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Creating engaging and comprehensive lessons and assessments.
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Creating engaging and comprehensive lessons and assessments.
English
The Outsiders: Class Mock Trial Activity -- Students Become the Characters
THE OUTSIDERS: JOHNNY ON TRIAL:
Mock Trial:
This is one of the most fun, yet academically engaging lessons I have done with my kids. With this activity, they are challenged to go deep into the novel and interact with characterization and plot development.This activity also challenges them to engage their writing, group collaboration, and public speaking skills.
The activity is a Mock Trial for Johnny Cade and his role in the murder of Bob Sheldon. It is the students' job to decide if Johnny acted in self defense or if he is guilty of second degree murder. The packet guides the students through the process of the trial with easy-to-follow instructions which means no prep for you! A grading rubric is also included. (I have noted the duration is two days, but this activity can be extended for longer if needed).
The packet includes the following:
1) Instructions/Note for the Teacher
2) General Instructions and Steps for the students
3) Terminology sheet of basic "Courtroom Lingo"
4) Character Role sheets for the following:
*Johnny Cade
*Ponyboy Curtis
*Randy Adderson
*Arresting Officer (not a true character to the novel)
*Defense Lawyer
*Prosecuting Lawyer
*Judge
*Jury Member
Optional Roles include:
*Cherry Valance
*Marcia
*Dally Winston
*Darry Curtis
5) Jury Member Official "Verdict" Votes
6) Easy-to-Read GRADING RUBRIC
Middle School English ELA Fun Halloween Activity | FREE Acrostic Poem
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH ELA HALLOWEEN ACTIVITY! ACROSTIC POEM:
Save yourself some time (and sanity!) with this quick “time-filler” for the crazy week around Halloween.
This worksheet provides:
*Definition of an Acrostic Poem
*Example of an Acrostic Poem
*Brainstorming Word Web
*Acrostic Template with the word “Halloween”
Bundle
The Outsiders Unit Packet: Character / Plot, Mock Trial, Quizzes, Exam
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THE OUTSIDERS UNIT PACKET:
This is a UNIT PACKET for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
The packet includes the following:
1) TIMELINE UNIT PROJECT
This project encourages student engagement throughout the entire progression of the novel. It includes a guideline with instructions for the students, a graphic organizer for note-taking, and an easy-to-grade rubric for you.This can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups.
2) JOHNNY ON TRIAL: A MOCK TRIAL
The most fun you’ll have all year…
The activity is a Mock Trial for Johnny Cade and his role in the murder of Bob Sheldon. It is the students’ job to decide if Johnny acted in self defense or if he is guilty of second degree murder. The packet guides the students through the process of the trial with easy-to-follow instructions which means no prep for you! This activity challenges them to engage their close reading, writing, group collaboration, and public speaking skills. A grading rubric is also included.
4) COMPREHENSION QUIZZES
These are three very BASIC* comprehension quizzes that cover Chapters 1-4, 5-8, and 9-12. These quizzes are just a quick assessment to ensure they are following along. There are ten multiple choice questions per quiz and an Answer Key is included. *The EXAM included in this packet delves more into details and close reading.
5) CHARACTER AND TERMINOLOGY CROSSWORD REVIEW
This is a 20-question Crossword Puzzle with terms, characters, and plot points from the play. Good for summary and review before exam, or just for days when students are silent reading and you get some early finishers.
6) 40 QUESTION UNIT EXAM (PLUS ESSAY PROMPT)
40 question unit exam that includes 15 multiple choice comprehension/critical thinking questions, 15 character and terminology matching questions, 5 true/false, and 5 plot diagram (optional). Answer key provided.
Also included is an Essay prompt that may be used as part of the exam (based on how much time your class periods allow for assessment) or assigned as an individual take-home or in-class essay. A Rubric, a Brainstorming Sheet, an Outline Sheet, and a Final Draft Sheet are provided. (The latter three are optional based on your preference.)
Rhetoric / Rhetorical Appeal Writing: Ethos, Pathos, Logos
<strong>RHETORICAL APPEAL IN WRITING</strong>
As a college instructor for Composition, I have found that most first year college students have never been exposed to rhetorical appeal or they are very confused by the concept. I have tried to develop a visually appealing and straight-forward introduction to the concept of rhetoric that may be used in high school and college courses. (This packet could also be used in advanced middle school courses)
This packet offers your students the following:
27-SLIDE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION WITH VIDEO
–Defines Ethos, Pathos, Logos
– Provides Examples of Ethos, Pathos, Logos
–Challenges students to test their knowledge on Ethos, Pathos, Logos
–Final Video presentation of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in Commercial
Advertisements
STUDENT NOTES
–Fill-in-the-blank graphic organizer to help students comprehend, practice, and
review Ethos, Pathos, Logos
RHETORICAL APPEAL ACTIVITY
–Instructions for an activity that challenges the students to implement Ethos,
Pathos, Logos within their own commercial advertisement (print or video)
–Ready to use Rubric (one that includes scoring and one that is blank to allow
you to choose your own points per element)
1984 BY GEORGE ORWELL | Novel Study Intro Activity | Video & Reflection
1984 BY GEORGE ORWELL NOVEL STUDY Engaging Unit Activity: Introduce the Novel (Video & Activity): Pre-Reading Activity to Spark Interest in the Novel
*** GET THEM EXCITED TO READ!!! ***
This is an activity that can be used to introduce the novel prior to reading. Detailed instructions for your students are provided on the handouts, so all you have to do is print and press play!
Included in this activity is a VIDEO composed of IMAGES related to the setting, theme(s), and plot of the novel. Each image will be displayed on the screen for about twenty seconds. Students will be asked to do a QUICK WRITE by jotting down their immediate thoughts and reactions as they view the images within the video. This allows students to spark any BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE, as well as spark an interest in the novel before even starting to read!
After the video has been viewed, the students will then use their quick write as a reference to create a poem, paragraph, drawing, etc. that reflects their initial reaction to what they believe the novel will be about. You may wish to have each student present their creative projects in front of the class prior to reading and turning them in. I hope you and your students find this source a great way to introduce the novel.
Your Students will love this activity!
Earth Day Writing Activity: Letter to Our Planet
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A LETTER TO OUR PLANET EARTH:
Earth Day can come and go with some of our students never truly having the opportunity to reflect on the impact they can have with the environment. This letter-writing activity allows them to do so. They are asked to describe some of Earth's greatest natural wonders, how the planet affects our survival as a human race, man's impact (negative and positive) on the environment, and how they can change their daily routines in order to help preserve planet Earth.
There are instructions, suggestions/prompts for each paragraph, a letter-formatting template, and a final draft template included.
Easy, thoughtful activity with NO PREP for you! Recommended Grades: 5th-10th
End of the Year Last / Day of School Writing Activity: Letter to My Favorite Teacher
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LETTER TO MY FAVORITE TEACHER:
This is an end-of-the-year activity that allows students to reflect on that one, special teacher who positively impacted their lives. Not only will this help students realize how much their teachers should be appreciated, it will your brighten your colleagues' days! There is a template to help structure the letter, as well as prompts to help them brainstorm what they want to express to their teacher.
Easy, thoughtful activity with NO PREP for you!
The Giver Unit Lessons: Chapter Vocabulary Graphic Organizers Activity
THE GIVER CHAPTER VOCABULARY AND QUIZZES:
This is a comprehensive unit packet of Vocabulary with over 50 Vocabulary terms used in the novel. Providing students with this packet allows for closer reading and engagement with the novel.
The Vocabulary Graphic Organizer is a column chart that instructs the students to write how the word is used in context with the book (page numbers included), provide a definition, and create a new sentence.
Earth Day Writing Activity: A Letter to Our Planet Earth
<strong>A LETTER TO OUR PLANET EARTH:</strong>
Earth Day can come and go with some of our students never truly having the opportunity to reflect on the impact they can have with the environment. This letter-writing activity allows them to do so. They are asked to describe some of Earth’s greatest natural wonders, how the planet affects our survival as a human race, man’s impact (negative and positive) on the environment, and how they can change their daily routines in order to help preserve planet Earth.
There are instructions, suggestions/prompts for each paragraph, a letter-formatting template, and a final draft template included.
Easy, thoughtful activity with NO PREP for you!
Bundle
1984 By George Orwell | Novel Study Unit Bundle of 10 Resources | 100+ Pages
1984 BY GEORGE ORWELL for NOVEL STUDY: TEN Activities/Assessments
✮ EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO TEACH THIS NOVEL from START TO FINISH! ✮
This bundle was created with lessons and assessments designed to ignite student engagement without the teacher’s burden of doing all the prep work. Each lesson is print-ready-to-go with detailed instructions for students to allow you to do less work while teaching the novel. The following activities and assessments are listed in order from pre-reading, to during-reading, and post-reading.
PRE-READING:
INTRODUCE THE NOVEL (VIDEO & ACTIVITY): This introductory activity is a great way to spark student background knowledge and interest in reading the novel. Students will be shown a short video of images related to the novel’s setting, theme(s), and plot. They will do a quick write as they view the film, and then use their quick write to create a pre-reading creative reflection.
DURING READING:
UNIT TIMELINE PROJECT: This project encourages student engagement throughout the entire progression of the novel. It includes a guideline with instructions for the students, a graphic organizer for note-taking, and an easy-to-grade rubric for you. This can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups.
VOCABULARY PACKET AND PRESENTATION: This packet provides a great way to integrate vocabulary and reading comprehension as students are asked to find, define, illustrate, and present their own vocabulary words throughout the novel. This packet also provides you with two easy-to-grade rubrics.
PLOT ENGAGEMENT: READING AND MAKING INFERENCES WORKSHEETS: Your students will make inferences about the plot based on a short section of the novel they are given. Through reading deeply and thinking critically, students will make inferences by answering the questions about his or her section. (Best done early on within the novel).
INTEGRATING GRAMMAR: Students will use the novel to review the 8 parts of speech. This is a great way to give a grammar lesson while teaching the novel (vs. teaching grammar through isolation). Included in this lesson is a graphic organizer for students to keep in their binders throughout the year (no matter what you are teaching!)
POST-READING: (Some of these may be assigned during reading if you prefer)
CHARACTER ANALYSIS/CHARACTERIZATION ACTIVITY: INCLUDES POWERPOINT This is a deeply engaging activity for your students to not only learn how to analyze/characterize literature but learn how to reflect and grow as individuals through reading.
CREATIVE WRITING: Reinventing a Chapter: This activity not only helps them to further engage in the novel but also allows them to work on Creative Writing. This lesson was designed to help each student brainstorm how to Reinvent a chapter from the novel. Includes detailed instruction and prompts for students. Easy-to-grade Rubric is also provided!
LETTER WRITING: Letter to a Character: This lesson will help students think critically about how characters are driven by plot. In addition, this lesson will hold your students accountable for their reading engagement. This lesson is also print-ready-to-go to allow little effort on your part!
WORD SEARCH ACTIVITY: This is a great worksheet to have on hand for your early finishers or if you have a substitute while teaching the unit. Includes 15 character names/words associated with the novel. Solution is provided.
FINAL ESSAY ASSESSMENT: This bundle also includes an Essay assignment that may be used as an in-class “exam” (based on how much time your class periods allow for assessment) or assigned as an individual take-home or in-class essay. The Essay assignment also includes an easy-to-grade Rubric, a Brainstorming Sheet, an Outline Sheet, and a Final Draft Sheet.
The Giver Unit Activity: Mock Ceremony of Twelve for Students
THE GIVER MOCK CEREMONY OF TWELVE:
This is a fun and engaging activity to do with your students as you read The Giver, by Lois Lowry. This Mock Ceremony of Twelve allows your students to actively engage with the novel as they play the roles as citizens of the community.
There is a writing portion of the activity that encourages persuasive writing, as well as a public speaking aspect. The packet includes instructions and a "script" for you, guidelines and worksheets for the students, and job assignments.
If you need an activity to really get them interested in the novel, this is the one!
Bundle
Grammar: VERBALS UNIT 50+ Pages (Gerunds Infinitives Participles) Common Core
8th GRADE GRAMMAR COMMON CORE: VERBALS UNIT:
☑ A 50-page packet that helps you introduce the Verbals unit, provide practice, and assess student knowledge upon completion of the unit.
☑ Common Core Standard: (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.A)
INCLUDED IN THE PACKET:
☑ 1) CLOZE TEST:
This is an activity to help introduce gerunds, infinitives, and participles.
A Cloze Test measures a student’s prior knowledge by asking the student to fill in the missing words that have been removed from a passage.
Once they have taken the cloze test, you will give the students the correct terminology so they may use the handout as a guide for review
(TIP: always fun to make it a COMPETITION! Whoever gets the most correct gets candy, 5 points on exam, etc).
☑ 2) DEFINITION AND PRACTICE WORKSHEETS:
Handouts with the definition and examples of Gerunds and Participles. (A definition for Infinitives is included in the first page of practice worksheets) All are color-coded to help with visual learning.
4-5 Practice Worksheets for each Verbal. The worksheets offer practice by determining the specific usage of the verbal through context, creating sentences, identifying phrases, and using the verbal for certain parts of speech.
☑ 3) UNIT EXAM:
30-Question Unit exam for student comprehension with Verbals (Gerunds, Infinitives, and Participles).
The first portion of the exam asks students to identify the verbals within the given sentences through tasks such as indicating where the verbal is within the sentence, and how the verbal is functioning (as an adjective, verb, etc.).
The last section of the exam asks students to identify the verbals within a paragraph (in context) and indicate if the verbal is a gerund, infinitive, or participle. The writing portion requires the same, but they are to create their own paragraph. This last section can be optional depending on your preference.
☑ Easy-to-grade answer keys for all products are always included.
Grammar: Verbals PARTICIPLES Practice Worksheets (Common Core Aligned)
VERBALS PARTICIPLES PRACTICE WORKSHEETS:
☑ Common Core Standard: (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.A)
☑ 2-page handout that breaks down the definition of a Participle and how it functions as a multi-part verb and an adjective. I have created this handout with color-coding to help students visualize the varying parts of speech in order to understand the Participle.
☑ Five worksheets that offer practice by determining Participle usage through context, creating sentences, identifying Participles phrases, and using Participles as multi-part verbs and adjectives.
☑ Easy-to-read Answer Keys always included in my products
The Outsiders Unit Exam and Essay (40 Questions)
**THE OUTSIDERS 40-QUESTION UNIT EXAM PLUS ESSAY:
40-Question Unit Exam that includes 15 multiple choice comprehension/critical thinking questions, 15 character and terminology matching questions, 5 true/false, and 5 plot diagram questions (optional). Easy-to-read Answer Key.
Also included is an Essay prompt that may be used as part of the exam (based on how much time your class periods allow for assessment) or assigned as an individual take-home or in-class essay. A Rubric, a Brainstorming Sheet, an Outline Sheet, and a Final Draft Sheet are provided. (The latter three are optional based on your preference.)
The Giver Utopia Project: Activity to introduce students to the novel
THE GIVER UTOPIA PROJECT: Activity for introducing the novel
Get your students excited about reading this novel by starting off the unit with The Utopia Project. . .While this is a project designed to introduce students to the novel, it may be done during any portion of the unit. The purpose of this project is to not only introduce the novel, but to get your students actively thinking about the setting and theme of a Utopian vs. Dystopian world.
Included in this product are guidelines to help your students create an advertisement or visual depiction of their perfect, Utopian society. Also included is a Rubric for quick and easy grading.
THIS IS A *PDF FILE
Creative Writing Short Stories: Plot Development | Create a Short Story | ELA
**Creative Writing Short Stories: A Guide / Organizer for the Short Story Process for Grades 6-12. Plot Development Visuals
**
This packet offers your students detailed Graphic Organizers for the Short Story Process. This packet is READY TO GO! All you have to do is print! The organizers walk the students through each step of the writing process by brainstorming and organizing each part of the plot. Each organizer also gives a helpful description of the plot point with guided prompts to help your students get started. These tools could be used in grades 6-12.
The Packet guides the students through:
1) BRAINSTORMING
–Topics and Ideas for my short story
– Word Web
2) EXPOSITION
–Creating Characters, setting, conflict
–How do I start?
3) THE RISING ACTION
–Important Events/Moments of my short story
–How do these moments affect the conflict?
4) THE CLIMAX, THE FALLING ACTION, AND THE RESOLUTION
–How is the conflict resolved?
–How does the resolution answer all the reader’s questions?
The Diary of Anne Frank (The Play) Lessons Complete Unit Bundle 100+ Pages
**The Diary of Anne Frank (The Play) Lessons Complete Unit Bundle
This is a UNIT BUNDLE for The Diary of Anne Frank: The Play (by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich). The packet includes the following: **
INTRODUCING THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK: VIDEO AND ACTIVITY
This introductory activity includes a video presenting ten slides of images related to the Holocaust and Anne Frank’s story. Students will be asked to write down their immediate thoughts and reactions as they view the images within the slides.
TIMELINE UNIT PROJECT
This project encourages student engagement throughout the entire progression of the play.
PLOT ENGAGEMENT: MAKING INFERENCES
Your students will make inferences about the plot based on a short section of the play they are given.
CHARACTER ANALYSIS/CHARACTERIZATION ACTIVITY
This is a deeply engaging activity for your students to not only learn how to analyze/characterize literature but learn how to reflect and grow as individuals through reading.
**VOCABULARY PACKET AND PRESENTATION: **This packet provides a great way to integrate vocabulary and reading comprehension as students are asked to find, define, illustrate, and present their own vocabulary words throughout the play.
INTEGRATING GRAMMAR: Students will use the play to review the 8 parts of speech.
CREATIVE WRITING: Reinventing a Scene: This activity not only helps them to further engage in the play but also allows them to work on Creative Writing.
LETTER WRITING: Letter to a Character: This lesson will help students think critically about how characters are driven by plot.
WORD SEARCH
Word search with character names and terms for review.
** 50 QUESTION UNIT EXAM AND ESSAY**
50 question unit exam that includes 25 multiple choice comprehension/critical thinking questions, 15 character and terminology matching questions, and 10 grammar and vocabulary questions (optional). Answer key provided.
This packet also includes an Essay prompt.
The Giver Novel Study Activity: Timeline to Introduce the Novel
THE GIVER NOVEL STUDY INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY “TIMELINE PROJECT”:
This is a comprehensive unit project for The Giver. This fun project is a favorite of the students that encourages student engagement with the entire progression of the novel. This project can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups. With the timeline project, you are able to assess formative student engagement and comprehension throughout the unit, as opposed to just a summative assessment at the end of the unit.
In this packet, you will find the Timeline Instructions and Checklist for students. This project can be given after reading the novel, but it works best if given at the beginning. This activity asks the students to document important moments, events, and/or dialogue as they read. Included is a graphic organizer that will help them compile their notes for their Timeline.
You will find an easy-to-grade Rubric that should allow you to grade their projects quickly, yet efficiently.
FREE Grammar Resource: Parts of Speech Graphic Organizer
FREE Grammar Resource: Parts of Speech Graphic Organizer
FREE Resource! This is a Graphic Organizer for your students to keep in a binder. Included in this organizer is a Definition, Example words, and a blank space for a student example for each of the 8 Parts of Speech.
Christmas Holiday Activity for Middle School English ELA: Letter Writing
Middle School Christmas Activity: Letter Writing (Exploring Cultural Traditions)
This is a thoughtful and engaging activity with the Christmas and other Holiday Seasons in mind.
In the month of December, Christmas is the holiday that tends to take precedence as we count down the final weeks to the holiday break. While many students celebrate Christmas, I think it is important to recognize our students who may celebrate a different holiday. This activity was created in order to give students the opportunity to explore and appreciate other cultures and their traditions.
HANUKKAH
KWANZAA
CHRISTMAS
BODHI DAY
Activity Includes:
Prompts to help students brainstorm how to express their gratitude
Letter Templates to help structure the letter
Facts Sheet with information for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Bodhi Day
Easy, thoughtful activity with NO PREP for you!
Have a Happy Holiday!