On a mission to reduce teacher workload and prevent burnout through affordable 'print-and-teach' materials for secondary English.
Our job can be difficult at times, but I believe students all want to be challenged, inspired, and engaged. Having fun is an important feature, because it allows us to reach teens and encourage them to learn.
Wherever possible, I introduce choice for students in my teaching materials.
I hope these resources keep the love of learning alive.
On a mission to reduce teacher workload and prevent burnout through affordable 'print-and-teach' materials for secondary English.
Our job can be difficult at times, but I believe students all want to be challenged, inspired, and engaged. Having fun is an important feature, because it allows us to reach teens and encourage them to learn.
Wherever possible, I introduce choice for students in my teaching materials.
I hope these resources keep the love of learning alive.
The first set of these cards was so popular with my students that I've made another. Here again, you will find 12 attention-grabbing reading extracts on the topic of zombies. Crossing a range of genres and practising various specific reading skills, these cards are sure to hook your teens' interest. These may be considered slightly more challenging than Set 1, but I have used both sets successfully with the same students.
I've used this with secondary (middle school) students who tell me they really enjoy these short activities to focus on particular skills.
I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge, from those who are below to those who are above grade level. (Please check suitability of the topic for younger students, although I avoid gory images and explicit mention of weapons such as guns.)
Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again.
Included:
* 12 different tasks at different levels, focusing on individual skills
* answer sheet for students to record their responses (optional double-sided printable)
* suggested answers
This product is CCSS-aligned but would complement any reading skills development.
++This product IS included in my Zombie-Themed Mega Bundle++
If you like this, you might be interested in my other zombie-themed resources for reading, writing, speaking & listening:
* Zombie Apocalypse Reading Task Cards (Citing Evidence & Supporting Ideas) SET 1
* Zombie Apocalypse Writing Prompt Task Cards
* Zombie Apocalypse - Let Me In!
* Zombie Apocalypse Figurative Language in Songs
Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note below. I'm always happy to help!
***All new products are launched with discounts for the first 48 hours! Interested? Just click on the star above to follow me and get notifications for when this happens!***
Save $$$ with this bundled pack to get you started on your spy genre unit, or simply to practice some critical thinking. Contained are engaging activities for reading, writing, speaking and listening. All are designed to engage students and link their thinking to previous knowledge (activate their schemata). Included:
* Assassination Puzzle - The Spy Files
* Observation Aptitude Test - The Spy Files
* Equipment Assignment Logic Puzzle - The Spy Files
* Know / learn / do grid (for students to activate their schemata and have voice and choice; exclusive to this pack)
* Spy reading (getting started with literature circles or reading groups; exclusive to this pack)
* Debrief (i.e. guided reflection writing; exclusive to this pack)
The challenges demonstrate the need for them to really engage their brains, and put emphasis on teamwork, collaboration and THINKING. They also reflect the type of challenges protagonists in spy stories face, and how things can be far from what they seem before analysis.
I have used this with mixed ability classes, including ‘gifted’ students, those with special educational needs and those with English as an additional language – all (except the most extreme cases) can take part and contribute to feel they have had their say in their learning.
Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note below. I'm always happy to help!
***All new products are launched with discounts for the first 48 hours! Interested? Just click on the star above to follow me and get notifications for when this happens!***
This lesson would be handy for a substitute teacher as all instructions are included.
Get students to identify figurative language in an engaging way by reading and/or listening to music lyrics along the zombie / death theme. Even more importantly, these activities will build your students' confidence in discussing the impact of figurative language as used in specific texts. It's an easy hop from these activities to applying their skills to poetry.
I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge, from those who are below to those who are above grade level. (Please check suitability of the topic for younger students, although I do my best to avoid gory images.)
Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again.
Included:
* full teaching notes
* lyrics of 3 songs on the theme of zombies & death
* links to the songs
* 2 student worksheets with instructions and answer keys
* ideas for how to use the materials for a physical movement activity
* suggestions for how to use the materials as a discussion activity
This product would complement any curriculum that focuses on the development of figurative language identification and analysis.
Interested in other zombie-themed resources? See my store for more print-and-teach bargains.
Follow me to get notifications of new resources and promotions.
Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note via roamingteacher@gmail.com. I'm always happy to help.
This resource contains 1 page, which is is a board game to get your students talking for as short or long as you'd like to use the activity.
Over the years, I have used this with Secondary (Middle / High School) and college students in EAL, ESL, Language Arts and English settings, so I can personally attest it is suitable for all and promotes lots of discussion. While these board games are deceptively simple in the idea, they can lead to all heated debates and realisations about your students you couldn't have guessed!
Promote meaningful and useful discussion skills such as:
* Stating opinions with supporting details
* Polite disagreement with supporting details
* Agreement with supporting details
* Questioning further to get a more detailed response
If you would like a FREE discussion mat to accompany this activity (after purchase), drop me a line at roamingteacher@gmail.com. The mat contains prompts organised by category (such as agreeing, disagreeing politely etc.)
Questions or comments - please leave them below. I'd love to hear from you!
Keywords: speaking, listening, discussion, group, team, groupwork, teamwork, teens, adults, esl, eal, language arts, english, game, board, boardgame, fun
SAVE 20% of the individual listed prices.
This resource contains the 4 'zombie' themed lessons in my shop.
It covers reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Please see the previews for more details of what the resources contain.
Any questions, let me know - roamingteacher@gmail.com
More task cards! My students love when I pull out a set of these. Task cards are a great way to get your students engaged and focused, and their versatility makes them perfect for anything from starters to lessons to plenaries.
If you would prefer a DIGITAL (online) version of these task cards, please visit my listing here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/inference-task-cards-find-evidence-to-support-your-ideas-digital-version-11420441
These cards have been used with students from Year 7-11 (Grades 6-10), but would also be suitable for challenging capable upper primary / elementary students. Be warned though: critical thinking and effort is required! Included is a script of how to 'think aloud' and model the thought processes of a good reader.
On these cards you will find 32 extracts including original writing (from yours truly), classic literature, and nonfiction. Accompanying each short text is a question that asks students to dig deeper into the text, and pull out details that are not explicitly stated.
These can be used for oral or written response. Setting them up as 'stations' around the room will ensure students are physically moving as they learn.
You could use 1 card as a starter activity to get students using their inference skills before additional reading challenged. Alternatively, use the set with individuals, pairs or small teams.
Included in the pack:
-sample card for display on projector
-'think aloud' script to model how to approach the cards for students
-32 task cards printed 4 to a page
-full teacher notes
-a tracking sheet
-a sheet for students to record their answers
Questions or comments? Please get in touch with me via roamingteacher@gmail.com
Keywords: task, cards, task cards, fun, reading, inference, infer, read, plenary, starter, lesson, stations, station
Get your students begging for their next prompt with these super-engaging task cards! Journal prompts, bellringers, station work - they can be used in various ways, not only for writing but also to promote discussion skills.
With 48 unique cards in 3 different categories (beginning, middle and end of the apocalypse), this resource will keep your students writing enthusiastically for as long as you want.
I've used this with secondary (middle and high school) students over the years, and it leads to the students asking for MORE writing time! I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge.
My 9-year-old son also saw me making these and asked if he could use them for his writing. With careful selection on my part, he too was thrilled to be able to find new ideas for his zombie-writing fascination.
Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again.
Included:
* ideas on how to use the task cards
* 48 different prompts to promote writing, critical thinking and discussion (if chosen)
Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note below. I'm always happy to help!
Keywords: zombie, task cards, writing, prompt, creative, apocalypse
After much testing and refining, it's finally here! Gorgon Quest sees your students set out on an adventure as a team, to defeat the Medusa. They can test their knowledge of Greek Mythology (or any other content you choose). My students love this game and the more they play it, the deeper their learning goes. They will need all their wits about them if they are to succeed.
Please note this is a cooperative (not competitive) game where the students all work together to succeed. The concept of cooperative gaming really appeals to me and you can find out why on my blog here: http://bit.ly/togetherbetter
Included in this pack:
* Greek Mythology Quiz Cards BUNDLED IN THIS RESOURCE FOR A REDUCED PRICE - LIMITED TIME ONLY!
* Teacher guidance notes
* Gameplay instructions for students
* Item tokens
* HP scoresheet
* A3 printable game board
All game components can be printed in colour or black and white as you prefer. If you are short on time, there is no need to cut anything out - alternative instructions are included, so this can be a print-and-go activity too.
Interested in other mythology-themed resources? Check out my store for more teaching materials.
Icarus & Daedalus: The Story
The Minotaur: The Story
The Olympian Gods
Greek Mythology Quiz Cards
Greek Mythology: Would You Rather...? Cards
Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note below. I'm always happy to help!
***All new products are launched with discounts for the first 48 hours! Interested? Just click on the star above to follow me and get notifications for when this happens!***
Keywords: greek, mythology, boardgame, board, game, fun, printable, activity, quiz, cards
More task cards for teachers who really want to engage their students! Students literally cheer when I pull out a set of task cards because they know they are going to have fun learning. These are perfect for mini-lessons, whole class teaching, cooperative learning, intervention groups, and literacy centers.
24 task cards in this pack can be used in a variety of ways, and the teacher notes offer no fewer than 5 unique activities to get the most out of your purchase.
These task cards have been designed for use with ANY novel, in all genres, and can be used at any point through the reading, including post-reading.
I have used these with students of all ages, including 11-year-olds to less-confident 18-year-olds, but I would say they are ideally suited to KS3 and KS4 (US Grades 6-10).
The pack consists of:
+ full teaching notes
+ 24 high-colour task cards (for those who like bright colours)*
+ 24 low-colour task cards (for those who want to save ink)*
+ my unending support!
*(Please note both sets of cards are the same.)
If you like these, be sure to check out my ever-expanding collection of multi-use task cards in my store.
Any technical problems just get in touch and I will be happy to help: roamingteacher@gmail.com
Keywords; task cards, reading, literature, discussion, response, critical thinking, literature circles, reading clubs, fun, engaging,
More task cards! My students love when I pull out a set of these. Task cards are a great way to get your students engaged and focused, and their versatility makes them perfect for anything from starters to lessons to plenaries.
This is a DIGITAL version of my printable resource of the same name and content. The printable version can be found here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/inference-task-cards-find-evidence-to-support-your-ideas-11380301
You will need access to online devices of some kind (smartphone, tablet, PC, Chromebook or other) to use this resource. If you have access to devices but are nervous about using the resource, please get in touch. I am happy to help!
____________________________________________________________________________________________
These cards have been used with students from Year 7-11 (Grades 6-10), but would also be suitable for challenging capable upper primary / elementary students. Be warned though: critical thinking and effort is required! Included is a script of how to 'think aloud' and model the thought processes of a good reader.
On these cards you will find 32 extracts including original writing (from yours truly), classic literature, and nonfiction. Accompanying each short text is a question that asks students to dig deeper into the text, and pull out details that are not explicitly stated.
These can be used for oral or written response. Setting them up as 'stations' around the room will ensure students are physically moving as they learn.
You could use 1 card as a starter activity to get students using their inference skills before additional reading challenged. Alternatively, use the set with individuals, pairs or small teams. Ideas for how to use the cards are included in the teacher notes.
Included in the pack:
-links and QR codes to the 32 online task cards (in Google Drive)
-'think aloud' script to model how to approach the cards for students
-full teacher notes
-a tracking sheet (online and printable)
-an *optional* online response sheet for students to record their answers (requires Google account e.g. Gmail)
Questions or comments? If you have ANY problems with these files, please get in touch with me via roamingteacher@gmail.com - I am always happy to help!
Keywords: task, cards, task cards, fun, reading, inference, infer, read, plenary, starter, lesson, stations, station, GAFE, Google Apps, Drive, Google Drive, ICT, technology, online, differentiation
This is for use with or without my World Mythology materials. All the activities in this unit have the aim of introducing students to the world of mythology, starting with Greek myths and moving on to explore myths from around the world.
The story has been reproduced here in printable format with the kind permission of E2BN with whom all rights reserve. In return for providing this printable format, all I ask is that you leave feedback, so thanks in advance.
Any issues, comments or questions please get in touch; I'm here to help! You can reach me via roamingteacher@gmail.com
This is a PREVIEW of the resource available in my shop.
This lesson would be perfect for a substitute teacher as all student instructions are included.
Get students to identify figurative language in an engaging way by reading and/or listening to music lyrics along the zombie / death theme. Even more importantly, these activities will build your students' confidence in discussing the impact of figurative language as used in specific texts. It's an easy hop from these activities to applying their skills to poetry.
I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge, from those who are below to those who are above grade level. (Please check suitability of the topic for younger students, although I do my best to avoid gory images.)
Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again.
Included:
* full teaching notes
* lyrics of 3 songs on the theme of zombies & death
* links to the songs
* 2 student worksheets with instructions and answer keys
* ideas for how to use the materials for a physical movement activity
* suggestions for how to use the materials as a discussion activity
This product would complement any curriculum that focuses on the development of figurative language identification and analysis.
Interested in other zombie-themed resources? See my store for more bargains.
I intend to do regular discounts and promos, so follow me to get notifications for when this happens.
Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note below. I'm always happy to help.
This is a PREVIEW of the full product available in my store.
Looking for a way to develop your students' reading, while having fun - look no further! These cards have 12 short texts for students to really drill down into the skills they need to become excellent readers. Students love zombies and this, along with my other themed resources, keeps them smiling through the whole unit.
I've used this with secondary (middle school) students who tell me they really enjoy these short activities to focus on particular skills.
I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge, from those who are below to those who are above grade level. (Please check suitability of the topic for younger students, although I avoid gory images and explicit mention of weapons such as guns.)
Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again.
Included:
* ideas on how to use the task cards
* 12 different tasks at different levels, focusing on individual skills
* answer sheet for students to record their responses (optional double-sided printable)
* suggested answers
Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note via roamingteacher@gmail.com
Get your students begging for their next prompt with this super-engaging task cards! They can be used in various ways, not only for writing but also to promote discussion skills.
With 48 unique cards in 3 different categories (beginning, middle and end of the apocalypse), this resource will keep your students writing enthusiastically for as long as you want. Included in the pack are ways you can use these cards to produce shorter and longer pieces of writing.
I've used this with secondary students over the years, and it leads to the students asking for MORE writing time! I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge.
My 9-year-old son also saw me making these and asked if he could use them for his writing. With careful selection on my part, he too was thrilled to be able to find new ideas for his zombie-writing fascination.
This file is a PREVIEW of the resource for sale in my shop.
Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again.
Included:
* ideas on how to use the task cards
* 48 different prompts to promote writing, critical thinking and discussion (if chosen)
Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note via roamingteacher@gmail.com. I'm always happy to help!
This file is a PREVIEW of the resource for sale in my shop.
This simplified and abridged version of Macbeth is mostly in contemporary English, but also has occasional lines from the original play.
I have used this script with mixed ability classes including ‘gifted’, special needs and ESL learners, and it’s always been highly successful.
Depending on how it is directed, it can be performed in 30 minutes to an hour.
It has been performed in our school theatre, in our classroom and also in our common room as it requires nothing more than a clear staging area, separate from ‘behind the scenes’. To separate the stage from the rest of the space, we have used raised platforms, display boards (as wings) or simply marked out the space by where we seat the audience. Alternatively, it has the potential for use as a Reader's Theatre script (though I have not used it this way myself).
It is the perfect introduction to a study of the original text, or a way of touching upon the main points of the story when you do not have time to explore the original, full version.
In this resource, you will find:
-notes on my experiences of staging this version of the play with suggestions on how to perform it with minimal additional resources
-the play script comprising of 16 pages
-stage directions
Keywords: Macbeth, script, play, Shakespeare, mixed ability, SEN, ESL, EAL, photocopiable, printable
This is a PREVIEW of the resource available in my shop.
This lesson would be perfect for a substitute teacher as all student instructions are included. For you, it's a low-prep lesson: just print-and-go.
Focus on public writing and speaking skills with this zombie-themed task. These materials set up a scenario where students' survival depends on how well they can present their arguments.
If you are using my other 'zombie' materials, this activity fits well with the reading and writing tasks.
I am used to teaching mixed-ability classes with EAL students and all my students can rise to this challenge, from those who are below to those who are above grade level. (Please check suitability of the topic for younger students, although I do my best to avoid gory images.)
Produced on printer-friendly paper, these task cards are sure to be a resource you use time and time again.
Included:
* full teaching notes
* task instructions
* task preparation materials
* rubric (editable version included)
* link to speech sample video (downloadable)
* links to additional useful resources
Interested in other zombie-themed resources? Look in my store for more zombie bargains.
Follow me to get notifications of new products and promotions.
Questions or comments? Please feel free to drop me a note via roamingteacher@gmail.com. I'm always happy to help.
This is a PREVIEW of the resource available in my store.
Many of us have experienced times when we've have set up a discussion activity only to launch it to…well, silence. The students look uncomfortably at each other, stare at their hands or mumble to a stop after only seconds of talking.
This resource aims to address that by providing a lively activity that can be used to discuss any text, concept or topic.
The resource includes:
* top tips on how to encourage discussion amongst reluctant students
* 3 sheets of discussion prompts to be used as cards or grids
* detailed notes on how to use the discussion prompts in different ways
Use this resource to address the following speaking & listening skills:
*Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of discussions with different partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
*Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence.
*Present information, findings, and supporting evidence so listeners can follow the line of reasoning
*Ensure the organisation, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
*Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when needed.
Keywords: discussion, discuss, reluctant speakers, talk, group work, pair work, shy students, prompts.
Questions or comments? Feel free to drop me a note via roamingteacher@gmail.com. I am always happy to hear from you.
Looking for a way for students to add some sophistication to their writing? Look no further.
Carol Jago in her book ‘Classics in the Classroom’ argues that all students should be given the chance to experience classical literature, not just the deemed-as-gifted few. Using this resource, you can support your learners in accessing often-dense classic texts so they can extract vocabulary and techniques to experiment with in their own writing. In so doing, they not only get inspiration for their own writing but can start to appreciate the rich language that deserves the title of ‘classic’.
A useful resource at any secondary level, this will be particularly helpful for KS3 students who need to be challenged, as well as KS4 and KS5 writers. Depending on the texts you choose, the activity itself could be used with almost any age, including primary and adult learners.
Please get in touch if you have any suggestions for how to improve this resource, or leave comments below if you are happy with what you see.
To be kept updated of when I add new resources, just click on my name and then click the ‘follow’ button.