cause and effect

* compare and contrast

* W questions

* illustrations

* book design

* news report

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* interviews

* word search

* crossword puzzle

* story test (four pages)

Also, there is an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for the “Who Was…?” series:

* What Is the Declaration of Independence?

* What Was the Boston Tea Party?

* What Was Pearl Harbor?

* What Was Pompeii?

* What Was the Underground Railroad?

* What Were the Twin Towers?

* Where Are the Galapagos Islands?

* Where Is Our Solar System

* Where Is the Amazon?

* Where Is the Grand Canyon?

* Where Is the Great Wall?

* Where Is Mount Everest?

* Who Is Barack Obama?

* Who Was Albert Einstein?

* Who Was Amelia Earhart?

* Who Was Anne Frank?

* Who Was Babe Ruth?

* Who Was Ben Franklin?

* Who Was Charles Darwin?

* Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt?

* Who Was Gandhi?

* Who Was Harriet Tubman?

* Who Was Helen Keller?

* Who Was Isaac Newton?

* Who Was Jackie Robinson?

* Who Was Jacques Cousteau?

* Who Was John F. Kennedy?

* Who Was King Tut?

* Who Was Leonardo da Vinci?

* Who Was Louis Armstrong?

* Who Was Marie Curie?

* Who Was Mark Twain?

* Who Was Nelson Mandela?

* Who Was Roald Dahl?

* Who Was Rosa Parks?

* Who Was Sally Ride?

* Who Was Seabiscuit?

* Who Was Thomas Alva Edison?

* Who Was William Shakespeare?

* Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?

* Who Were The Beatles?