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Raising Rigor and Readers

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I am a middle grades ELA teacher who loves teaching! One of my favorite topics to blog about is providing access to a quality education to ALL students. Thanks for stopping by!

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I am a middle grades ELA teacher who loves teaching! One of my favorite topics to blog about is providing access to a quality education to ALL students. Thanks for stopping by!
Create a Writing Unit: BUNDLE
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Create a Writing Unit: BUNDLE

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This unit gives teachers the flexibility to create their own writing units using different writing formats. There are editable templates, writing mini-lessons, and graphic organizers, and more! There are more than 135 pages which include: Writing Topics (60+) Printables: ★ Making Strong Claims ★ Concluding Statement ★ Argumentative Leads ★ Counterarguments ★ Bias ★ Writing a Thesis ★ Writing Hooks ★ Flashbacks ★ Foreshadowing ★ Dialogue and Quotations ★ Descriptive Language ★ Point of View ★ Perspective ★ Mood and Tone ★ Character Development ★ Character Traits & Consistency ★ Developing a Protagonist ★ Developing an Antagonist ★ Character Response to Situations ★ Myth Writing ★ Fable Writing ★ Uncovering the Theme ★ Cornell Notes Writing Activities (10+)
Rules Novel Study
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Rules Novel Study

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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
Bud, Not Buddy Novel Unit
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Bud, Not Buddy Novel Unit

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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.
Locomotion Novel Unit
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Locomotion Novel Unit

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This is a complete novel study using the book Locomotion by three time Newberry Honor winner Jacqueline Woodson. Locomotion is a Coretta Scott King Book Winner that is told in 60 poems. The poems are written through the perspective of 11-year old Lonnie who uses poetry to emote. This Novel unit has 10 additional poems embedded into the lessons and its great for not only introducing students to poetry, but also in getting them to develop their own poetry. In addition to being embedded the poems are formatted to be used as standalone resources for students. This item is also in my store if you want to preview before purchasing. Poetry Analysis Resource The entire unit focuses on the Common Core Standards and shift to getting students to use evidence from the text to defend their responses. Each lesson includes a copy of student work with answer key, vocabulary word of the day, daily exit ticket, and homework.
Thank You Ma'am Short Story
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Thank You Ma'am Short Story

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“Thank You Ma'am” by Langston Hughes is a timeless short story with very rich themes. This story demonstrates the value of compassion and second chances. All materials provided in this resource provide multiple opportunities to critically evaluate character traits, character change, character challenges, and theme! One of the most amazing components is the inclusion of SIX original graphic organizers with answer keys. These organizers can be used with other text! This is a jam packed short story evaluation that includes: - Common Core Aligned Questions from the text - Six Original Graphic Organizers with Answer Key - Description of how to implement Graphic Organizers - Writing Extension Activity Excluding Title and Resource pages this resource is 18 pages! 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!
Beginning and End of the Year {BUNDLE}
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Beginning and End of the Year {BUNDLE}

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My beginning and end of the year resources include a variety of resources that will keep students engaged and reflecting on their year. There is an activity (or two) for each letter of the alphabet that gives teachers the creativity to decide how and when to use each activity. NOTE: This is a discounted, BUNDLED pack of resources! The activities included in this bundle are the same as the ones in the individual units listed below: {End of Year A to Z Activities: 34 Activities and Memory Book} There are so many activities to choose from. You can have students spell words and complete the activity for the word or create an end of the year countdown that uses one activity a day! {Beginning of the Year A to Z: Activities, Minibooks, and More!} This is an amazing beginning of the year resource pack that is LOADED with resources to kick off the school year and a strong class culture.
Number the Stars Novel Study
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Number the Stars Novel Study

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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.
Penguins: A Craftivity on Taking Risks and Setting Goals
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Penguins: A Craftivity on Taking Risks and Setting Goals

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This craftivity is perfect for helping students think through taking risks and goal setting. It can be used at the beginning of the year, but also has the flexible to be used in conjunction with other units. Penguin template and insert templates are EDITABLE using textboxes in PowerPoint. This resource includes: • Teacher Guide • Step by Step Instructions with Pictures • Penguin Template • Penguin Inserts on Taking Risks • 1 page informational about penguins • Penguin Writing Template • First Penguin Award
Winter Reading and Writing Activities – Common Core Aligned
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Winter Reading and Writing Activities – Common Core Aligned

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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 ***********************************************
Beginning of the Year: Camera Craftivity
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Beginning of the Year: Camera Craftivity

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This craftivity is perfect for the beginning of the year to get students writing about their summer, but also has the flexible to be used in conjunction with other units. Camera template and interactive accordion book templates are EDITABLE using textboxes in PowerPoint. This resource includes: • Teacher Guide • Step by Step Instructions with Pictures • Camera Template • Camera lens and flash template • Accordion Book templates • 3 Planning Templates • 3 Writing Templates
Writing Graphic Organizers - Common Core Aligned
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Writing Graphic Organizers - Common Core Aligned

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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)
Letter From Birmingham Jail & Call For Unity – Common Core Aligned
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Letter From Birmingham Jail & Call For Unity – Common Core Aligned

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In 1963, eight white clergymen wrote a letter condemning nonviolent protests happening in Alabama. From a jail cell, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr wrote a response to each argument presented by the clergymen. This letter contains some of Dr. King’s most recognized quotes such as, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” and “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” This unit focuses on analyzing arguments presented in the two letters, responding to various text dependent questions, and participating in a Socratic seminar. This unit is a LOW PREP resource for teachers. The Texts: - Annotated and Student Copy of “Call For Unity” - Student Copy of “Letter From Birmingham Jail” Graphic Organizers: - Reviewing Arguments - Writing Counterarguments - Responding to Arguments - Tracing Claims
Narrative: The Holocaust
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Narrative: The Holocaust

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This resource includes materials to walk your students through creating a personal narrative from the perspective of a Holocaust survivor. The topic is about the Holocaust, but the majority of planning documents included in this resource will stand alone with any other topic. This is resource includes: - Two mini-lessons to help students understand Personal Narratives and Revise their writing for descriptive language - Three original planning graphic organizers - Teacher model for the topic - Drafting and Publishing Paper Excluding Title Page this resource is 16 pages! This activity is included in my Number the Stars novel unit, but I have updated it to include one more graphic organizer and two additional mini-lessons.
EDITABLE Yearly Newsletter
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EDITABLE Yearly Newsletter

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This is a great resource to help teachers save time with newsletter templates for the year! I’ve included templates that have predetermined subheadings and ones without them so that you can make your own. All you have to do it add text boxes where you want to add information. Please note that not all portions of the template are EDITABLE because of copyrights with fonts and graphics, but there is lots of flexibility! This resource is also included in my Beginning of the Year A to Z: Activities, Minibooks, and More! resource. PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE IF YOU HAVE BOUGHT MY BEGINNING OF YEAR ACTIVITIES RESOURCE.
Rigorous Common Core Aligned Poetry Bundle
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Rigorous Common Core Aligned Poetry Bundle

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This resource is a combination of all of my poetry resources which include: • Locomotion Novel Unit • Poetry Resource Unit • Poetry Analysis Resource • Poetry Resource Pack: Mini-books, Templates, Graphic Organizers
Determining the Main Idea
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Determining the Main Idea

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This unit focuses on remediation and/or enriching skills associated with main idea and supporting details using informational and fictional text. 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 “I Have, Who Has?” activity for students to practice main idea as a class! Answer keys are included for all resources and this is aligned to Common Core States Standard. All teachers have to do it print and copy!
Myth Writing Resource
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Myth Writing Resource

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This is a myth writing supplemental resource pack taken from my larger Greek Mythology Unit. Students are guided through the process of creating a myth using this resource. DO NOT PURCHASE IF YOU HAVE BOUGHT MY GREEK MYTHOLOGY UNIT Resources included: - Suggested Scope and Sequence - Mentor Text - Brainstorming - Outlining - Mini-lesson: Quoting - Character Development - Drafting Paper - Revision & Editing Checklist - Rubric
Native American Unit
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Native American Unit

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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 ***********************************************
Argument, Personal Narrative, Explanatory/Informative BUNDLE
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Argument, Personal Narrative, Explanatory/Informative BUNDLE

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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
The Important Book: A Back to School Activity
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The Important Book: A Back to School Activity

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PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE IF YOU HAVE BOUGHT MY BEGINNING OF YEAR ACTIVITIES RESOURCE OR BUNDLE. This is a great resource to start the year and capture lots of memories. It's a mini-book that walk students through the important things during the year. This is an awesome and interactive way for students to engage with each other and make new memories! Included: ♦Cover Page ♦Two Page Reading on Malleable Intelligence ♦ Interactive pages ♦ Important Book EDITABLE Templates ♦ Important Lists ♦ Important Things about Classmates