8th Grade Writing-Expository Centers

14 non-fiction and 1 fiction scenarios with speech and thought bubbles for students to make inferences, practice point of view, and practice writing dialogue. Non-Fiction Scenes Include: Skiers Musicians Basketball Player Hiking Art Babysitting Mechanics Friends Salesman Accident Garden Skateboarding Science Parking Lot and Aliens (fiction) Can be used individually or with whole groups for journal writing, writing text evidence based on visual clues, on-demand writing prompts, writing reader's theater/plays, practice grammar skills, spelling, vocabulary, and more.

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.

Connect fact based, real life writing to process/patterned writing by having students "Write an Award Winning Business Letter". The 16 slide presentation includes: Parts of a business letter: date, inside address, greeting/salutation, body, closing, signature line Examples of 6 parts Checklist Extra resources Easy to follow and can be used with individuals,small or whole groups. Easily guides students through the process of writing business letters. Be sure to send letters once they are finished!

40 prompts to help students with on-demand writing. Each handout has a black and white image to color that is non-fiction, real life related. Factual, lined page, story starters for critical thinking, assessment-style, standardized writing practice. Topics include: In my future, I see... Some people say I'm a dreamer... The road of life has many obstacles... The root system of a tree is as complicated as... Home represents... If I could soar like a bird... To walk a mile in another's shoes... The world's future is.... One of the biggest exaggerations I've heard or told was... I have a place in my heart for... Gossip spreads like wildfire. An example of this is... My friends are as unique as leaves on a tree... plus so many more fact-based prompts... Full page lined writing handout for 2 sided copying Copy and handout to students for on-demand, non-fiction writing practice, diagnostic testing, assessment practice, peer workshopping practice, and more. Meets Common Core and State ELA Standards for writing.

Everything students need to know to understand, practice, and write paraphrases, summaries, and ellipses. Includes: Easy to Understand Definitions Examples Practice Activity Slides Extra Resources Individual or group practice writing slides helps students apply skills to transfer to future research projects. Use for assessment of skills. Meets CCSS.

20 Non-fiction writing prompts to help students with assessment writing. Comes with 20 handouts with graphics and writing space. Includes:

In my future I see...

People say I'm a dreamer...

My life is like a song...

Home represents...

Gossip spreads like wildfire...

plus 15 more non-fiction writing prompts that relate to students' lives!

Excellent for assessment prep, journal prompts, non-fiction connections to readings. Use the prompts as introduction into research then use the writing process and peer workshop essays for Common Core requirements.

STEM/STEAM are lots of fun with this tangled tongue twister story that teaches tornado facts and cause and effect! Each slide includes a fun tongue twister that provides information along with a Tornado Fact box with additional info. Includes great safety acronyms for saving lives! This packet is focused on cause and effect and expository writing that addresses STEM/STEAM topics.

The packet also includes:

Cause & Effect Chart

Crossword Puzzle with Answers

Expository Writings (Argument, Compare/Contrast, Persuasive)

Hands-on Extension Activities

Fact Based Information and Writings

Maze

Test Questions & Answers for Assessment

Real Tornado Images

2 Safety Acronyms for Saving Lives

Working with Chronological/Sequential Order

Word Play Tongue Twisters

Word Search with Answers

Great for across curriculum connections between English and Science! Uses critical thinking and problem solving skills. Can be used for AP, GT, homeschooling. Meets CCSS and state writing standards. Fun, engaging, and educational learning packet.

Expository and creative writings abound with these real life, fact based connections to ELA, history, and science! Fun, creative, and educational, yet uses critical thinking skills to introduce 10 Kids Who Changed the World through coloring format handouts with 20 writing activities. Kids: Ryan Hreljac, Ryan's Well Foundation for clean water for kids Malala Yousafzai, education for girls in Pakistan Ryan White, HIV/AIDS foundation for kids Anne Frank, Holocaust author Louis Braille, inventor of Braille Olivia Hallisey, inventor of new Ebola virus vaccine Jacob Barnett, expanded Einstein's Theory of Relativity & founder of Jacob's Place for kids with autism Cassandra Lin, inventor of process for recycling cooking oil for heat David Zhao, creator of Instruments for Change Alexandra Scott, Alex's Lemonade Stand for kids with cancer Writing Handouts Include: genre explanations advertising blog writing Braille writing brainstorming activities charts for business writing and KWL cause and effect writing diary writing informative writing governmental act writing letter writing listing marketing medical/business flow chart personal narrative writing persuasive writing poetry writing secret code writing service learning project map symbolism using chronological/sequential/time order using transitions Fact Based, Real Life Topics Include: bullying benefits of.... business planning climate change community service communication skills goal setting and meeting goals handicap guidelines and regulations hobbies/talents ethical/moral choices, decisions, and outcomes government acts to improve quality of life influential people in students' lives personal strengths point of view of kids who changed the world sensitive medical topics: Asbergers, autism, bullying, cancer, HIV/AIDS, Holocaust service learning setting up a non-profit organization survival & techniques reflection on school and learning Excellent for across curriculum writing connections, discussions and debates, homeschool, flipped classes, teaching empathy, teaching real life application, introducing career and workforce connections, introducing service learning projects, and student assessment of writing genres and writing skills. Please note that sensitive topics are included in this lesson plan. Unique, unusual, and fun interactive writing assignments! Cooperative learning with an emphasis on social skills! Can be used with Christian based curriculums. Like this format for learning? Then, try: American Revolution Comic Book Writing Galveston Juneteenth Oklahoma Land Rush Texas History 1 & 2 Remember the Alamo Spindletop Gusher

High interest, critical thinking, on-demand writing prompts that include research based facts and references for citations. Great for college and career rigor standards with fact-based, textual evidence writings. Use as individual handouts or for whole group prompts. Includes: Aliens Bigfoot Chupacabra Ghosts Lochness Monster Mermaids Mothman Vampires Werewolves Zombies Fun, on-demand expository, informational, or persuasive prompts that stimulate creative, critical thinking writings! Great for discussions and debates, too. Meets CCSS.

Students learn to write a thesis statement with this interactive presentation. Comes with: Handouts Examples Individual and group writing activities Peer Workshopping Answer Key Supplemental Resources Easy to understand, implement, and use as introduction, reinforcement, or assessment. Meets CCSS.

Help students understand literary criticism and what it is and is not. Includes: group/individual activity to define literary criticism examples of literary criticism journals compare and contract of "critic" definitions links to literary criticism journals where not to find literary criticism types and definitions of literary criticism Simple overview of literary criticism and where to find proper information for academic essays.

Do your students need help defining,understanding, and identifying academic, scholarly research sources? This 16 page easy-to-follow lesson includes:

Discussion/Reflection on where students search for sources

What is scholarly research? (An Overview)

Table of Other Kinds of Sources: Popular, Trade, News & Opinion

Activity for Kinds of Resources

Types of Research Resources: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary

Activity for Types of Research Resources

Where to Locate Scholarly Research

How to Know if Your Research can be Used

Using Wikipedia--Yes or No?

Evaluating Wikipedia Bibliographies

Research Sources Checklist

Great for learning how to categorize and define scholarly research sources! Use with upper level, AP, dual credit, homeschool, college level students, and flipped classrooms.

Have you ever wondered how fake news makes such big headlines? Circular reporting, or false confirmation, is the term used to show how information spreads and becomes truth. This active learning, critical thinking, visual lesson plan and presentation introduces students to how we believe, and how false news spreads, as well as introduces how to define research sources. Students learn about primary, secondary, and tertiary sources for research and writing. Contains upper level current events content; use with appropriate ages and grades. Activities and Lesson Plan Includes: Teacher Lesson Plans with Step-by-Step Discussion Guide Evaluating Valid Information (Dr. Jeremy Dean) Class Poll: Gullible or Skeptical? False Advertisement by April Uno about Phillip Morris (Marijuana) Descartes and Spinoza 17th Century Debate on How We Believe Daniel Gilbert's 1993 Robbery Study Define: Circular Reporting and False Confirmation How False Information is Circulated 1994 Microsoft Hoax Benghazi and False Reporting Examples of False Information Reported as Truth How to Avoid Circular Reporting Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources (with labeling activity) Re-evaluating Beliefs and Class Poll Discussion Questions on Citing Sources and Social Media Optional Activities: Classic Telephone Game, Class Debate and Jury Trial, Evaluating Websites Excellent for teaching fact-based information, citing sources, propaganda in the news, journalism reporting, beliefs/ethics/morals, AP courses, Dual Credit, Philosophy. Lots of engaging, critical thinking activities for debates and discussions. Meets CCSS ELA.

Inspire your students with our Pumpkin-Themed Writing Paper! Perfect for fall-themed activities, this fun pumpkin-shaped design will make writing assignments more engaging. Featuring clip art pumpkins around the main shape, you can easily choose from six different line styles to suit your students' needs. Each style is also available with or without name and date lines for added convenience.

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