Likenesses - Similes and Metaphors Worksheet. Explains the difference between similes and metaphors, why they are used in writing, and gives examples. Students then have 10 practice sentences in which to identify similes and metaphors. Use as a quick review or assessment when students are studying figurative language. Key included. -Happyedugator

Sentence Structure Activity. Simple sentences and compound sentences. Students will answer questions about phrases, clauses, and sentences, fill out a kwl chart, write a plot diagram and a story, making compound sentences sheet and complete a graffiti poster. Fun practice for simple and compound sentences! - HappyEdugator

Watership Down Character and Author Notes. A handout or overhead with notes for the novel Watership Down by Richard Adams. Notes include how Adams came to write the famous book, and a list and short description of some of the main characters. - HappyEdugator

Verb Suffixes Vocabulary and Spelling Worksheet. This worksheet has a 21 word spelling and vocabulary list with words that all end in either -ize, -ise, or -yze. Four different practice sets to use with the words. - HappyEdugator

Persuasive Writing Prompt and Task with Standards Based Rubric. Writing an argument. Practice for students in middle school or beyond. Includes writing prompt and the standards-based rubric. Suggested lesson, Give out the rubric first and discuss, so students will know what is expected and strive for excellence. Then give them the writing prompt and let them work on the writing process. Supports common core standards. - HappyEdugator CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1a Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1b Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1d Establish and maintain a formal style. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented. 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.8.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1a Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1b 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.8.1c Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1d Establish and maintain a formal style. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.1e Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

eading - Author's Purpose Activity Handout. This reading activity handout explains author's purpose (to inform, to persuade, and to entertain) and gives students six different author's purpose reading selections they need to identify. Key is included. - HappyEdugator

Multiple Intelligence Tic Tac Toe Assignment Template. This is a differentiated assignment... a tic tac toe or menu activity that uses multiple intelligences for each section. Write in the theme or unit you are teaching. Teachers can customize the tic tac toe to fit what they are teaching and makes differentiation easy. There are nine boxes for different types of learners and learning styles, with choices for Verbal or Linguistic, Mathematical or Logical, Visual or Spatial,Bodily or Kinesthetic, Musical or Auditory, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Naturalistic, and a box for student-teacher choice. Just fill in the blanks for what you want students to learn in your unit of study. Adaptable to any subject. - HappyEdugator

Rikki Tikki Tavi Six Sentence Summary Format and Grammar Practice Sheet. Students can learn to write a brief summary, but they often need scaffolding to get started. Here is a strategy to help your reluctant writers or your students who have trouble organizing their ideas. Use the format to have students write a better summary of a fiction text. The example given is based on Rikki Tikki Tavi by Rudyard Kipling, but the format can be used with other short stories, too. Included is a grammar practice sheet on punctuation and capitalization based also on the short story Rikki Tikki Tavi Use as a quick activity or warm up to review skills. Enjoy! - HappyEdugator

Expository Writing. Methods of Expository Writing Activity Handout. Practice identifying correct text structure. Students identify the type of writing they would use for each writing task. They can choose from process, comparison/contrast, cause and effect, or persuasion. 12 different scenarios for writing. Students can work in groups, with a partner, or individually on this assignment sheet. Based on the type of questions often given on standardized tests. Key included. - HappyEdugator

End of the Year Summer Wordsearch: a fun end of the year activity, or use for summer camp or other summer activity. Challenging end of the year word search with summer words that can be a fun filler activity! Very engaging. 20 words in this wordsearch which are ONLY found on the diagonals. Key included. - HappyEdugator

Middle School Technical Writing Rubric. Standards based rubric for use with technical writing, such as letters, thank-you notes, formula poems, instructions, web pages, procedures, business correspondence, resumes, job applications, and application essays. The purpose of technical writing is to inform, explain, interpret, evaluate, and/or recommend in order to transmit specialized information to a specific audience. This rubric will help middle school students focus on what they need to acheive in order to meet state standards. The rubric has four categories -conventions of language and style, purpose, organization, and development and support of content. Standards-based grade: students will exceed, meet, approach, or fall below standard in each category. Students can self-evaluate their work. Editable for your classroom use.

Spelling: Ex-Spelled Spelling GAME. This is a fun way to review a list of spelling or vocabulary words, or to use as an activity for a substitute teacher. Students have to spell words correctly or they have to sit down. Who will be the last one standing? The catch...each student only gives one letter! At the end of a word, the next student gets ex-spelled! Yikes! A fun word list is included to get things started. Supports Common Core Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2d Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.2e Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.2b Spell correctly. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.2b Spell correctly. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.2c Spell correctly.

Cat on the Go - by James Herriot Vocabulary Test. A short vocabulary test for the reading selection Cat on the Go by James Herriot, which is an excerpt from the book All Creatures Great and Small. The first part is a matching section, and the second part is a fill-in from the word bank. A Key is included. The test has two copies per letter size page for ease of copying. Our class read the selection, and watched the movie All Creatures Great and Small, and discussed differences between British English and American English, accents and dialects. - HappyEdugator

Characterization Handout - Making Characters Memorable. Helps students with characterization in their narrative writing. It outlines what good writers should consider in order to introduce characters and bring them to life. What do readers want to see in a character? Is the story plot driven or character driven? What are the internal and external character traits? Who is the antagonist and protagonist? Are both vital to the story? What are the conflicts, internal and external? Have students use this handout as a guide when creating a character sketch or in reading to evaluate how an author uses characterization. Includes a sheet for students to use to brainstorm internal and external character attributes for a character they want to create.

The Great Gatsby Board Game Creation Project. Students are required to create their own board game that reflects a deep understanding of the novel. Grading is based on overall effort, how well student displays an understanding of the themes and main ideas of the story, how well student has incorporated their own ideas into a game board based on a classic game, and the quality of their explanatory paragraphs. May be used as a final project for assessment instead of a final test. Includes a 100 points rubric. - HappyEdugator

Halloween Quiz. This simple and fun quiz about Halloween will test your students knowledge of some basic Halloween vocabulary and traditions. Students can fill in the blanks from the word bank. Pair and share, write a story with the words from the word bank, and color the Jack O Lantern afterwards. You can also cut out the word bank if you wish, and make a game for kids to "win" it! Included are word bank cards, a monster for early finishers to color, a key and a reward cut out for completing it correctly! - HappyEdugator

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story Plot Diagram Activity. Based on the book by Deborah and Gregg Lewis. In this sequencing activity, students will cut out the sentences and put them in the correct order by making a large plot diagram and gluing the sentences in place. Print out the sentences, and provide students with a large piece of construction paper, a marker, scissors, and glue. Encourage them to put them in order first, and have you check it before they glue everything in place. :) Good cooperative learning activity. Enjoy!

Reading Cereal Box Labels Activity. Have students bring an empty cereal box to school. Students can work in groups or individually to read the label and answer the questions on this worksheet. Students often need practice in real-world situations. This simple activity will make them read carefully for information about products, and then make judgments on whether or not it's right for them. Supports common core! - HappyEdugator

Call Number Matching for the Dewey Decimal System. This is a handout for media center skills. Students match the call number to the book, and then put them in order, numerically and alphabetically. Useful for developing library and research skills. - HappyEdugator Common Core - Supports College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards.

Back to School - Write a Classmate's Biography Assignment. Good beginning of the year back to school writing assignment. Students have to interview a classmate, and then write their biography. Includes assignment sheet with interview questions, Explanation and ideas for writing a good introduction, and rubric for grading. --HappyEdugator