These 10 short writing assignments for teens and tweens are a great way to assess student writing, leave with sub, or use as “filler” activities as needed. I keep a few copied and tucked away so I’m always covered if an extra assignment is needed! Each 2-page writing activity includes a review of key literary terms, important information needed for the assignment (format, guidelines, etc.) and a writing activity. These writing assignments can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a full class period. Feel free to time students or give them as long as they need. To stretch an activity, have students read aloud for the class or in small groups. The poetry activity is especially fun to read aloud! Writing assignments included: 1.) Descriptive writing: picture prompt 2.) Persuasive writing: letter to school board 3.) Narrative writing: overcoming challenge essay 4.) Editorial writing: school hot topic editorial 5.) Expository writing: bullying essay 6.) Poetry writing: free verse and haiku 7.) Compare and contrast writing: topic choices provided 8.) Opinion writing: social media essay 9.) Creative writing: sentence starter prompt 10.) Journal writing: two writing prompts Written in American English.

As we all know, students are obsessed with their technology-- phones, laptops, tablets! This 3-part expository writing activity for secondary students is a FUN way to get students thinking outside the box while writing about something they love! After reflecting on the apps they use every day, students are given the opportunity to create their own unique, never-before-seen app that their classmates will review. Part 1: Design the app cover and fill out an “App Store” page with brief overview. Part 2: Write an expository essay (review of key terms and essay format included). Part 3: Conduct a peer rotation session where each student reviews three of their classmate’s apps. There is a five-star review section and space for comments. This activity may take 2-3 class periods, depending on how much time they are given to create, write, and review. To add an additional activity, allow students to orally present their apps for the class. It never hurts to throw some public speaking in the mix! *Written in American English.

*The purpose of this current event speech is to encourage your secondary students to learn about the world around them, share their knowledge with others, and improve their research, writing, and public speaking skills. *Students will need access to computers/internet and a printer. *If you prefer not to assign the speech, you can simply assign one current event analysis per day, week, or month. Students can read an article and fill out the “Current Event #1” activity sheet. *Modify the activity to meet the needs of your learners! INCLUDED (PDF Zip File): • Current event informative speech guidelines (handout for students, 1 page) • Current event analysis activity sheets (3 pages) • Speech outline (2 pages) • Grading rubric (1 page) Written in American English.

Clean desk notes are a great classroom management tool to acknowledge students who are taking pride in their personal work space! Write a note on the back or pair with a small treat, and make your students feel special! *6 printable designs *Full color and black/white/gray *FREE!

Task Cards for junior high students are perfect for early finishers, warm-ups, time fillers, journal entries, write-pair-shares, sub assignments & extra credit! The PDF file includes 11 pages of black and white printables (total of 43 task cards–4 per page). The task cards include a variety of activities, including writing prompts and graphic organizers (both short and long activities). All topics are relevant and grade-appropriate for 6th-9th grade students. Teachers can cut and laminate individual cards or make copies and use in a variety of ways! Ideas for use: Laminate each card, hole-punch the top corner of each card, and put on a ring clip. Early finishers may then look through the cards and choose which activity they’d like to complete. You can also project one of the cards on a screen as a warm-up each day or leave one of the lengthier activities for a sub. It’s also convenient to have task cards on hand for days when the lesson ends early and you need a quick time filler! Written in American English.

Exit tickets are the perfect way to quickly assess your students’ understanding of the lesson! This set of creatively designed exit tickets work for any subject area and are ideal for upper-elementary or lower-secondary students (grades 3-9). They are an even mix of quick checks that take 1-2 minutes and short answer questions that may take up to 5 minutes. Many of the tickets use Bloom’s Taxonomy sentence stems to check for knowledge and comprehension, and encourage students to analyze or evaluate the material or teaching method. The last two exit tickets provide writing space for students to answer an essential question that YOU post on the board or projector. You can keep a set of these essential question tickets on hand for quick comprehension checks! There are also a few exit tickets that require you to assign the students a specific topic or concept to write about. For example, the prompt may ask them to “give an example of” or “compare and contrast.” Use these exit tickets as often as you’d like! Print on white or colored paper (they will print in black and white). Your students will love the fun designs and themes! Written in American English.

Time to celebrate the winter holidays! It is important for students to learn that a TRADITION is a custom, activity, or belief carried on from generation to generation, or repeated over a long period of time. Traditions are important because they represent our culture, allow us to celebrate diversity, and enable us to create lasting memories with our friends, family, and community! In these activities (best suited for grades 4-8), students will reflect and write about a special holiday tradition in their own family, create a new tradition, and research how people celebrate in other parts of the world! Students will use their thinking, reading, writing, and research skills. If time permits, they can also use their public speaking/presentation skills! Activities included in this 9-page PDF file: -“Holiday Traditions: How do YOU Celebrate?” Brainstorm Activity -Holiday Tradition Essay -Create-a-Tradition Activity -Winter Holiday Traditions Around the World Research Activity *24 topics provided (traditions from around the world) *Research outline with space for simple citations *Picture collage page **Written in American English.

Make impromptu speaking FUN with these easy-to-understand student guidelines, impromptu formats, class practice activity, and 50 topics! Modify this lesson to meet the needs of your learners; you can even write your own topics based on your subject-area. Emphasize that impromptu speaking takes a lot of practice (rarely does anyone deliver a perfect speech the first time). You can also explain that impromptu speaking will help develop their quick thinking, organizational, and vocal skills such as fluency and articulation. Printable PDF File Contents: “What is Impromptu Speaking?” Student Notes & Guidelines (2 pages) Timed Class Activity: Speech Prep & Outline Practice (1 page) 50 Impromptu Speaking Topics (3 pages) Impromptu Speech Grading Rubric (1 page) Written in American English.

“My First Research Paper” will help guide your students through the often frustrating and overwhelming process of writing a research paper! Designed for secondary students, these activities may be modified to meet the needs of your learners. For example, if your students are not ready to incorporate MLA citations into their papers (or if you prefer APA), you can teach the citations and works cited format in a different way. 7th grade teachers may want to keep things more simplified, as 10th grade teachers will want to ensure students fully understand citation/MLA format and guidelines. If you already have activities to teach research paper writing, you may pair these activities with your current materials. These pages are meant to enhance your lesson, not necessarily replace what you are already doing! You are free to use only what you need. You may also use the “Peer Revising & Editing” page for other writing assignments, not just research papers. I hope you find these tools helpful, for both you and your students. Examples are shown on every page to help the students along the way! Included in File (14 pages): -Research Paper Notes & Topic Ideas -Make a Plan! (Brainstorming Activity Page) -Research Outline -Rough Draft Pages (with tips) -Citation Station (Guide for MLA in-text citations & works cited) -Peer Revising & Editing -Final Draft Guidelines & Fill-In Information for Students -Final Paper Rubric **Written in American English.

Ring in the New Year with these writing and activity pages for your mid to upper elementary students (3-6th grade). Use as warm-ups, additions to your lesson plans, time-fillers, sub assignments, or just for fun! If you have time, encourage students to share their essays and New Year’s resolutions with a partner or the class. Activities Include: New Year Celebration Word Search (with key) Reflections Writing Prompt A Look into the Future Writing Prompt New Year’s Resolutions Google Your Way into the New Year! (with key) Tic-Tac-Toe! New Year’s Writing Choice Board Blank Lined Paper (for choice board writing) Sample essay question: Imagine ringing in the New Year 20 years from now! How old will you be? What do you hope to have accomplished in life? Write a prediction of where you see yourself in 20 years. Written in American English.

Students love a project when they get to CHOOSE a topic based on their personal interests! The purpose of this 3-part project for grades 4-8 is for students to explore and learn about an occupation that is of interest to them. Often, students say, “I want to be a (insert job) when I grow up,” but they don’t know what that entails. This project requires students to research an occupation of their choice, take notes on a research outline, write an informative essay, and create an eye-catching visual aid. **Please feel free to modify this project to meet the needs of your learners! –Lined pages are provided for the essay. However, some teachers may require students to type the paper or write on notebook paper. –Although an oral presentation is only required for one of the choice board activities, students should be encouraged to share details about their occupation with the class. An idea would be to have a mini job fair in your classroom where students can display and discuss their visual aids. PDF Zip File Includes (10 pages): -Project Guideline Page for Students -Topic List -Visual Aid Choice Board -Research Outline -Informative Essay Writing Pages -Rubric **Written in American English.

On each set of “Prove It!” worksheets, students are provided with five statements to research online (website list provided). The statements may be true or false. It is the students’ job to make that determination based on textual evidence. Using the “suggested websites” at the top of the page, the students should search key words in the question to locate the specific information. If the statement is false, students should write a sentence (evidence) from a source that includes the correct information. If the statement is true, they should write a sentence (evidence) from a source to verify the statement. Finally, the student should provide any information they can in the right column about the source where they found the textual evidence. Tell students that there may or may not be an author and/or date provided on the website. They should at least write the web address and title of the webpage or article. It is at your discretion whether students search additional websites from those provided on each assignment. However, all answers may be found on the websites listed. Older students should be able to find the textual evidence on their own, as they may have more experience navigating new websites. However, younger students may be more successful working in pairs. Included in File: *Prove It! #1 (Topic: Whales) *Prove It! #2 (Topic: Weather) *Prove It! #3 (Topic: Reptiles) *Prove It! #4 (Topic: Solar System) *Prove It! #5 (Topic: The Human Heart) *Answer Keys Written in American English.

SQUABBLE Cards for secondary students are a fun and engaging way to get kids talking, participating, writing, sharing, researching, and forming opinions! There are tons of ways to use these cards in your classroom (see list below). *This set includes 88 cards. Questions are labeled based on their “category.” Categories: Education (20 cards) Sports (10 cards) Government (15 cards) Technology (20 cards) Social Issues (15 cards) Environment (8 cards) Suggestions for Use: Class discussion Debates Think, pair, share Quick writes Persuasive essays Research Time fillers Warm-up / Closing Early finishers *For best results, print cards, cut, and laminate. Written in American English.

Add some POPS OF COLOR to your bulletin boards, doors, cabinets, and walls with these CRAZY DOTS capital letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and special characters in 3 color schemes! You receive THREE FULL SETS! *Each circle measures 4 ¼ X 4 ¼ inches. *Included in each set: Capital letters A-Z, numbers 0-9, punctuation/special characters (? ! & ‘ #), and a blank circle in each color scheme (for a space). *Printable, full-color PDF files (in zip file). *Simply print, laminate, cut & decorate! Save paper and print only the pages you need! *For longer-lasting, more durable letters, print and laminate on white cardstock instead of printer paper.

Add some color to your bulletin boards, doors, cabinets, and walls with these HAWAIIAN FLOWER capital letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and special characters in 3 color schemes! You receive THREE SETS (green/coral, purple/orange, aqua/pink). *Each flower circle measures 4 ¼ X 4 ¼ inches. *Included in each set: Capital letters A-Z, numbers 0-9, punctuation/special characters (? ! & ‘ #), and a blank flower (for a space). *Printable PDF files (in zip file). *Simply print, laminate & cut! Save paper and print only the pages you need! For longer-lasting, more durable letters, print and laminate on white cardstock instead of printer paper.

Scientists have captured a new, mysterious creature and are keeping it safe in the lab. Each student will create this “mystery creature” in their mind, then brainstorm ideas on an outline, design a visual aid, write a report (rough and final draft), and give a presentation detailing its physical characteristics, ideal habitat, how it communicates, and other important information. Their imaginations will run wild! The best part? They will have FUN while you are assessing their writing and presentation skills! It’s a WIN-WIN! 3-Part Project (*RUBRIC Included!): 1.) Essay (Rough draft, peer editing activity & final draft) 2.) Visual Aid (2 options: poster diagram or 3-D model) 3.) Presentation File includes PDF printables of the following: -Student Project Guidelines -Brainstorming Outline -Rough Draft Pages -Peer Editing Activity -Final Draft Pages -Grading Rubric **Written in American English.

This demonstration speech (also known as a “how-to” speech) is a great way to get 4th-7th grade students comfortable speaking in front of a group and gives them the opportunity to incorporate a technology-based visual aid into their presentation. This project includes three parts: an outline, speech, and slideshow presentation. All three parts are graded on a single rubric. Supporting materials such as a student guidelines page, slideshow presentation tips, and notes on using transitional words and phrases are included. If you do not have the resources or time to allow students to make a slideshow, they may bring a visual aid to reference during the presentation. You may also allow them to actually do or demonstrate the activity during their presentation. Modify the requirements of this speech however you’d like (based on time constraints, available resources, and the needs of your students). Whether or not students may use their outline, a few note cards, or simply rely on the slides during the speech is at your discretion. Included in File: -Teacher’s Notes & Table of Contents -Speech Guidelines for Students -Topic List -Transitional Words & Phrases Notes -Presentation Tips & Slideshow Guidelines -Speech Outline -Grading Rubric **Written in American English.

Debate Around-the-Room for Kids & Tweens is a 4th-8th grade rotation activity in which students work in pairs (or small groups of 3-4) and respond to resolutions posted around the classroom. At each station, the students will read a resolution, brainstorm both affirmative and negative arguments, determine the impacts of each set of arguments, and decide which side’s impacts would benefit the greatest number of people. This activity teaches students the importance of weighing impacts and analyzing both sides of an issue before making a swift judgement. There are two answer sheet options provided where students can record their answers during rotations. You should determine which answer sheet is best for your students based on their age, knowledge of debate terminology, and the amount of time they have to spend at each station. There is a vocabulary sheet for the students’ use. The number and length of rotations are up to you; you can start with 10-12 minutes per rotation and add time if necessary. Suggestions: -Cut and laminate the resolution cards and/or print them on colored paper or card stock. -If you don’t have time for rotations, use the cards as warm-up writing or discussion prompts! -Use a bell or timer when it’s time to rotate. You can also play music during transitions. -Because there are 24 resolution cards, your students can participate in this activity multiple times. For example, if you use cards #1-5 on day one, use cards #6-10 on day two. -If you run out of cards, allow students to write their own! There is a blank resolution card template on page 19 of this file. -After rotations are complete, allow the students to share their arguments, impacts, and final decisions with the class. You can even have a full-class debate! -As an extension activity, students can research and write an actual case affirming or negating one of the resolutions. Included in File: -Vocabulary Review for Students -Rotation Response Sheets (Basic- front/back) -Rotation Response Sheets (Advanced- front/back) -24 Resolution Cards (2 different cards per page) -Blank Resolution Cards (for write-in topics) Feel free to ask questions before purchasing. Enjoy! **American English

Looking for some fun, trendy posters for your classroom? You’ve found them! This set of four chic classroom posters are printable in full-color and perfect for any age group! Each poster has a quote, bright colors, and a modern design. For best results, print at 18X24 inches (or scale larger). Feel free to ask questions before purchasing. Enjoy!

If you’ve turned on the news lately, stood in line at the grocery store and browsed the magazines, or surfed the internet, then you know that conspiracy theories are everywhere! Some of the theories are so intriguing, we read further or turn up the volume. Others are so outrageous that we laugh in disbelief! How can we possibly separate fact from fiction when the media can be so convincing? Some of the oldest conspiracy theories are still circulating today, from Bigfoot and alien sightings, to the “faked” moon landing and rumors that Elvis is still alive! In this 3-part research project, Conspiracy Theories: Uncovering the Truth (research outline, paper, and slideshow presentation) plus optional debate, your 9th-12th grade students can try to get to the bottom of some of the wildest conspiracy theories and decide for themselves what is real and what is fake. This is a FUN project that your students will enjoy. Although there is a timed debate format, they will want to debate these conspiracy theories for hours! Included in 11-Page PDF file: -Teacher’s Notes & Table of Contents -What is a conspiracy theory? Information & Topic List -Info Sheet and Project Requirements -Research Outline -MLA Works Cited Page Format & In-Text Citations -Project Grading Rubric -Debate Formats (1 VS. 1 & 2 VS. 2) -Peer Debate Round Notes & Voting Ballot *The basics of MLA format are explained in this project and assessed on the grading rubric. You may implement a different format if you’d like. **Written in American English.