8th Grade Reading Literature Circles

Ready for a novel study for The Devil's Arithmetic that you can prep in minutes instead of all weekend? Ready for reading comprehension questions that will engage your students in reading The Devil's Arithmetic? How about a top-notch activities for The Devil's Arithmetic as easy as hitting the print button? This no-prep novel study for The Devil's Arithmetic is exactly what you’re looking for! 

This no-prep novel study for The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen includes vocabulary and reading comprehension questions by chapter. This Devil's Arithmetic novel study also includes the opportunity to practice reading strategies, reading comprehension skills, literacy skills, respond to writing prompts, and review language skills.

The flexible printable and digital formats make it a breeze to assign reading comprehension skills depending on the needs of your students, the literacy concepts most in need of reinforcing, or even the reading and writing skills demanded by the curriculum calendar. 

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS NOVEL STUDY FOR THE DEVIL'S ARITHMETIC? 

Teaching instructions and ideas for implementing in your classroom

10 assignments for vocabulary and comprehension questions by chapter

21 reading skills assignments including:

• visualization
• inference
• prediction
• similes and metaphors
• sensory images
• connecting to text
• summarization
• generating questions
• character traits
• main idea and details
• compare and contrast
• cause and effect
• fact and opinion
• figurative language
• fantasy vs. reality
• elements of plot
• signposts
• plot diagram
• theme
• historical context
• symbolism

6 writing prompts and response pages including:

• response to reading
• letter writing
• poetry
• persuasive writing,
• narrative writing
• how-to writing

3 language skills including:

• nouns
• verbs
• adjectives and antonyms

answer keys

vocabulary lists

An Easel-ready file is included as well as a link to a free Google Slides digital version of The Devil's Arithmetic novel study.

You will absolutely love this The Devil's Arithmetic novel study because it works well as a distance learning alternative, in a Daily 5/CAFE setting, as a literature circle reading group log, as well as in a traditionally structured reading class. 

Quick and easy…just print and pass out! The ease of prep and format make it perfect for Read with Someone stations, send-home packets, or even an activity to leave with the substitute. Students will be eagerly interacting with the text and growing as readers! The hardest part of this novel study will be keeping students from reading ahead.

Open the PREVIEW for an in-depth look!

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More great resources:

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Digital Novel Study

Savvy Novel Study

Dash Novel Study

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Permission granted to copy for single classroom use only.

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Included Resources:

1. Sorry, Wrong Number ELA Unit: A Full Week of Engaging Lessons for Middle School

• Description: Dive into the suspenseful world of "Sorry, Wrong Number" by Lucille Fletcher with this comprehensive ELA unit. Over the course of a week, students will read the script, listen to the captivating radio play, and engage in dynamic activities including a Socratic seminar and creative choice board projects. Each lesson plan is fully detailed, with scaffolds and extensions to support all learners, making it perfect for a middle school reader's theater.

2. The Hitchhiker ELA Unit: A Full Week of Engaging Lessons for Middle School

• Description: Explore the eerie tale of "The Hitchhiker" by Lucille Fletcher in this full-week ELA unit. Students will delve into the text and the radio play, enhancing their understanding through structured lessons, a Socratic seminar, and creative projects from a choice board. The unit includes detailed lesson plans, comprehensive question sets, and all necessary materials to make it an ideal choice for a middle school reader's theater experience.

3. The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street ELA Unit: Slides, Essay, Choice Board (Grades 6-8)

• Description: Uncover the chilling drama of "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street" with this engaging ELA unit. Designed for grades 6-8, students will read the play, analyze key themes, and express their understanding through essays and choice board activities. The unit features fully detailed lesson plans, interactive slides, and thoughtful discussion prompts, providing a rich reader's theater experience for middle school students.

Bundle Features:

• Engaging Content: Each unit includes captivating dramas and plays that are perfect for reader's theater, keeping students motivated and excited about learning.
• Comprehensive Lesson Plans: Detailed, day-by-day lesson plans ensure a structured and organized approach to teaching, with clear objectives and standards alignment.
• Dynamic Activities: Students will engage in a variety of activities, including reading, listening, Socratic seminars, and creative choice board projects, fostering critical thinking and creativity.
• Support for All Learners: Each unit comes with scaffolds and differentiation strategies to support diverse learning needs, ensuring every student can participate and succeed.
• Ready-to-Use Resources: Fully printable and easy to implement, these units save teachers time and effort in planning and preparation.

Perfect for middle school humanities teachers, this bundle provides everything you need to deliver a series of engaging and educational drama units that will captivate your students and enhance their learning experience. Bring your classroom to life with these dynamic ELA resources!

Studying Fahrenheit 451? Don't know where to start? We got you covered. This bundle comes complete with a study guide, characterization flip book, introduction power point, and graphic organizers.

Comprehensive Dahl Exploration: This bundle combines three of Roald Dahl’s most compelling stories, each presented in a detailed ELA unit designed to engage middle school students. Perfect for an author’s study, this bundle allows students to analyze Dahl’s unique narrative style and recurring themes across different works. From the mysterious escalations in "Way Up to Heaven" to the unsettling undertones of "The Landlady" and the darkly comic "Lamb to the Slaughter," students will appreciate Dahl’s mastery in crafting suspense and surprise. This bundle is an excellent resource for end-of-year activities, sub plans, or a focused thematic unit on one of literature’s most intriguing authors.

1. Way Up to Heaven ELA Unit

Description: Explore the suspenseful realms of Roald Dahl’s "Way Up to Heaven" with this detailed ELA unit. This package includes engaging slides for easy teaching, a structured Socratic seminar to foster deep discussion, comprehensive lesson plans for effective learning, and versatile choice board activities to cater to diverse learning preferences. Students will delve into thematic analysis, character study, and the craft of writing through guided essays and creative projects.

2. The Landlady ELA Unit

Description: Dive deep into the chilling story of "The Landlady" with this complete ELA unit. It features dynamic slides that enrich the narrative experience, a Socratic seminar to enhance critical thinking, and a choice board that offers creative and analytical options like comic strips and alternate endings. Additional essays and activities, including a film comparison using a Venn diagram, make this unit perfect for a comprehensive study of narrative techniques and thematic development.

3. Lamb to the Slaughter ELA Unit

Description: Unpack the intrigue of Roald Dahl’s "Lamb to the Slaughter" in this all-inclusive ELA unit. This resource provides detailed slides for seamless instruction, engaging seminar guidelines to discuss the complexities of the plot, and a range of activities including a choice board for student-driven projects. The unit also includes tailored essay prompts and additional activities that encourage a deeper understanding of the story’s themes and Dahl’s distinctive writing style.

Bonus:

Includes in-depth character analysis across three stories and synthesizing essay prompt with graphic organizers!

This resource features a bundle of four exciting lesson plans, activities, and classroom decor for your unit on the hero's journey. Lessons have all been classroom-tested and allow for differentiation while encouraging optimal student engagement. You will not find tedious lists of comprehension questions and vocabulary words in this bundle; instead you will find materials that will allow your students to understand and connect with the hero's journey on a deeper level.

⭐ Hero's Journey Anticipation Lesson Plan:

This product features an engaging introductory lesson plan that will have your students thinking, writing, speaking, and moving on the first day of your hero's journey unit. In this activity, they must choose between 6 different quotes by famous figures about what makes a hero, articulate why the quote aligns with their own perspective, then share their findings with the rest of the class in a fun, non-intimidating way.

⭐ Hero's Journey Socratic Seminar:

This resource features everything you need in order to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom for any novel that follows the model of the hero's journey. Socratic Seminars are high-order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class texts. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. They are also a great way for students to work together and build upon one another's ideas without the assistance of a teacher. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, with this resource, the work has been done for you and you will have several days of student-led learning during your unit on the hero's journey!

⭐ Hero's Journey ESCAPE ROOM:

Though your students have been learning about the 12 stages, 8 archetypes, and countless examples of the hero's journey through literature and film, it is time for them to become heroes themselves by escaping your classroom! In order to do this, they must work in small teams to solve 5 different puzzles related to the hero's journey, discovering a hidden message, and finding clues along the way.

⭐ Hero's Journey Quote Posters:

Make your classroom pop with this set of 25 posters featuring provocative quotes about the hero's journey. Each 7.5 x 7.5 (square) PDF poster contains a quote about heroes imposed over a stunning photograph to spruce up your ELA classroom during your unit on the hero's journey. The square format makes for an eye-catching arrangement on your wall or bulletin board and serves as a great conversation starter. I suggest laminating the posters so that you can use them year after year!

Purchasing this bundle saves more than 20% off the cost of the four resources for your hero's journey unit.

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Also, check out these great products for your unit on the hero's journey by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Alchemist

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Teaching The Book Thief? Don't know where to start? This bundle includes many activities to do before, during, and after reading the novel. This is a complete unit for the The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Includes

• Study Guide
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Teaching Dragonwings? Don't know where to start? This bundle includes many activities to do before, during, and after reading the novel. This is a bundle for the novel Dragonwings by Lawrence Yep. Don't be afraid to take flight with this bundle.

This resource features a bundle of all of our lesson plans, materials, and activities for Paolo Coelo's inspirational best-selling novel, The Alchemist. Each product is thoughtfully crafted and allows students to think outside the box by delving deeply into the novel's themes, characters, and plot development. Lessons have all been classroom-tested and allow for differentiation while encouraging optimal student engagement. You will not find tedious lists of comprehension questions and vocabulary words in this bundle; instead you will find materials that will bring the novel to life!

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⭐ The Alchemist "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

This product features a thoughtful and engaging activity for use during the study of The Alchemist. Centering around 5 different provocative passages from the book, this lesson provides your students with a chance to think, reflect, and respond to their peers without ever saying a word. This creative approach is a great way to differentiate instruction among your students and allows even your most quiet students to shine. I am confident that this no-prep lesson will become a must-do activity within your unit on The Alchemist!

⭐ The Alchemist Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

This product features an anticipation guide for The Alchemist, and a meticulously-explained lesson plan that is in my opinion, the absolute best way to approach a new novel. Using a non-intimidating method called "Numbered Heads", this activity will get your students thinking, writing, conversing, and reporting about themes you will be encountering during your study of The Alchemist.

⭐ The Alchemist Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

This resource features a set of 25 reader response journal prompts for use during your unit on The Alchemist. Each bell ringer is comprised of a quote from the novel and a thoughtfully crafted question that encourages students to personally connect with his inspirational words. Prompts can be used as bell-ringers (most popular and mean the first 5 minutes of every class for a month are planned for you!), summarizers, stations, full class or small group discussion questions, for homework, task cards, sub plans, as a filler activity… the possibilities are endless!

⭐ The Alchemist ESCAPE ROOM

This meticulously-crafted resource features all of the materials you need to conduct a full-length Escape Room for The Alchemist. Planning an escape room may seem like quite the daunting task, but this product provides everything from the basics and set-up instructions to 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 this fun lesson, learning is not sacrificed. 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!

⭐ The Alchemist Quote Posters

Make your classroom pop with this set of 20 gorgeous posters featuring quotes from The Alchemist. Each 7.5 x 7.5 (square) poster contains a provocative quote from the novel imposed over a stunning photograph meant to inspire your students and motivate them to follow their dreams. The square format is reminiscent of Instagram and makes for an eye-catching arrangement on your wall or bulletin board. I suggest laminating the posters and using them not just during your Alchemist unit, but all year long!

⭐ The Alchemist Socratic Seminar Materials

This resource features lesson plans and materials to conduct a formal set of Socratic Seminars for The Alchemist. Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as referred to in this resource) are higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class texts. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding The Alchemist... and no preparation is required by you at all.

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Covering the The Hate U Give? Don't know where to get started? This bundle includes everything you need for your students to analyze the text for plot development, characterization, language, and more. Makes learning fun and easy for your students!

Complete Unit.

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Great for differentiation.

Includes:

⭐The Hate U Give Introduction Power Point

⭐The Hate U Give Study Guide

⭐The Hate U Give Characterization

⭐The Hate U Give Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles

⭐The Hate U Give Vocabulary Lists and Quizzes

⭐Graphic Organizers - Any Novel

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Esperanza Rising Introduction Power Point which introduces your students to concepts and themes present within the text.

Esperanza Rising Flipbook Study Guide ensures your students are keeping track

with key ideas and details of the text.

Esperanza Rising Characterization flipbook ensures your students understand

characterization and character development.

Esperanza Rising Graphic Organizers ensures your students are keeping track of the

Plot, Vocabulary, Theme, Symbols, and aid in comprehension of the text.

Esperanza Rising Vocabulary Lists and Quizzes which introduces your students to new vocabulary words they will see inside the novel.

Teaching The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian? Don't know where to start? This bundle includes many activities to do before, during, and after reading the novel. This is a bundle for the novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. We got you covered!

The Giver Complete Teacher's Unit is the ultimate resource for English teachers seeking to bring this classic tale by Lois Lowry to life for their students. This comprehensive package contains everything needed to teach the novel in a meaningful and engaging way.

The unit begins with an Introduction Power Point that sets the stage for the novel and provides important background information. This presentation is a valuable tool for engaging students and generating interest in the story.

The Study Guide is a comprehensive resource that includes about the author, a character map. and questions that encourage critical thinking and analysis. With this guide, teachers can easily guide their students through the plot and ensure a deep understanding of the themes and symbolism present throughout the text.

The Characterization Flipbook is a fun and interactive way for students to explore the characters in the novel. With this flipbook, students can create character sketches and analyze the motivations and actions of each character.

Graphic Organizers are also included, providing students with a visual way to organize their thoughts and ideas. These organizers are designed to help students explore key themes and concepts in the novel, making it easier for them to make connections and analyze the text.

The Vocabulary Lists and Quizzes are essential tools for building students' vocabulary and understanding of the language used in the novel. These lists and quizzes are comprehensive and designed to challenge students at all levels.

The Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles provide an entertaining way for students to review and reinforce their understanding of the novel's vocabulary.

Ultimately, The Giver : Complete Teacher's Unit is a must-have resource for any English teacher. With its comprehensive materials and engaging activities, this unit is sure to capture the attention of students and foster a love of literature that will last a lifetime.

Covering the Ender's Game? Don't know where to get started? This bundle includes everything you need for your students to analyze the text for plot development, characterization, language, and more. Makes learning fun and easy for your students.

Complete Unit.

Covers the entire novel of Ender's Game !

Great for differentiation.

Includes

⭐Ender's Game Introduction Power point

⭐Ender's Game: Flipbook Study Guide

⭐Ender's Game Characterization Flip book

⭐Ender's Game Vocabulary Lists and Quizzes

⭐Ender's Game Vocabulary Crossword Puzzles

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Complete Unit.

Covers the entire play of As You Like It !

Great for differentiation.