I've always had a lot of difficulty with my students using slang and text or informal language in their ELA work. I devised this handy worksheet to help students understand the difference and when it is appropriate to use each type of language. In the worksheet, there are a set of scenarios with an intended audience for each. The students have to decide if the language is formal or informal and then if it matches the intended audience. An extension activity for homework is also included.

Need to introduce or review story elements with your kids? Here's the perfect way to do it! There are 8 key terms: Alliteration Hyperbole Imagery Metaphor Personification Onomatopoeia Simile Symbolism Each term has a matching definition and example. Kids need to match the term with the correct definition and example. Each one is a different color so kids know when they have a set! Great for group work or individual reinforcement. Also included: a term, definition, example set for each word for use on bulletin boards or word walls and a sheet of all terms, definitions, and examples to be placed in student notebooks.

This product is a great way to introduce Greek myths, gods, goddesses, monsters and heroes to your class. These can be a stand alone unit or be the intro for a study of Greek myths, any books in the Rick Riordan series, or other books based on Greek mythology. There are activities to focus on the Greek idea of the creation of the world, the 14 major gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon, and popular Greek creatures, monsters, and heroes. The product can be done in its entirety or taken apart and used in pieces as it fits your needs. The unit would take approximately 2 months to complete if all of it were done in class. Included: * Greek Creation Myth articles, questions and activity * 14 major Greek gods and goddesses chart and quiz (Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Dionysus, Hermes, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares) * 12 popular Greek monsters and creatures chart and quiz (Centaur, Cerberus, Chimera, Cyclops, Griffon, Harpy, Hydra, Medusa, Minotaur, Pegasus, Satyr, Sphinx) * 7 popular Greek heroes chart and quiz (Achilles, Amazons, Heracles, Jason, Odysseus, Perseus, Theseus) * Create your own God/Goddess, Monster/Creature, and Hero/Heroine Activity * Create your own myth activity *Rubrics and answer keys for all activities and quizzes

Need a quick way to review or introduce genres to your class? Don't do the work, I've done it for you! This Prezi is set up like a Guess Who game. A slide with 2 pictures illustrating the genre is shown with a question mark. Children can guess which genre is being illustrated out loud, in a small group or on paper or dry erase boards. Then show the next screen which gives the genre, a definition and examples to be copied into notebooks. Fiction Genres Included: Realistic Fiction Drama Historical Fiction Fairy Tales, Folktales, Myths and Legends Mystery Science Fiction Poetry Fantasy Non-Fiction Social Studies Autobiography/Biography Science

This is a thorough Common Core aligned overview of Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos. There are group or whole class questions and homework questions broken down by each chapter. Most chapters are further broken down into several sections to make reading the text easier for your kids. The questions could be placed on the board or handed out to different groups of students. *Analyze characters *Identify major plot elements *Explain cause and effect relationships *Draw inferences *Determine central ideas and details *Determine theme *Describe plot *Identify conflict and resolution

Rebus puzzles are a great way to get your students thinking outside of the box. These puzzles are made up of pictures that when pieced together form a phrase. This resource includes 10 rebus puzzles and answers. There is also a sample puzzle to introduce students to the idea of how to solve a rebus puzzle. The puzzles form the following phrases: Intro - School is fun. 1. Be silly. Be honest. Be kind. 2. Do the best you can until you know better, then do better. 3. You'll always pass failure on your way to success. 4. No one is perfect, that's why pencils have erasers. 5. Why fit in when you were born to stand out? 6. Mistakes are proof that you are trying. 7. Life is tough my darling but so are you. 8. There is no elevator to success; you have to take the stairs. 9. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. 10. If you think someone could use a friend, be one.

This is a thorough Common Core aligned overview of Middle School the Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson. There are group or whole class questions and homework questions broken down by each chapter. The questions could be placed on the board or handed out to different groups of students. All of the questions have complete answers provided in the answer key. The following questions types and skills are used: *Analyze characters *Identify major plot elements *Explain cause and effect relationships *Draw inferences *Determine central ideas and details *Determine theme *Describe plot *Identify conflict and resolution *Assess author's purpose *Inferencing

Need to introduce or review Common Core aligned story elements with your kids? Here's the perfect way to do it! There are 8 key terms: Characters Climax Conflict Mood Plot Resolution Setting Trait Each term has a matching definition and example. Kids need to match the term with the correct definition and example. Each one is a different color so kids know when they have a set! Great for group work or individual reinforcement. Also included: a term, definition, example set for each word for use on bulletin boards or word walls and a sheet of all terms, definitions, and examples to be placed in student notebooks.

This is a complete novel study for The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan. You will find everything you need to completely teach and review the plot, characters, setting, themes, etc. with your class. There are also pre and post reading activities that will introduce/review Greek myths and gods. Included in the Novel Study: Introduction to the Book Suggested Pacing Calendar Greek Creation Myth article and activities 14 major Greek gods and goddesses chart and quiz (Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Dionysus, Hermes, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares) Create your own God or Goddess Activity Create your own Myth activity Discussion Questions and Answers broken down by chapter Differentiated Character and Conflict Graphic Organizers 6 End of Book Projects 2 Essay Tasks Answer Keys or Rubrics included for all questions, quizzes and activities

Common Core aligned group discussion questions for When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. The book is a Newberry award winning novel, first published in 2009. It is a sci-fi mystery about a young girl in 1970s NYC who starts receiving mysterious notes about saving her friend’s life. There are group or whole class questions and homework questions broken down by each chapter. The questions could be placed on the board or handed out to different groups of students. All of the questions have complete answers provided in the answer key. The questions ask students to: *Analyze characters *Identify major plot elements *Explain cause and effect relationships *Draw inferences *Determine central ideas and details *Determine theme *Describe plot *Identify conflict and resolution *Analyze author's purpose *Analyze author's choice

So many times kids use the same low level words over and over. This is a cute activity to help kids bury those old familiar words and start using more sophisticated language. Kids bury old words on tombstones and raise up new words on ghosts. Great for a back to school or Halloween activity and for Interactive notebooks or writing centers.

This is a thorough set of class discussion and homework questions. The class questions can be used for the whole class or for reading groups. They are separated by chapter and can be placed on the board or given to the reading groups. Students will *Analyze characters *Identify major plot elements *Explain cause and effect relationships *Draw inferences *Determine central ideas and details *Determine theme *Describe plot *Identify conflict and resolution

This is a thorough overview of My Rotten Life Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie by David Lubar. There are group or whole class questions and homework questions broken down by each chapter. Most chapters are further broken down into several sections to make reading the text easier for your kids. The questions could be placed on the board or handed out to different groups of students. *Analyze characters *Identify major plot elements *Explain cause and effect relationships *Draw inferences *Determine central ideas and details *Determine theme *Describe plot *Identify conflict and resolution *Determine author's purpose *Make text to self connections

This is a thorough overview of Molly McGinty has a Really Good Day by Gary Paulsen. There are group or whole class questions and homework questions broken down by each chapter. Most chapters are further broken down into several sections to make reading the text easier for your kids. The questions could be placed on the board or handed out to different groups of students. *Analyze characters *Identify major plot elements *Explain cause and effect relationships *Draw inferences *Determine central ideas and details *Determine theme *Describe plot *Identify conflict and resolution *Make predictions *Determine author's purpose

This is a thorough set of class discussion and homework questions for The Not So Jolly Roger by Jon Scieszka. The class questions can be used for the whole class or for reading groups. They are separated by chapter and can be placed on the board or given to the reading groups. Students will *Analyze characters *Identify major plot elements *Explain cause and effect relationships *Draw inferences *Determine central ideas and details *Determine theme *Describe plot *Identify conflict and resolution *Make text to self connections

Need to make your classroom a little brighter and interactive? These Reading Quote Posters are just the thing! There are 12 posters with quotes from author's like Oscar Wilde, Harper Lee, Mark Twain, etc.. The posters come in color and black and white. Print, laminate and hang them up for an instant face lift for your classroom. Great for bulletin boards, libraries, reading/writing centers and wall decorations!

A great way to show administrators, students and parents what your class has accomplished. Here is a set of posters to showcase Common Core Standards that students have met and are still working toward for 6th Grade Reading Literature, Reading Informational Texts, and Writing. Each set of Standards has: * A complete set of 8 1/2 by 11 posters of "We are able to....." statements, perfect for bulletin boards. * A complete set of 8 1/2 by 11 posters of "We are working to....." statements, perfect for bulletin boards. * A complete set of 5 1/2 by 4 1/2 task cards of "I am able to....." statements, perfect for student work. * A complete set of 5 1/2 by 4 1/2 task cards of "I am working to....." statements, perfect for student work. Each Standard is in a different border so it's easy to distinguish Reading from Informational Texts from Writing. Each poster contains the Category, Standard Number, and the Standard.

This is a thorough overview of 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson. There are group or whole class questions and homework questions broken down by each chapter. Most chapters are further broken down into several sections to make reading the text easier for your kids. The questions could be placed on the board or handed out to different groups of students. *Analyze characters *Identify major plot elements *Explain cause and effect relationships *Draw inferences *Determine central ideas and details *Determine theme *Describe plot *Identify conflict and resolution

This is a thorough Common Core aligned overview of Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor by Jon Scieszka. There are group or whole class questions and homework questions broken down by each chapter. Most chapters are further broken down into several sections to make reading the text easier for your kids. The questions could be placed on the board or handed out to different groups of students. *Analyze characters *Identify major plot elements *Explain cause and effect relationships *Draw inferences *Determine central ideas and details *Determine theme *Describe plot *Identify conflict and resolution

Need to introduce key terms for an endangered animal unit? Don't do the work, I've already done it for you! This Prezi includes 10 key terms that will help your students understand a study of endangered animals. Each term is accompanied by a photo to help students master the idea. I use these terms with my study of chimps and Jane Goodall. Terms include: Alpha male Extinct Endangered Captivity Communicate Gombe Habitat Habits Primate Zoologist There are also slides for Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey.