This is a rigorous unit geared at student engagement, thinking, reading, and writing skills. Students read and analyze both informational and fictional texts, and write an argumentative and literary essay. This unit was designed for students to celebrate the rich and complex history of North America’s first people. Please download the preview for more information. There are more than 80 pages which include: Two page Informational Text Articles with Comprehension Questions and Activities: - The First Americans - Cultures of the Southwest - Cultures of the Northwest - Cultures of the Great Plains - Eastern Woodlands Natives - Mound Building Cultures - The Inuit Fictional Text with Comprehension Questions and Activities: - The Raven and The Crow: The Stolen Potlatch - The Legend of Good Luck - The Coyote and the Buffalo ***********************************************

This personal narrative unit is directly aligned to Common Core Writing and Language standards, and is designed for students in grades 6-8. This unit will lead you and your students through the process of writing personal narratives. There are more than 65 pages which include: Suggested Lesson and Resource Scope and Sequence Lesson Plan Template Graphic Organizers Narrative Definition Poster Narrative Subway Art Mentor Text Narrative topics Narrative Activities Student Revision Checklist Student Editing Checklist Common Core Aligned Rubric 32 Task Cards aligned to Language standards Publishing Paper Mini-lessons: Flashbacks Dialogue and Quotations Descriptive Language Voice Point of View Clauses and Phrases Sentence Fluency Writing Narrative Leads Using Transition Words

Characters Booklet This “booklet” will assist students in keeping track of characters in the books and/or stories they are reading. This is an excellent resource if you are working on character analysis as students are required to analyze multiple characters from the text by detailing when they are introduced, key quotes, and explain their importance to the text. The book also includes a list of character traits to help students think through how to accurately describe characters. The booklet includes: *Character Comparison Graphic Organizer *Character Change Graphic Organizer *Character description Graphic Organizer *Character Review writing component Directions for how to print this booklet are included as it is intended to be copied double sided and folded in half.

This is a rigorous Greek Mythology unit geared at student engagement, thinking, reading, and writing skills. It also includes a number of activities that would be perfect for literacy centers. There are more than 100 pages which include: Rewritten Greek Myths with Common Core Aligned Questions and Activities: - Once Upon a Beauty: The Story of Medusa - The Wonderful Weaver: The Story of Arachne - The Trojan Horse - The Greek Army - Love’s Echo - The Midas Touch - Psyche & Eros: The Story of Love - Heracles: The Twelve Labors - The Story of Zeus *********************************************** Myth Writing: Suggested Scope and Sequence Mentor Text Brainstorming Outlining Character Development Drafting Paper Revision & Editing Checklist Rubric ***********************************************

“Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara is a short story about self-identity and confidence. The lead character Squeaky is a hard-working and smart mouthed runner who takes care of her brother Raymond who has a disability. As the story progresses readers are treated to an unexpected character change. This resource is aligned to Common Core Standards and provides opportunities for students to critically evaluate character traits, character change, character challenges, and theme using evidence from the text! One of the most amazing components is the inclusion of FIVE original graphic organizers with answer keys. These organizers can be used with other texts! This is a jam packed short story evaluation that includes: - Suggested Lesson Plan - Common Core Aligned Questions based on the text - Original Graphic Organizers - Description of how to implement Graphic Organizers - Comprehension Questions

This is a unit that can stand alone as a "mini-unit" or supplement your current poetry unit. Each poem includes an in-depth analysis of the poem that requires students to evaluate the speaker’s message, use of literary devices, rhyme scheme, and summarize the poem. Lessons combine the elements of close reading with poetry, literary analysis, and free verse writing.Included: • Teacher Resource Guide aligned to CCSS • 13 poems with printable worksheets and answer keys. • Sample lesson plans • Writing Enrichment activities • Rigorous mini-lessons to teach simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole with accompanying worksheets.

This is a bundled writing unit that saves buyers 25% versus buying each unit separately. There are more than 200 pages of materials. Each unit includes: ★ Graphic Organizers ★ Mini-lessons ★ Mentor Texts ★ Language Lessons ★ Rubrics for each Genre ★ Editing Checklists ★ Revision Checklists …AND MORE

These organizers are included in my Argumentative, Informative, and Personal Narrative writing units. If you have those units, or purchased my writing bundle, please do not grab these. This resource includes 30 original graphic organizers that will assist your students with writing. These organizers are aligned to three types of writing noted in the Common Core State Standards, and will guide students with organizing their thoughts to the topic of your choice. Organizers included: ★ Argumentative (8) ★ Informative (15) ★ Personal Narrative (7)

This is a rigorous unit geared at student engagement, thinking, reading, and writing skills. This unit can stand alone, or be integrated into various units as there are multiple standards aligned resources. Students read and analyze both informational and fictional texts, and write argumentative and literary essays. This unit includes winter themes and is a LOW PREP resource for teachers. There are more than 40 pages which include: Two page Informational Text Articles with Comprehension Questions: - Winter Storms - Chinese New Year Fictional Texts with Comprehension Questions: - The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen - Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost - A Frost Fancy by Richard Le Gallienne *********************************************** Skill Based Graphic Organizers: Digging for Details Story Problems ***********************************************

This unit focuses on remediating and/or enriching skills associated with quoting, inferring, and explaining using informational and fictional text. The Lexile level for each passage is noted in the table of contents, and there are multiple examples, sample questions, and aligned assessments. It is compiled in four sections that gradually develop student independence: 1. Modeled Instruction 2. Guided Instruction 3. Independent Practice 4. Assessment There are also graphic organizers, and an activity for students to practice inferring using pictures. Answer keys are included for all resources and this is aligned to Common Core States Standards (RL.4.1,RL.5.1, RI.4.1,RI.5.1). All teachers have to do it print and copy! ***********************************************

“The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe is a classic short story that is riveting from start to finish. This is one of Poe’s most recognized works, and it is sure to grab the attention of your students! This resource is aligned to Common Core standards and age/grade appropriate. All materials provided in this lesson will position students to make a claim about the narrator and engage in deep conversations regarding the events that unfold. This unit infuses a bit of technology with the use of QR codes, but no worries, teachers are still set up for success without the technology. This unit is designed for Grades 8-10! Mini-Lessons: - Mood and Tone - Prefixes and Suffixes - Context Clues - Irony *********************************************** Text Materials: This unit includes the text for students. There are two different options (with and without guided questions) and a teacher annotated copy to assist with analysis.

“Charles” by Shirley Jackson is an amazing short story that is sure to grab the attention of your students. Students are invested in close reading for clues, find evidence, and determining the elements of plot. All materials provided in this lesson will allow students to do this at a high level! One of the most amazing components is the higher level vocabulary activities that position students to make inferences, use new words to describe characters, and summarize sentences where the word is used. This is a jam packed short story evaluation that includes: - Detailed Lesson Plan - Five Original Graphic Organizers - Common Core Aligned Questions from the text - Task cards to assign student annotated reading role (3 different roles) - Extension Activities It is perfect for introducing a short story unit and reinforcing ideas from fiction reading. It is simple enough to be used as an emergency substitute lesson plan.

This is a free lesson that focuses on Common Core Standard RL.5.2 The file uses the poem "Same Song" by Pat Mora (obtained on a free public domain) to help student analyze the main idea or topic that that the author is describing. This activity can be used as review, homework, or a supplemental component for the aligned standard. This file is saved as a PDF, but can be printed out and used with students in it's current format. I am working to create additional products for my store and appreciate any feedback on this lesson.

This is an activity that can either be used as a homework activity, in class independent activity, or used with a small group of students. The passages are taken from npr.org and biography.com and are both easily accessible. Links to the article are included in the packet. The entire file is in Word so that it can be edited to your needs and the answers are included in the file as text boxes that can be easily deleted when sharing with your students. I am in the process of completely revamping my store to include more Common Core aligned resources that focus on the strategies of close reading and using evidence from the text.

This is a fun freebie to get writing juices flowing with students. This freebie assists students with creating the “perfect pair” and is great to assist students with Valentine’s Day writing. Enjoy!

This unit will help students and teachers take on the ever elusive theme, which is a difficult concept to teach. This unit also delves into students writing constructed responses to text, which is aligned to Common Core Standards. There are more than 65 pages in this unit, which include posters, graphic organizers, half page graphic organizers, and practice questions (spanning multiple common core standards). Literature Passages: • The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Aesop fable) • The Lion and the Mouse (Aesop fable) • The Tortoise and the Hare (Aesop fable) • The Princess and the Frog (Fairy Tale) • Rapunzel (Fairy Tale) • Marie and the Brilliant Fish (African fable) • The Helping Hand (Short Story) • Diamond in the Rough (Short Story) • the drum by Nikki Giovanni (poem) • Same Song by Pat Mora (poem) (5) Theme Posters (6) Graphic Organizers (16) Half Page Task cards

This is a complete novel study using the book Rules. The book is a Newberry Honor Book and explores themes of friendship, family, and students with disabilities. The entire unit focuses on the Common Core Standards and shift to getting students to use evidence from the text to defend their responses. You will notice a mix of multiple choice questions and short answers where students are required to give specific evidence to explain their answers. More importantly it unites ELA with reading, writing, and vocabulary. This unit is also perfect for guided reading groups. This unit also includes a guide for implementing collaborative conversations with your students that aligns to the Speaking and Listening Common Core State Standards. Included: 17 Print and Go/Editable Lessons (Student work, exit ticket, homework) 18 Vocabulary words that are explored for deeper meaning 1 Student Collaborative Discussion booklet

This is a complete novel study using the book Number The Stars. This Novel unit has nonfiction embedded into the lesson and a class favorite! The entire unit focuses on the Common Core Standards and shift to getting students to use evidence from the text to defend their responses. More importantly it unites ELA with reading, writing, and vocabulary. Each lesson includes an annotated copy of student work with answer key, vocabulary word of the day, and homework option. Perfect for a whole class novel or with a guided reading group. Lessons are uploaded using Word so that they can be easily formatted for your classroom. Lessons are also available in PDFs for teachers who simply want to print and go! Updates include six activities/graphic organizers for students to use to help with comprehension, character taboo, vocabulary pictionary,writing mini-lessons, and a 10 page personal narrative (with model responses) lesson.

This resource is a sample from my larger graphic organizer units.There are five total organizers with three aligned to reading literature standards and two aligned to informational text standards.

This is a unit has been completely updated for formatting and content. It is a complete novel study using the book Bud, Not Buddy. The entire unit focuses on the Common Core Standards shift to getting students to use evidence from the text to defend their responses. It includes: • Overview with Suggested Objectives aligned to the text • Explanation of Lesson Components • Daily Reading Summary • Daily Vocabulary Words • Six Mini-lessons • Daily "Active Reading" Lesson that aligns to Common Core Standards with an Exit Ticket • Daily Homework Questions • Writing Component All lesson parts are in Word formatting that can be easily edited for classroom needs. There are Word version AND PDF files for ease of printing.