Short Story Assignment Menu. Great for differentiation. This is an assignment menu which can be used as a culminating activity for a unit on short stories. It is differentiated by learning preference and level of difficulty. A rubric for grading is included.

Flowers for Algernon Vocabulary Study List. 30 vocabulary words from the short story Flowers for Algernon. This list is provided in two columns, which can easily be cut apart and distributed to students to look up definitions. Included also is a KEY with the definitions already included. There is also a page with all of the words on it in with lines next to them for writing definitions or clues. This list is included in my packet of Flowers for Algernon Vocabulary Activities, which also includes a test and a crossword puzzle.

Valentine's Day Crossword Puzzle. Cross word is slightly challenging for middle grades students. Made for middle grades and up. Enjoy! Solution included, of course. Examples of the types of clues and level of difficulty below: cardboard greeting = CARD often written to lovers = POEM sweet confections = CANDY the act of seeking a partner = COURTSHIP love story= ROMANCE stunningly beautiful =RAVISHING has the power of attracting = CHARM the blossoms of plants = FLOWERS like sugar = SWEET without end = FOREVER inspiring approval = ADMIRABLE boyfriend = BEAU term of endearment = DARLING symbol of love; at the center of = HEART - HappyEdugator

Drama Extension Activities PowerPoint. Presentation includes several extension menus for differentiating instruction for any drama unit. These were developed originally to be used with the plays "A Christmas Carol" and "The Diary of Anne Frank," but can be used with any play or dramatization. There are extension menus or enrichment activities for author, time period, play comprehension, drama terms and an independent study guide and a menu of reading project ideas for multiple intelligences-auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Also included is an oral presentation rubric and a peer evaluation form. Useful for gifted students who need extra independent work. Enjoy. - HappyEdugator

Middle School Writing Rubric. This rubric has four categories...ideas, organization, style, and conventions. There are five possible points in each category, and students and teachers can easily understand what is required. A 20 point scale is easy to translate into a percentage. The rubric can be used for both creative and expository writing. There is a place for students to write their name and teacher's name, and then students can evaluate themselves and turn in the rubric with their work. The bottom of the rubric has room for comments and teacher feedback and grade. Left in editable format for you to adapt to your classroom needs. - HappyEdugator

The River by Gary Paulsen PowerPoint Presentation. Give students the background knowledge they need to understand The River by Gary Paulsen. Many of my students from the South are not familiar with northern rivers and the hazards of the river environment. This presentation introduces students to the dangers that might face someone trying to survive on a raft on a northern river. This activate prior knowledge of students who have been on rivers, which will lead to some engaging class discussion and create interest to introduce the novel. - HappyEdugator

Infinitives and Infinitive phrases - includes a Graphic Organizer to aid comprehension, and a handout where infinitives and infinitive phrases oar defined and examples are given (which can also be used as an overhead transparency, or projected on a whiteboard), Also includes a very short worksheet on infinitives for practice, where students have to identify infinitive phrases in sentences, fill in the blanks about infinitives from the notes, and create their own infinitive phrases to complete sentences. (higher level thinking) Also includes a quiz on infinitives and infinitives phrases. Key included.

TEST PREP - Language Arts Test Practice Interactive PowerPoint. Test Prep for standardized testing. 30 interactive multiple choice practice test questions for test prep: Verb tenses, agreement, comparative and superlative adjectives and pronouns. PowerPoint with animated graphics has sentence completion questions of the type that are common on state standardized tests. 52 slides -

Rikki Tikki Tavi Vocabulary Activities. Vocabulary for the short story Rikki Tikki Tavi by Rudyard Kipling. Includes: Study Sheet with 15 vocabulary words, their part of speech and definition; Two page Vocabulary Practice Sheet, Study Cards, Fiction Literature Terms Sheet, Hot Seat Vocabulary Review Game, Vocabulary Matching Test, and Key. - HappyEdugator

Columbus Day Fun Activity Pack. Columbus Acrostic Poem, Writing Prompt, Word Search. Poem Handout, Mak-a-Word, and Fill-in Activity included. Twenty-six Columbus Day related words in wordsearch. October is a fun Fall month, and this is an engaging activity for building vocabulary and spelling skills. Also includes a reading handout of the traditional poem "In 1492" and a Christopher Columbus Fill-In the Blank Activity sheet. You can also use these as time fillers or as a substitute activity. - HappyEdugator

Thanksgiving Writing - I am Thankful Sheets. Print and go! Two different cornucopias, an autumn leaf, and a turkey. After writing, students can color and cut out their leaves and cornucopias, and you can use them to make a beautiful display for the holiday. Enjoy!

All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury PowerPoint. Slides are set up for an after reading cooperative learning activity or learning centers for small groups. May also be used instead on a projector as 9 different assignments for the short story. Common core standards based activities for the following skills: identify prepositional phrases, figurative language, context clues, vivid verbs, sentence structure, sensory language, implicit and explicit details and inferences, characterization and setting. Directions for group activity: Print out and laminate the following slides to use as posters. Place each poster on a wall above a sheet of chart paper. Divide class into small groups. (There are 9 stations to visit, so groups of three will work well with a class of 27 students.) Each group gets a different colored marker to use. Allow groups to rotate through the charts. You may wish to set a timer and have them change at regular intervals. Provide additional chart paper if needed. Summarize the activity when finished by discussing the student answers with the whole group. - HappyEdugator

Earth Day Crossword Puzzle. 21 Vocabulary word cross word for Earth Day. Includes conserve, reduce, reuse, recycle, Earth, ecology, environment, ozone, pollution, etc. Good activity for Earth Day, spring, or for a filler before and after state testing.

Fairy Tales Story Pattern. How to write fairy tales! This is a simple story pattern that can be used to help students write their own fairy tale. They can fill in the blanks to create a story sketch, which they can then elaborate and expand on to create their own personal fairy tale. Good to use as a follow up to a unit on fairy tales, or after reading a fairy tale, like those written by Hans C. Andersen or the Brothers Grimm. Helps students avoid writer's block by scaffolding and gives them the confidence to complete their own story. Writing practice is essential to the CCSS (common core state standards ) in Language Arts. Example included.

Dead Verbs PowerPoint.Good Halloween writing activity. Bury those dead verbs! Give your students some practical strategies to revise their writing and remove dead and overused verbs to create more lively writing. Students can apply these writing strategies to engage the reader. Four useful strategies with examples provided. 15 slides. Animated graphics will keep their attention. :)

100 Points Book Report Rubric for Fiction. A detailed book report guide that is easy to grade! This rubric for a book project on fiction will help students write a book review that is well-developed and thoughtful. Each section is detailed as to what is required, and the total points possible equals 100, making it easy to grade. The rubric is divided into 9 sections: the introduction, characters, plot, setting, theme, conclusion, composition structure, and paper format. Each section defines what is required in that section of the report, including the total points possible. Promote independent reading, critical thinking and organizational skills all at once. You can print out the picture and caption on the cover page and use as a poster in your room, too. This rubric is included in my Middle School Writing Rubrics BUNDLE

Have your students write a children's book with PowerPoint, using this rubric as their guide. Help them incorporate literary elements, and make it easy for yourself to grade! This rubric considers the writing process, introduction, organization, problem/conflict, characters, solution/resolution, setting, spelling and punctuation, and specific requirements

Swimmy by Leo Lionni Retelling Activity. After reading the book, retell the story again with this “real life” underwater photo story. Project the story on your whiteboard or SMARTBoard, OR print out the slides. Your students will love to see Swimmy and his friends come to real life. Supports common core. Enjoy!

Limericks - Writing Limericks Handout and Activity Sheet. Fun St. Patrick's activity! How to write a limerick! Writing limericks handout explains the possible history of limericks, what limericks are, how they are patterned, and how they often contain figurative language like onomatopoeia, idioms, and hyperbole because they are meant to be funny. Activity includes practice activity with pattern, and writing an original limerick and illustrating it. A fun activity to do on St. Patrick's day, in the month of March, or anytime, really!.

Common Core Standards for ELA Writing PowerPoint Posters. Common core standards for ELA Writing grades 6, 7, and 8 summarized. Use as WE CAN posters or as a slide show. You can go over the standards with your students, and afterwards you can print out the slides and laminate them to use as a poster in your classroom. Kid friendly language with colorful graphics. The CCSS ( common core state standards ) are the same for 6th and 8th grade, only the level of complexity changes, so feel free to use them for all three levels. - HappyEdugator