8th Grade Close Reading Centers

Are you ready to add a 'sweet touch' to learning text structures this Valentine's Day? Dive into our Valentine's Day Text Structure Coloring Sorts, a delightful and engaging free resource designed to help your students master the art of identifying different text structures. Perfect for grades 3-8, this activity blends the fun of Valentine's Day with essential learning objectives.

With our resource, students will explore five key text structures: Cause and Effect, Problem and Solution, Question and Answer, Chronological Order, and Description. Each text structure is cleverly themed around Valentine's Day, making learning both enjoyable and relevant.

All you need is the PDF copy and six colored pencils or crayons to get started. This activity serves as an excellent warm-up, a creative homework assignment, or a lively addition to any learning center. It's not just about coloring; it's about understanding and applying knowledge in a way that sticks.

Looking for more ways to engage your students in text structure mastery? Check out our comprehensive Informational Text Structure Mastery Bundle. This bundle complements the coloring activity and offers an in-depth exploration of text structures, perfect for middle school learners.

Don't miss out on this 'heartfelt' opportunity to blend creativity with critical thinking in your classroom. Download our Valentine's Day Text Structure Coloring Sorts today and watch as your students color their way to text structure mastery!

This flip book contains graphic organizers for eight of the main characters of Shakespeare's play Taming of the Shrew. Requires students to use textual evidence to support their answers and is easy to put together. Great activity to help increase comprehension of the play. Use while reading the play or afterwards.

This FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE STATIONS activity is a fun and effective method for giving students practice at analyzing the most important types of figurative language. Students will develop the skills not only to identify types of figurative language but also to explain how figurative language contributes to the meaning of a literary text!

Students will learn about figurative language while gaining exposure to the most profound and thought-provoking quotations from the world's greatest writers! They'll be asked to analyze the figures of speech in over 120 inspiring quotations by a diverse range of important authors: Chinua Achebe, Louisa May Alcott, Maya Angelou, Jane Austen, James Baldwin, William Blake, Emily Dickinson, John Donne, Louise Erdrich, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Robert Frost, Zora Neale Hurston, John Keats, Harper Lee, Toni Morrison, George Orwell, Zadie Smith, John Steinbeck, Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, and many others.

This stations activity focuses on the 8 types of figurative language that are used most commonly in literature: metaphor, simile, metonymy, personification, apostrophe, paradox, oxymoron, and hyperbole.

Here's what you'll find inside this 40-page resource:

• Stations Worksheets (x8): This resource includes a total of 8 worksheets focused on 8 types of figurative language. Each worksheet challenges students to explain the meaning or effect created by the same figure of speech found across 6 quotations. The quotations include some of the most profound and thought-provoking lines from famous authors — a total of 48 quotations! (8 pages)

• Answer Keys to Stations Worksheets (x8): The answer keys explain how the figures of speech found across 48 quotations contribute to the meaning of the quotation. (8 pages)

• Station Placards (x8): The 8 placards can be folded and placed on the desks that correspond to the 8 stations. The placards add a splash of colorful decoration to this activity. (8 pages)

• Literary Devices Glossary: This 1-page glossary features the 8 types of figurative language that are used most frequently in literature. The glossary includes definitions of the 8 types of figurative language as well as one or two examples of how each figure of speech gets used in famous quotations. Students can use the glossary to study in preparation for the quizzes on figurative language. (1 page)

• Quiz: Metaphors & Similes: This quiz focuses only on metaphors and similes; it challenges students to identify the figures of speech used across 15 famous quotations. Answer key included. (2 pages)

• Quiz: All Types of Figurative Language (x2): These two quizzes focus on all 8 types of figurative language. The first quiz challenges students to identity the figures of speech used across 25 quotations. The second quiz is similar but features 20 longer quotations; it could be used as a make-up quiz or extra-credit quiz. Answer keys included. (8 pages)

• Quiz: Figurative Language in Music: This quiz focuses on the types of figurative language used in 10 famous song lyrics by musicians such as The Beatles, Paul Simon, Elton John, John Legend, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift. Answer key included. (2 pages)

Here are the types of figurative language featured across the 8 stations:

1. Metaphor

2. Simile

3. Metonymy

4. Personification

5. Apostrophe

6. Paradox

7. Oxymoron

8. Hyperbole

The entire 40-page resource will come to you in two separate formats: Word doc and PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your particular students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access the entire resource as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print!

I'm eager to do everything I can to ensure that you have an amazing experience with figurative language! If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

Thank you for stopping by 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!

These step-by-step charts make it way to teach literature genres, sub-genres, and authors' styles. Comes with two graphic organizers: 1 with Genre, Sub-genre, Type of Short Story, Subject, Theme, Time Period 1 for Author's Information, Birth/Death, Personal Information, Education, Works Written, Author's Style, Other Important Facts Handouts Include: Fiction and Non-Fiction Genres and Examples Types of Short Stories: Novel, Novella, Novellete, Short Story, Flash Fiction Types of Author's Style: Argumentative, Description, Expository, Narrative, Persuasive These simple to use graphic organizers make it easy for students to make connections between types of works and authors' backgrounds. Great for AP, GT, as well as at risk, ELL, and homeschooling. Use for AP test prep and assessment for analysis. Meets ELA CCSS and state reading guidelines.

Vous souhaitez faire une dégustation de livres avec vos élèves ?

Ce document contient une feuille de travail de style napperon 11 x 17 que vos élèves pourront utiliser lors d'une dégustation de livres! Il les invite à collecter des informations et à évaluer une série de livres.

Je fournis un description de la tâche et le mode d'emploi. J'inclus les instructions d'impression!

Ce document a un napperon en anglais et en français.

***

Wanting to do a book tasting with your students?

This document contains a 11 x 17 placemat-style worksheet for your students to use during a book tasting! It prompts them to collect information and to rate a series of books.

I provide the run-down and the how-to, to take the guesswork out of it. I include printing instructions!

This document has both an English and a French placemat.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with these engaging reading comprehension passages designed for upper elementary and middle school students. This resource includes 10 informative passages, each followed by five thought-provoking questions. Ideal for reinforcing reading skills, fostering discussions about cultural traditions, and exploring the significance of the Winter Solstice.

What’s Included?

• 20 Bookmarks, each featuring a critical reading skill or strategy for grades 3 - 8:

  • Main Idea & Supporting Details
  • Summarizing
  • Making Inferences
  • Context Clues
  • Identifying Theme
  • and many more!

Why You'll Love This Resource

• Student-Friendly Format: Each bookmark simplifies complex skills into bite-sized, actionable steps.
• Versatile Use: Perfect for guided reading groups, independent practice, or homework aids.
• Aligned with Curriculum Standards: Helps reinforce essential reading skills aligned with Common Core and other standards.
• Durable and Reusable: Print, laminate, and reuse for years!

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with these engaging reading comprehension passages designed for upper elementary and middle school students. This resource includes 10 informative passages, each followed by five thought-provoking questions. Ideal for reinforcing reading skills, fostering discussions about cultural traditions, and exploring the significance of the Winter Solstice.

A flip book which asks students to find key ideas and details in all of the chapters of the novel: A Wrinkle in Time. Students may complete the flip book while reading the text or afterwards. Comes complete with answer key for easy grading.

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.

This flip book goes through all the main characters of the playl. It includes graphic organizers for your students to fill out in order to better understand character development. It makes a great study guide and a good way to have your students understand the differences and similarities between the different characters of the play. Offers differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all your students!

This flip book contains graphic organizers for eight of the main characters of Shakespeare's play As You Like It. Requires students to use textual evidence to support their answers and is easy to put together. Great activity to help increase comprehension of the play. Use while reading the play or afterwards.

This flip book goes through all the main characters of the novel. It includes graphic organizers for your students to fill out in order to better understand character development. It makes a great study guide and a good way to have your students understand the differences and similarities between the different characters of the novel. Offers differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all your students! Rubric included for easy grading.

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Students will do a close read of "Phenomenal Woman" by Maya Angelou and "All the Single Ladies" by Beyonce looking for the key ideas and details, as well as the themes of both pieces. Students will also be asked to compare and contrast both works. Comes complete with answer key.

5 multiple choice questions and 2 short answer questions on Act 3 of the play The Tempest. Complete with Answer Key.

Reading The Outsiders? Looking for a way to engage your students? Our graphic organizers go perfectly with this timeless classic. Helping your students learn vocabulary, theme, plot, and symbols. This includes 5 graphic organizers and a rubric for easy grading

Need it for Google Drive?

Click here to get the Google Drive version that may be used in Google Classroom

This flip book goes through all the main characters of the novel. It includes graphic organizers for your students to fill out in order to better understand character development. It makes a great study guide and a good way to have your students understand the differences and similarities between the different characters of the novel. Offers differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all your students!

If you like this product be sure to check out these products!

The Tempest Interactive Study Guide

Shakespeare Comedies (All Plays) Powerpoint

This flip book goes through all the main characters of the novel. It includes graphic organizers for your students to fill out in order to better understand character development. It makes a great study guide and a good way to have your students understand the differences and similarities between the different characters of the novel. Offers differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all your students!

Studying Much Ado About Nothing? Need help with soliloquy analysis? Look no further. This product contains two soliloquies for Benedick from Act 2, Scene 3. With five written answer questions for each soliloquy. In addition there is also a graphic organizer to help students compare and contrast the two speeches. A great way for students to understand the text and analyze character development. May be used with the play or as a stand alone lesson. This product comes complete with answer key.

This flip book contains graphic organizers for eight of the main characters of Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. Requires students to use textual evidence to support their answers and is easy to put together. Great activity to help increase comprehension of the play. Use while reading the play or afterwards.

*Teaching Much Ado About Nothing?

Check out some of our other products.

Much Ado About Nothing Escape Room

Much Ado About Nothing Quizzes Acts 1-5

Much Ado About Nothing Flip book Study Guide

Much Ado About Nothing: Benedick Soliloquy Analysis Compare and Contrast Act 2

Shakespeare Comedies (All Plays)