Common Core Writing Assignments For A Whole Quarter. 8 different writing activities that can be completed over the course of a 9 weeks grading period. Each handout has the standard or standards that are the focus and an assignment that goes with the standards.Each writing assignment also includes a rubric for evaluation. Writing activities include persuasive, argument, narrative, descriptive, comparison/contrast, expository, and 2 weeks of research, all based on the common core standards. Developed for grade 7, but will work for grades 6 - 8 very well. - HappyEdugator CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1a Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1b Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1d Establish and maintain a formal style. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2a Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2b Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2c Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2d Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2e Establish and maintain a formal style. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2f Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3a Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.

Present Perfect Verb Tenses PowerPoint. The structure of present perfect tense verbs and present perfect progressive tense verbs. Grammar rules and structure are examined, and examples and graphic organizers show how the verbs are formed in positive sentences, negative sentences, and questions. Includes practice slides with key. Especially helpful for ESL. Common core standard starting in 5th grade and reinforced in higher grades. 16 slides. Updated January 2015. - HappyEdugator

Setting Detail Chart. This graphic organizer can be used with any book to analyze setting. Use with your novel study. Besides direct references to dates and places, setting is also conveyed through details about daily life and culture. Students fill in the chart with details that give clues about the setting of a book, and will gain a better understanding of setting. Starts out with Time and Place. Categories include: Jobs, Shelter, Clothing, Entertainment, Technology, Men's/Women's Roles, Transportation, and Other. Nothing fancy, but gets the job done! Have students practice first by projecting a photograph (one included on the cover) or use a cover from the book they are reading and have them try describing it. - HappyEdugator

Leap Year. Facts and fun. Animated PowerPoint on Leap Year. Answers questions many kids have about leap year. Slides include: What is Leap Year? When does Leap Year Happen? When do we add the extra day? Why do we have Leap Year? When was the first Leap Year? What calendar do we use today? How is Leap Year determined? 2016 is Leap Year - what are the next 4 leap years? 2016 is Leap Year - what year was the last leap year? The last slide is a partner activity the kids can do that is related to leap year and February 29.

Leap Year. Facts and fun. Animated PowerPoint on Leap Year. Answers questions many kids have about leap year. Slides include: What is Leap Year? When does Leap Year Happen? When do we add the extra day? Why do we have Leap Year? When was the first Leap Year? What calendar do we use today? How is Leap Year determined? 2016 is Leap Year - what are the next 4 leap years? 2016 is Leap Year - what year was the last leap year? The last slide is a partner activity the kids can do that is related to leap year and February 29.

Mythology Museum Project. Make a mythology museum exhibit. A fun group project for students to use creativity and knowledge of mythology. 10 activities required, with a signature line for each part a student participated in. Includes a detailed rubric. - HappyEdugator

Introduce the book Tuck Everlasting with this PowerPoint. Students will learn about the prologue, complete an anticipation guide, and prepare to make connections as they read the book. - HappyEdugator

Summer Reading List Grade 7 - 8. A suggested summer reading list to encourage reading. Nice handout to give to parents at the end of the year as a helpful guide to some good literature for young adults to read during the summer. Parents love it! Includes name of book and author. Chosen for the text level of complexity required by the common core standards. Good guide for homeschool parents, too. - HappyEdugator

Groundhog Day Activities and Resources. Lots of fun for Groundhog Day and early February! Includes an original groundhog rhyming poem to read, a word search puzzle, a maze, fun facts, weather and season words, poster, 6 week weather graphing activity and chart, word problem activity, mini color book, dot to dot with odd numbers, delicious recipe for a groundhog treat, and four bookmarks. 20 pages. Print and go. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator

This cause and effect chart goes along with the short story of The Legend of Popocatepetl and Ixtaccíhuatl. Students have to fill in the blanks of either the cause or the effect of the event listed on the chart. - HappyEdugator

Vocabulary for study skills...72 slides with essential academic vocabulary needed for developing good study skills and preparing students for standardized tests. Each slide has the word, the part of speech, definition, and synonyms. Animated so you can present the word first, then click to see the rest of the information. - HappyEdugator

Christmas Around the World. Merry Christmas! PowerPoint on traditions and customs of the Christmas holiday in 19 different countries: Canada, England, Sweden, Spain, Austria, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Australia, India, and the United States. Great introduction to your Christmas Around the World unit, or use as a follow up activity. Animation and lots of interesting fun facts! Kids will enjoy this before Christmas break. Great way to practice reading informational text. Fun! Enjoy! - HappyEdugator

Back to School - Kindergarten Language Arts Practice FREEBIE. Students have to connect the alphabet letters in the right order to get the children to school and back home. Upper case and lower case letters. Good back to school quick assessment. Enjoy this free product and have a great year! - HappyEdugator CCSS K.RF.1d

Reading Strategies - Bookmarks and PowerPoint. Use these bookmarks and PowerPoint minilesson to help your students use 7 different reading strategies when they get stuck on a word. Includes bookmarks (double-sided), teacher directions, handout, and PowerPoint slide presentation. - HappyEdugator

Fairy Tales Story Pattern. How to write fairy tales! This is a simple story pattern that can be used to help students write their own fairy tale. They can fill in the blanks to create a story sketch, which they can then elaborate and expand on to create their own personal fairy tale. Good to use as a follow up to a unit on fairy tales, or after reading a fairy tale, like those written by Hans C. Andersen or the Brothers Grimm. Helps students avoid writer's block by scaffolding and gives them the confidence to complete their own story. Writing practice is essential to the CCSS (common core state standards ) in Language Arts. Example included. - HappyEdugator

Thanksgiving Quiz - Test Your Thanksgiving Knowledge. The first Thanksgiving trivia quiz. Twenty questions. How many answers do you know? Some will surprise you! A fun Thanksgiving activity that can be used as a party game, but it could also be used as a student anticipation guide for a unit on Thanksgiving, a research or web quest sheet, or as an assessment after a Thanksgiving unit of study. Key included, of course! No prep. Print and go. - HappyEdugator

Thanksgiving Reader's Theater - Gobble It Up. A first Thanksgiving play script or Thanksgiving reader's theater; On the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims and the Indians are coming together for a three day feast, and Mr. Turkey Lurkey has to take cover. There are 26 short speaking parts, so everyone can be involved! It takes approximately 20-25 minutes to be performed. No costumes necessary, but you can dress it up. Fun November educational activity based on facts on the history of Thanksgiving! Two versions included - one with a smaller print (4 pages) to save on copies, and one with a larger font for reading ease (8 pages). No need to memorize lines. My students loved reading it, and I am sure yours wil enjoy this Thanksgiving activity, too! Print and go. No prep. Happy Thanksgiving! - HappyEdugator

Following Directions Puzzles. A fun way to teach following directions and critical thinking. Great test preparation. You get three challenging puzzles! In the first puzzle, students cross words off of a table according to the directions provided. When they are finished, they will reveal a famous inspirational quote about life. In the second puzzle, students have to rearrange letters according to the directions to change one phrase into another. Finally, in the third puzzle, students must follow the arrows in order to reach the finish. Keys included. This is also a useful activity to do around testing time, at the beginning or end of the year, or anytime you wish to reinforce the importance of following directions. Good brain work out for gifted and talented, too. - HappyEdugator

Where The Red Fern Grows Introduction PowerPoint Presentation. Introduce the novel Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Photos of red ferns, redbone coon hounds, raccoons, notes about the book, characters, setting, author, and theme notes are included, along with pictures of items from the time period and a preview of the movies that were made from the book. - HappyEdugator

Sequencing Activity Using Recipes. LF based lesson plan focuses on "How are following directions and sequencing events related?" This is an Activity Sheet with Essential Question and Activating Strategy, Activity Directions, and Exit Ticket Summarizer included, and a set of blank recipe cards for students to complete. Students will work with a partner and find recipes in a cookbook or on the internet and copy them down on their blank recipe cards. They will then complete two different activities with the cards. With the first card,they will identify directions and transition words and discuss what would happen if these got mixed up or out of order with their partner. With the second card, they will copy the directions onto sentence strips, mix them up, and give to another group to put in order. They will then write about their experience and turn in their summary. Ticket out the door included. - HappyEdugator