5th Grade ELA Test Prep Centers

Did you know that one young girl's courage was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement? Introduce your students to the inspiring story of Claudette Colvin with our engaging and educational resource, perfect for Black History Month and STAAR test preparation. Suitable for grades 6-8, this free, print-and-go resource combines historical significance with critical thinking.

Our resource includes a short, informative text about Claudette Colvin, followed by four carefully crafted multiple-choice questions. These questions are aligned with STAAR standards, focusing on skills such as inference, summary, and author's purpose. It's an ideal tool for deepening students' understanding of important historical figures while honing their test-taking abilities.

This versatile resource is perfect for various classroom needs:

☑️ Center in stations

☑️ Homework assignment

☑️ Warm-up activity

☑️ Part of a larger unit on informational text

As a free resource, it’s designed to be easy for teachers – just print and you're ready to go. It's a valuable addition to any lesson plan during Black History Month and beyond.

Don't forget to check out our other free February resources, including the Valentine's Day Text Structure Color Sorts and the Valentine's Day Author's Purpose Coloring Quest! Grade 5-8 FREEBIE! (TeachShare.com)!

Be sure to follow our store for more free resources that bring ease and effectiveness to your teaching. Download now and bring Claudette Colvin's remarkable story into your classroom!

Should schools ban soda? This is an argumentative essay prompt, three articles, and outline sheet. Your kids will all have their own opinions about sugary drinks and whether or not schools should ban soda. This comes complete with rubric.

Google Drive Version can be found here

Looking for more argumentative prompts with articles?

Cell phones in School: Argumentative prompt, articles, and outline sheet

Facebook: Argumentative prompt, articles, and outline sheet

Did Shakespeare write his own stuff?:Argumentative prompt, articles, and rubric.

Minimum Wage: Argumentative Prompt, articles, and outline sheet

Introducing Super Star Synonyms – the ultimate Synonym and Antonym game that brings fun to literacy centres! Perfect for Years 3-6, this exciting game transports students onto the red carpet as they learn synonyms and antonyms in an engaging and interactive way. Up level those literacy centres!

As students move along the game board, they’ll land on Hollywood stars, pick up star cards with words, and record their synonyms on the included recording sheet. For an added challenge, they can also write down antonyms to further expand their vocabulary skills. That's right, working in synonyms AND antonyms! The goal is to reach the end of the board while mastering key vocabulary concepts!

Whether you're using it in the classroom or for small group activities, Super Star Synonyms is a fantastic resource for reinforcing vocabulary in your literacy centres. This game not only builds synonym and antonym knowledge but also encourages collaborative learning in a fun, Hollywood-inspired setting.

Key Features:

• Hollywood theme with stars, red carpet, and movie-related words
• Includes recording sheets for synonyms and antonyms
• Perfect for Years 3-6 literacy centres
• Fun and engaging way to practice vocabulary skills

Add some Hollywood glamour to your literacy centres with Super Star Synonyms and watch your students shine as vocabulary superstars!

Follow along on the blog Captivating Kids blog

Inspire your students to think critically about informational texts with this set of engaging, open-ended questions! Perfect for 4th-5th grade, these questions encourage students to explore main ideas, text features, structure, and author’s craft in any nonfiction text they read.

Ideal for:

• Class Discussions
• Small Group
• Center/Station Rotations
• Prompts for Close Reading
• Early Finisher Tasks
• Test Prep
• Comprehension Practice

Aligned with Common Core standards, this resource is a great way to help students build confidence in analyzing texts, connecting ideas, and uncovering the author’s purpose. Make each reading experience more meaningful and memorable!

Need help with organizing cause and effect essays? These 7 charts will guide students through planning and pre-writing cause and effect essays. Step-by-Step graphic organizers with note about cause and effect definitions, paragraph writing tip, and writing challenge to reorganize the essay on each handout.

Excellent for assessment practice, college test prep, standardized test prep, and expository writing. Helps build critical thinking skills. Meets state and federal ELA guidelines.

This engaging Sentence Sort Worksheet helps students practice and master sentence types by sorting simple, compound, and complex sentences. Perfect for middle school and upper elementary students, this worksheet promotes hands-on learning of grammar, syntax, and sentence structure in a fun and interactive way.

REVIEW GAME post-reading activity for novel Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.

This interactive card game has been specifically designed to review the novel with comprehension questions and answers woven into the playing of "THE RESISTANCE" review card game.

This printable card game is made for groups of 2-4 players with 64 playing cards and 32 question/answer cards. The game is made to be played similarly to the card game "WAR". *Cards can be printed in COLOR or BLACK and WHITE.

Review and practice those tricky comma rules by editing 10 short, unpunctuated (and uncapitalized) passages. If you've taught compound sentences, complex sentences, appositives, commas in dialogue, commas in a series, introductory element commas, direct address commas, and tag question commas, then this low-prep grammar resource is ideal for reviewing and honing those editing skills. Each passage uses several different types of commas making this activity fun but challenging. When laminated, these passages become reusable write & wipe boards and are the perfect addition for independent and small group writing centers/stations. Better yet, they can serve as a fast, informal assessment so you know exactly which comma rules to review and practice some more. Answer keys are included.

Comma Rules Included:

• compound sentences
• complex sentences
• apposition
• commas in dialogue
• commas in a series
• introductory element commas
• direct address comma
• tag question commas

You might also like . . .

Interactive Grammar Bookmarks

Hands-On Grammar: Bundle

Build a Sentence: Comma Rules

Hands-On Grammar: Appositives

Hands-On Grammar: Tag Questions

Hands-On Grammar: Introductory Element

Hands-On Grammar: Complex Sentences

Hands-On Grammar: Compound Sentences

Hands-On Grammar: Punctuating Dialogue

I'd love to hear how you use this resource in your classroom! Feel free to email me at iteachiwrite@yahoo.com with any questions or suggestions you may have. And don't forget to rate this product in order to earn TeachShare Credits for future purchases!

Copyright © iTeach & iWrite by Betsy Newmeyer.

All rights reserved by the author.

Permission to use for single classroom use only.

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Enhance vocabulary in any class or content area with this AVID-inspired vocabulary awareness chart in Google Sheets. This vocabulary awareness chart allows students to check their awareness and knowledge of words found in the content they are learning about.

Directions

• The vocabulary self-awareness chart allows students to assess themselves on class vocabulary words.
• In my classroom, we chose our words from the words students have come across in their reading.
• Students write the vocabulary words, determine how well they know the word (checking a checkbox in the correct column), and type any notes or definitions they have for the word.
• Simply duplicate the chart in Google Sheets when you are ready for students to make a new self-awareness chart over new content you are learning so that students can keep a log.

What's Included

• One Google Sheets document where students will duplicate and log their vocabulary awareness across all the readings completed in your class.
• In the document, students will include:

- Name

- Date

- What the vocabulary is for

- Word

- Students will check a box for the following: know it well & can explain it, heard it or seen it before, no Clue

- Notes/Definitions

*This resource is available for Outschool teachers to purchase without the need for extra licenses.

Check out other AVID resources HERE!

Check out other Reading resources HERE!

Check out Writing Resources HERE!

Check out Collaboration resources HERE!

Check out Public Speaking resources HERE!

Engage 3rd-5th graders with this character relationships pack featuring three interactive activities, perfect for STAAR practice, stations, RTI reading intervention, and comprehension review.

These low-prep activities are designed to help learners master analyzing Character Relationships in a fun and structured way within the Fiction Genre.

➡️ What’s Included

• Doodle Comprehension
• Match and Untangle
• Color by Number
• Answer Key

➡️ Why You Will Love

⭐STAAR rigor activities that are planned and prepped so you get your planning time back!

⭐Flexible Format to integrate into any curriculum. 

⭐Variety of activities to differentiate to help you reach every learner in your classroom. 

➡️ Suggested Classroom Uses

1. Literacy Centers or Stations
2. Independent Practice
3. Partner Work
4. Homework
5. STAAR Prep

Bring creativity and comprehension together!

➡️ LET’S CONNECT

Follow ELA Vibes to get updates on new resources! 

➡️ Additional Supports

Mini-Lessons

Activity Packs

STAAR Prep

Short and Extended Constructed Responses

Help your 5th-grade students master the essential reading skills of identifying character, problem, and solution with this thoughtfully crafted resource! This set includes three engaging fiction passages at a Level T reading level, each designed to strengthen students' ability to track character development, analyze the main problem, and understand the solution.

Each passage is accompanied by:

• 5 multiple-choice questions that focus on character traits, the main conflict, and how the problem is resolved.
• 3 higher-level discussion questions to encourage deeper thinking and classroom conversation.
• Answer keys for all questions, making grading easy and efficient!

Also included in this set is our popular "Story Detective" Anchor Chart—a visual tool that guides students through the key questions to ask themselves when reading any fiction story. This anchor chart breaks down the process of understanding the character, identifying the problem, and following the solution.

As a bonus, we've included a student note catcher, perfect for independent practice, where students can jot down their observations on the character, problem, and solution of any story they read.

What’s Inside:

• 3 Level T Fiction Passages with:

  • Strong character development and relatable situations
  • Multiple-choice questions to assess comprehension of character, problem, and solution
  • Discussion questions to spark deeper classroom dialogue
  • Answer keys for all questions

• Story Detective Anchor Chart: A helpful visual reference for understanding any fiction story.

• Student Note Catcher: A worksheet to help students independently track character, problem, and solution in their reading.

Why You'll Love This Resource:

• Differentiated Practice: Level T passages are perfect for 5th-grade students, reinforcing essential reading comprehension skills.
• Engaging Content: Stories feature relatable characters, everyday problems, and meaningful resolutions that will captivate your students’ attention.
• Easy to Use: Printable and ready to go, with everything you need to teach character, problem, and solution all in one place.

Perfect For:

• Independent practice
• Small-group reading
• Homework assignments
• Test prep for understanding fiction text structures

Transform your STAAR prep with our Texas-themed informational Text Sets for Grades 3-5!

What's Included:

This comprehensive bundle, perfect for Texas elementary teachers, features seven engaging texts, each accompanied by two STAAR-aligned multiple-choice questions, covering crucial skills.

Skills include:

1. inference
2. evidence
3. fact vs. opinion
4. text structure
5. author's purpose
6. vocabulary
7. text features.

Ideal for varied classroom settings - from whole class instruction to small group work, or even as enriching homework tasks - these print-and-go PDFs are an educator's dream for seamless integration into daily routines or as part of a focused test prep unit.

Try using these products for:

✅ Whole Class Test Prep

✅ Intervention Groups

✅ Small Group Work

✅ Independent Work

✅ Assessment

✅ Homework

Get ready to enhance your students' reading comprehension and critical thinking skills with this meticulously crafted, teacher-approved resource, which aligns perfectly with Texas educational standards.

Digital Task Cards are a great way to help your students practice figurative language! These cards can work on a computer or mobile device! No printing of cutting just assign the deck to your students and you are ready to go! Boom Learning is free to sign up for. Students get immediate feedback and teachers can take advantage of reporting tools. Easy and effective! Great for distance learning or in a digital classroom. A total of 23 task cards.

*****READ MORE ABOUT BOOM CARDS: Boom Cards are self-grading, DIGITAL resources. They live in the cloud. They can't be printed. They play on most modern browsers, Android, iPads, iPhones, and Kindle Fires. You open a Boom Learning℠ account to play them (to protect the children). Create Fast Play pins to assign your Boom Cards to students.

Boom Learning also has premium accounts. Premium accounts offer advanced assignment tools, individual and whole class performance tracking, and more. If you are a new Boom Learning customer, when you redeem your Boom Cards purchase you get 90-day free trial of a premium account. When your trial ends, you can renew or move to a free account. You may upgrade, downgrade or cancel at any time. Free accounts use purchased Boom Cards with Fast Play pins.

***Did you know??? You can use Boom Cards in Google Classroom™! Just CLICK HERE to find out how!

15 Commonly Confused Words J-W with engaging CCSS activities for students to learn. Includes: J-W game with fill-in-the-blank, definitions, make your own sentences/slides (individual/groups & competitive play) 2 Crossword puzzles with Commonly Confused Words 2 Word Searches with Commonly Confused Words All answer sheets included Directions and Suggestions with Extensions Words used are: 1. jewel joule 2. knew new 3. know no4. lay lie 5. loose lose6. moral morale 7. morning mourning 8. nose knows 9. none no one 10. passed past 11. pole poll 12. principal principle 13. rain reign 14. road rode15. sight site cite 16. stationary stationery 17. their there they’re 18. to too two 19. warn worn 20. weather whether Students will have fun learning these Commonly Confused Words.

Review and practice parts of speech with games! In this hands-on grammar resource, students either roll a dice or spin a paperclip around a wheel in order to add new parts of speech to Grow A Sentence, or build a word bank to Build a New Sentence.

This resource includes mix and match worksheets and game board that come in both color and black and white. For added durability, it is recommended that teachers print game boards on cardstock and laminate them. This resource can be used in conjunction with the Parts of Speech Activities: Word Tiles for Sentence Building, Bingo, Bookmark resource. Also includes a teacher slideshow to model or guide game play for students.

Parts of Speech Included: 

• Nouns
• Pronouns
• Verbs
• Adjectives
• Adverbs
• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

You might also like . . .

Parts of Speech Activities: Word Tiles for Sentence Building, Bingo, Bookmark

Grammar Bookmarks

Spin a Great Story: Gamify Writing Time with Printable Game Spinners

Hands-On Grammar: Bundle

I'd love to hear how you use this resource in your classroom! Feel free to email me at iteachiwrite@yahoo.com with any questions or suggestions you may have. And don't forget to rate this product in order to earn TeachShare Credits for future purchases!

Copyright © iTeach & iWrite by Betsy Newmeyer.

All rights reserved by the author.

Permission to use for single classroom use only.

Let’s be friends!

Follow on TeachShare

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Pinterest

Blog

Sign up for my newsletter

Engage 3rd-5th graders with this making text connections pack featuring three interactive activities, perfect for reading STAAR practice, stations, RTI  intervention, and comprehension review.

These low-prep activities are designed to help learners master making connections in a fun and structured way within the Nonfiction Genre.

➡️ What’s Included

• Pixel Art
• Maze
• Match & Unscramble
• Answer Key

➡️ Why You Will Love

⭐STAAR rigor comprehension activities that are planned and prepped so you get your planning time back!

⭐Flexible Format to integrate into any curriculum. 

⭐Variety of activities to differentiate to help you reach every learner in your classroom. 

➡️ Suggested Classroom Uses

1. Literacy Centers or Stations
2. Small Group
3. Independent Practice
4. Partner Work
5. Homework
6. STAAR Prep

Bring creativity and comprehension together!

➡️ LET’S CONNECT

Follow ELA Vibes to get updates on new resources! 

➡️ Additional Supports

Mini-Lessons

Activity Packs

STAAR Prep

Short and Extended Constructed Responses

30 non-fictional and fictional story starters with black and white images for coloring and colored images for laminating and re-using. Each handout is lined for writing. Meets Common Core and State Standards. Objectives include: Factual versus Fictional characteristics Genre writing Writing Process Paragraphing skills Transition/relationship words Organization skills Time order Sentence Structures Punctuation Word Choices/Vocabulary Building Problem Solving Directions: Use with small/whole groups. Copy, laminate or place on company desktops or project from overhead projectors Students take turns and add one sentence at a time to build non-fictional and fictional stories. Variations: Set time limits to practice for standardized tests Use as individual writing prompts Use as storytelling prompts for pre-k/k/1/ESL Use with graphic organizers for pre-writing strategies Send home as family activities When finished with writings, do peer workshoppings/whole class edits Revise stories for read-around/publications Display by genre and share with whole school Educational, fun way to enhance students' writing skills

Engage 3rd-5th graders with this reading comprehension escape room activity on plot, inference, characters, and context clues. Great for STAAR prep, stations, centers, and review! Find The Missing Manuscript. 

A low-prep activity is designed to help learners master reading comprehension in a fun and structured way.  

➡️ Why You Will Love

⭐An activity that is planned and prepped so you get your planning time back!

⭐Student engagement to make learning interactive and fun. 

⭐Flexible Format to integrate into any curriculum. 

➡️ What’s Included

• 4 TEK-aligned challenges with STAAR question stems
• Easy-to-follow instructions and ready-to-print materials
• Flexible Use that adapts easily to groups, centers, or individual tasks.

➡️ Suggested Classroom Uses

1. Literacy Centers or Stations
2. Independent Practice
3. Partner Work
4. STAAR Prep

Enhance learning, inspire students, and create memorable classroom moments with an Escape Room!

➡️ LET’S CONNECT

Follow ELA Vibes

➡️ Additional Supports

Mini-Lessons

Activity Packs

Short and Extended Constructed Responses

For Middle Grade Students, all writers have it, but do you know what style is and how to recognize it? This 15 page presentation for will help students understand and analyze their own writing styles, as well as other authors' styles. Easy to follow format will have students analyzing style in no time! Includes: Checklist for Authors Handout Definitions for Author's Style . Examples of Classic Literature and Fairy Tale to Analyze How to Find Author's Style in Writing Extra Style Analysis Activities Author's Style Workshopping Handout How and Why to Improve Student's author's style Terminologies and definitions include: Audience—listeners, readers, viewers of work Author’s voice—sets writing apart from others; uniqueness of writing Genre—category/organization pattern of writing Purpose—intent of writing Mood—reader’s emotion to the writing Tone—author’s attitude about subject matter Sentence fluency—cadence, flow, transitions used Sentence variety—lengths/mixture of sentences Word choices—descriptions, figurative language, repetitions, synonyms… Excellent for introducing style, writing concepts, standardized testing reviews, class assessments, college readiness, CCSS, literacy centers, and grammar/editing revisions, Students will be able to identify their authors' styles after working through this presentation.

Engage 3rd-5th graders with this making inferences pack featuring three interactive activities, perfect for reading STAAR practice, stations, RTI  intervention, and comprehension review.

These low-prep activities are designed to help learners master making inferences in a fun and structured way within the Fiction Genre.

➡️ What’s Included

• Maze
• Cut and Paste
• Doodle Comprehension
• Answer Key

➡️ Why You Will Love

⭐STAAR rigor activities that are planned and prepped so you get your planning time back!

⭐Flexible Format to integrate into any curriculum. 

⭐Variety of activities to differentiate to help you reach every learner in your classroom. 

➡️ Suggested Classroom Uses

1. Literacy Centers or Stations
2. Small Group
3. Independent Practice
4. Partner Work
5. Homework
6. STAAR Prep

Bring creativity and comprehension together!

➡️ LET’S CONNECT

Follow ELA Vibes to get updates on new resources! 

➡️ Additional Supports

Mini-Lessons

Activity Packs

STAAR Prep

Short and Extended Constructed Responses