I have taught for 22 years- 11 years at a fabulous high school, 9 years at a phenomenal middle school, plus a few more years elsewhere...I have taught 3rd through 12th grades! Recently, I moved across the country and am now a teacher at the ZOO! Seriously!!
I have taught for 22 years- 11 years at a fabulous high school, 9 years at a phenomenal middle school, plus a few more years elsewhere...I have taught 3rd through 12th grades! Recently, I moved across the country and am now a teacher at the ZOO! Seriously!!
This lesson for the short story “Anataeus” by Borden Deal includes an EATS lesson plan with an Essential Question, preview vocabulary (including ALLUSION), activating strategy, teaching strategies, and a summarizing strategy (Exit Ticket). The product includes a Powerpoint, a PALS worksheet, a 2-paged study guide, and the answer key.
RL.7.3. Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot) is the Common Core focus.
Best of all, this lesson splits the text into chunks so that the students can group to do an ever-popular “Jigsaw” activity.
The product is editable in case you want to add or delete any section.
The allusion to the “real” Antaeus is included.
Instead of just reading a short story in class, use this product to teach flashback, plot, character- all tied to the COMMON CORE standard.
This one page printable is ready for students to fill in. Ten text boxes are provided. Each text box has a blank for the year and lines so that students can fill in a description of the events.
Great for novels, non-fiction, autobiography life lines, history and more!
Thank you!
Author's Purpose Task Cards for High School and Middle School (two sets of 20 each)
Based on Common Core.RI.6.6 , 7.6, 8.6, and 9-10.6, these task cards present a reading selection for which students select the correct author’s purpose.
Included are:
2 SETS of 20 original Task Cards (There are 40 cards total- both sets use the same 20 cards strong>, but have different multiple choice selections. The second set is more rigorous- and most closely resembles the selections found on standardized tests.)
Answer sheets
Answer Keys
Set 1: Students read a selection on each card and decide if the author's purpose is to: Persuade, Inform, or Entertain.
Set 2: Students read a selection on each card and determine the author's purpose from more rigorous options, such as: A) to present an argument using facts, B) to narrate a scene using sensory details, etc.
These cards are an easy way to check student comprehension, but can be used in many more ways: Entrance Tickets, Exit Tickets, Differentiation, Comprehension Check, Homework… They might also be used as a springboard for discussion of how the author accomplishes his/ her purpose.
One of my favorite ways to use is as follows:
Make copies of each slide, but do not cut apart. Each student will answer all four items on one page. The next day, as students enter the room, they will receive the next page. Continue until all answers are completed. On the fifth day, students pair up and check answers. Give students time to re-read any that are different from their partners. Turn in for a grade.
Have students write on – or laminate and use them more than once.
Focus:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose.
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!
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 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.
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
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!
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
“The Sea” by James Reeves is OFTEN used in state tests, worksheets, and anthologies. It is short, but provides a lot to discuss. It is straightforward, and yet still complex. The imagery is superb. Almost all of it is within the grasp of the student, and yet there are parts that need discussion to be revealed. All in all, it is a perfect poem to use with a class!
Due to copyright laws, I am unable to include the poem. It is easy to find and is likely in your anthology.
Included is a lesson plan originally written for 7th graders- appropriate for grades 6-12.
This is a PowerPoint, lesson plan AND worksheet. The PowerPoint includes:
the Essential Question
Activating Strategy
Defined vocabulary and
Examples.
Students will learn figurative language, metaphor and simile. They will see examples and create some new ones. Next, they will learn denotation and connotation. Again, they will see examples and try their hand at examples. Finally, they will apply this knowledge to the poem, "The Sea" by James Reeves.
After reading through once, students will answer questions about the first stanza and discuss. Then, the teacher (and PowerPoint) will guide them to answer the essential question based on the first stanza.
The second stanza will be read, questions will be answered, and the essential question will be attempted again, discussed and perfected.
Finally, the third stanza will be the focus of the assessment. The students will again read and answer questions, but this time, the students will be expected to use the strategy taught (re-read, locate, investigate and compare) to answer the essential question on their own.
There are more slides after the poem study is over, including an activity to write the poem in as few words as possible (to illustrate how word choice is important) as well as an exit ticket.
I hope you enjoy this lesson!
Thank you!
Display this student collaboration to show gratitude to the administrators! Eighteen pages total, this product has one extra page that can be added many times to the final poster (for any extra students you have).
GREAT for end of the year!
Pages can be colored any color, or you can ask students to:
Color the background - Blue
Color each letter - Yellow
NO CUTTING Required. Just color and tape up!
This Collaborative Poster is one of many. (Thank You, Guidance Counselors! / Thank You, Cafeteria Staff! / Thank You, Teachers! ETC.)
This is an inclusive, community-building activity that promotes student collaboration. Each student colors one section of a large mosaic poster. Once all sheets are colored (NO CUTTING!), they are assembled to reveal a large multi-colored mosaic / poster / mural.
You will love the results!
Thank you!
If you’ve never read The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (“EvCT”) by Jacqueline Kelly, you are in for a treat. My sixth graders love EvCT and I LOVE teaching it! It works well as a cross-curricular unit with science OR history- and the author’s voice is simply incredible.
71 pages + 91 PowerPoint slides = 162 page resource!
This product contains everything you need for a great unit and aligns with the Common Core State Standards.
This product includes:
• TWELVE lessons, each with a worksheet (study guide) featuring vocabulary. Answer keys are included. Most lessons also include extra activities to supplement the lesson (For example, one chapter features a PALS activity, complete with instructions; another chapter features a figurative lesson worksheet and activity.). The lesson plans are grouped as:
1. EvCT Ch 1
2. EvCT Ch 2
3. EvCT Ch 3 4 5
4. EvCT Ch 6 7
5. EvCT Ch 8 9
6. EvCT Ch 10 11
7. EvCT Ch 12 13
8. EvCT Ch 14 15 16
9. EvCT Ch 17 18 19
10. EvCT Ch 20 21 22
11. EvCT Ch 23 24 25
12. EvCT Ch 26 27 28
EvCT POWERPOINT (90 slides) The PPT gives visual references for background information (pinafore, kerosene lamp, Wounded Knee Massacre, author background, etc.), discussion questions, Venn diagrams, exit tickets and much more. Students also get to guess the prices from the 1890’s (my students love this activity!)
EvCT Final Test (Answer Key included)
Bookmarks What student doesn't like a little gift? Packed with EvCT info (and vocab!), this bookmark is a handy "cheat sheet" to use with the worksheets ~and possibly the final test (IF the teacher allows it...).
This product also features several opportunities for figurative language practice (EvCT has a ton of figurative language: perfect for mini-lessons!) and a semi-colon study. Some worksheets (study guides) offer “challenge questions.” There are opportunities for differentiated learning. You can use challenge questions for students who are absent or as an activity for cooperative learning…). There are also suggestions for research.
PLUS- writing prompts!
This product is editable, if you prefer to customize any part.
Final test, writing prompts, and extra activities are included!
The Common Core Standards cited are for 6th grade, but other grades are largely interchangeable.
Recommended for grades 5-8, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a 2010 Newbery Honor Book and the winner of the 2010 Bank Street - Josette Frank Award.
I spent over 100 hours on this product. I pride myself on creating a unit that offers user-friendly, thought-provoking lessons and creative activities.
Click this link to buy all of my
Display this student collaboration to show gratitude to the cafeteria staff ! Twenty pages total, this product has one extra page that can be added many times to the final poster (for any extra students you have).
GREAT for end of the year!
Pages can be colored any color, or you can ask students to:
Color the background - Blue
Color each letter - Yellow
NO CUTTING Required. Just color and tape up!
This Collaborative Poster is one of many. (Thank You, Guidance Counselors! / Thank You, Administrators! / Thank You, Teachers! ETC.)
This is an inclusive, community-building activity that promotes student collaboration. Each student colors one section of a large mosaic poster. Once all sheets are colored (NO CUTTING!), they are assembled to reveal a large multi-colored mosaic / poster / mural.
You will love the results!
Thank you!
This is a PowerPoint, lesson plan, several worksheets and activities on phrases and clauses. An EATS lesson plan (tied to the Common Core Standards) as well as two graphic organizers are included.
Complete with an essential question, activating strategy, vocabulary, teaching strategies, and an exit ticket, students learn the difference between phrases and clauses.
In Part 1, students are shown examples of each phrase type:
Noun phrase
Verb phrase
Adjectival phrase
Adverbial phrase
Participial phrase
Prepositional phrase
Absolute phrase
The class will fill out a graphic organizer, practice with partners and practice individually using different phrases.
In Part 2, students are shown examples of each clause type:
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Noun Clause
Relative Clause
Adjectival Clause
Again, the class will fill out a graphic organizer, practice with partners, and practice individually using different clauses.
In Part 3, students get a chance to review. There are opportunities for differentiation in the activities. For example, on the PPT, students are asked to create example sentences. To challenge students, teachers may opt to ask students to use a topic. On Worksheet #5, students are challenged to identify phrase/clause types.
Lastly, students will complete an exit ticket.
This is a complete lesson- ready for your classroom.
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!
Teach indirect and direct characterization!
Use “My Favorite Chaperone” by Jean Davies Okimoto at beginning of the school year to review characters and plot- and build on elements of a short story.
This product includes a 40-slide PowerPoint, a 3-page editable EATS Lesson Plan (complete with Essential Questions, Activating Strategy, Exit Ticket, etc), a 3-page Reading Guide, Discussion Questions printable, Summary Paragraph Worksheet, Answer Keys, and an Assessment.
What a valuable time-saver. Just print and go!
The best part? A sample answer to the Essential Question is provided (on the PowerPoint and student worksheet) so students will understand the concept- and have a model when they respond. This has proven very effective in my classes. Students read and analyze the sample answer before attempting to write. Students also have the sample as a guide for their writing.
Some activities are optional and can make this a 6- day unit.
I encourage you to read the text (available online). This particular story lends itself nicely to teaching the elements of a short story plot. Students enjoy the collaborative discussions based on the text.
Thanks for taking a look at my store!
Verbals are to be taught in 8th grade, so says the Common Core. Gerunds, Infinitives, Participles might be difficult to teach if you've kind of forgotten yourself! (right?)
This lesson solves that problem!
The EATS lesson includes:
-- the content standard and essential question
-- preview vocabulary
-- the definition and example of each verbal
-- a quick review
-- an Exit Ticket
The graphic organizer works really well for my 8th graders! Higher grades can use it as a review/refresher, too.
This PowerPoint gives step-by-step instructions to the students. The lesson plan guides the teacher through, too!
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.1.a is the focus of the lesson.
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!
Secondary students will learn how to determine the meaning of unknown words using the surrounding text. This NO PREP product uses the 4 strategies of definition, example,
antonym, and details to guess the definition of the mystery word when reading to help comprehension.
Included:
-- Preview Activity with 4 sample task cards
-- Preview PowerPoint, with sample answers for discussion
--20 Task Cards with a mystery word and a context clue-filled sentence. Print, cut, and go!
-- Answer Key (in two formats)
-- Bonus: What's the Difference Between Details and Examples?
The Preview Activity allows students to try their hand at context clues before the graded assignment. This will be especially useful if task cards are not being used immediately after a Context Clues lesson. The four sample cards work as a review to remind students of the four main strategies (definition, example, antonym, and details) for context clues.The class will use the PowerPoint to check their answers and generate a discussion if they have questions. (This is the same Preview Activity included in Set #1.)
To find Set #1, click this link:
Task cards work perfectly after a “Context Clues” lesson. Need one? Search for Kroll Context Clues Lesson
Task Cards can also be used as Entrance Tickets, differentiation, homework, comprehension check, Exit Tickets … the possibilities are many!
Simply print and cut. Laminate for years of use.
