6th Grade Close Reading Lesson

The book, Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas is great for children ages 7 - 13 years old, as they can relate with Bree as she moves to a new state, starts a new middle school, makes friends along the way and the challenges with friendships she struggles to maintain, the lack of self confidence she has, and she becomes more confident along the way, how she solves disagreements with friends, tries her best, shares her talents with others, adjusts to changes that occur in her life, learning that it is okay not to be friends with everyone, the importance of friendship, doing things that you want to do - being a leader instead of a follower, and how to handle stressful situations, anxiety, conflict, and bullying.

The comprehension questions in this product relate with the text as well as students own experiences. Vocabulary words, their meanings, and example sentences are presented in the packet. Students can also write vocabulary words in sentences. As the book is being read aloud, as students are reading the book or after the book has been read, students can answer the comprehension questions in this packet. Comprehension questions are broken down into chapters that match the book's 9 chapters. An answer key is provided at the end of this product. Students can also answer comprehension questions towards the end of the packet as well that relate with the entire book.

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• 10 Winter Holiday Narrative Essay Picture Prompts & Planner: Engage students in narrative writing with holiday-themed picture prompts and a structured planner to develop plot, character, and setting in alignment with creative writing standards.
• Christmas Hip Hop Lyrics Analysis: Teach figurative language, rhyme schemes, and tone through an engaging analysis of hip hop lyrics, blending music and ELA standards for Grades 6-8.
• St. Nick: Informational Text Structures: Explore main ideas, text structures, and author’s purpose with this winter-themed set of informational texts designed to strengthen critical reading skills.
• Unraveling Krampus: Text Structures and Critical Analysis: Develop students’ ability to identify text structures and analyze information critically with this high-interest resource focused on the Krampus folklore.
• Informational Text Structure Coloring Sort: Combine creativity and learning as students sort and color-code winter-themed informational texts to practice identifying text structures.
• Winter Wonders: Exploring Text Features Through Snow-Themed Articles: Strengthen comprehension and analysis skills by examining text features in engaging snow-themed articles, perfect for enhancing nonfiction literacy.
• Christmas Winter Holiday Characters from Around the World Research PBL: Dive into global holiday traditions with this project-based learning activity that encourages research, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
• Holiday Figurative Language & Movie Clip Standard-Based Learning Activities: Analyze figurative language through fun, holiday-themed movie clips that align with ELA figurative language standards for middle schoolers.
• Virtual Winter Sports Exploration: Engage students in a digital exploration of winter sports, focusing on informational text comprehension and analysis for Grades 4-6.
• Analyzing Narrative Point of View Winter-Themed: Develop higher-order thinking with winter-themed narrative texts that challenge students to analyze and compare points of view using Bloom’s Taxonomy.
• Winter Vacation PBL: Inspire creativity and practical application with this low-prep, project-based learning activity where stude

This bundle includes a great range of activities perfect for grades 5-8 for all of February!

1. Speed Friending Activity: A dynamic classroom icebreaker designed for middle and high school students. It includes a comprehensive teacher protocol, an interactive Google Slides presentation, engaging conversation rounds with embedded timers, a note-taking sheet, and a reflection writing prompt. Ideal for building classroom community, enhancing behavior management, and fostering open communication.
2. ELA Matchmaker Review Game: An 81-page ELA review resource covering synonyms, antonyms, figurative language, literary elements, and affixes & roots. It includes printable and digital versions for flexible classroom use, promoting interactive learning and critical thinking in literary concepts.
3. Black History Month Digital Resource: A set of 45 Google Slides featuring 15 influential African American artists. This resource includes detailed informational texts, short videos, and interactive response prompts. It's a comprehensive tool for exploring African American history and art, ideal for daily classroom activities.
4. Civil Rights Movement Song Analysis: Titled 'Harmony of Hope,' this resource integrates Valentine's Day and Black History Month themes for middle schoolers. It includes a Google Slides presentation and a comprehensive PDF packet, featuring analysis of seven influential Civil Rights era songs.
5. GenZ Valentine's Day Cards: A collection of 24 unique, humorous, and inclusive Valentine's Day cards suitable for middle school students. These printable cards are gender-neutral, featuring relatable puns and high-quality graphics, adding a fun twist to traditional valentine exchanges.
6. The Science of Crushes and Heartbreak: An educational resource that blends science with Valentine's Day themes, targeting middle schoolers. It includes an article, a mini-lesson in Google Slides, a graphic organizer, and analytical questions. This resource enhances understanding of text features and author's purpose.
7. Valentine's Day Argumentative Writing Resource: A tool for grades 4-8 to enhance argumentative writing skills. It features 28 'Would You Rather' prompts, available in both PDF and Google Slides, to encourage debate and persuasive writing. Ideal for various classroom activities, including warm-ups and group discussions.

Craft the ultimate narrative writing journey for your students with our Seasonal Narrative Writing Bundle! This comprehensive collection is designed to spark creativity and enhance writing skills across grades 4-6 throughout the year. Each season brings a unique set of picture prompts that invite students into worlds of imagination, exploration, and storytelling.

Spring Picture Prompts: Dive into the renewal and wonders of spring with our Spring Picture Prompts resource. It features 23 engaging slides that guide students through the elements of a plot diagram, the importance of showing vs. telling, and offers 10 unique, spring-inspired photo prompts. Each image is paired with a comprehensive writing guide to brainstorm settings, characters, and conflicts, cultivating well-structured stories that bloom like the season.

Summer Picture Prompts: Turn up the heat on narrative writing with our Summer Picture Prompts toolkit. This sun-drenched resource walks students through the narrative writing process with warmth and adventure as their backdrop. From mysterious summer camps to beach escapades, the 10 vibrant, summer-themed photo prompts are sure to ignite the spark of creativity. In-depth writing guides accompany each prompt, ensuring students can craft captivating stories under the summer sun.

Winter Holiday Narrative Essay Picture Prompts: Cozy up to the winter season with 10 Winter Holiday Narrative Essay Picture Prompts. This festive resource is perfect for inspiring stories of winter wonderlands, holiday adventures, and heartwarming family traditions. With a focus on narrative essays, this print-and-go package includes planners and engaging slides that help students capture the essence of the winter season in their writing.

Autumn Narrative Essay Picture Prompts: Fall into storytelling with our Autumn Narrative Essay Picture Prompts. This collection captures the essence of fall with 10 autumn-inspired photo prompts, from the mystical to the mundane. Accompanied by a planner and print-and-go slides, it provides a seamless transition into autumnal narratives, encouraging students to explore the rich colors, themes, and emotions of the season.

Narrative Essay Planning Guide with Engaging Picture Prompts: Lay the foundation for effective storytelling with our Narrative Essay Planning Guide. This essential resource is packed with engaging picture prompts that cover various themes and settings, making it a versatile tool for any narrative writing activity. It includes a planning guide to help students structure their stories, focusing on character development, setting, and plot, ensuring a deep and engaging writing experience.

This bundle offers a year-round solution to narrative writing, equipping educators with everything needed to foster creativity, enhance writing skills, and teach critical writing concepts in an engaging and adaptable format. Whether used for creative writing classes, homework assignments, or extension activities, these resources provide a gateway to imagination and critical thinking that will keep students engaged and excited about writing all year long.

1. Examination Day Full-Week ELA Unit Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Dive into Henry Slesar's thought-provoking short story, "Examination Day," with a full-week ELA unit plan designed for middle school. This comprehensive package includes detailed Socratic seminar procedures, engaging choice board activities, and dynamic presentation slides to encourage critical thinking and student-led discourse on themes of intelligence testing and government control.

1. Harrison Bergeron Full-Week ELA Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Explore Kurt Vonnegut's classic dystopian tale, "Harrison Bergeron," in this complete week-long ELA unit. Middle school students will engage deeply with themes of enforced equality and individuality through structured Socratic seminars, creative choice board activities, and informative slides, all designed to foster critical analysis and vibrant classroom discussions.

1. All Summer in a Day Comprehensive Week-Long Lesson Plan: Seminar, Choice Board

• Immerse your students in Ray Bradbury's poignant story, "All Summer in a Day," with this extensive unit plan. The curriculum includes everything you need to facilitate meaningful discussions around themes of isolation, bullying, and the longing for sunshine. Engaging seminars and diverse choice board activities provide varied learning opportunities that cater to different student interests and learning styles.

1. The Pedestrian Full-Week ELA Unit Plan: Socratic Seminar, Choice Board, Slides

• Step into the futuristic world of Ray Bradbury's "The Pedestrian" with this detailed unit plan for grades 6-8. Through thoughtful Socratic seminars, a creative choice board, and educational slides, students will analyze the story's critique of technological dependency and societal conformity, developing critical thinking skills that transcend the classroom.

Transform your middle school ELA classroom with this comprehensive bundle of 12 highly engaging short story units. Each unit is meticulously designed to provide a full week of dynamic lessons, complete with detailed plans, interactive slides, a choice activity board, Socratic seminar questions, three STAAR-aligned essay prompts, a film vs. text Venn diagram, and the text PDF. These short stories will captivate your students and enhance their literary analysis skills, making learning both fun and meaningful.

Included Short Stories:

1. The Most Dangerous Game
2. Sorry, Wrong Number
3. The Hitchhiker
4. The Way Up to Heaven
5. Lamb to the Slaughter
6. The Landlady
7. The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
8. Harrison Bergeron
9. Examination Day
10. The Pedestrian
11. All Summer in a Day
12. There Will Come Soft Rains

Bundle Features:

1. Comprehensive 5-Day Lesson Plans: Each story unit includes a detailed five-day lesson plan, ensuring a structured approach to teaching. Lessons are aligned with educational standards and include clear objectives and outcomes.

2. Interactive Slides: Engage your students with interactive slides that guide them through the story, provide context, and facilitate discussions. These slides are designed to keep students focused and involved.

3. Choice Activity Board: Each unit comes with a creative choice board, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding through various projects such as writing an alternate ending, creating a comic strip, designing a literary brochure, and more.

4. Socratic Seminar Questions: Encourage critical thinking and in-depth discussion with six thought-provoking Socratic seminar questions for each story. These questions help students delve deeper into the text and analyze its themes, characters, and literary elements.

5. Three STAAR-Aligned Essay Prompts: Each unit includes three essay prompts (argumentative, correspondence, and informational) that are aligned with STAAR standards, helping students practice their writing skills and prepare for standardized assessments.

6. Film vs. Text Venn Diagram: Enhance your students' analytical skills with a film vs. text Venn diagram activity. Students compare and contrast the short story with its film adaptation, focusing on key similarities and differences.

7. Text PDF: Each unit comes with a PDF of the short story, making it easy to provide students with the text for reading and annotation.

Why Choose This Bundle?

• Engaging Content: These short stories are highly engaging and perfect for capturing the interest of middle school students. The diverse selection of stories includes suspense, science fiction, dystopian themes, and more.
• Comprehensive and Ready-to-Use: Save time with ready-to-use lesson plans, activities, and resources. Each unit is designed for easy implementation, ensuring you can focus on teaching and engaging your students.
• Develop Critical Thinking: The activities and discussions included in each unit promote critical thinking, literary analysis, and deeper understanding of the text.
• Flexible and Adaptable: The bundle provides flexibility in teaching, with a variety of activities and assessment options to suit different learning styles and classroom needs.

Perfect for middle school humanities teachers, this bundle offers everything you need to deliver engaging and effective ELA lessons throughout the year. Enrich your curriculum and inspire your students with these timeless short stories and comprehensive teaching resources.

Elements of Suspense Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Dive into the spine-tingling world of suspense with this engaging lesson plan! Students will analyze the key elements of suspense—pacing, foreshadowing, red herrings, danger, and more—through guided notes, interactive activities, and media examples like film trailers. This resource is perfect for Halloween or any time you want to keep your students on the edge of their seats. Ideal for introducing or reviewing the genre of suspense.

Elements of Dystopia Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Welcome to the dark side of fiction with this comprehensive dystopian literature lesson. Students will explore themes like totalitarian regimes, environmental disasters, survival, and rebellion. Using multimedia examples and text excerpts, students will analyze how these elements create powerful dystopian worlds. This resource is perfect for introducing dystopian fiction or as a review of the genre, making it a great fit for discussions on social justice or government control.

Elements of Science Fiction Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Blast off into the universe of science fiction! This lesson plan introduces students to the exciting elements of sci-fi, including futuristic technology, space exploration, time travel, alien life, and parallel universes. Students will analyze these elements through guided notes, multimedia, and text excerpts. Whether you're teaching the genre for the first time or reviewing it with your class, this resource is out of this world!

Elements of Fantasy Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Description:
Step into magical realms with this enchanting lesson plan on the elements of fantasy. Students will explore key components such as world-building, magical systems, mythical creatures, quests, and good vs. evil. Using guided notes and multimedia, students will be transported into the fantastical worlds of dragons, wizards, and epic quests. This resource is perfect for immersing students in the magic of fantasy fiction, sparking their imaginations and developing their literary analysis skills.

Elements of Mystery Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)

Introduce your students to the mystery genre with this 60-minute, print-and-go lesson plan that includes everything you need to kick off a mystery unit! This engaging lesson features guided notes, teacher slides, a one-page mystery story, and answer keys. Students will explore key mystery elements, such as clues, suspects, and red herrings, and apply their knowledge by solving the included mystery. Perfect for grades 6-8, this resource makes it easy to teach critical thinking and deduction skills while introducing a fun and interactive genre.

Engage your middle school students with this spooky Halloween Urban Legend Bundle, perfect for Grades 6-8! This comprehensive resource includes informational text on popular urban legends, interactive slides, and a fun, challenging quiz to boost reading comprehension. Whether you're looking for Halloween literacy activities or thrilling lessons to excite your students, this bundle delivers. Perfect for building critical thinking skills, analyzing scary stories, and creating a memorable classroom experience with a Halloween twist.

1. Jersey Devil Urban Legend Resource

Uncover the chilling mystery of the Jersey Devil in this engaging resource! Students will explore the legend of this winged creature, diving into its history and sightings in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The resource includes an informational text, comprehension questions, and creative writing prompts to help students analyze and craft their own spine-tingling stories.

2. Rougarou Urban Legend Resource

Journey into the swamps of Louisiana with the legend of the Rougarou, a fearsome werewolf-like creature! This resource provides an informative article about Cajun folklore, a 10-question quiz to assess comprehension, and creative activities to get students writing their own eerie tales of the Rougarou. Perfect for building writing skills through myth and legend.

3. Bell Witch Urban Legend Resource

Enter the haunted world of the Bell Witch, one of America's most famous ghost stories! Students will learn about the haunting of the Bell family in early 19th-century Tennessee. The resource includes a detailed article, STAAR-aligned quiz, and a writing prompt where students can craft their own ghostly urban legend based on this timeless tale.

4. Goatman Urban Legend Resource

Introduce your students to the spine-chilling legend of the Goatman, the axe-wielding creature from Maryland! This resource includes an informational text that dives into the origins of this urban legend, followed by critical thinking and comprehension activities. Students will develop their own spooky stories based on this fearsome figure, complete with an engaging quiz.

5. Create Your Own Urban Legend Resource

Empower your students to become urban legend creators with this exciting, interdisciplinary writing activity! Students will choose a local landmark, develop a mysterious creature or event, and write their legend as a two-page newspaper article. The resource includes brainstorming worksheets, character development guides, and newspaper templates, plus a 3-day lesson plan to guide them through the creative process.

• Thanksgiving Gratitude Toast Writing Unit with Slides and Awards
• Looking for a meaningful and engaging way to bring gratitude into your classroom this Thanksgiving season? This 4-Day Thanksgiving Toast Writing Unit has everything you need to help your students craft heartfelt toasts while building their public speaking and writing skills.
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Informational Texts: Central Idea & Author’s Purpose
• This resource features informational texts centered around the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Students will practice identifying the central idea and author’s purpose using guided activities, perfect for grades 4-6. Includes quizzes and engaging slides to bring the festive event into your classroom!
• Multiple Genre Thanksgiving Writing Fun: Story Starters, Centers, and Activities
  Spark creativity with these 10 engaging Thanksgiving-themed story starters! This freebie offers writing prompts perfect for centers or bell-ringers, allowing students to explore genres while creating their own holiday-inspired tales. Ideal for grades 4 and up!
• Text Features with Thanksgiving Football Text Set, Quizzes, and Slides
  Bring excitement to your lessons with this text feature set using Thanksgiving football articles. Students will analyze and identify different text features while engaging with a fun, seasonal topic. Quizzes and slide presentations are included for easy, interactive learning.
• Thanksgiving Argument Writing Unit: Debate Topics & Lesson Plans for STAAR ECRs
  Help your students master argumentative writing with this resource, complete with four Thanksgiving-themed debate prompts. Perfect for middle school, the unit includes a 75-minute lesson plan, guided notes, and templates for teaching claims, evidence, and rebuttals.
• Thanksgiving Author’s Purpose Reading Unit: Passages, Slides, Guided Notes (Grades 5-7)
  This reading unit features five double-sided Thanksgiving-themed passages that explore different author’s purposes. With interactive slides and guided notes, this resource is great for whole-group instruction, centers, or intervention activities in grades 5-7.
• Thanksgiving Digital Resource: Interactive Slides for Middle School Fall Break Vibes
  This non-academic, interactive slide deck is perfect for building community and having fun the day before Fall Break. Featuring 22 slides with thought-provoking and engaging Thanksgiving prompts, it's a fun, low-prep activity to wrap up the season.
• Thanksgiving Persuasive Writing Activity: Rhetoric for Grades 5-7 (Ethos, Pathos, Logos)
  This resource guides students through persuasive writing with a focus on rhetoric. Using Thanksgiving-themed prompts, students will practice developing strong arguments using ethos, pathos, and logos. Perfect for building writing and critical thinking skills in grades 5-7.
• Thanksgiving Text Structure Coloring Sort & Lesson
  Teach text structures in a creative and interactive way with this Thanksgiving coloring activity. Students will learn about different text structures and apply them through sorting and coloring activities, making the lesson both educational and fun.
• 10 Fall Narrative Essay Picture Prompts and Planner: Print and Go & Slides
  This resource includes 10 narrative essay prompts, each with a fall theme, designed to help students craft compelling stories. Perfect for middle school students, the resource includes both print-and-go materials and a slide deck for easy classroom use.

This bundle could cover 20-25 days of classroom instruction, depending on how the resources are paced and implemented. It offers a great variety of activities for both Thanksgiving season and beyond.

Are you trying to make theme sticky for your students? This resource includes practice worksheets for three short films under 5 minutes long: Piper, The Present, Pip available on Youtube for free. Students will love the beautiful graphics of the films, and the heart warming lessons to learn from each. I love using these films as mini lessons of about 10 minutes each or you can combine all three into a 30 minute practice session. This can be used virtually or in person, as extension activities or as direct instruction!

Piper: https://youtu.be/WIPV1iwzrzg

The Present: https://youtu.be/WjqiU5FgsYc

Pip: https://youtu.be/07d2dXHYb94

Free Bonus: Using Pixar to teach Somebody wanted, but, so then (Summary!) with answer keys.

Elevate your middle school students' narrative writing skills with this winter-themed essay planning guide. This resource features 10 captivating, holiday-themed photos, ranging from a snowman on the beach to a gingerbread family on the run, Krampus enjoying hot chocolate, and a pirate ship bathed in green holiday lights. These images are perfect for sparking creativity and guiding students through the narrative writing process.

Learning Objectives:

• Enhance the ability to plan and draft a narrative story that is both engaging and imaginative.
• Encourage creativity while ensuring narratives encompass all essential elements of a structured narrative text.

What's Inside:

• 10 double sided planning guides, one for each photo!
• Detailed graphic organizers to assist students in exploring the setting, characters, conflict, and resolution.
• A Google Slides presentation featuring each high-interest photo for classroom projection, facilitating the introduction of each new writing prompt.

How to Use:

• Day 1: Display the photo prompt using the slides and encourage students to brainstorm ideas with the graphic organizer.
• Day 2: Start drafting the narrative, drawing inspiration from the vivid image.
• Day 3: Continue the narrative, adding details and developing the storyline.
• Day 4: Conduct peer reviews or teacher feedback sessions, followed by revisions and editing.
• Day 5: Publish the final narrative piece, celebrating the students' creative achievements.

Standards Alignment:

• Aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.3 through W.8.3, ensuring the resource meets educational standards for narrative writing.

Formats Available:

• A ready-to-use PDF for printouts and a Google Slides version for seamless classroom integration.

Usage Scenario:

• Ideal for middle school teachers to use as a standalone writing unit, an extension activity, or as a part of a choice board for students.

Highlights:

• Engaging and diverse photo prompts: Each image is carefully chosen to resonate with middle school students, featuring themes like winter holidays, mythical creatures, adventure, and family.
• Classroom-ready: The Google Slides format allows for easy introduction of each writing prompt, while print-ready PDFs ensure quick and effortless preparation.

Transform your classroom's narrative writing approach with this captivating, standards-aligned essay planning guide. Watch as your students' imaginations soar with each unique and inspiring photo prompt!

Engage your middle schoolers with a festive dive into informational text skills using the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as the backdrop. This comprehensive resource is designed to captivate students while reinforcing critical reading skills over two to three class periods.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and analyze the central idea in informational texts.
• Understand and evaluate the author's purpose.
• Recognize and interpret various text structures.
• Determine the meaning of academic words in context.

What's Included:

• Five high-interest informational texts centered on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• A four-question multiple-choice quiz for each text, complete with an answer key.
• A Google Slides presentation to introduce and review key informational text skills.

How It Works:

• Day 1: Kickstart the lesson with a Google Slides presentation to refresh students on each skill's definition. Then, dive into the first two texts with guided annotation and strategic multiple-choice question approaches.
• Day 2: Continue with the remaining texts and quizzes, followed by a comprehensive review of the answers, solidifying students' understanding.

Perfect for Busy Teachers:

• Print & Go: No prep needed! Simply print the materials or share them digitally for an interactive class experience.
• Highly Engaging Material: The vibrant history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade keeps students interested and learning.
• Holiday Themed: Bring the Thanksgiving spirit into your classroom with content that's both educational and festive.
• Rigorous & Multi-Skill Focused: Challenge students with texts that are rigorous and cover multiple ELA standards.

Usage Scenario: Ideal for ELA, special education, and interventionist teachers, this resource serves as an excellent review of priority standards. It's adaptable to various student abilities and can be used after teaching the skills explicitly, ensuring that all students can participate and learn effectively.

Highlights:

Holiday Material: Students will enjoy learning with content themed around a beloved national holiday event.

• Engagement & Rigor: Not only does this set engage students, but it also challenges them to apply multiple literacy skills in a cohesive manner.

Elevate your ELA curriculum with this ready-to-use Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade informational text set. It's the perfect blend of holiday cheer and academic rigor, designed to keep your students engaged and on track with their literacy skills!

Unveil the world of St. Nicholas through this captivating ELA resource, specifically crafted for middle school students. "Discovering St. Nicholas" offers a rich, multifaceted learning experience, designed to enhance key literacy skills while diving into the historical and cultural aspects of this beloved figure.

What’s Inside:

• Five Comprehensive Articles: Explore the intriguing story of St. Nicholas through five meticulously written articles, each employing a different text structure – descriptive, chronological, cause and effect, compare and contrast, and problem and solution.
• Interactive Comprehension Quizzes: After reading, students can test their understanding with comprehension quizzes. Questions are crafted to reinforce central/main ideas, author's purpose, inferences, summaries, and text-dependent analysis.
• 15-Slide Google Slides Presentation: Kickstart each lesson with our engaging presentation slides, designed to introduce or reinforce each focused skill. Perfect for classroom or remote learning, these slides are interactive and visually appealing.
• Skill Building Focus: This resource hones vital ELA skills such as understanding text structures, pinpointing author’s purpose, making inferences, summarizing text, and answering text-dependent questions.
• Annotation and Interactive Reading: Encourage students to engage actively with the text through annotation, fostering a deeper understanding and critical thinking.

Benefits:

• Boost Literacy Skills: Strengthen reading comprehension, analysis, and critical thinking abilities.
• Cultural Insight: Dive into the historical and cultural significance of St. Nicholas, enriching students' global understanding.
• Engage and Inspire: The intriguing content about St. Nicholas keeps students interested and motivated to learn.
• Versatile Teaching Tool: Ideal for in-depth study units, literacy centers, independent work, or as supplementary material for your ELA curriculum.
• Ready-to-Use: Save valuable prep time with this ready-to-go, comprehensive package.

Ideal For:

• Middle School ELA Teachers
• Reading Specialists
• Homeschooling Parents
• Tutors focusing on Literacy and Comprehension

Transform your ELA sessions into an exciting exploration of St. Nicholas and his world. "Discovering St. Nicholas" is not just an educational journey; it's a gateway to mastering essential literacy skills while uncovering the layers of a fascinating historical figure. Add this invaluable resource to your teaching toolkit today and watch as your students' comprehension and analytical skills soar!

For higher level students, try this resource: Unraveling Krampus: Text Structures and Critical Analysis Print and Go! (TeachShare.com)

Transport your middle school ELA classroom to the world of Ray Bradbury with our expansive and engaging week-long lesson plan for "All Summer in a Day." Tailor-made for the curious and creative minds of grades 6-8, this resource is an ideal blend of reading, analysis, and creative expression, finely tuned for the middle school classroom.

What's Included:

• A Complete Text of "All Summer in a Day" Text included.
• 20+ Dynamic Slides: Bring the story to life with visually engaging slides that will capture your students' attention.
• Structured Socratic Seminar Plan: Fostering critical thinking, our Socratic seminar procedures and evidence writing guides encourage in-depth student-led discussion.
• Innovative Choice Board Extension Activities: Cater to different learning styles and keep students intrigued with a range of activities including essay writing, creative storytelling, and art.
• Creative Writing Opportunities: Challenge students with crafting an alternative ending to the story or expressing character perspectives through diary entries.
• Literary Analysis Essays: Guide your students in developing argumentative, informational, and correspondence essays with thought-provoking prompts.
• Comic Strip Creation: Combine art and narrative skills as students transform the text into a visual storyline.
• Film vs. Text Comparison: Deepen comprehension with a Venn diagram activity comparing the short film adaptation to the original text.

Ideal For:

• End-of-Year Engagement: Keep students motivated and learning until the last day with this immersive resource.
• Ready-Made Sub Plans: Detailed and easy to follow, this plan keeps your classroom on track even when you're away.
• Mini Dystopian Unit: Whether a standalone lesson or part of a larger dystopian study, this resource prompts critical thinking about society and technology.
• Flexible for Different Grades: Designed for middle school students, all activities are easily adjustable for higher or lower grades.

Perfect Pairing: This lesson plan complements the "Complete Week-Long Dystopian Unit Plan: 'The Pedestrian' by Ray Bradbury," offering a broader exploration of dystopian themes. Find it here: Complete Week-Long Dystopian Unit Plan.

Elevate your teaching with this multifaceted unit plan that will have your students eager to read, write, and discuss. This comprehensive package will not only save you planning time but also enrich your classroom discussions and creative output.

Included in this 12 week unit: Ultimate Middle School Short Story Bundle: 12 Week Engaging Suspense ELA Units (TeachShare.com)

Engage your middle school ELA students with this dynamic and versatile Valentine's Day themed lesson on text features! Perfect for grades 6-8, this comprehensive resource is designed to enhance students' understanding of text features in an engaging and contextually relevant way.
What's Inside?

• 14 Teacher Slides: Introduce various text features with clear, visually appealing slides.
• Guided Note Tracker: Ensure students stay on track and capture key information throughout the lesson.
• Informational Article: “The Science of Crushes and Heartbreak” - an engaging piece that students can analyze for text features.
• 10 Multiple Choice Questions: Assess students' understanding with a variety of questions and a complete answer key.
• Differentiated Student Work: Cater to diverse learners with activities tailored to different skill levels.

Suggested Uses

• Valentine’s Day Lesson: A perfect thematic lesson for February that ties into the season of love and friendship.
• Informational Text Unit: Use as part of a broader unit on informational texts and nonfiction.
• Text Feature Mini Lesson: A focused session on identifying and understanding text features.
• Choice Board: Integrate into a choice board for differentiated instruction.
• Emergency Sub Plans: Ready-to-use plans that ensure productive and engaging work when you need it most.

Product Features

• Standard Aligned Skills: Meets ELA standards for middle school, ensuring your students are learning essential skills.
• 24 Pages: Comprehensive and ready-to-use resources that save you planning time.
• Interactive Slides and Activities: Keep students engaged with visually appealing slides and hands-on activities.
• Practical and Versatile: Easily adaptable for various instructional settings and student needs.

Enhance your Valentine’s Day lesson plans with this unique and comprehensive text features lesson. Your students will love the engaging content, and you’ll appreciate the ease of use and alignment with educational standards. Get ready for an interactive and educational celebration of Valentine’s Day!

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Searching for a lesson that’s legendary? Your students will be captivated by the eerie tale of the Goatman, one of Maryland’s most spine-chilling urban legends! Perfect for grades 6-8, this highly engaging resource immerses your students in the shadowy woods of Maryland as they uncover the myth of the Goatman. Whether they believe in the creature or not, they’ll dive deep into critical analysis while meeting CCSS standards.

This Goatman Urban Legends Resource Includes: Elements of Urban Legends – A detailed mini-lesson exploring the key features of urban legends: mysterious creatures, storytelling traditions, fear of the unknown, and cultural connections.
Goatman Informational Text – A gripping article about the legend of the Goatman, a half-man, half-goat creature that has haunted the people of Maryland for decades.
Character Profile Worksheet – Students will use evidence from the text to create their own legendary Goatman profile, citing key details and analyzing the legend.
Goatman Comprehension Quiz – A 10-question quiz to assess students' understanding and ability to infer, analyze, and synthesize information.
✍️ Spooky Story Starter – A chilling writing prompt to inspire students to craft their own Goatman tales, combining creative writing with the suspense of urban legends.

Why You'll Love It:

• High Engagement: Who can resist the thrill of a mysterious creature lurking in the woods? This resource hooks students with high-interest content that keeps them engaged.
• Standards Aligned: Aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.5, and W.6.2. Students will develop skills in analyzing textual evidence and understanding author’s purpose.
• Perfect for Critical Thinking: Students will evaluate the legend, compare it to other myths, and infer why these stories have persisted over time.
• Versatile Usage: Ideal for whole group instruction, independent work, or spooky-themed projects that spark creativity and discussion!

Suggested Uses:

• Reading & Comprehension: Use the article to teach informational text standards, boost inferencing skills, and explore the central ideas of folklore.
• Creative Writing: Let students unleash their imagination by crafting their own Goatman stories using a spooky story starter.
• Classroom Debate: Engage students in a debate about whether the Goatman is fact or fiction, and have them support their claims with textual evidence.
• Socratic Seminars: Facilitate discussions around urban legends, exploring why these stories endure and how they reflect local culture.

Checklist of Benefits: ✅ Engaging Goatman legend with critical thinking tasks
✅ Perfect for spooky-themed lessons and creative writing
✅ Standards-aligned (CCSS)
✅ Supports critical thinking and analysis
✅ Includes a writing prompt for creativity
✅ Flexible for a range of classroom activities
✅ Designed for grades 6-8

Don’t let your students get lost in the woods—grab this legendary resource today and bring the mystery of the Goatman into your classroom!

Ready to bring some mystery and creativity to your classroom? This 3-day, interdisciplinary resource will have your students crafting their very own urban legends, exploring local landmarks, developing spine-tingling characters, and writing them up as breaking news! Perfect for grades 6-8, this resource integrates creative writing, social studies, and critical thinking. Your students will love diving into the unknown while meeting CCSS standards.

This Urban Legend Resource Includes:
Guided Notes on Urban Legends – Introduce students to the eerie world of urban legends, from famous creatures like Bigfoot to local mysteries.
Haunted Local Landmark Activity – Students will brainstorm and research a spooky local landmark and use it as the setting for their urban legend.
Character or Creature Development Worksheet – Students create mysterious, frightening characters that are sure to haunt their classmates’ imaginations!
Urban Legend Newspaper Template – Students write their urban legend as a two-page newspaper article, including eyewitness accounts, historical background, and more!
Peer Editing and Sharing – Encourage collaboration and feedback as students swap stories and offer critiques.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Interdisciplinary & Engaging: This resource blends creative writing and social studies, letting students explore local history while crafting an urban legend.
• Standards Aligned: Aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1, RI.6.2, W.6.2, and SL.6.1, focusing on reading, writing, and critical thinking.
• Student-Led & Collaborative: Students get to create their own urban legend from scratch, share their ideas, and receive feedback from peers.
• Perfect for All Learners: Flexible for independent work, small group collaboration, or whole-class discussions.
• 3-Day Lesson Plan Included: Ready-to-use, structured lesson plan that walks students through the entire creative process—brainstorming, writing, and sharing!

3-Day Lesson Plan Breakdown:

1. Day 1: The Haunted Local Landmark – Students choose a local landmark, research its history, and brainstorm how it will serve as the eerie setting for their urban legend.
2. Day 2: Developing the Story Elements – Students create a character or creature that haunts their legend and develop a plot full of suspense.
3. Day 3: Writing a Newspaper Article – Students bring their legend to life by writing it as a newspaper article, complete with eyewitness accounts, historical facts, and a chilling warning to readers!

Checklist of Benefits: ✅ Fun, spooky, and high-engagement content
✅ 3-day interdisciplinary lesson plan
✅ Perfect for creative writing and local history
✅ CCSS-aligned
✅ Collaborative and student-centered activities
✅ Ready-to-use worksheets and templates
✅ Ideal for grades 6-8

Don’t let this resource disappear into the shadows! Grab your urban legend writing kit today and bring a mysterious and fun writing experience to your classroom!

Ready to take your students on a magical adventure into the world of fantasy literature? This Elements of Fantasy lesson plan is a spellbinding resource that introduces students to the key components of the fantasy genre. Whether you’re exploring magical systems, embarking on heroic quests, or battling dark forces in the ultimate good vs. evil showdown, this lesson plan has everything you need to cast an enchantment over your classroom.

What’s Included:

✔️ Engaging Slides covering the 6 key elements of fantasy:

• World-Building
• Magical Systems
• Hero’s Journey
• Mythical Creatures
• Quests
• Good vs. Evil

✔️ Fill-in-the-blank Guided Notes for students to actively engage with the lesson content.

✔️ Practice Activities using Harry Potter movie trailers and an excerpt from The Lightning Thief to reinforce concepts.

✔️ Exit Ticket Assessment to ensure student understanding.

Suggested Uses:

• Introduction to Fantasy: Perfect for introducing the genre to 6th-8th graders with relatable, age-appropriate examples.
• Unit Review: Use this resource to review fantasy elements at the end of a genre study.
• Engaging Activities: Incorporate multimedia elements, like Harry Potter trailers and Percy Jackson excerpts, to keep students engaged.

Key Benefits:

• Interactive & Student-Centered: Engages students through guided notes, discussions, and multimedia examples.
• Aligned with Standards: Supports literary analysis and genre exploration aligned with middle-grade ELA standards.
• Flexible for Multiple Uses: Use as a standalone lesson or integrate into a larger fantasy literature unit.
• Easy to Prep: Slides, guided notes, and assessments are ready to go, saving you valuable time!

Get ready to ignite the magic of learning with this detailed and easy-to-use Elements of Fantasy lesson! Whether you’re looking for a fun way to introduce fantasy or need an engaging resource for genre review, this lesson will help your students unlock the door to fantastical worlds.

Looking for a lesson that’s spooky AND standards-aligned? Your students will be haunted by curiosity as they dive into the eerie tale of the Bell Witch! Perfect for grades 6-8, this two-day lesson plan takes students on a thrilling exploration of one of America’s oldest ghost stories while building essential reading and writing skills. Whether they believe in the supernatural or not, they’ll be engaged and eager to investigate the legend while meeting CCSS standards.

This Bell Witch Urban Legends Resource Includes: Elements of Urban Legends – A comprehensive mini-lesson that breaks down the mysterious features of urban legends, focusing on storytelling, culture, and the supernatural.
Bell Witch Informational Text – A captivating article about the legend of the Bell Witch and her terrifying haunt of the Bell family in early 19th-century Tennessee.
Character Profile Worksheet – Students will analyze key details from the article to create a legendary profile of the Bell Witch.
Bell Witch Comprehension Quiz – A 10-question quiz to assess students’ ability to infer, analyze, and comprehend textual evidence using STAAR-like questions.
✍️ Spooky Story Starter – A chilling writing prompt that will have your students crafting their own thrilling endings to the Bell Witch saga.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Engaging & Spooky: Ghost stories never go out of style! This lesson will hook students with the thrilling mystery of the Bell Witch, perfect for a spooky classroom theme.
• Standards Aligned: Fully aligned with CCSS standards (RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.5, W.6.2) to help students improve critical thinking, reading comprehension, and writing skills.
• Critical Thinking & Creativity: Students will analyze the text, draw inferences, and use evidence, while also engaging in creative writing with a suspenseful story starter.
• Two-Day Lesson Plan: A structured, easy-to-follow two-day lesson plan that includes reading, group activities, comprehension, and creative writing.
• Flexible for All Learning Styles: This resource can be used for independent work, small groups, whole-class activities, and even Socratic seminars.

Suggested Uses:

• Reading Comprehension: Use the article and quiz to teach important skills such as identifying the central idea, supporting details, and making inferences.
• Creative Writing: Engage students' imaginations as they write their own spooky stories, inspired by the Bell Witch.
• Classroom Discussions: Use this resource for thoughtful discussions about why ghost stories and urban legends endure in culture.
• Socratic Seminars: Guide students in discussing how storytelling reflects cultural fears and beliefs.

Checklist of Benefits: ✅ Captivating Bell Witch legend for spooky-themed learning
✅ Standards-aligned (CCSS) for grades 6-8
✅ Builds critical thinking and reading comprehension skills
✅ Engages students in both creative and analytical tasks
✅ Includes a 10-question STAAR-like quiz
✅ Perfect for 2-day classroom instruction
✅ Flexible for a variety of classroom activities

Don’t let this resource vanish into thin air—grab your Bell Witch urban legend lesson plan today and make learning hauntingly fun for your students!

Teaching Science/Astronomy/Galaxy through Close Reading and Fine Arts using GLAD strategies.

Materials include lesson plans, activity pages, and posters with both student version and teacher’s version (with teaching scripts). Prep free! Grade 1-5.

Major components of the product:

- Student Package:

- 1 Info Organizer

- 3 Reading Passages

- 3 Text Dependent Questions Sets ( with 4 questions)

- 1 Vocabulary Sheet

-Teacher Package:

- 1 Info Organizer with answers

- 3 Reading Passages with Close Reading marks

- 3 Text Dependent Questions Sets with answers

- 1 Vocabulary Sheet with answers

- 1 Galaxies Black Line Drawing

- 1 Galaxies Black Line Drawing with labels

- 1 Galaxies Color Drawing

- 1 Galaxies Color Drawing with labels (great open house)

- 1 Vocab Poster with Post-it notes

- 1 Teacher Writing Sample

- 2 Student Writing Samples

- Lesson Plan embedded in 2 teaching scripts: 1 for Reading Passage and 1 for

Text Dependent Questions.

Save $$$s when you buy in bundles!

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Related Lessons:

Science Word Search: Astronomy 5 in 1 Bundle

Science Word Search: Space

Science Word Search: Galaxies

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Click a link below to see my other Close Reading Lessons:

Close Reading Bundle: Science + Holidays from Gail Gibbons

Plant:

Close Reading: Plant Unit

Close Reading: Apples

Close Reading: Corn

Close Reading: From Seed to Plant

Close Reading: Tell Me, Tree

Close Reading: The Fruits We Eat

Close Reading: The Pumpkin Book

Close Reading: The Vegetables We Eat

Animals:

Close Reading: Animal Unit

Amphibian:

Close Reading: Frogs

Arachnid:

Close Reading: Spiders

Bird:

Close Reading: Owls

Close Reading: Penguins!

Fish:

Close Reading: Sharks

Insect:

Close Reading: Monarch Butterfly

Close Reading: The Honey Makers

Close Reading: Ladybugs

Mammal:

Close Reading: Bats

Close Reading: Elephants of Africa

Close Reading: Polar Bears

Close Reading: Wolves

Close Reading: Whales

Reptile:

Close Reading: Alligators and Crocodiles

Close Reading: Dinosaurs!

Close Reading: Sea Turtles

Close Reading: Snakes

Environment:

Close Reading: Environment Unit

Close Reading: Caves and Caverns

Close Reading: Coral Reefs

Close Reading: Deserts

Close Reading: Marshes & Swamps

Close Reading: Rain Forests

Close Reading: Recycle!

Weather:

Close Reading: Weather Unit

Close Reading: It's Hurricanes!

Close Reading: It's Raining!

Close Reading: It's Snowing!

Close Reading: Tornadoes!

Season:

Close Reading: The Reasons for Seasons

Astronomy:

Close Reading: Astronomy Unit

Close Reading: GALAXIES, GALAXIES!

Close Reading: Planet Earth/Inside Out

Close Reading: The Moon Book

Close Reading: THE PLANETS

Matter:

Close Reading: States of Matter

Social Studies/Holidays:

Close Reading: Holiday Unit

Close Reading: Christmas Is ...

Close Reading: Easter

Close Reading: Halloween Is ... by Gail Gibbons

Close Reading: St. Patrick's Day by Gail Gibbons

Close Reading: Thanksgiving Is ... by Gail Gibbons

Close Reading: Valentine's Day Is ... by Gail Gibbons

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Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy this lesson.

• Check out my store https://www.TeachShare.com/store/Qiang-Ma for more lessons to help your students have fun while learning!

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