These 12 carefully selected short stories are perfect for year 8 / 7th-grade students, offering relatable and engaging content. Each lesson plan is comprehensive and ready to print, making them an excellent addition to your teaching resources.
Short Stories:
The Possibility of Evil by Shirley Jackson
Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl
Gryphon by Charles Baxter
The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
Thank You Ma’am by Langston Hughes
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse by William Saroyan
The Veldt by Ray Bradbury
A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury
The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury
All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury Mini Biography
All lesson plans include (+ much more!):
Teaching Guides
Pre-Reading Activities
Vocabulary Worksheets
Post-reading Questions (Multiple Choice Comprehension, Close Reading, and Real-World Connection)
Worksheets
Written Response Essay Questions + Rubrics
Fun Extension Activities
Online Jeopardy Games
Informational Texts
Answers + Common Core Standards
This ready-to-print lesson plan contains thought-provoking discussion questions on the importance of embracing different perspectives, multiple analysis worksheets, fun games, and a fact checking activity to separate Ms. Ferenczi’s truths from her lies.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-reading Activities
Vocabulary Worksheet
Multiple Choice Comprehension Quiz
Tommy Character Analysis Worksheet
Betty Crocker Analysis Worksheet
Pinocchio Analysis Worksheet
Fact Checker Worksheet
Written Response Question with Rubric
Real-World Connection Questions
Text vs Movie Comparison Worksheet
Extension Activities
Online Jeopardy Game
Answers
Students will be shocked, engaged, and on the edge of their seats while reading Roald Dahl’s Lamb to the Slaughter. Maximize the classroom experience with our comprehensive and ready-to-print lesson plan, culminating in a fun Mary Maloney vs. The State Court Case activity.
What’s included:
Teaching guide
Pre-reading activities
Irony in literature review
Vocabulary activity
Post-reading (comprehension, close reading, and real-world connection) questions
Dialogue Analysis Worksheet
Irony Analysis Worksheet
Written response question with rubric
Text vs. movie worksheet
Mary Maloney vs. the state court case activity + worksheets
Create a riddle activity
Online jeopardy game
Answers to all of the above
Welcome to Pleasant Street, home of the not-so-innocent old Ms. Strangeworth. This comprehensive lesson plan is full of engaging activities and includes characterization activities to analyze the story’s sinister spinster, Miss Strangeworth.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-reading Activities
Characterization Guide
Vocabulary Worksheet
Characterization Worksheet
Post-reading Questions (Multiple-choice Comprehension, Post-reading Scaffolding and Real World Connection)
Written Response Questions with Rubric
Paired Informational Text (The Circleville Letters)
Creative Writing Extension Activity
Online Jeopardy Game
Answer Keys to All of the Above
This timeless short story by O. Henry delivers humor, clever plot twists, and unforgettable characters. Maximize learning with our engaging, comprehensive, and ready-to-print lesson, which includes worksheets, paired texts and videos, online games, and much more!
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-reading Worksheet
Character List & Setting Description
Pre-reading Vocabulary List
The Ransom of Red Chief Original Text (with active reading questions)
The Ransom of Red Chief Edited Text for Easier Understanding (with active reading questions)
Vocabulary Worksheet
Post-reading Questions (Multiple-choice Comprehension, Analysis, and Real World Connection)
Character Analysis Worksheet
Written Response Question with Rubric
Paired Informational Text (The Kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jnr.)
Paired Video (Home Along Pranks)
Extension Activities
Online Jeopardy Game
Answers to All of the Above
The Lottery’s shocking ending opens up endless discussion and analysis opportunities. With a focus on literary elements and real-world connections, students will develop critical reading skills while bridging the gap between fiction and a chilling reality.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-reading Activities
Vocabulary Worksheet
Post-reading Questions (Multiple-choice Comprehension, Literary Elements, and Real World Connection)
Dangerous Traditions Reading
Written Response Questions with Rubric
Text vs Movie Comparison Worksheet
Creative Writing Extension Activity
Online Jeopardy Game
Answer Keys to All of the Above
Students love analyzing this thought-provoking and, at times, absurd dystopian tale about the potential consequences of pursuing absolute equality in society.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-reading Activities
Vocabulary Worksheet
Situational Irony Worksheet
Quote Analysis Worksheet
Post-reading Questions (Multiple-choice Comprehension, Scaffolding, and Real World Connection)
Equity vs Equality Reading and Dillema Questions
Written Response Question with Rubric
Text vs Movie Comparison Worksheet
Creative Writing Extension Activity
Online Jeopardy Game
Answer Keys to All of the Above
This ready-to-print lesson plan contains thought-provoking discussion questions, multiple analysis worksheets, an informational text, and fun games and extension activities.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-Reading Activities
Vocabulary Worksheet
Multiple Choice Comprehension Quiz
Analysis Questions
Character Analysis Worksheet - Uncle Khosrove
Character Analysis Worksheet - John Byro
Armenians in America - Informational Reading Text
Written Response Question with Rubric
Real-World Connection Questions
Extension Activities
Online Jeopardy Game
Answers
Delve into themes of empathy and personal change with our comprehensive and engaging lesson plan for Langston Hughes hartwarming short story, Thank You Ma’am.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-reading Activities
Glossary
Literary Circles Guide
Literary Circles Questions
Analysis Questions
Extension Activities
Sample Answers
This comprehensive lesson plan is packed with fun and diverse activities. Its exploration of jealousy, isolation, longing, and the consequences of cruelty make for thought-provoking class discussions.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-reading Questions
Vocabulary Worksheet
Post-reading Questions (Multiple Choice, Group Scaffolding & Real World Connection)
Margot Analysis Worksheet
Children’s Behaviour Analysis Worksheet
Written Response Question with Rubric
Text Vs Movie Worksheet
Will it Ever Be Possible to Live on Other Planets? Informational Text
Extension Activity
Online Jeopardy Game
Answers
With this comprehensive and ready-to-print resource students will have fun, enhance literary skills, and gain valuable insights into the profound impact of small decisions on our world.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-reading Questions
Vocabulary Worksheet
Post-reading Questions (Multiple Choice, Group Scaffolding & Real World Connection)
Eckels vs. Travis Comparison Worksheet
The Butterfly Effect Reading
What-if Game
Written Response Question with Rubric
Text Vs Movie Worksheet
Extension Activity
Online Jeopardy Game
Answer Keys to All of the Above
Ray Bradbury’s The Pedestrian is more relevant than ever in our tech-driven world. his timeless short story is perfect for sparking deep discussions on technology, individuality, and the risks of conformity.
What’s Included:
Teaching Guide
Active Reading Guide
Pre-Reading Questions
Vocabulary Worksheet
Multiple Choice Comprehension Quiz
Analysis Questions
Dialogue Worksheet
Written Response Questions + Rubric
Paired Informational Text
The Evolution of Screens Chart + Worksheet
Real-World Connection Questions
Extension Activities
Online Jeopardy Game
Answers
Step into the chilling dystopian world of ‘The Veldt’ by Ray Bradbury, where advanced technology takes a sinister turn. Brace yourself for a thought-provoking journey into the future.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-reading Activities
Vocabulary Worksheet
Analysis Questions
HappyLife Home Worksheet
Written Response Questions with Rubric
Text Vs Movie Worksheet
Paired Video
Extension Activities
Online Jeopardy Game
Answers
Step into the captivating worlds of Ray Bradbury’s short stories, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the mundane is transformed into the magical.
“We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks captures the essence of youthful rebellion and the consequences of living on the edge. Our ready-to-print lesson plan is packed with engaging activities such as paired informational texts and videos of those who have gone through similar experiences as the pool players in Brooks poem.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-Activity Worksheet
Vocabulary
Analysis Questions
Symbolism Worksheet
‘From Prison to Poetry’ Paired Informational Text
‘Favorite Poem Project’ Paired Video
Extension Activities
Real-World Connection Questions
Answers + Common Core Standards
In this engaging lesson, students will delve into the pressing issue of climate change through the powerful poems “Dear Future Generations” and “His Epic Message Will Make You Want to Save the World” by Prince Ea. Students will also be inspired to write their own poems about issues they are passionate about, whether it’s gender equality, mental health, or any other topic close to their hearts.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-Activity Questions
Prince Ea Mini Biography
Analysis Questions
The Amazon Rainforest Informational Text
His Epic Message… Worksheet
Real-World Connection Questions
Poetry Writing Worksheets + Rubric
Answers
Maximize the impact of Rudyard Kipling’s timeless poem “If—” with our detailed, ready-to-print lesson plan. Worksheets cover poem analysis, personal reflections, comparisons with Sun Tzu’s quotes, and creative writing prompts for students to craft their own inspiring poems.
What’s Included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-Activity Questionnaire
Analysis Questions
Personal Reflection Worksheet
Sun Tzu Quote Worksheet
Poetry Writing Worksheet
Answers + Common Core Standards
This bundle contains lesson plans for three engaging Ray Bradbury short stories: The Veldt, All Summer in a Day, The Pedestrian, and A Sound of Thunder It also contains a mini biography on the author.
Lesson plans include:
Teaching guides
Pre-reading activities
Vocabulary worksheets
Post-reading questions (multiple choice, post-reading, and real-world connection)
Written response question + rubrics
Text vs movie worksheets
Paired informational texts
Paired videos
Creative writing activities
Online jeopardy games
Answer keys to all of the above
Through engaging worksheets and thought-provoking discussions, students will explore the power of small acts of kindness. The poem has been paired with a text on Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation as well as the short animation, Mr. Indifferent, to maximize students’ engagement in the topic.
What’s Included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-Activity Worksheet
If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking Poem
Analysis Questions
Author Analysis
Lady Gaga and the Born This Way Foundation
Animated Short Film Comparison
Real-World Connection Questions
Answers + Common Core Standards
Dive into the imaginative and gothic universe of Tim Burton. Students will adore his whimsical narratives before creating their own Burtonesque poems and images.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-Activity Questions
Tim Burton Biography
Poem Worksheet
Stick Boy and Match Girl in Love
Voodoo Girl
The Girl with Many Eyes
Stain Boy
Roy the Toxic Boy
Write Like Burton Worksheet
Draw a Burton Character
Rubric