VERBALS GERUNDS PRACTICE WORKSHEETS:
☑ Common Core Standard: (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.A)
☑ 2-page handout that breaks down the definition of a Gerund and how it plays a part in certain parts of speech. I have tried to make understanding the Gerund as clearly as possible with this handout by using color-coding and providing easy-to-follow examples. (My students really struggled with the Gerund before creating this packet). Included in the handout is a "trick" that helps them decide if the -ing word in the sentence is a gerund or a participle.
☑ Five worksheets that offer practice by determining Gerund use through context, creating sentences, identifying Gerund phrases, and using Gerunds as an object of a preposition.
☑ Easy-to-read Answer Keys always included in my products
VERBALS UNIT EXAM:
30-Question Unit exam for student comprehension with Verbals (Gerunds, Infinitives, and Participles).
☑ Common Core Standard: (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.A)
☑ 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-read Answer Keys always included in my products
THE GIVER CHAPTER QUESTIONS:
This is a packet of over 50 chapter questions that can be used as a tool for you to facilitate class discussion and/or given to your students for individual reflection. The questions are reflective of main points or themes that require critical thinking skills. Many of the questions challenge students to think outside of the novel and reflect on our own society and encourage growth as individuals.
SHORT STORY CREATIVE WRITING PACKET:
This packet offers your students Graphic Organizers for the Short Story Process. 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 5-9.
The Packet includes the following sections:
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, Falling Action, and Resolution:
--How is the conflict resolved?
--How does the resolution answer all the reader's questions?
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PERSUASIVE ESSAY RUBRIC AND STUDENT CHECKLIST:
Your grading life just got a lot easier. Of course we always want to give our student's individual feedback, but that does not mean you should sacrifice all of your free time. This rubric allows you to quickly and efficiently grade your students' persuasive essays while also providing brief feedback. Included is a student checklist that will help ensure your students' papers are grade-ready.
**This Rubric and Checklist can also be used for the two other thesis-based essays: Expository/Explanatory, and Definition/Exemplification.**
The Rubric is comprehensive with the intent to cover the primary aspects of thesis formed essay. The structure makes it easy-to-grade with numerical checkboxes. Just add them up and go!
Your students will be graded based on the following:
Brainstorming/Prewriting/First Draft(s)
Thesis Statement
Introduction/Conclusion Paragraphs
Body Paragraphs/Support of Thesis
Organization/Structure
Grammar, Spelling, Usage
MIDDLE SCHOOL ELA ENGLISH HALLOWEEN CROSSWORD PUZZLE:
Save yourself some time (and sanity!) with this quick “time-filler” for the crazy week around Halloween!
20 Spooky Clues! For 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th Grades
Answer Key provided
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GRAMMAR GAME: HOMOPHONE BINGO!:
"They're always confusing their "there" with their "they're."
BINGO! Grammar does NOT have to be boring! Make it fun with this engaging Powerpoint-driven Bingo Game to help students learn Homophones. This Bingo Game focuses on the most commonly misused homophones (see below). Can be used for a lesson, a review, or just a fun "Friday Reward Day!"
The game contains 30 individual BINGO cards--Each card includes the 24 homophones and one free space. There are 6 rounds and 72 Questions included in the easy-to-use Powerpoint. Instructions and Answer Key are provided for you.
The Homophones included in this game are:
There, They're, Their
By, Bye
Here, Hear
To, Too, Two
Sea, See
No, Know
Weight, Wait
Right, Write
Hole, Whole
Red, Read
Eight, Ate
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<strong>A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE TIMELINE PROJECT:</strong>
This is a unit project for A Streetcar Named Desire that is introduced prior to reading and worked on as you progress through the reading. (The project could also be done post-reading if preferred; students will just have to go back through the play a second or third time to find his or her information). It includes a guideline with instructions for the students, a graphic organizer for note-taking, and an easy-to-grade rubric for you.
This project encourages student engagement throughout the entire progression of the play. I have found this to be an extremely helpful tool in my classroom with ensuring that students are engaged and comprehending. This Timeline 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 a summative assessment at the end of the unit.
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.
1984 BY GEORGE ORWELL NOVEL STUDY UNIT ACTIVITY! WORD SEARCH
This is a handy worksheet to have on hand for your early finishers. It also is good to have to use as a quick review of characters and terms. There are 15 words included:
ORWELL
OCEANIA
PROLES
WINSTON
BIG BROTHER
THE PARTY
JULIA
TELESCREENS
ST. CLEMENTS
O’BRIEN
MANIFESTO
PAPERWEIGHT
CHARRINGTON
GOLDSTEIN
VICTORY
1984 BY GEORGE ORWELL NOVEL STUDY ACTIVITY | TIMELINE PROJECT |
This is a comprehensive unit project for the novel that is both fun for the students and a great way for you to assess their engagement. 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.
An example (partial) Timeline and Student notes are also provided:
This will help them get started. After they have compiled the required number of moments in their notes (this required number will be decided by you–there is a blank space provided on the Instructions), they will put together an organized and creative Timeline for the novel. (The example Timeline is from the novel "The Giver.’) How they create their Timeline is up to you (and them!) My students have done PowerPoints, print-outs, dioramas, videos, and just good ol’ Posterboard.
Finally, you will find an easy-to-grade Rubric that should allow you to grade their projects quickly, yet efficiently.
<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!
1984 BY GEORGE ORWELL NOVEL STUDY UNIT Activity: Creative Writing: Reinventing a Chapter
One of the most memorable activities I did when I was in middle school was re-creating a chapter from a novel we were reading in English. I loved being able to create my own version of the chapter! Little did I know, this was actually helping me to understand plot, conflict, and character development, as well! So, I decided to create a similar activity to the one I loved back in middle school!
Not only will this packet allow for students to dive deeper into their reading, but this packet will also allow YOU to spend less time grading and more time focused on class discussion of the novel!
This creative writing unit includes:
Easy-to-Grade Rubric
Guided and Detailed Instructions for each “section” of their chapter. Each template provides thorough questions to ask themselves in order to help them understand what to write:
Brainstorming (Free Writing)
Brainstorming (Word Web)
Organizing Your Thoughts (Character, Setting, Conflict)
Organizing Your Thoughts (How to Start Writing the Chapter)
Inventing the Moments (Creating Moments for the Chapter)
Wrapping It Up (Using a “Cliffhanger” / Building Tension)
Clear, Lined Drafting Paper
1984 BY GEORGE ORWELL NOVEL STUDY Final Unit Assessment: Essay Writing (ESSAY QUESTION(S), TEMPLATES, EASY-TO-GRADE RUBRIC)
This essay packet could be used as an in-class assessment or as a take-home assignment. There are three essay questions that promote higher-level thinking skills and deep engagement with the novel and theme. You may decide to have the students do one or all three questions.
What is included in this packet:
THREE ESSAY PROMPTS (with clear instructions for students)
EASY-TO-GRADE RUBRIC (save time with ready-to-grade or blank to create your own grading scale)
BRAINSTORMING WORKSHEET (student brainstorming sheet)
OUTLINE TEMPLATE (outline example and template for pre-drafting)
FINAL DRAFT SHEET (lined sheet for final draft if handwritten)
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th Middle School ELA English Halloween Activity Lesson: “Create a Spooky Story” | Guide for the Short Story Process
Includes Templates and Guided Organizers for:
Brainstorming Spooky Ideas and Topics
Brainstorming Word Web
Exposition: Characters, Setting, Conflict (Guided Questions Chart)
Rising Action (Guided Questions Chart)
Climax, Falling Action, Resolution (Guided Questions Chart)
Draft/Final Draft Lined Template
This packet is not only fun for students to create their very own Halloween story, this packet details and guides students with a step-by-step process of creating a short story.
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.
VERBALS INFINITIVES PRACTICE WORKSHEETS:
☑ Common Core Standard: (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.A)
☑ Four 15-Question Worksheets that allow for practice with infinitives through context, creating sentences, and distinguishing between prepositional/participle phrases and infinitives.
☑ A clear definition and color-coded examples of infinitives included.
☑ Easy-to-read Answer Keys always included in my products
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!
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.
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