This is a set of ROOTS for your Word Wall. Included are 80 Root Words with meaning and examples, AND illustrations -plus extra pages of the same Root words with meaning, examples, and blank spaces so students can draw. These printable pages are excellent to display on your word wall- or for students to study. Four Root "cards" are formatted on a single page. Simply print, cut, and pin! You may also want to print on stock paper and place on a ring for students to clip to their bookbags. All pages are in Black and White. Learning to identify root words is a valuable lesson that will assist students when they decode unfamiliar words – throughout life! Although the CCSS specifically assigns roots and affixes to grades 6, 7, and 8, every grade from 1 to 12 is expected to “determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words” Language Standard 2.4, 3.4, 5.4, 6.4, 7.4, 8.4, 9-10.4, and 11-12.4. Thanks!

This complete lesson for the short story “Too Soon A Woman” by Dorothy M. Johnson requires no prep! This product includes: ---3 day lesson plan in EATS format (including an activating strategy, teaching strategies, and more…) ---Six printable worksheets (including comprehension questions, discussion questions, exit tickets, and more…) ---Answer Keys ---28- Slide PowerPoint (including methods of characterization, PALS reading strategy Essential Question Sample Answer, and more…) This lesson is Common Core aligned to: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. I LOVE this story! The voice, the desperate situation, the narrator’s naïve hatred all tug at my heart! I especially love the last sentence’s revelation! The lesson discusses character traits, character motivation, point of view, and conflict. Each is clearly defined- and examples are given. During the three days, students are given the opportunity to work independently, in pairs, in groups, through writing, through speech, etc. Various activities will help with differentiated learning. This lesson is particularly effective in helping students answer the Essential Question (How can we analyze how particular lines of dialogue or a particular incident in a story reveal aspects of a character?) for three reasons: 1- Students practice answering in groups with a short fable BEFORE they read the text 2- Students are shown an example of an answer, which they critique BEFORE they read the text 3- Students read the text at least twice. Due to this preparation, students are able to successfully answer the E.Q. at the culmination of the lesson (on Day 3!). I hope you enjoy this lesson as much as I do! Thank you!

This lesson focuses on helping middle school students identify the different types of sentence. Students will notice that each structure signals differing relationships among ideas, as based on the Common Core Standard 7.1.b . This is a challenging topic. I have worked on this product to bring some fun to the lesson. I have included: # a PowerPoint, # a lesson plan (with activating strategy, vocabulary, exit ticket, etc.), # a graphic organizer # worksheets # FIVE activities, # a quick quiz, # a vocabulary list # answer keys and # a Your Turn exit ticket The lesson plan is detailed so that it is easy for the teacher to teach each structure with an activity (or two) without getting overwhelmed! The 66-slide PowerPoint is filled with information and is easy for students to follow- especially as they fill in their graphic organizer. There are visuals included. Plus, there is a silent activity where students guess by using sign language letter to show their choice! Fun! I have also included the worksheets in PDF in case that works best for you! CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1.b Choose among simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas. Thank you!

This resource includes the Powerpoint, two- day lesson plan, and two worksheets (Answer Key included) for the short story by Anne McCaffery. Created to be fully useful, this is a straightforward lesson plan with worksheets that I have found to be very successful with "The Smallest Dragonboy," a short story on courage. ✓ I have included: -- an EATS lesson plan with an Essential Question, preview vocabulary, activating strategy, teaching strategies and a summarizing strategy (Exit Ticket) --2 worksheets- Just print and go! --Answer keys --PowerPoint I have also included the lesson plan, worksheet, and sample for PALS reading- as I've found this to be an effective strategy. This product turns the short story in your book into an interactive lesson. Note: One slide- the original sample answer (on "The Three Little Pigs")- is the same one featured in my product "Bargain" by A. B. Guthrie. Thanks so much! ~Kim

REVENGE! This short story deals with justice and revenge. If you have the short story "Bargain" by A. B. Guthrie in your anthology, this lesson is for you! Created to be fully useful, this is a lesson that I have found to be successful with ""Bargain." I use this at the beginning of the year when teaching the plot mountain. I have included: -- an EATS lesson plan with an Essential Question, preview vocabulary, activating strategy, teaching strategies and a summarizing strategy (Exit Ticket) --2 worksheets- Just print and go! --Answer keys --PowerPoint The lesson has original (written by me!) sample answers to the Essential Question, which I have found to be EXTREMELY helpful for students. They get to see an answer before they are expected to write one. One sample is on "The Three Little Pigs." I have also included the components for PALS reading- as I've found this to be an effective strategy with short stories in my classroom. External and Internal Conflict are discussed. This product turns the short story in your book into an interactive lesson. Thanks so much! ~Kim

"The Mysteries of Harris Burdick" by Chris Van Allsburg is the basis for this creative writing lesson. Check out the reviews below. The text is not included. Please secure a copy of "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick" by Chris Van Allsburg before buying this product as you will need the pictures for the lesson. This product includes: EATS Lesson plan Powerpoint Student worksheets Brainstorming worksheet Peer conference worksheet After teaching/ brainstorming the first day, the class will write (like their fingers are on fire!) for days 2-5. I have added a simple PowerPoint, but it is not essential to teaching the lesson. The PPT is editable if you desire to make changes. Fun lesson for your creative writers! Thank you.

This product includes a Powerpoint, two- day lesson plan, and several worksheets. Created to be fully useful, this is a straightforward lesson plan with worksheets that I have found to be very successful with "Ta-Na-E-Ka," a short story on traditions. I use this at the beginning of the year when teaching the plot mountain. Included: ---2 EATS lesson plan with an Essential Question, preview vocabulary, activating strategy, teaching strategies and a summarizing strategy (Exit Ticket). ---4 worksheets- Just print and go! ---Answer keys ---An extra (optional) worksheet for differentiated instruction. ---Quiz The lesson has a sample answer to the Essential Question, which I have found to be EXTREMELY helpful for students to see before they are expected to write. The sample is on "The Three Little Pigs." A link to the story is provided if you want to read the story to your students. I have also included the lesson plan, worksheet and sample for PALS reading- as I've found this to be an effective strategy. External and Internal conflict are discussed. Thanks so much! ~Kim

This “Puns” lesson comes complete with: • an EATS lesson plan (including essential question, teaching strategies, etc.) • a PowerPoint • a printable worksheet that follows the PowerPoint • an exit ticket • an answer sheet • a bonus worksheet for students to create puns This lesson provides an explanation of puns and the reasons authors use them. Students will learn to interpret puns through the discussion of the several examples. In order to focus on CCSS (LITERACY.L.8.5 and L.8.5.A), the Essential Question asks “How can I interpret puns?” A sample response to this question is included. Students will be able to discuss and critique the response- before they are expected to answer it on their own. I have found providing a sample answer really helps students understand how to respond to the lesson’s exit ticket. The printable worksheet allows students to follow along with the lesson- and independently work on interpreting puns in literature. An “Extra Pun Worksheet” is included for further study. Using the list of multiple meaning words and more examples, students can create their own puns! I hope you enjoy this Puns lesson. Thank you!

This is a complete lesson for the short story “Charles” by Shirley Jackson. No prep necessary! This product includes: ---3 day lesson plan in EATS format (including an activating strategy, teaching strategies, and more…) ---4 printable worksheets (including comprehension questions, writing prompts, exit tickets, and more…) ---Answer Keys ---41- Slide PowerPoint (including methods of characterization, PALS reading strategy, Sample Answer for the Essential Question, and more…)This is a great short story for the middle school! The lesson discusses: explicit details vs. implicit details, inferring, static vs. dynamic characters, and theme. During the three days, students are given the opportunity to work independently, in pairs, in groups, through writing, through speech, etc. Various activities will help with differentiated learning. This lesson is particularly effective in helping students answer the Essential Question (How can a reader determine theme of a text?) because a sample student answer is given for the class to critique. Students will independently answer the E.Q. at the culmination of the lesson (on Day 3!). I hope you enjoy this lesson ! This lesson is Common Core aligned to: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

An EATS lesson plan with an Essential Question, vocabulary, activating strategy, teaching strategies, and a summarizing strategy (Exit Ticket). ✓Worksheets- Just print and go! ✓Answer key ... are all included. ✓ The 20-slide PowerPoint, 5-page lesson plan, and 2-page worksheet are aligned with the CCSS.Lit. 6-7.3 & 6-7.5. Created to be easy to use and fully engaging, the lesson plan pairs with the worksheets that I have created to be very successful with "Eleven," a short story found in most middle school anthologies. The lesson has a sample answer to the Essential Question (How do characters respond to change as the plot moves toward a resolution?), which I have found to be extremely helpful for students. They are able to see an effective answer before they are expected to write one. The sample is on "The Three Little Pigs." Students get to discuss the example answer before they write their own response for the exit ticket. I have also included the instructions and sample for the PALS reading strategy- as I've found this to be an effective strategy with short stories in my classroom. Students will discuss being eleven, write a six-word memoir, read “Name” from House on Mango Street, and more. External and Internal conflict are discussed. If you have the short story “Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros in your anthology, this lesson is for you!

These exercises for learning how to determine an unknown word using context clues focuses on 4 categories: examples, definition, antonym, and details. Teaching these strategies will help your students’ reading comprehension with secondary texts. Context clues are so important; they are part of the Common Core Standards in grades TWO through TWELVE. This product includes: ---An EATS Lesson plan (with vocabulary, teaching strategies, etc.) ---A complete PowerPoint for this lesson ---Two worksheets ---Two activities ---A PowerPoint of printable TASK CARDS (8)- perfect for differentiated instruction This lesson focuses on grades 9 through 12. The lesson gives the definition for context and shows examples. A sample sentence without context clues is also shown. Students will be given an original picture of "clues" as a PowerPoint visual to connect with this concept. Students will learn the four main strategies that writers use to give context clues to their readers (telling, examples, antonyms, and picture-painting). As a class, students will practice with the examples on the PowerPoint- identifying which strategy the writer used. Later, students will pair up and work on TASK CARD examples (perfect for differentiating this lesson- or use them as homework slips!). Finally, students will work independently on a worksheet and create a context clue-filled sentence of their own for their peers to critique. Most of the students' unknown words come from my "Word of the Day: Preparing for the S.A.T." So, if they accidentally learn the meaning, it's a win!! This lesson has a lot of information and several strategies for students to learn. The second PowerPoint (the one with task cards) is intended to be printed. This lesson focuses on: CCSS Literacy .L9 -12.4.a. Thank you!

Students will follow the PowerPoint to find out what connotation is- and find FOUR STRATEGIES to use to uncover nuances in meaning. This lesson uses task cards, a game, and worksheet to capture students' attention. Check the feedback below. This product includes: -- an EATS lesson (with essential question, activating strategy, vocabulary, etc.) -- two worksheets -- answer keys --40 Task Cards for writing a paragraph --40 more Task Cards for writing a haiku (for others to guess the subject!) --Match Up GAME Focus: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5, L.7.5 , L.8.5 and CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5.c, L.7.5.c, L.8.5.c The class will see examples of writing that are negative and examples that are positive- and learn what shades of meaning are. The essential question also is the exit ticket. A sample answer is included so students can LEARN the answer. After they have learned the concept, they will be expected to understand and write it. The task cards are great for individual practice. Students love sharing what they have written. For differentiated instruction, I have included task cards on Haikus. Students focus on word choice as they write a haiku on a given subject. When complete, they read the haiku to the class and the class will guess their subject. Example: Student A reads: Brown or white mammal With hooves and tail, she’s lazy. She provides breakfast. The class guesses: a cow! Students enjoy this activity! There is an additional worksheet included for those who are struggling- and need additional practice. I encourage my students to use the thesaurus if they want. Thank you!

This 2- day, comprehensive lesson includes a PowerPoint, (EATS) lesson plan, and 3 worksheets. Complete with essential question, vocabulary, teaching strategies, and an exit ticket, students learn 3 strategies to correct vague pronouns. Once students are shown several examples, they will practice with slides on the PowerPoint. Students will work as a class, with partners, and finally, on individual worksheets. If you teach sixth-grade, this is for you. No prep. Print and go! CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.1.d Recognize and correct vague pronouns (i.e., ones with unclear or ambiguous antecedents).* This standard falls under the umbrella standard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. Thanks!

The powerpoint, worksheets, lesson, and more are aligned with the 7th grade standards for this short story by Gary Soto. Check out the reviews! I have included: --a 2-day EATS lesson plan with an Essential Question, preview vocabulary, activating strategy, teaching strategies, and a summarizing strategy (Exit Ticket) -- two worksheets- just print and go! -- a 24-slide PowerPoint -- answer keys -- printable Exit Tickets -- printable Exit Ticket Sample Answers for student pairs to critique I have also included the definitions to the vocabulary, a review on the elements of a short story, PowerPoint slides with timers (to keep students focused on discussions), and sample responses to questions (for students to analyze- or use as a model). This product turns the short story “Mother and Daughter” into an interactive lesson. Make sure you have a copy of the story before buying this product. Due to copyright laws, it is not provided with this purchase. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot). Thank you!

This is Poetry Match-Up Game that is effective and can be used over and over in the classroom! Accompanied with an EATS lesson plan and following the Common Core RI.7.4., the "board" gives 28 definitions. If poetry terms seem a little too rigorous- or you want to begin slowly, I’ve divided the words into two sections. You can give students half of the words to begin. When they finish, you can give them the more challenging words. Or, to differentiate instruction, you can challenge gifted students with all words immediately. Poetry words (in blue) are: Free verse, Haiku, Internal rhyme, Alliteration, Limerick, Simile, Metaphor, Rhyme scheme, Imagery, Personification, Hyperbole and Pun. Challenging words (in green) are: Acrostic, Bard, Genre, Ballad, Symbol, Allusion, Foot, Tone, Parody, Theme, Stanza and Harlem Renaissance. The answer key is provided not only to make life easier, but to allow students to check their own work. At the beginning of the year, have students work in groups to match the term to the definition. As the year progresses, use it as a review to see if the students learned the material. Eventually, students will complete the activity individually. It is a great activity for the end of the year, too. You will be impressed how much the students have learned. What took them 20 minutes at the beginning of the year now takes 5 minutes for many students! Throughout the year, I use this as a "filler" when the power goes out or a bomb threat is called in (Yes, it happens!) without wasting students' time. Once, my principal unexpectedly visited my classroom while the students were working on this activity- and he asked if I made this myself. He was impressed. Yay! (The happiness we teachers get from a pat on the back...) I suggest making copies of the game pieces with colored paper so the words stand out more. (My copy is on colored paper in the photo. You may use plain white paper. I've put the terms in a colored font- in hopes you have a colored printer). Laminating the game board and pieces (hint: laminate BEFORE you cut them apart) is a really good idea as well. I also print out copies and give at Open House or at conferences. My students' parents were very grateful!

This 26- slide PowerPoint gives great background biographical information of America's beloved writer, O. Henry. Paired with a worksheet, you may use as an example of any historical figure for a research project. This resource can serve as a great introduction for any class studying O. Henry's short stories. The accompanying worksheet will assure students follow along with the PowerPoint presentation. The answer key is included. This is perfect to use as an example of a finished project- when students are assigned to make a PowerPoint on a historical figure.

This lesson includes an EATS lesson plan, 3 worksheets, answer keys, discussion questions, and a PowerPoint for the classic short story that includes O. Henry's trademark twist! Focusing on CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.3 and 6.5, students will describe how the main character changes as the plot moves toward a resolution & analyze how a particular sentence contributes to the development of the plot. (Similar seventh-grade and eighth-grade standards are provided. The PowerPoint for "Retrieved Reformation" by O. Henry guides the class in activating activities, defining vocabulary, discussing key details, and answering the essential question. A sample answer to the E. Q. is provided for the class to critique (and use as a model for students to answer the E.Q. at the end of the lesson!). This is a great short story for students to enjoy! Thank you!

This is a complete lesson for the short story "What Do Fish Have To Do With Anything?" by Avi. No prep! This product includes: ---Lesson Plan in EATS format including an activating strategy, teaching strategies, and more. ---Five printable worksheets, which include comprehension questions, exit ticket, and more… ---Answer Keys ---Powerpoint, which includes Essential Questions, PALS reading strategy, Essential Question Sample Answer, and more… This lesson is Common Core aligned to : CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. Thank you!

This is a complete lesson for the short story "After 20 Years" by O. Henry. No prep! This product includes: ---Lesson Plan in EATS format including an activating strategy, teaching strategies, and more. The focus includes uncovering the theme ---Three printable worksheets, which include comprehension questions, exit ticket, and more… ---Answer Keys ---Powerpoint, which includes Essential Questions, PALS reading strategy, Essential Question Sample Answer, and more… -- Bonus Freebie PowerPoint of O. Henry. (20 slides of Biographical information) Included for Differentiation: A Writing Assignment (this is not an in-depth writing assignment, just a suggested culminating activity that is aligned with the Writing Common Core Standards This lesson is Common Core aligned to : CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. Thank you!

High School Exit Tickets (a.k.a. Exit Slips) are based on Common Core Standards and can be used with any selection, any day! Just print, cut and distribute! You can use each of the twenty tickets with EACH of the selections you assign. Although these are titled “Exit Tickets,” they can be used as Activating strategies, homework slips, prompts for extemporaneous speeches, task cards… The uses are MANY. I have found these cards to be very successful with collaborative pairs as an informal assessment. Each of the 20 printable pages has four Exit Tickets. If you need 40 exit tickets, make 10 copies. Simply print and cut along the lines. You may choose to laminate and keep them in a Ziplock bag to use more than once. (Since they work with any selection, students will benefit from repeated practice!) Two Exit Tickets that are included in this product: “How did one character develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot? (based on CCSS) If the main character transported to the past (or the future), how well would s/he endure? (based on Bloom’s Taxonomy) Each card will be the same size (easy collecting and stacking!). A box at the bottom of each card is provided for the score (easy grading!). Thank you! Exit Slips are the students' tickets to get out of the door!