This packet contains 15 worksheets spanning several disciplines and subjects including social studies, science, physical education, and reading. All assignments will align easily with the Common Core research standards, if this is a necessity. Students are asked to utilize reputable websites or a good online encyclopedia to find information to complete each task with fun and engaging topics! Assignments are available in different formats: multiple choice, matching, short answer, and short essay. In some cases, extension assignments are also available, which might provide excellent springboards into large-scale research projects and presentations. I hope these are helpful! Additionally, there are two assignments in this packet – Keyword Keepers and Subject Searches – that introduce students to the challenging world of Internet research. If your students are inexperienced online searchers, consider starting them on these two assignments.

Lord of the Flies RAFT Writing Project contains a Common Core-ready writing project for the English/Language Arts classroom.This is a culminating project to end a unit of study on William Golding's famous novel. What is a RAFT, you might ask? RAFT is an acronym for a powerful writing strategy that provides rigor, flexibility, and variety. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. A RAFT can be implemented in all content areas, thus making it an excellent Writing Across the Curriculum resource. Young writers might pursue one of several genres of writing (expository, narrative, descriptive, argumentative or persuasive) to create one of several products (letter, television commercial, diary entry, etc.).

The Book Thief RAFT Writing Project contains a Common Core-ready writing project for the English/Language Arts classroom.This is a culminating project to end a unit of study on Markus Zusak's powerful novel. What is a RAFT, you might ask? RAFT is an acronym for a powerful writing strategy that provides rigor, flexibility, and variety. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. A RAFT can be implemented in all content areas, thus making it an excellent Writing Across the Curriculum resource. Young writers might pursue one of several genres of writing (expository, narrative, descriptive, argumentative or persuasive) to create one of several products (letter, television commercial, diary entry, etc.). I define this further in the packet.

The Boston Tea Party R.A.F.T. Creative Writing Project is an excellent assignment to use to wrap up a lesson about this famous moment in American History. It is also a great idea if you wish to make a unit multidisciplinary: you can combine social studies and language arts into a fun, challenging creative writing project! What is a R.A.F.T., you might ask? R.A.F.T. is an acronym for a powerful writing strategy that stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. R.A.F.T.s provide rigor, flexibility, and variety. A R.A.F.T. can be implemented in all content areas, thus making it an excellent Writing Across the Curriculum resource. Young writers might pursue one of several genres or types of writing to create one of several products including a letter, a television commercial, a journal entry, and several more. I define this further in the packet.

A Separate Peace RAFT Writing Project contains a Common Core-ready writing project for the English/Language Arts classroom.This is a culminating project to end a unit of study on John Knowles’s famous novel. What is a RAFT, you might ask? RAFT is an acronym for a powerful writing strategy that provides rigor, flexibility, and variety. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. A RAFT can be implemented in all content areas, thus making it an excellent Writing Across the Curriculum resource. Young writers might pursue one of several genres of writing (expository, narrative, descriptive, argumentative or persuasive) to create one of several products (letter, television commercial, diary entry, etc.).

The Outsiders RAFT Writing Project contains a Common Core-ready writing project for the English/Language Arts classroom.This is a culminating project to end a unit of study on S.E. Hinton’s famous novel. What is a RAFT, you might ask? RAFT is an acronym for a powerful writing strategy that provides rigor, flexibility, and variety. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. A RAFT can be implemented in all content areas, thus making it an excellent Writing Across the Curriculum resource. Young writers might pursue one of several genres of writing (expository, narrative, descriptive, argumentative or persuasive) to create one of several products (letter, television commercial, diary entry, etc.).

This is an 18-page packet of questions for Jerry Spinelli's Smiles to Go. You might use novel studies like this one in segments. Some parts of the novel study will benefit students before you begin reading the novel (such as the vocabulary section). Other parts work best as you encounter major moments in the novel, while the bulk of it will benefit readers who have completed the reading assignment entirely and are ready to talk about “the big picture.”

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn RAFT Writing Project contains a Common Core-ready writing project for the English/Language Arts classroom.This is a culminating project to end a unit of study on Mark Twain’s famous novel. What is a RAFT, you might ask? RAFT is an acronym for a powerful writing strategy that provides rigor, flexibility, and variety. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. A RAFT can be implemented in all content areas, thus making it an excellent Writing Across the Curriculum resource. Young writers might pursue one of several genres of writing (expository, narrative, descriptive, argumentative or persuasive) to create one of several products (letter, television commercial, diary entry, etc.).

Baseball & the Art of Persuasion RAFT Research Writing Project contains a Common Core-ready writing project that (1) allows students to research one of four early 20th century baseball topics and (2) write a persuasive piece of writing based on their research. The project is intended for the English/Language Arts classroom, the social studies classroom, or the physical education classroom. What is a RAFT, you might ask? RAFT is an acronym for a powerful writing strategy that provides rigor, flexibility, and variety. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. Topics include the 1919 Chicago Black Sox Scandal (the White Sox), the departure of the Brooklyn Dodgers, the inclusion of Negro Leagues superstars, and the Boston Red Sox sale of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. A RAFT can be implemented in all content areas, thus making it an excellent Writing Across the Curriculum resource.

Students will be able to define and identify different types of intentional and unintentional plagiarism. They will also brainstorm reasons why people plagiarize works and the consequences that can apply if caught. They will also be able to determine why plagiarism is damaging to their academic careers (beyond failing grades). The first few minutes (2-3 minutes approximately) of class will allow students to think about the topics of discussion. Next, introduce concepts related to plagiarism as outlined in the PowerPoint presentation. These activities include (1) students identifying examples of patchwriting, (2) a practice assignment asking them to use proper paraphrasing techniques, and (3) a 3-2-1 activity asking them to recap important themes in the lesson. This resource is not what I would call "comprehensive." I use it with 12th grade students who have a basic understanding of plagiarism.

This is a variation of an old creative writing assignment to teach the importance of powerful adjectives using the five senses. This activity has been around for quite a few years. You may have seen it performed with lollipops, Hershey's Kisses, etc. I have tried both pieces of candy with my students with success. However, when I modified it slightly I found that this assignment works even better with Starlight Mints. My students' responses were much more varied and colorful. I have included the student assignment sheet and an idea for an extensive assignment you may consider using also. A quick note about the assignment sheet: One column says "strive for five," which is my way of challenging students to think of five powerful ways to describe what they are experiencing. You may modify this portion, if you wish, to fit your students' needs.

The Honoring Important African-Americans Research Project allows upper elementary and middle grade students (grades 5-8 with some modifications) an opportunity to research one of 40 major African-Americans from many different walks of life and present their findings in a biographical essay. These individuals include activists, scientists, musicians, trailblazers, politicians, inventors, athletes, and many more! That's right: there are 40 individuals to choose from! This research project is ideal for Black History Month -- or any time of the year. There is also an optional digital storytelling component utilizing the free iPad app, Shadow Puppet EDU. This part of the project again is optional. Students can still complete the biographical essay. All handouts are included. I have also included Common Core Anchor Standards I have met with this project.

The Flowers for Algernon RAFT Writing Project contains a Common Core-ready writing project for the English/Language Arts classroom.This is a culminating project to end a unit of study on Daniel Keyes's famous novel. What is a RAFT, you might ask? RAFT is an acronym for a powerful writing strategy that provides rigor, flexibility, and variety. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. A RAFT can be implemented in all content areas, thus making it an excellent Writing Across the Curriculum resource. Young writers might pursue one of several genres of writing (expository, narrative, descriptive, argumentative or persuasive) to create one of several products (letter, television commercial, diary entry, etc.).

Would you like to enliven your 20th century American history or science lesson with a fun, challenging writing project? The Apollo 11 Moon Landing RAFT Writing Project contains a RAFT writing project for the social studies or science classroom. This project may be used as a creative research project or as a summarizing assignment to end a unit of study on Apollo 11. What is a RAFT, you might ask? RAFT is an acronym for a powerful writing strategy that provides rigor, flexibility, and variety. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. A RAFT can be implemented in all content areas, thus making it an excellent Writing Across the Curriculum resource. Young writers might pursue one of several genres of writing (expository, narrative, descriptive, argumentative or persuasive) to create one of several products (letter, television commercial, diary entry, etc.).

The Great Gatsby RAFT Writing Project contains a Common Core-ready writing project for the English/Language Arts or Social Studies classroom.This is a culminating project to end a unit of study on F. Scott Fitzgerald's famous novel. What is a RAFT, you might ask? RAFT is an acronym for a powerful writing strategy that provides rigor, flexibility, and variety. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. A RAFT can be implemented in all content areas, thus making it an excellent Writing Across the Curriculum resource. Young writers might pursue one of several genres of writing (expository, narrative, descriptive, argumentative or persuasive) to create one of several products (letter, television commercial, diary entry, etc.).

Just in time for those snowy winter months: "How hard is it to predict snow?" is a Common Core-ready reading assignment and critical thinking activity. It is intended for upper elementary and middle school students. Consider using it in reading, language arts, science, or geography class. It is quite flexible! Students will read a two-page passage that explains why forecasting snowfall is no easy process. They will then complete ten questions related to the reading. First, they must use the reading (or a dictionary) to define seven vocabulary words. Some of which are "Tier Two" and "Tier Three" vocabulary words. (If you are not familiar, the "tiers" refer to language objectives in the Common Core standards.) They will also answer three critical thinking questions in sentence form. There are no multiple choice or true-false questions here. I want my students to really use their noggins to succeed on this assignment!

“Hamlet: The Social Network” is an excellent way to bring differentiated instruction to the classroom for a complicated Shakespearean play. We hear a lot these days about how our students enjoy communicating with one another on sites like Facebook, Foursquare, Tumblr, and Twitter. This project is essentially a character analysis assignment in the form of a “mock social network.” Students must imagine that characters from Hamlet have social networking pages where they post their thoughts, concerns, activities, motivations, and more. There have been many creative ways to teach Hamlet over the years including mock newspapers, mock trials, and the like. This project puts a 21st-century spin on those assignments and allows students to express themselves in a familiar medium. This packet includes pages for eight characters in Hamlet.

The Famous Mathematicians Research Project allows students in grades 6-9 an opportunity to research one of 30 famous mathematicians and present their findings in a biographical essay. It is an excellent project to allow students to research the many different aspects of the history of math. There is also an optional digital storytelling component utilizing the free iPad app, Shadow Puppet EDU. This part of the project again is optional. Students can still complete the biographical essay. All handouts are included. Please check the preview before buying. I have also included a brief pacing guide/set of instructions, a rubric, and handouts to allow students to better understand the writing process.

The Famous Athletes Research Project allows students in grades 5-8 an opportunity to research one of 40 famous athletes and present their findings in a biographical essay. It is an excellent project to allow students to research several famous athletes from various sports. That's right: 40 star athletes from tennis, baseball, basketball, football, track & field, soccer, skateboarding, and more! There is also an optional digital storytelling component utilizing the free iPad app, Shadow Puppet EDU. This part of the project again is optional. Students can still complete the biographical essay. All handouts are included. Please check the preview before buying. I have also included a brief pacing guide/set of instructions, a rubric, and handouts to allow students to better understand the writing process.

I have used this successfully with ninth grade English/language arts students to begin a research project, but I believe it would also work best with students in the middle school grades. Students will be able to identify criteria (authority, objectivity, authenticity, timeliness, relevance, and efficiency) for evaluating sources of information. Students will be asked to reflect upon the following questions: “What does it mean if something is ‘credible?’ Why is credibility important when you are looking for information? For example, if you’re looking for song lyrics, why must that web site be credible? How else might we evaluate things in our daily lives for both quality and credibility? Students will then paraphrase major points discussed in the PowerPoint-aided mini-lesson about evaluating resources. They will use the graphic organizer to paraphrase these points.