I am a licensed teacher with the NYC Board of Ed for 16 years. I have taught 5th and 6th grades for my entire career. I have extensive experience in ELA as that has been my primary grade taught for the past 9 years. I have 5 years experience with Math, SS, and Science. I also incorporate technology into many of my lessons. All of my products are Common Core aligned.
I am a licensed teacher with the NYC Board of Ed for 16 years. I have taught 5th and 6th grades for my entire career. I have extensive experience in ELA as that has been my primary grade taught for the past 9 years. I have 5 years experience with Math, SS, and Science. I also incorporate technology into many of my lessons. All of my products are Common Core aligned.
This is a thorough Common Core aligned overview of Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein. 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 the 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
*Assess author's purpose
*Make inference
*Identify and explain figurative language
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 is a thorough Common Core aligned overview of The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett. 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 the 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
*Assess author's purpose
*Make inference
*Identify and explain figurative language
This is a thorough Common Core aligned overview of Words with Wings by Nikki Grimes. There are group or whole class questions and homework questions broken down by each chapter.
There are three different levels of questions so you can differentiate with your students.
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.
After the discussion questions there is a list of many examples of figurative language found in the book.
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
The figurative language elements addressed are:
*Alliteration
*Hyperbole
*Imagery
*Metaphor
*Onomatopoeia
*Personification
*Simile
This is a great Common Core aligned resource for general conflict and resolution work in middle school. There is a PowerPoint to introduce the terms, 7 types of Character vs. _______ conflicts and internal and external conflicts. There are also several graphic organizers that can be used with any book.
In the PowerPoint:
* Intro to the words conflict and resolution
* Character vs. Character
* Character vs. Fate/Gods
* Character vs. Nature
* Character vs. Self
* Character vs. Society
* Character vs. Supernatural
* Character vs. Technology
* Internal Conflict
*External Conflict
There are graphic organizers for:
* Identifying types of conflict (3 levels for differentiation)
* Listing all conflicts in a story
* Weighing arguments to see which characters' is stronger
* C.O.R.E./C.A.R.E. ( Conflict Obstacles Resolution Extend and Conflict Actions Resolution Explain)
* Seeing how small problems lead to the major conflict
This is a Common Core aligned fill in the blank activity that can be used for classwork, homework or a test based on the book Zoey and Sassafras by Asia Citro and The Innovation Press. There are two versions of the activity for differentiation. One has a word bank and one does not.
For the first one, there is a word bank at the top of the page and the students must fill in the blanks in the sentences with the correct word or word pair. Each word or word pair is used only once.
For the second one, there is only the set of sentences and children must complete them with words from the story that make the sentences correct.
This is a thorough Common Core aligned overview of My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian. There are digital group or whole class questions and homework questions broken down by each chapter. The questions are in a Google Slide presentation and need to be shared with your class in an online platform. All of the questions have complete answers provided in the answer key.
All materials can be uploaded to a variety of online platforms including: Google Classroom, Microsoft OneDrive, Schoology, Edmodo, Notability, Seesaw, Padlet, Nearpod, Canvas, Evernote and Blackboard.
This product includes the student edition of the discussion questions, the teacher addition with questions and answers and a how to upload the files to online platform manual.
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
This is a handy guide to help you complete a close reading activity with your students. I have included an endangered animal article about elephants and all of the materials needed to conduct a close reading lesson.
Included in this resource:
1. Introduction of how to complete a close reading lesson.
2. The Main Plan printable to help you and your students go through the close reading steps.
3. Tag it Up printable to help your students understand how to annotate the text.
4. 3 versions of the Exciting Elephants article for differentiation. (4th, 5th, and 6th grade levels) Lexile Levels and Word Counts can be found on each version.
5. Text Dependent Questions broken down for use after each reading, with a bonus extension writing activity and answer keys.
6. Graphic organizers for note taking, main idea, and context clues to be used with or in stead of the text questions.
All materials can be uploaded to a variety of online platforms including: Google Classroom, Microsoft OneDrive, Schoology, Edmodo, Notability, Seesaw, Padlet, Nearpod, Canvas, Evernote and Blackboard.
These are all the form I use at the beginning of the year. Most of them are editable so you can personalize them for your classroom! They use primary colors or black and white and are more suitable for older kids as they use fewer clip art pictures.
Editable Forms Include:
1. Meet the Teacher in red, yellow, blue, and black and white. You can edit your name, subject, classes, content and add a picture.
2. Supply List in color and black and white. You can edit the list.
3. Welcome to the Class Newsletter in red, blue, yellow, and black and white. You can edit the title and content.
4. All About Me student info sheet in color with multicultural boys or girls. Also in black and white with super hero boys or girls. You Can edit the title and categories for the kids to fill in.
5. Wishlist in list format or on small chalkboards to hang up on PTC or Back to School Night for parents or guardians to take with them. You can edit the lists.
6. Schedule - class or daily schedule on a chalkboard or red, yellow, and blue tables. You can edit the schedules.
Non-Editable Pages Include:
1. Website Passwords
2. Parent/Guardian Contact Info
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
This is a thorough Common Core aligned overview of Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes. There are group or whole class questions and homework questions broken down by each chapter.
There are three different levels of questions so you can differentiate with your students.
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.
After the discussion questions there is a list of many examples of figurative language found in the book.
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
The figurative language elements addressed are:
*Alliteration
*Imagery
*Metaphor
*Onomatopoeia
*Personification
*Simile
This is a complete step by step guide to help students write a 5 paragraph expository/informative essay.
You will receive:
1. A file with the student writing guide
2. A file with the teacher's how to and pacing calendar
3. A PowerPoint to introduce the persuasive genre to your class
The student guide includes:
1. Outline of what's expected
2. Helping Hands for the intro and conclusion
3. Writing Reminders
4. Fact/Supporting Details List
5. Graphic Organizers for each of the 5 paragraphs
6. Rough Draft section
7. Bibliography section
8. 3 Writer's Checklists for Wonderful Writing, Revising, and Editing and Proofreading
The teacher's guide includes:
1. Suggested Pacing Calendar
2. Page by page overview of how to use the student guide
The PowerPoint includes:
1. Introduction to the genre
2. Fact and Supporting Details explanation
3. Review of essay parts
4.. Explanation of what to include in each section of an expository/informative essay
This is a complete step by step guide to help students write a 5 paragraph persuasive essay with a counterclaim.
You will receive:
1. A file with the student writing guide
2. A file with the teacher's how to and pacing calendar
3. A PowerPoint to introduce the persuasive genre to your class
The student guide includes:
1. Outline of what's expected
2. Helping Hands for the intro and conclusion
3. Writing Reminders
4. Pro/Con List
5. Graphic Organizers for each of the 5 paragraphs
6. Rough Draft section
7. Bibliography section
8. 3 Writer's Checklists for Wonderful Writing, Revising, and Editing and Proofreading
The teacher's guide includes:
1. Suggested Pacing Calendar
2. Page by page overview of how to use the student guide
The PowerPoint includes:
1. Introduction to the genre
2. Argument explanation
3. Pro and con explanation
4. Counterclaim explanation
5. Review of essay parts
6. Explanation of what to include in each section of a persuasive essay
This is a great resource to help middle school teachers work with students on character analysis. There is a PowerPoint presentation to introduce more sophisticated character terms for use in middle school, including:
*Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Characters
*Dynamic and Static Characters
*Protagonist and Antagonist
Also included are 4 different graphic organizers to help students analyze characters in any book, including:
*Character Trait Chart (for use with Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Characters and Protagonist/Antagonist)
*Character Motivation (for use with Dynamic and Static Characters)
*Character Growth (for use with Dynamic and Static Characters)
*Character Reaction (for use with Dynamic and Static Characters)
*Character Selfie (for use with Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Characters and Protagonist/Antagonist)
Each graphic organizer comes with three levels for differentiation:
Advanced, Grade Level, and Extra Help. There are also boy/girl organizers, and blank copies so you can add your own images.
This is a comprehensive guide to writing a fictional or personal narrative. You get a teacher guide, student guide and a PowerPoint to introduce the writing genre.
You will receive:
1. A file with the student writing guide
2. A file with the teacher's how to and pacing calendar
3. A PowerPoint to introduce the narrative genre to your class
The student guide includes:
1. Outline of what's expected
2. Helping Hands for the intro and conclusion
3. Writing Reminders
4. Brainstorming Matrix
5. Character Matrix
6. Timeline of Events
7. Graphic Organizers for each of the 5 paragraphs
8. Rough Draft section
9. 3 Writer's Checklists for Wonderful Writing, Revising, and Editing and Proofreading
The teacher's guide includes:
1. Suggested Pacing Calendar
2. Page by page overview of how to use the student guide
The PowerPoint includes:
1. Introduction to the genre
2. Brainstorming Matrix explanation
3. Character Matrix explanation
4. Timeline explanation
5. Review of essay parts
6. Explanation of what to include in each section of an narrative
This is a thorough Common Core aligned overview of Peak by Roland Smith. 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 the 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
*Assess author's purpose
*Make inference
*Identify and explain figurative language
This is a Common Core aligned complete novel study of the non fiction book, Oogy, the Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin.
You will receive:
1. An Introduction to the novel study
2. Pacing Calendar
3. Information on the author and links to background building videos
4. Links to Humane Society Dog Fighting Unit to be used as background building lessons
5. Article on a recent animal abuse case to be used as background building activity
6. Key Vocabulary
7. Vocabulary quiz with answer key
8. Classwork and Homework Discussion Questions with answers
9. Extension Activities with links and rubrics
10. Essay test with rubric
This is a complete Common Core aligned novel study for Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein. You will find everything you need to completely teach and review the plot, characters, setting, themes, etc. with your class.
Included in the Novel Study:
*Introduction to the Book
*Suggested Pacing Calendar
*Author Information with links to videos about the book and author
*Puzzles and Solutions section with suggested rebus, pictogram and anagram puzzles with solutions
*Alliteration Summary and Examples to help introduce the idea. Also included is an Alliteration Prezi and graphic organizers for kids to record examples in the story
*2 sets of Vocabulary Words in a test format with answers
*Character List
*Discussion Questions and Answers broken down by chapter
*4 Wrap Up Activities with rubrics
*2 Essay Tasks with rubrics
This is a thorough Common Core aligned overview of Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. 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
This is a thorough overview of The Hidden Oracle Book One of The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan. 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:
Analyzing characters
Identifying major plot elements
Explaining cause and effect relationships
Drawing inferences
Determining central ideas and details
Determining theme
Describing plot
Identifying conflict and resolution
Assessing author’s purpose
Inferencing*