11th Grade Back to School Lesson

This lesson was designed to be used on the first day of a year-long 11th-grade American Literature course. The lesson includes a poetry packet with 7 poems by diverse American authors. Each of the poems raises important questions about what "America" represents. A land of freedom and equality? A refuge for immigrants? A diverse and inclusive nation? Or a land with entrenched inequality? A saber-rattling evil empire?

Here is a list of the poems:

1. Ada Limón, "A New National Anthem" (2018) — our new Poet Laureate!

2. Emma Lazarus, "The New Colossus" (1883)

3. Walt Whitman, "I Hear America Singing" (1860)

4. Langston Hughes, "I, Too" (1923) — responding directly to Whitman!

5. Claude McKay, "America" (1921)

6. James Lasdun, "The Question" (2012) — is America "good or bad"?

7. Tony Hoagland, "America" (2003)

This resource also comes with a classwork packet that features discussion questions on the poems by Ada Limôn, Emma Lazarus, and Langston Hughes. The discussion questions come on three handouts, each of which contains 7 questions about a particular poem. Each handout also has a quick write where students can answer one of the questions in writing.

How might the concept of "America" represent a set of ideals and promises? Has this nation lived up to its ideals and promises? How might the idea of America be different from the reality?

Thank you for choosing Rigorous Resources!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

P.S. Don't forget to click “follow” for email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!

Rigorous Resources is your one-stop shop for resources on American literature. Every unit was designed by a Ph.D. with a research specialization in American literature. Feel free to check out these complete units on canonical texts by diverse American authors:

Complete Unit on Tommy Orange's There There

Complete Unit on Arthur Miller's The Crucible

Complete Unit on Frederick Douglass's Narrative

Complete Unit on F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

Complete Unit on Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God

Complete Unit on Nella Larsen's Passing

Complete Unit on J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye

Complete Unit on Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun

Complete Unit on Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye

Complete Unit on Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese

A group-based creative intervention explores self-esteem helping teenagers and adults develop personal insights about their sense of belonging in the world.

This is a hands-on activity which only requires group members to have a piece of paper and pens or colored pencils. The activity takes approximately 30 minutes long with additional time needed post activity for the reflection questions and rating statement worksheets.

This activity would be perfect as an introduction into our "Pillars of Success" Workbook which you can find here: PILLARS OF SUCCESS - SELF CARE WORKBOOK FOR TEENAGERS AND ADULTS (TeachShare.com)

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SOCIAL SKILLS, PUBERTY, PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOURS, RELATIONSHIPS AND SEXUALITY

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Appropriate V's Appropriate Things to Say

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How My Engine Runs Social Story

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Noises Hurt My Ears - Social Story - Sensory Defensiveness

When a loved one dies - grief and loss social story

Understanding Divorce Social Story

Being Nice and Making Friends Social Story

Doing a Poo on the Toilet Social Story

SPECIFIC TEACHING AND COUNSELLING RESOURCES

Supporting Students to Gain Insight through Reflection

Supervision and Reflective Practice Templates

Increasing a Child's Attention Span

Behavioural Strategies for Fostering Self Esteem

Anxious Children - Behavioural Strategies

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Recognising Defences in Children

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Anger Management Plan

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My Anger Management Workbook

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Managing Aggressive Behaviours and Outbursts

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Behaviour Reward Chart - Girls (editable)

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Behaviour Thermometer - Incident Prevention and Response Plan (editable)

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Your students will love this editable AVID Fall WICOR Choice Board, perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any autumn lesson plan. These digital sub plans include activities aligned with WICOR strategies, focusing on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading. Ideal for keeping students focused during the fall season!

Great for assessments, sub plans, supplemental lessons, lesson planning, and more!

*Please note: all activities in this digital choice are digital but most activities can also be printed if you wish

Get the WICOR Boards Growing Bundle HERE!

✨AVID Mega Growing Bundle✨

✨AVID Teambuilding Bundle✨

✨AVID Writing Bundle✨

What's Included:

Editable AVID WICOR Choice Board in Google Sheets

• 5 Writing Activities
• 5 Inquiry Activities
• 5 Collaboration Activities
• 5 Organization Activities
• 5 Reading Activities

Activities Included:

Writing

• Students will respond to a "finish the scary story" prompt and then create their own using the provided template.
• Students will respond to a "finish the fall story" prompt and then create their own using the provided template.
• Students will design a haunted house and then pretend they are real estate agents and persuade someone to buy their house while following the provided project requirements.
• Students will read the provided AVID gratitude A-Z slides and complete the gratitude alphabet page on the last slide.
• Students will complete all 4 parts of the Turkey Talk: A feast of Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences. An answer key is included for teachers.

Inquiry

• Students will solve the provided Thanksgiving Logic Puzzle and use a Solution Grid to help them organize their thinking. This comes with an answer key for teachers and also makes a great TRF!
• Students will go back to recent notes they took from a core content class and reread them. Then add three level 2 questions and three level 3 questions to them using Costa's House provided.
• Students will choose a person from a list of historical and political figures for Hispanic Heritage Month. After conducting research, they will answer the 5 questions provided. Students will then create a 7-slide Google Slides presentation over research by following the requirements.
• Students will create a 10-question quiz over notes they have taken recently in a core class. Consider focusing on a class that may have a test or quiz coming up.
• Students will create a KWL using the linked chart and then read the provided article about the history of Halloween while completing their chart.

Collaboration

• With a partner, students will answer the Johnny Appleseed Myth Vs. Reality Research Questions by using the provided notes and conducting research through the list of provided websites. Then students will create a podcast script.
• Students will use the provided Roll a Monster Story Board and follow the directions to create a story chain within a group of 3.
• Students will follow the Mnemonic Study Song Project Requirements to create a mnemonic or study song that helps them remember key concepts from recent notes in a core class to help them prepare for an upcoming test or quiz.
• Students will follow the Halloween or Thanksgiving Team Building Project Requirements to create a Halloween or Thanksgiving-Themed team-building activity with a partner.
• Students will individually read either article 1. Is Halloween too Commercialized? or article 2. Should Schools Have Longer Breaks in the Fall? then they will have socratic dialogue by following the directions and responding to the prompts.

Organization

• Students will clean up and organize their Google Drive or another cloud storage by following the directions.
• Students will organize their binder and take before and after pictures.
• Students will calculate their GPA using the provided link. Then choose the class with the lowest grade and set a SMART goal on the Turkey SMART Goal page.
• Students will follow the Themed Graphic Organizer Project Requirements to create a Fall, Thanksgiving, or Halloween-themed graphic organizer and fill it in with information from recent class notes.
• Students will practice taking Cornell Notes over one of the provided articles.

Reading

• Students read the spooky story, "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. Then fill in the vocabulary awareness chart and include definitions in their own words.
• Students reread the spooky story, "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. Then answer the provided reflection questions.
• Students read a book of their choice for 30 minutes and complete a digital one-pager over what they read. Make sure to follow the requirements in the template.
• Students read the Summary vs. Reflection: The Forgotten Room slides, and respond to the questions using the text boxes.
• Students choose their favorite fall poem from the provided website. Then follow the assignment instructions to reflect on the poem they chose.

Click HERE to see our other AVID resources. We also have several great AVID bundle options available down below!

More AVID choice boards...

General WICOR Choice Board

End of Year WICOR Choice Board

Back to School WICOR Choice Board

This product focuses on the following areas:

This mental health curriculum includes suggested activities and tips to support mental health education and instruction for students in 8th through 12th Grade. Depending on students ability levels, this product could be used in 6th and 7th grade as well.

What's in this product:

Positive Self Talk - This product includes a brief teacher guide that discusses the importance of promoting self-care for mental health and overall well-being, suggestions are provided for short mindfulness exercises for teenagers, emotional responses to various situations that may arise - both positive self-talk and negative self-talk, the importance of being unable to change the situation, but changing the way we think about something and how we feel and act, students will take time to reflect on a time they felt upset about something and what happened when they used both negative and positive-self talk, the importance of our mental health, mood, and motivation are shared, examining unhealthy thinking styles, and recognizing negative-self talk in given situations that relate with jumping to conclusions, personalization, catastrophizing, shoulding, overgeneralization, labelling, emotional reasoning, magnification and minimization (the definition of each is provided along with examples). Students will then write down ways that they would challenge and change their negative self-talk in order for it to become positive self-talk to help improve mental health, mood, and motivation.
Resiliency Activities - This product emphasizes resiliency and how it is important for students to learn from adversity and become a stronger, wiser person and recover quickly from challenges, 7 activities that can be carried out with small groups or the entire class are included in this product - these 7 activities include a teacher's guide, tips, and templates (as required are included) to go along with the teacher's guide are also included in this product. Feelings are also discussed in this product. a feelings journal template is included in this product that allows students to document how they are feeling regarding each prompt that is asked each day. A blank template is also included in this packet if you want students to complete a free-write journal entry each day.

Communication Styles Adapted Notes and Review - This product provides students with skills to support effective communication skills, explore the importance of both verbal and nonverbal communication skills, identify the principles of effective communication, and learn the difference between the 4 communication styles - passive, passive aggressive, aggressive, and assertive. Students will answer short answer comprehension questions that compare the 4 communication styles. Students will learn about passive, passive aggressive, aggressive, and assertive communication, what each communicate style entails, how they differ from each other, what passive, passive aggressive, aggressive, and assertive communicators will do (body language, facial expression, etc.), the impact of each communication style in individuals is reviewed, what each communicator may believe and say to others, and tips on how to communicate with individuals who use the 4 kinds of communication styles to communicate.

Emotional Awareness - In this product, students will identify how powerful positive and negative words are and for students to build empathy. Students will talk about words and actions that can hurt someone's heart/feelings. Students will learn the power of words and how they impact others, students will discuss the meanings of words: bullying, cattiness, discrimination, gossiping, self-esteem, and teasing, a list of hurtful words and actions, and helpful words and actions are provided, and students will be required to add onto all of these lists, students will talk about the effects of hurtful words on the heart, when students are frustrated what they can do to feel better, and how to better handle situations in the future when someone uses a hurtful word or you go to use a hurtful word.

Mental Health Stigma Activities - This product provides students with information regarding stigma. Students will answer questions regarding technology and social media and how they can affect our ability to show compassion to others, why people forget to take care of themselves and show compassion for themselves, how to stop negative thoughts from happening. Students will review the meaning for stigma, stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination. Students will also review what negative things they have heard about people with mental illness, along with positive things. Talking about how others are different and that's what makes them unique, and how others are stigmatized based on how they look, act, etc. Examples of possible stigmas are presented. The meaning of self-stigma and what examples of self-stigma are presented. Students will also review health conditions or social differences that were stigmatized throughout history, and ways to reduce stigma to eliminate negative feelings.

Throughout this product, students will answer comprehension questions and will also be presented with social scenarios that they may encounter where they are asked how they would feel or what they would do. An attitude survey regarding mental health that contains 10 questions is also included in this product. Students will compare their results when they are finished and will go over the correct answers.

Gratitude Activity – Students will complete a gratitude scavenger hunt, where will they look for things in their environment that they are grateful for and students will answer questions about what they are grateful for such as something that they are thankful for that shows a vibrant color, something that makes them feel strong, something that they recently learned/discovered, etc. students will write about experiences in for which they feel gratitude and expand upon that experience.

Stress Response Adapted Notes - This product provides students with information regarding stress. Students will complete a stress test and reflect on what may cause them stress. Fight/flight/freeze response is also reviewed in this product and how it relates with stress. Once students have taken the stress test, they will analyze their results. Students will work in groups and complete the packet regarding the effects of stress. Students will answer questions such as how they felt when they were feeling stressed, etc. Students will review the effects of stress charts provided that include what happens when the body is in fight or flight compared to when it is relaxed. Students will also learn about the emotional, physical, and mental effects of stress and see how they differ from one another. Students will learn what stress and stressors are when they discuss coping with stress. Healthy and unhealthy strategies to cope with stress are included in this product. Students will take time to reflect on a time when they were stressed or if they were stressed and answer questions regarding making healthy or unhealthy choices to cope with stress.

Throughout this product, students will answer comprehension questions and will also be presented with social scenarios that they may encounter where they are asked how they would feel or what they would do. An attitude survey regarding mental health that contains 10 questions is also included in this product. Students will compare their results when they are finished and will go over the correct answers.

If you aren’t interested in this bundle, you may be interested in each product that is included in this bundle:

Positive Self Talk:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Positive-Self-Talk-Activities-and-Tips-9822221

Resiliency Activities:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Resiliency-Activities--9826305

Communication Styles Adapted Notes and Review:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Communication-Styles-Adapted-Notes-and-Review-9837662#show-price-update

Mental Health Stigma Activities:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Mental-Health-Stigma-Activities-9844604

Gratitude Activities:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Gratitude-Activities-9753926

Stress Response Adapted Notes:
https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Stress-Response-Adapted-Notes-and-Activities-9848108

If you like this product, please leave a positive review. :)

AVID Costa's Level of Questioning and Thinking Scenes Activity - Editable: This AVID digital activity is the perfect inquiry resource for your AVID classroom! Use to promote critical thinking skills, as an icebreaker activity, a supplemental lesson for Costa's Level of Thinking, an inquiry lesson, a Fun Friday activity, and so much more!

⭐AVID BUNDLE!⭐

⭐Costa Bundle⭐

Directions:

• Review Costa’s Level of Thinking by having students take notes over the teaching slides provided.
• Students apply their learning by creating their own leveled questions over the provided scenes.
• Revisit and discuss the essential questions at the end.

What's Included:

• Essential questions slide
• Direction Slide
• Editable direction slide to add your own wording
• 7 Costa's Level of Thinking teach slides
• 54 Google Slide Scenes with question writing tasks, for example: "Create a level 3 question related to the scene below..."

More Costa Scenes

Spring

Check out other AVID resources HERE!

Check out more AVID Inquiry resources HERE!

If you are looking for a way to start your school year off strong with a rigorous yet engaging activity, look no further than this Back to School Digital Escape Room for ELA - Pop Culture Edition - for use with Google Drive!

There is no wonder why escape rooms are so popular; they are highly engaging and encourage people to think creatively in order to solve different puzzles... all while trying to beat the clock! Now, you can facilitate our popular Back to School Escape Room at home for distance learning or in the classroom using your school's technology (thereby cutting down on paper and valuable prep time) with this meticulously-crafted resource. Each task is skills-based so that with this fun activity, learning is not sacrificed. Distance learning can certainly be a struggle for both students and teachers, so this escape room aims to provide a welcome break from the monotony while encouraging higher order thinking skills and a fun review of ELA material.

How does it work?

Your students must escape your digital classroom by solving 5 different Language Arts skills-based puzzles, discovering a hidden message, and finding clues along the way.

• Comma Drama: In the first task, students must identify comma rules used in 6 celebrity quotes. When matched correctly on a mat puzzle, shaded boxes reveal the first code.
• Celeb-spiration: In the second task, students will read true stories about celebrities who had to work incredibly hard for their success, either by beating the odds of a harsh upbringing or by trying and failing many times before hitting it big. In each, there is one commonly misspelled word. Students must identify the word and enter the correct spelling onto their answer sheet. Shaded boxes reveal the second code.
• Stressed Out: In the third task, students must perform a close reading of the song, Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots. The letters of the correct multiple choice answers form the third code.
• Steph's Fallen Phrase: In the fourth task, students must complete a fallen phrase that forms an inspirational quote by basketball star, Stephen Curry. Circled boxes within the answer reveal the fourth code.
• Jigsaw Quote: In the fifth and final task, students must assemble a jig saw puzzle that forms an inspirational quote by Kendrick Lamar to motivate them to start their year off strong. (We can't give that away here!)

Product Includes:

- Instructions for how to access and share escape room and answer key through Google Drive

- Materials for 5 Tasks: digital task signs, detailed task instructions, and interactive worksheets

- Digital Student Answer Sheet

- Digital Teacher Answer Key

This product requires free accounts through Google Drive and is completely paperless.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

If you would prefer the paper version, check out the original here:

⭐ Back to School ELA Escape Room - Pop Culture Edition

If you enjoyed this escape room, make sure to check out the original digital escape:

⭐ Back to School ELA Digital Escape Room

_____________________________________________________________________________________

⭐⭐⭐For the escape room enthusiasts out there, you can now build your own bundle at 20% off the cover price of 3 or more escape rooms! Click the link to check out all of the escape rooms Language Arts Excellence has to offer: Build Your Own Escape Room BUNDLE⭐⭐⭐

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Use this back to school editable WICOR AVID digital Choice Board to add writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading into your class with some fun back to school themes! Have students complete pieces for sub plans, final exams or study hall time. Simply, make any edits you wish and share a forced copy of the spreadsheet with your students.

*Please note: all activities in this digital choice are digital but most activities can also be printed if you wish

⭐AVID Back to School Bundle!⭐

Get the WICOR Boards Growing Bundle HERE!

✨AVID Mega Growing Bundle✨

✨AVID Teambuilding Bundle✨

✨AVID Writing Bundle✨

What's Included:

Editable AVID WICOR Choice Board in Google Sheets

• 5 Writing Activities
• 5 Inquiry Activities
• 5 Collaboration Activities
• 5 Organization Activities
• 5 Reading Activities

Activities Included:

Writing

• Students fill out an interest survey
• Students read about passive, assertive, and aggressive voices and how they are used in writing on a Google Form and then answer the questions in the Google form
• Students respond to one of the listed prompts in a journal, piece of paper or Google Doc following the given requirements.
• Students choose a college in their state (that they haven't researched or toured before) and take a virtual tour at Campus Tours. Then they fill out the Campus Tour Reflection provided.
• Students choose the core class that they feel will be the biggest challenge for them this school year. Then they write a letter to that teacher using the provided requirements and directions.

Inquiry

• Students go back to recent notes they took from a core content class and reread them. Then add three level 2 questions and three level 3 questions to them using the linked Costa's House.
• Students choose a career they are interested in learning more about. They visit the provided website link to conduct research. Then they create a Google Slides presentation using the provided slideshow requirements.
• Students watch the provided TED Talk. In Canva, they create 3 motivational posters that promote a growth mindset following the requirements.
• Students use the provided requirements for creating a google forms quiz to create a 10-question quiz over notes they have taken recently in a core class.
• Students research online to find what quote best represents their goals and aspirations for the school year. They will follow the directions and complete the highlighted sections of the Google Doc provided.

Collaboration

• Students answer the interview questions on a linked partner interview form. Then they get with a partner (someone they don't know well) and interview their partner and compare responses.
• Students use the template provided to create a podcast script with a partner that teaches other students about what AVID is and encourages them to join.
• Students create an "All About Me" digital collage by following the directions in the slides and using the example provided. Then share their design with an AVID classmate and explain why they picked each image.
• Students complete a selfie partner scavenger hunt with a partner around the school.
• Students open the linked Summer Break Bingo template and type in different activities they did over the summer. Then they find classmates who did the same activities and add their names to the bingo card.

Organization

• Students print out their school map and use a highlighter to draw a route to all their classes and follow the directions to label their maps.
• Students complete "week 1" of the linked binder check log and answer the reflection questions.
• Students clean up and organize their Google Drive or another cloud storage. They will create folders for each subject and ensure all documents are appropriately filed and take before and after pictures or screenshots.
• Students follow the provided requirements to create an hourly schedule with the linked template.
• Students find a graphic organizer online for each of their classes OR create their own and take pictures. They will follow the provided directions and requirements.

Reading

• Students research information about the AVID system through the provided linked websites and Google Slides. Then they complete the digital linked Frayer Model by following the provided directions.
• Students complete the linked digital SAT Vocabulary Chart by following the provided directions.
• Students read the provided linked article and take digital focused notes.
• Students read a book of their choice for 30 minutes. Then they complete a DIgital One Pager template over what they read by following the requirements.
• Students choose 20 recent vocabulary words learned from any core content area. Then create a digital crossword puzzle through the provided website.

Click HERE to see our other AVID resources. We also have several great AVID bundle options available down below!

More WICOR Choice boards...

General Version

Fall

End of Year

More AVID back to school resources...

Drawing Challenge

30 Second Speeches

This teacher lesson template comes in 3 different set up variations. Use Microsoft Word to add textboxes and include whatever is needed to knock your lesson out of the park!

Areas that you can fill in on these teacher lesson templates are as follows:

Teacher

Date

Class

Class Period

Standards

Essential Question

Objectives

Materials

Procedure

Homework

Accommodations

You may also be interested in the following products:

Lesson Plan Template #1

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487286

Plan Book Templates

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Plan-Book-Template-8492684

AVID Back to School Speed Philosophical Chairs Debate for Team Building: Use this speed philosophical chairs icebreaker activity to introduce your students to public speaking/listening and dialogue! Students will not only learn what speed philosophical chairs is but they will enjoy some exciting dialogue through 20 back to school themed debate topics!

For example, students will choose to agree or disagree with the statement, "everyone should be allowed to bring their pet to school."

⭐Save 30% with this AVID BUNDLE!⭐

What's Included:

• A teach slide for "the why" of speed philosophical chairs
• A slide which includes the rules of engagement for students
• A slide for the steps of this speed philosophical chairs activity
• 20 speed philosophical chairs back to school themed statements
• A 5 minute silent timer embedded in each slide

The Steps:

1. A central statement will be announced to the class and we will define the two sides

of the debate (Agree/Disagree).

2. You will move to the side

of the room with the position that you intend to defend.

3. A timer will be set for 5 minutes, and the debate will start between the two groups.

4. Be concise and attempt to keep you contributions to less than 30 seconds each. The goal is to have an up-tempo debate, where the arguments for and against the prompt are batted back and forth with quick, verbal strokes. When the timer goes off, the conversation is immediately over.

5. A new prompt is displayed and we start another round of quick debates.

*These resources are available for Outschool teachers to purchase without the need for extra licenses.

Check out other AVID resources HERE!

Check out more Back-to-School resources**HERE!**

Check out more Public Speaking resources HERE!

Check out more Collaboration resources HERE!

Great resource for new teachers! Show this First Day of School PowerPoint Presentation to your students on the very first day of school to begin the year on a positive and constructive note! This PowerPoint Presentation acts as a framework so that you simply input your own information in order to be relevant for your class. Suggestions for classroom rules and procedures are included to give you ideas on how to fill the presentation, however it is completely editable to fit your needs. This PowerPoint will save you tons of time especially in the beginning of the year when every second counts! Powerpoint covers: - About the teacher - What we'll "do" this year - Classroom rules - Discipline rules - Daily procedures - Materials needed for class - Homework policies - Fire and lock down drills - Fun Quiz - How well were you listening? ___________________________________________________________________________ Purchase PowerPoint as part of the Back to School ELA Bundle for Middle School and save 25% off the cover price: ⭐ Back to School ELA Bundle ___________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out these great products to start your school year off strong by Language Arts Excellence: ⭐ Back to School ELA Escape Room ⭐ Back to School ELA Escape Room - Pop Culture Edition ⭐ First Day of ELA "Book Talk" Activity ⭐ Back to School "Don't Judge a Book by its Cover" Activity
⭐ Back to School Effective Effort Lesson Plan ⭐ Study Hall Expectations Powerpoint Presentation ⭐ Back to School / Open House Brochure ___________________________________________________________________________ ⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐

This plan book template is a great resource to help you organize your daily and weekly plans using Microsoft PowerPoint

If you are interested in a custom plan book with colors for the heading that match your school or your classroom theme, please message me, and I can post once created.

This product includes two weekly templates to choose from.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Lesson Plan Template #1

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487286

Lesson Plan Template #2

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487440

If you download this product, and you liked it, please leave me a positive review! :)

AVID Fun Debate Topics Speed Philosophical Chairs - Team Building Activity: Use this AVID speed philosophical chairs icebreaker activity to promote public speaking and dialogue in your classroom! Students will not only learn what speed philosophical chairs is but they will enjoy some exciting dialogue through 20 fun debate topics!

For example, students will choose to agree or disagree with the statement, "older students should still get recess."

⭐Save 30% with this AVID BUNDLE!⭐

What's Included:

• A teach slide for "the why" of speed philosophical chairs
• A slide which includes the rules of engagement for students
• A slide for the steps of this speed philosophical chairs activity
• 20 speed philosophical chairs funny debate statements
• A 5 minute silent timer embedded in each slide

The Steps:

1. A central statement will be announced to the class and we will define the two sides

of the debate (Agree/Disagree).

2. You will move to the side

of the room with the position that you intend to defend.

3. A timer will be set for 5 minutes, and the debate will start between the two groups.

4. Be concise and attempt to keep you contributions to less than 30 seconds each. The goal is to have an up-tempo debate, where the arguments for and against the prompt are batted back and forth with quick, verbal strokes. When the timer goes off, the conversation is immediately over.

5. A new prompt is displayed and we start another round of quick debates.

*These resources are available for Outschool teachers to purchase without the need for extra licenses.

Check out other AVID resources HERE!

Check out more Speed Philosophical Chairs resources HERE!

Check out more Public Speaking resources HERE!

Check out more Collaboration resources HERE!

If you are looking for the perfect way to start your school year off strong with a rigorous yet engaging beginning of the year activity, look no further than this Back to School Escape Room for ELA!

There is no wonder why escape rooms are so popular; they are highly engaging and encourage people to work together and think creatively in order to solve different puzzles... all while trying to beat the clock! This meticulously-crafted resource features all of the materials you need to conduct a full-length ELA Escape Room. Planning an escape room may seem like quite the daunting task, but this product provides everything from the basics and set-up instructions to signs and answer keys so that yours runs smoothly from start to finish. The activity involves movement, energy, creative thinking and most of all, collaboration. Your students will be having so much fun that they won’t even realize the higher order thinking skills they are applying in the playing of this game!

How does it work?

Your students must learn to collaborate with their new peers to escape your classroom by solving 5 different Language Arts skills-based puzzles, discovering a hidden message, and finding clues along the way.

• Lit Match: In the first task, students must match literary terms with examples from popular books, songs, and animated movies by drawing a line connecting the term with the example. These lines will intersect with letters that once unscrambled, will form their first code word.
• Book Talk: In the second task, students must identify the part of speech used in quotes about literature by famous figures. When matched correctly, shaded boxes reveal the second code.
• Word Maze: In the third task, students must solve a word maze. Letters collected along the way form the third code.
• Figuratively Speaking: In the fourth task, students must identify the figurative language device used in animated movie songs. Shaded boxes in the correct answers form the fourth code.
• Jig Saw Quote: In the fifth and final task, students must assemble a jig saw puzzle that forms an inspirational quote to motivate them to start their year off strong. (We can't give that away here!)

Product Includes:

- Escape Room Basics

- Detailed Day-Of Instructions

- Escape Room Print Checklist

- Student Teams Chart

- Welcome Sign for Your Door

- Materials for 5 Tasks: task signs to be folded upright, task instructions (2 per page for easy printing), and necessary information to be kept at stations

- Student Answer Sheet

- Teacher Answer Keys

- Code Word Theme Open Response for homework or in-class writing activity

- Escape Room Reflection for homework or in-class writing activity

Although this escape room is ideal for the beginning of the school year, it can be used at any time throughout the year without modification.

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We've gone digital! Check out our paperless version to support distance learning:

⭐ Back to School ELA Digital Escape Room

Like this escape room? You'll love these back to school ELA escapes!

⭐ Back to School Grammar Escape Room

⭐ Back to School Poetry Escape Room

⭐ Back to School ELA Escape Room - Pop Culture Edition

⭐ Back to School Escape Room - Second Edition

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⭐⭐⭐For the escape room enthusiasts out there, you can now build your own bundle at 20% off the cover price of 3 or more escape rooms! Click the link to check out all of the escape rooms Language Arts Excellence has to offer: Build Your Own Escape Room BUNDLE⭐⭐⭐

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This plan book template is a great resource to help you organize your daily and weekly plans using Microsoft PowerPoint

If you are interested in a custom plan book with colors for the heading that match your school or your classroom theme, please message me, and I can post once created.

This product includes 1 weekly template. The class and subjects can be changed.

You may also be interested in the following products:

Lesson Plan Template #1

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487286

Lesson Plan Template #2

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487440

Plan Book Template:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Plan-Book-Template-8492684

If you download this product, and you liked it, please leave me a positive review! :)

This resource features a highly engaging, and memorable way to reflect on the year with your high school or middle school students using the lyrics to Billy Joel's We Didn't Start the Fire!

This step-by-step two-day lesson plan encourages students to consider what defines their generation and then create their own lyrics to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire." Every year, this lesson has been a huge hit with my students especially on the last two days of school. Your students will appreciate your taking the time to allow them to step back and reflect upon their world. You will love it because no preparation is needed at all for this very memorable activity!

Product Includes:

• Step-by-step lesson plan
• Graphic organizers for assignment

Note that lyrics cannot be included with this resource as they are copyright protected. They can be found easily online.

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Make sure to check out these great resources to end your school year on the best note ever!

⭐ End of Year ELA Escape Room

⭐ End of Year ELA Escape Room - Pop Culture Edition

⭐ End of Year "Book Talk" Activity

⭐ End of Year Mad Libs

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This teacher lesson template comes in 3 color variations. Use PowerPoint to add textboxes and include whatever is needed to knock your lesson out of the park!

Areas that you can fill in on these teacher lesson templates are as follows:

Teacher

Subject

Date

Class

Period

Lesson Topic

Essential Question

Objectives

Materials

Technology

Procedures

Assessment

Homework

Accommodations

You may also be interested in the below products:

Lesson Plan Template #2

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Lesson-Plan-Templates-8487440

Plan Book Templates

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Plan-Book-Template-8492684

If you are looking for the perfect way to start your school year off strong with a rigorous yet engaging beginning of the year activity your students will be talking about all year, look no further than this Back to School Escape Room for ELA - Pop Culture Edition!

There is no wonder why escape rooms are so popular; they are highly engaging and encourage people to work together and think creatively in order to solve different puzzles... all while trying to beat the clock! This meticulously-crafted resource features all of the materials you need to conduct a full-length ELA Escape Room. Planning an escape room may seem like quite the daunting task, but this product provides everything from the basics and set-up instructions to signs and answer keys so that yours runs smoothly from start to finish. The activity involves movement, energy, creative thinking and most of all, collaboration. Your students will be having so much fun that they won’t even realize the higher order thinking skills they are applying in the playing of this game!

How does it work?

Your students must learn to collaborate with their new peers to escape your classroom by solving 5 different Language Arts skills-based puzzles, discovering a hidden message, and finding clues along the way.

• Comme Drama: In the first task, students must identify comma rules used in 6 celebrity quotes. When matched correctly on a mat puzzle, shaded boxes reveal the first code.
• Celeb-spiration: In the second task, students will read true stories about celebrities who had to work incredibly hard for their success, either by beating the odds of a harsh upbringing or by trying and failing many times before hitting it big. In each, there is one commonly misspelled word. Students must identify the word and enter the correct spelling into an answer sheet. Circled boxes reveal the second code.
• Stressed Out: In the third task, students must perform a close reading of the song, Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots. The letters of the correct multiple choice answers form the third code.
• Steph's Fallen Phrase: In the fourth task, students must complete a fallen phrase that forms an inspirational quote by basketball star, Stephen Curry. Circled boxes within the answer reveal the fourth code.
• Jig Saw Quote: In the fifth and final task, students must assemble a jig saw puzzle that forms an inspirational quote by Kendrick Lamar to motivate them to start their year off strong. (We can't give that away here!)

Product Includes:

- Escape Room Basics

- Detailed Day-Of Instructions

- Escape Room Print Checklist

- Student Teams Chart

- Welcome Sign for Your Door

- Materials for 5 Tasks: task signs to be folded upright, task instructions (2 per page for easy printing), and necessary information to be kept at stations

- Student Answer Booklet

- Teacher Answer Keys

- Code Word Theme Open Response for homework or in-class writing activity

- Escape Room Reflection for homework or in-class writing activity

Although this escape room is ideal for the beginning of the school year, it can be used at any time throughout the year without modification.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

We've gone digital! Check out our paperless version to support distance learning:

⭐ Back to School ELA Digital Escape Room - Pop Culture Edition

If you enjoyed this escape room, make sure to check out the original and second edition!

⭐ Back to School ELA Escape Room

⭐ Back to School ESCAPE ROOM - Second Edition

Check out these related resources by Language Arts Excellence to start your year in ELA off strong:

⭐ Back to School ELA Bundle

⭐ First Day of ELA "Book Talk" Activity

⭐ Back to School "Don't Judge a Book by its Cover" Activity

⭐ Back to School Effective Effort Lesson Plan

⭐ First Day of School Powerpoint Presentation

⭐ Emergency ELA Lesson Plan BUNDLE

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⭐⭐⭐For the escape room enthusiasts out there, you can now build your own bundle at 20% off the cover price of 3 or more escape rooms! Click the link to check out all of the escape rooms Language Arts Excellence has to offer: Build Your Own Escape Room BUNDLE⭐⭐⭐

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

If you are looking for a way to start your school year off strong with a rigorous yet engaging activity, look no further than this Back to School Digital Escape Room for ELA for use with Google Drive!

There is no wonder why escape rooms are so popular; they are highly engaging and encourage people to think creatively in order to solve different puzzles... all while trying to beat the clock! Now, you can facilitate our popular Back to School Escape Room at home for distance learning or in the classroom using your school's technology (thereby cutting down on paper and valuable prep time) with this meticulously-crafted resource. Each task is skills-based so that with this fun activity, learning is not sacrificed. Distance learning can certainly be a struggle for both students and teachers, so this escape room aims to provide a welcome break from the monotony while encouraging higher order thinking skills and a fun review of ELA material.

How does it work?

Your students must escape your digital classroom by solving 5 different Language Arts skills-based puzzles, discovering a hidden message, and finding clues along the way.

• Lit Match: In the first task, students must match literary terms with examples from popular books, songs, and animated movies by drawing a line connecting the term with the example. These lines will intersect with letters that once unscrambled, will form their first code word.
• Book Talk: In the second task, students must identify the part of speech used in quotes about literature by famous figures. When matched correctly, shaded boxes reveal the second code.
• Word Maze: In the third task, students must solve a word maze. Letters collected along the way form the third code.
• Figuratively Speaking: In the fourth task, students must identify the figurative language device used in animated movie songs. Designated letters in each answer form the fourth code.
• Jig Saw Quote: In the fifth and final task, students must assemble a jig saw puzzle that forms an inspirational quote to motivate them to start their year off strong. (We can't give that away here!)

Product Includes:

- Instructions for how to access and share escape room and answer key through Google Drive

- Materials for 5 Tasks: digital task signs, detailed task instructions, and interactive worksheets

- Digital Student Answer Sheet

- Digital Teacher Answer Key

This product requires free accounts through Google Drive and is completely paperless.

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If you would prefer the paper version, check out the original here:

⭐ Back to School ELA Escape Room

If you enjoyed this escape room, make sure to check out the fun pop culture version:

⭐ Back to School ELA Digital Escape Room - Pop Culture Edition

_____________________________________________________________________________________

⭐⭐⭐For the escape room enthusiasts out there, you can now build your own bundle at 20% off the cover price of 3 or more escape rooms! Click the link to check out all of the escape rooms Language Arts Excellence has to offer: Build Your Own Escape Room BUNDLE⭐⭐⭐

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

If you have ever found yourself in need of a no-prep, print-and-go lesson plan that meets standards and upholds a high level of student learning and engagement, this resource is the perfect tool for your teacher's toolbox! It is ideal for days prior to and returning from vacations, between units, emergency sub plans, or simply those days when we just "can't." (And let's face it, we've all been there!) This product features an engaging "History Talk" activity that will have your students thinking, writing, speaking, and moving all in one class period. In this activity, they must choose between 5 different quotes about history and articulate why the quote aligns with their own perspective. They will have a chance to discuss their opinions in small groups and as part of a full class discussion. The full-length lesson plan can literally be used any day of the school year and is sure to spark thoughtful discussion among your students. Product includes: - Comprehensive Lesson Plan - "History Talk" Sheet for students to fill out - 5 Corresponding "History Quote" signs to hang up around your room _________________________________________________________________________________________ Please note that this resource is similar but not identical to First Day of School "History Talk" Activity and End of Year "History Talk" Activity. If you have already purchased these lessons, please email language.arts.excellence@gmail.com with your order number and date of purchase to receive this lesson for free! (This must be done prior to purchasing this product.) _________________________________________________________________________________________ Also, make sure to check out these great resources by Language Arts Excellence that can be used any time throughout the school year! ⭐ "Still I Rise" (Angelou) Lesson Plan & Materials
⭐ "A Dream Deferred" (Hughes) Lesson Plan & Materials
⭐ "Caged Bird" (Angelou) Lesson Plan & Materials
⭐ Bullying Prevention Powerpoint
⭐ Collaborative Writing Activity
⭐ Close Reading of Informational Texts Powerpoint Presentation
⭐ Figurative Language Challenge Game
⭐ Letter to a Member of our Military
⭐ We Didn't Start the Fire Activity

Get ready to have the most fun you'll have teaching poetry with a lesson that your students will love with the Back to School Poetry ESCAPE ROOM!

There is no wonder why escape rooms are so popular; they are highly engaging and encourage people to work together and think creatively in order to solve different puzzles... all while trying to beat the clock! This meticulously-crafted resource features all of the materials you need to conduct a full-length Back to School Poetry Escape Room. Planning an escape room may seem like quite the daunting task, but this product provides everything from the basics and set-up instructions to signs and answer keys so that yours runs smoothly from start to finish. The activity involves movement, energy, creative thinking and most of all, collaboration. All tasks are skills-based so that with the escape room, learning is not sacrificed; in fact, your students will come away with a stronger understanding of poetic terms and devices. Your students will be having so much fun that they won’t even realize the higher order thinking skills they are applying (and the number of poems they have analyzed) in the playing of this game!

How does it work?

The ghosts of Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, Langston Hughes, William Shakespeare, and Maya Angelou have risen from the grave to lock your students inside your classroom. They are upset because they believe that students spend too much time talking about (fill in the blank with whatever is hip with students these days) and not enough time reading and writing poetry. Students cannot escape until they complete 5 poetry-based tasks to show these ghosts of poets past that they do in fact know their poetry.

• Watch Your Tone: In the first task, students will read 6 poem excerpts and identify their tone. When cards are matched correctly, shaded letters will reveal the code.
• Rhyme Time: In the second task, students will read 8 poem excerpts and determine the rhyme scheme of each. When cards are matched correctly on a chart, numbers on the cards will reveal the code.
• Poe's Anatomy: In the third task, students will closely read A Dream by Edgar Allan Poe and complete an anatomy of the poem. When completed correctly, shaded letters within the answers will reveal the code.
• Ah-Mazing: In the third task, students must solve a challenging word maze. Letters collected along the way form the fourth code.
• Complete the Quote: The final task brings the first four tasks together. Students must match the code words with their definitions and complete a quote about poetry.

Product Includes:

- Escape Room Basics

- Detailed Day-Of Instructions

- Escape Room Print Checklist

- Student Teams Chart

- Materials for 5 Tasks: task signs to be folded upright, task instructions (2 per page for easy printing), and necessary information to be kept at stations

- Student Answer Sheet

- Teacher Answer Keys

- Escape Room Reflection for homework or in-class writing activity

This escape room is suitable for middle and high school students and is ideal at the beginning of the school year or any time during your poetry unit without modification. Students will need to know definitions of poetic devices and terms in order to complete the activity. Some of the terms covered: stanza, enjambment, simile, oxymoron, alliteration, rhyme scheme, personification, tone, sonnet, haiku, limerick, acrostic...

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More awesome poetry escape rooms:

⭐ Poetry ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Digital Poetry Escape Room

⭐ Halloween Poetry ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Thanksgiving Poetry ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Christmas Poetry ESCAPE ROOM

Check out more great resources for your poetry unit:

⭐ Poetry Unit Anticipation Activity

⭐ Still I Rise (Angelou) Lesson Plan & Materials

⭐ Caged Bird (Angelou) Lesson Plan & Materials

⭐ Harlem (A Dream Deferred) Lesson Plan & Materials

⭐ Figurative Language Challenge Game

⭐ Sonnet 130 Valentine's Day Lesson Plan

⭐ Sonnet 18 Valentine's Day Lesson Plan

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⭐⭐⭐ For the escape room enthusiasts out there, you can now build your own bundle at 20% off the cover price of 3 or more escape rooms! Click the link to check out all of the escape rooms Language Arts Excellence has to offer: Build Your Own Escape Room BUNDLE ⭐⭐⭐

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence