Escape rooms harness the natural competitive nature of middle-school students to encourage them to work cooperatively and to use critical thinking and comprehension skills to complete a series of tasks which allow them to succeed. This product features four puzzles that must be solved to “escape”. One puzzle is simply an informational text about Veterans Day, along with comprehension questions. There is also another brief reading passage that contains clues for a second lock. The third lock requires students to unscramble letters to make three words that have to do with Veterans Day. The fourth puzzle requires students to do a little research and reasoning to correctly order seven American wars. The product gives both digital and non-digital options, or a combination of both. To use the digital version, students (or each group of students) need access to a device that has Internet capabilities. The teacher gives students a link to a private website that requires them to read and search for clues to unlock four different types of locks. The non-digital option allows the teacher to print out the reading passage and puzzles and give one set to each student, or each group of students. The students can then go to the website to enter their answers, or simply write the lock codes down on their response sheet for easy checking. The packet also includes an optional certificate that can be given to successful students.

Escape rooms harness the natural competitive nature of middle-school students to encourage them to work cooperatively and to use critical thinking and comprehension skills to complete a series of tasks which allow them to succeed. This product features an informational text about Día de los Muertos, along with comprehension questions and vocabulary matching. The vocabulary matching allows bilingual and English language learners a chance to take the lead in the problem solving. There are also two additional puzzles that students must solve in order to escape the room. The product gives both digital and non-digital options, or a combination of both. To use the digital version, students (or each group of students) need access to a device that has Internet capabilities. The teacher gives students a link to a private website that requires them to read and search for clues to unlock four different types of locks. The non-digital option allows the teacher to print out the reading passage and puzzles and give one set to each student, or each group of students. The students can then go to the website to enter their answers, or simply write the lock codes down on their response sheet for easy checking . The packet also includes an optional certificate that can be given to successful students.

Halloween is an exciting holiday for many middle-schoolers. Help your students improve their reading comprehension, poetry analysis, and vocabulary skills by using their love of the holiday to engage them with this packet of entertaining literary activities. This product includes three pieces that focus on the Halloween season, along with comprehension, idiom, context clue and other activities Contents: Mischief Night: a literary non-fiction piece with the theme “Sometimes you have to stand up to bullies.” Related Activities: Context clues to pre-teach vocabulary Story Analysis, including a character trait organizer Comprehension questions Feline Bullied: A light-hearted poem about a kitten and a pumpkin and their “fiery” relationship. The theme is similar to that of Mischief Night, allowing the teacher to use the two as paired readings. Related Activities: TP-CASTT analysis sheet Comprehension questions The Story of Stingy Jack: an original retelling of the myth behind Jack-O’-Lanterns. Related Activities: Comprehension questions Three additional activities to use in centers, as homework, or extension activities: Context Clues/Halloween Idioms Halloween Word Search Fact/Opinion/Common Assertion ****** Check out these other themed products: Amelia Earhart's Final Flight: Informational Texts and No-Prep Activities for Women's History Month Super Bowl: Informational Text and No-Prep Activities Myths and Superstitions: Informative Text, Reader's Theater, and Writing Activities

In these days of texting and Instagram, it's easy for students to make spelling mistakes on even the most basic of English words. In this respect, things have not changed much in the last fifty years, when the National Curriculum Association evaluated the writing of third-eighth graders across the country and compiled a list of the 100 most commonly misspelled words in student writing. This list includes words that have unusual spellings, as well as words that are commonly confused (like "their" and "there"). After my students have learned basic English verbs and nouns, I give my ESL Newcomers twelve or thirteen of these most commonly misspelled words in the English language each week for eight weeks. I ask them to translate the words into their home language, copy each word three times, create a sentence, illustrate three of the words, complete a word search and do a fill-in-the –blank activity. These activities can be assigned as classwork or homework throughout the week. We also do a quick review of the words each day before going on to our lesson, and, at the end of the week, we take a spelling test using the words. By the time we are finished, my students have been exposed to, and tested over, 100 words that are often misspelled by beginning writers. This product contains eight weeks' worth of vocabulary lists, activities, and daily reviews/ bellwork, along with a reproducible for the weekly quiz. Although it was orginally created for use in an ESL classroom, it gives students at all fluency and ability levels a chance to review tricky words and spellings. ******************** Do you want the homework and and center activities without the daily review activities? Check out ESL NEW BEGINNINGS: Spelling BUNDLE

This resource guides students through the process of gathering information for a basic, five-paragraph research report which can then be used to create a visual presentation, such as a PowerPoint, Prezi, tri-fold document, or video. The suggested timeframe is five days, making it a perfect wrap-up at the end of the year. Contents: 16-slide PowerPoint, which guides students through brainstorming a topic, writing a research question, and gathering information. The PowerPoint models each step in the process with sample brainstorming questions, Google searches, source notes, and an example of a rough draft and Prezi based on the information gathered. 4-page packet, includes pages for notes from the PowerPoint, question-writing practice, notes from sources, and a rough draft Suggested timeline: Day 1: PowerPoint notes and brainstorming Day 2: Refine the research question and begin research Day 3: Complete research Day 4: Write the rough draft and begin the product Day 5: Complete the product

This resource focuses on Literary Fiction and includes: Four page story with reading tips Four Square Follow-Up Comprehension questions with STAAR stems

Review the academic language that students will see on end of the year tests and standardized exams with these vocabulary activities.

Younger students can develop algebraic skills by working on these problems, while older students who already take algebra can use the problems to review systems of equations. This resource contains four 8.5” x 11” posters with one problem each, to be used in math centers or for a get-up-and-move classroom activity. The posters are available in black and white or color. In addition, there is a sheet with all four problems on it which can be used for individual work. A separate sheet, for recording work and answers, is also included, as well as the answer key.

Are you looking for a resource that can keep your students focused on those days before holidays or after testing? These 3D agamographs are an engaging way to capture student attention, while contining to review vocaubulary. Learning Latin roots is important for many reasons. Not only can it help students understand unfamiliar words in the English language, it can help in learning a second Latin-based language like Spanish or French. This resource gives students a chance to link root word with meaning through art. Students can pair up to make agamographs -- three-dimensional pieces of art that change depending on the angle from which they’re viewed. Looking from the left shows the root, while looking from the right shows the English meaning and a related picture. Have students color the pictures individually then partner up by finding the matching picture. (“aqua” with “water”, for example). Working together to assemble the agamograph makes a great cooperative activity. After the agamographs are completed, they can be displayed and students can use the graphic organizer to do a gallery walk and copy the information

Every week, I give my ESL Newcomers twelve or thirteen of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. I ask them to translate the words into their home language, copy each word three times, create a sentence, illustrate three of the words, complete a word search and do a fill-in-the –blank activity . These activities can be assigned as classwork or homework throughout the week. We do a quick review of the words each day before going on to our lesson, and at the end of the week, we take a spelling test using the words. Words in this resource: dropped  every February first for friend friends frightened from getting going happening hear heard here him interesting its it's jumped knew know let's like little

Every week, I give my ESL Newcomers twelve or thirteen of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. I ask them to translate the words into their home language, copy each word three times, create a sentence, illustrate three of the words, complete a word search and do a fill-in-the –blank activity . These activities can be assigned as classwork or homework throughout the week. We do a quick review of the words each day before going on to our lesson, and at the end of the week, we take a spelling test using the words. Words in this resource: their then there they they're things thought threw through to together too tried two until very wanted went were when where with woman would you're

Every week, I give my ESL Newcomers twelve or thirteen of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. I ask them to translate the words into their home language, copy each word three times, create a sentence, illustrate three of the words, complete a word search and do a fill-in-the –blank activity . These activities can be assigned as classwork or homework throughout the week. We do a quick review of the words each day before going on to our lesson, and at the end of the week, we take a spelling test using the words. Words in this resource: again all right always  an and animals another around asked babies beautiful because before believe bought came caught  children clothes coming course cousin decided didn't different

This resource was designed for use as a review for drama questions on the 7th grade STAAR Reading test. BEFORE PURCHASING THIS PRODUCT, PLEASE REVIEW THE EXCERPT FROM "RUIN A FOOD" (with the preview files). My students enjoyed it, but it is about a food contest where competitors try to make disgusting combinations of food, so the topic may be off-putting to some groups. This resource includes: * A template for taking notes, along with a completed copy to project for the students, or to use while giving instrauctions. * PRE-READING VOCABULARY for “RUIN A FOOD”: A Frayer model activity to help familiarize students with words in the play. Two versions are available – one for ESL students which includes a spot to translate the word into their home languages, and one for General Education students. *RUIN A FOOD: A scene for guided practice which includes figurative language and stage directions. *Comprehension questions for “RUIN A FOOD”, using question stems from the 7th grade STAAR Reading test. *THE LAST STRAW: An excerpt from a drama about bullying. *Comprehension questions for “THE LAST STRAW” using question stems from the 7th grade STAAR Reading test.

Help your students practice addition and subtractions, sharpen their logic skills, and strengthen their problem-solving abilities with these Addition Grid puzzles. There are ten different sets. Each set contains an EXPERT level puzzle, an ACE level puzzle, a NOVICE level puzzle and an answer key. These puzzles are perfect for early finishers, homework, centers, cooperative learning, extra credit, and even times when you need a fun but educational activity at the end of the week. Because they reinforce basic skills and have simple instructions, they are suitable for many grade levels, and students of varying degrees of English fluency. The Novice, Ace, and Expert levels help you differentiate for the variety of abilities in your classroom. In addition to practice with basic number facts, the puzzles also encourage development of skills needed for algebraic thinking, such as thinking backward, solving for an unknown, and eliminating solutions.

Every week, I give my ESL Newcomers twelve or thirteen of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language. I ask them to translate the words into their home language, copy each word three times, create a sentence, illustrate three of the words, complete a word search and do a fill-in-the –blank activity . These activities can be assigned as classwork or homework throughout the week. We do a quick review of the words each day before going on to our lesson, and at the end of the week, we take a spelling test using the words. Works in this resource: Week 5: looked*many*money*morning*mother*name*named*off*once*our*people*pretty*received Week Six: running*said*school*some*something*sometimes*started*stopped*surprise*swimming*than*that's

Having a student who is both new to the United States and new to the English language can be a little daunting for teachers. This resource, which I’ve used with my 7th and 8th grade Newcomers classes, is full of ideas, activities, and word work for the first day of school. The focus is to make the students comfortable, help them get to know some of their classmates, and teach them enough English language to have their basic needs met while at school. CONTENTS INCLUDE: Stuffed Animal Name Toss: a fun game that’s sure to get even the most frightened student smiling. Survival Language: A classroom poster (offered in both in color and in black and white) to help students remember how to make basic requests to use the restroom and get a drink of water, as well as ask for directions to the bus and to the cafeteria. Hang on the wall, or give a copy to each student for reference. Survival Language Activity Sheet: Using the Survival Language sheet, students will practice reading the questions, matching the symbols with the questions, and writing the questions. Nametag Template: Students can fold the paper in half to make a standing name tag with their name and illustrations of their favorite sport and favorite food.

Bring the elegance of the 1920s to your resources with this set of Gatsby-inspired black and white frames and borders. Each of the 9 designs comes in two versions – a transparent fill and a white fill. All have been saved in png format with at least 300 dpi. The thin lines and simple curves make this product appealing to older students and allow you to give your worksheets a finished look without using a lot of extra ink when printing. The bolder borders, with their dark triangles and dotted border are perfect for highlighting and setting off important information. Looking for more colorful frames and borders? Colorful Clipart: Page Borders and Frames

Give your pages a POP of color with these page borders. Each border is in a separate png file, and has a transparent center. There are four different designs, each having 4 - 6 different colors. Each design has one black or grayscale option, so the borders can be more easily used for student worksheets. Please look at the preview to see all colors and al designs. Please note that the bottom border on three of the designs is different. This is a design choice, and you can see how it looks on the cover (above). If you use the borders in a commercial product, I ask that you please give credit by including my logo and a link back to my store.