Middle School Close Reading Handouts

Engage and Inspire Your Middle School ELA Students!

Dive into the festive season with our Christmas Hip Hop Lyrics Analysis resource, exclusively designed for grades 6-8 ELA classrooms. This unique, print-and-go package on TeachShare brings the vibrant world of hip hop into your classroom, featuring iconic tracks "Christmas Rappin'" by Kurtis Blow and "Christmas in Hollis" by Run DMC.

What's Inside:

• Comprehensive Lyrics Annotation Guide: Students will delve into the lyrics, identifying key elements like setting, rhyme scheme, imagery, connotation, and repetition.
• Figurative Language Classification: A step-by-step guide to help students classify different types of figurative language used in the songs.
• Critical Thinking through Discourse: Utilize the innovative Agree, Disagree, Modify method for stimulating classroom discussions.
• Thematic and Plot Analysis: Students will explore the themes and plot elements, including exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
• Multiple Choice Quiz: Test their understanding with a 6-question multiple-choice quiz, tailored to middle school comprehension levels.

Why Choose This Resource?

• Culturally Relevant: Connects with students using the universal language of music, particularly hip hop.
• High Engagement: Keeps students interested and involved with contemporary and relatable content.
• Rigorously Designed: Meets educational standards while challenging students' critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Ready to Use: No prep needed, just print and you're ready to teach!

Annotation guide poster for use with any novel - each step is highlighted in a different color for differentiation and easy reading. Please let me know what you think about this product and my store by providing a review.

To view more of my products, visit my store at Nemo's Nook.

5 multiple choice questions and 2 short answer questions on Act 2 of the play Taming of the Shrew. Complete with Answer Key

This short four-page close reading and worksheet activity provides an overview of how women participated in the military during World War II. It covers nurses and the women who supported the other branches of the military: the Women Army Corps (WAC), the WAVES (Navy), SPARS (Coast Guard), Marines and WASPs. Students can read this on their own as a homework assignment or it can be a group activity in a classroom. It is also ideally suited for home-schoolers or independent learners who want to learn more. A Worksheet with questions based on the reading is included, along with an Answer Key.

A Speech Bubble Bonus Activity page is also included! See the Preview to see the Bonus Activity.

Students will become more knowledge about the contributions of women during World War II and consider how and why there was resistance to their involvement in the military.

This is also available as a digital resource through Easel so students may complete it online.

Please check out my other Teaching Resources about World War II:

*The Japanese-American Experience in World War II: PowerPoint Presentation
*The Japanese-American Experience in World War II: Reading Assignment and Worksheet
*Victory Gardens of World War II: PowerPoint Mini-Lesson
*Victory Gardens during World War II: Analyzing Primary Sources
*The Home Front in World War II: Crossword Puzzle and Word Search
*The Home Front during World War II: Reading Assignment and Worksheet

More are always being added so check back frequently!

This 40-page EDITABLE poetry unit promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The 10 poems in this unit all pivot on vivid and evocative SENSORY IMAGERY.

Because even our strongest students often have difficulty analyzing poetic imagery, I designed this unit to help students learn to "unpack" images and to explain how images deepen a poem's meaning. The literary devices quizzes, discussion prompts, and analytical writing assignment will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and generate profound interpretive insights!!

Here are some highlights from this 40-page curriculum:

• Homework Packets with Poems: The two homework packets contain a total of 10 poems by award-winning poets such as Emily Dickinson, Robert Hayden, Mary Oliver, Gary Soto, Sharon Olds, Mark Doty, Yusef Komunyakaa, Tony Hoagland, and others. The poems in each homework packet derive their meaning from the deft use of sensory images. These carefully selected poems will set the stage for your class to have fascinating and profoundly productive discussions!! (10 pages)

• Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, stanzas, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)

• Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether your students can accurately identify the literary devices: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. The digital versions of the quizzes on Google Forms will grade every student's work and generate a list of their scores. Answer keys included. (4 pages).

• Discussion Questions: Lists of discussion questions for the first poems in each homework packet. The discussion questions will ensure that your class discussions get off to a productive start. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (8 pages)

• Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (2 pages)

• Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)

This entire 40-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word *and* PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access all of the materials as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print! Finally, as a free bonus, I'm including links to digital copies of every document in user-friendly platforms like Google Docs and Google Forms.

My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the resources contain rigorous content that will motivate students to engage in thought-provoking and productive discussions. Thank you for choosing Rigorous Resources!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Links to all of the poetry units in this collection:

Poetry Unit #1: Sensory Imagery in Poetry

Poetry Unit #2: Figurative Language in Poetry

Poetry Unit #3: Love Poems

Poetry Unit #4: Ethical Dilemmas in Poetry

Poetry Unit #5: Family Dynamics in Poetry

Store: https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Rigorous-Resources

Gear up for success with this end-of-the-year 5th-grade ELA review worksheet packet! This print-and-go resource is designed to help students consolidate their learning, reinforce essential ELA skills, and prepare for the next grade level seamlessly.

Includes:

• 29 pages in color and black and white worksheets that focus on 5th-grade ELA skills
• Answer keys in color and black and white

Skills assessed:

• Text Structure
• Text Evidence
• Sentences and Run-on Sentences
• Common and Proper Nouns
• Singular and Plural Nouns
• 7 Different Passages with Questions
• Prefix and Roots
• Poetry
• Context Clues and Word Meaning
• Writing
• Subject - Verb Agreement
• Similes and Metaphors
• Greek and Latin Roots
• Word Choice - Vivid Words
• Vague Pronouns
• Cause and Effect
• Dependent and Independent Clauses
• Transition Words
• Adverbs
• Negative Contractions
• Correcting Sentences
• Verb Tense

You can use this product in multiple ways:

1. Review for an assessment

2. Homework

3. Holiday break

4. Intervention support

5. Enrichment

6. Centers

7. Partner work

8. And of course, end of the year review when it’s tough to keep kids engaged at the end of the school year!

Save and get the BUNDLE. Get the ELA and Math end-of-the-year packets and SAVE $5.00!

Happy end of the school year! We made it through another year!

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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.

This is an ENGLISH document. If you're looking for its French counterpart, you can access it here.

This 30-page resource will allow your upper-elementary students to immerse themselves in meaningful material related to Earth Day.

It includes:

• 11 content slides;

• 4-page social story (reading comprehension) with questions;

• Activities on making thoughtful choices:

• "Recognizing thoughtful choices in others";

• "My thoughtful choices";

• "Thoughtful choices" writing prompt;

• "Sorting Machine" activities;

• Colouring pages;

• Earth Day word search;

• Earth Day word scramble;

• Earth Day vocabulary prompt;

• Earth Day maze;

• My Earth Day pledge;

• Earth Day acrostic poetry.

You can earn credits by leaving Reviews on the products you buy. You can do this by going to your My Purchases page and clicking on Leave a Review. You will earn 1 credit for every dollar spent!

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And don't forget to have fun while teaching!

- Kaitlyn.

This week- long assignment asks students to make nightly entries describing the setting of the scene they read that night, and then analyze how the setting affects the tone and mood. At the end, they need to draw a conclusion about the relationship between setting and mood/ tone.

Please help my little business grow!

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Engage Your Students with the Wonders of the Coral Reef!

Bring the vibrant underwater world of coral reefs to life with this captivating resource designed for Grades 5 and 6! "The Silent Symphony of the Coral Reef" offers a multi-faceted learning experience that combines a visually stunning video with a thoughtfully crafted text, perfect for engaging your students in reading comprehension, science, and descriptive writing.

What's Included:

• High-Quality Video: Immerse your students in the beauty and diversity of coral reefs with a captivating video showcasing the incredible creatures and vibrant colors of this underwater ecosystem.

• EAL-Friendly Text: The accompanying text is written in clear, accessible language, making it ideal for English Language Learners and students of all reading levels.

• Engaging Activities: Spark curiosity and critical thinking with a variety of activities focused on descriptive language, figurative language, sentence variety, and creating mental images. These activities encourage students to analyze the text, deepen their understanding of the topic, and enhance their writing skills.

• Teacher's Answer Key: Save valuable time with question possibilities & additional ideas.

Why Choose This Resource?

• Cross-Curricular Connections: Seamlessly integrate reading comprehension, science, and writing instruction.
• Visually Stunning: Capture students' attention with vibrant underwater footage and imagery.
• EAL Support: Accessible learning opportunities for English Language Learners.
• Ready-to-Use Activities: Minimize prep time with engaging, ready-to-implement activities.
• Differentiated Instruction: Meet the needs of all learners with adaptable activities.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the author's craft in a text.
• Analyze textual evidence to support claims about the author's purpose.
• Connect the author's purpose to the overall message of the text.
• Expand vocabulary and descriptive writing skills.
• Looks at sentence length, tone, figurative language, imagery
• Develop a deeper understanding of coral reef ecosystems and their importance.

Perfect for:

• Whole-class instruction
• Small group work
• Independent study
• Centers
• Enrichment activities

Bring the magic of the coral reef into your classroom! Click here to purchase now and inspire your students with the wonders of the underwater world!

Edition 1 contains 25 readings ranging from easy to difficult-

Includes reading comprehension questions, unique topics and counting of words per minute.

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This product can not be shared, duplicated, re-distributed, sold, or given away for free– in parts or in total- in person or online. Emailing or sharing this product, or the file where you might store it, is prohibited. Sharing the link to this product in my TeachShare store for others to purchase is allowed and appreciated.

Please Leave FEEDBACK so you will earn TeachShare credits, which may be applied to your future purchases.

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Ariana Perez-Urbina

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Dive into the influence of setting on characters, mood, and themes with this 13-page engaging and comprehensive resource. Created for busy teachers, this print-and-go workbook can also seamlessly integrate into digital platforms like Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and Canvas. Part of the Anatomy of Short Stories series, this resource focuses on the time, place, and context of a story’s setting, using Kate Chopin’s "The Story of an Hour" as a sample for guided analysis.

Why Use This Resource?

• Save time with this no-prep, ready-to-use workbook.
• Flexible application for short stories (or novels).
• Structured tools to help students explore how historical, social, cultural, and political contexts influence a story's world.
• Supports independent work, paired and group discussions, or teacher-led facilitation.
• Perfect for assignments, in-class activities, or homework.

What’s Inside?

• 2 x Analysis Tables: Help students take organized notes on the time, place, and context of the setting and its impact on the story.
• 1 x Graphic Organizer: A visual tool to analyze how the setting shapes characters, mood, and themes.
• Glossary of Terms: A comprehensive list of literary terms to enhance vocabulary and analytical skills.
• Modeled Sample: Includes notes and responses for Kate Chopin’s "The Story of an Hour" to guide students in their analysis.

This Resource Covers:

• The time, place, and context of a story’s setting.
• How historical, social, cultural, and political influences shape the narrative.
• The impact of setting on characters, mood, and themes.
• Tools and prompts to connect the setting to broader narrative elements.

Who is This Resource For?

Perfect for:

• Classroom teachers seeking quick, reusable resources.
• Homeschooling parents wanting guided activities.
• Substitute or relief teachers needing straightforward materials.
• Tutors focusing on literary analysis and setting.
• Upper Middle and High School students studying short story settings.

Flexible Format:

• File Format: Delivered as a zip file with two PDFs: AU spelling and A4-sized PDF & USA spelling and letter-sized PDF
• Prints beautifully in color or grayscale (select grayscale before printing).
• Seamlessly integrates into platforms like Google Classroom, OneNote, or Canvas.
• Note: This is not an interactive digital resource.

Terms of Use:

• Licensed for single-classroom use only.
• Printing and distribution to students is allowed, but please do not share online or with colleagues.
• Additional licenses are available in the EduHive Learning Resources store.
• Graphics and design elements sourced from RawPixel and Canva under appropriate licensing.

Link to Other Resources:

If you enjoyed this resource, check out these related tools from the Anatomy of Short Stories series:

1. Analysis of Themes in Short Stories – Workbook (Upper Middle School & High School)
2. Setting – Analyzing Mood, Tone, & Atmosphere with Graphic Organizer (High School)

After Purchase – Feedback and Credits

Thank you for purchasing! Your feedback helps me improve my resources and create even better tools for your classroom. Did you know you can earn TeachShare credits for future purchases?

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Each review earns you credits, lowering the cost of future resources. I truly value your feedback—it helps me create more helpful tools for your classroom!

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I’m thrilled to be building EduHive Learning Resources into a “one-stop shop” for all things classroom. This store is just the beginning—more exciting resources are on the way! Follow my store to stay updated on new releases, exclusive discounts, and creative tools to enhance your teaching.

Warm regards,

Bee
EduHive Learning Resources

KEYWORDS:

setting | analysis tables | graphic organizer | short stories | ELA | high school | literary analysis | narrative techniques | characterization | short story analysis | time, place, context | English classrooms | middle school | upper secondary school | themes | mood | atmosphere | "The Story of an Hour" | Australian classrooms | American classrooms | ready-to-print | print-friendly | digital-friendly | reusable templates | scaffolded activities | narrative analysis | story world | EduHive resources

This is a 2-page reading passage (informational newsletter) that gives information on the Desert Habitat.

This Desert Newsletter is a comprehensive and student-friendly nonfiction research newsletter designed to empower students with valuable resources for academic exploration.

Student-Centric Content: Recognizing the unique needs of students, our newsletter focuses on content that is not only academically rigorous but also accessible and engaging. We bridge the gap between complex research and student comprehension, making it easier for learners to incorporate information into their work.

It gives information on...

➡️ Location

➡️ Weather

➡️ Animals

➡️ Plants

➡️ Geography

Other individual habitat research newsletters can be purchased here:

-Grassland

-Arctic

-Forest

-Ocean

Or the BUNDLE --> here <--

Comprehensive 9/11 two-week, detailed lesson plan, with a detailed two-week scope and sequence, PowerPoint presentation.

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!

Help you students explore the different features found in fiction and non-fiction texts with these 'Text Feature Templates.'

These templates are a great way to assess your students understanding of the different features, while also finding text evidence/ examples to support their understanding.

Download this free resource TODAY!

If you like this resource, please leave me some feedback. Additionally if you would like to stay updated on future resources, please follow me @visual_vibe_classroom on Instagram.

Have students breakdown and analyze reading passages through the use of this document. 100 READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS, Black & White versions, HANDOUTS, WORKSHEETS, 2-A-DAYS TASK CARDS, PowerPoint and Word versions, and TEACHER TIPS are all here! After reading any passage, simply apply any of these 100 assignment/discussion starters and watch your students' comprehension and discussions deepen and grow.

You may also appreciate:

Visual Rhetoric [Bundle] [Series#1]

Visual Rhetoric [Bundle] [Series#2]

LITERARY DEVICES FLASH & TASK CARDS [SERIES#1]

Fallacies

Popular Allusions in Literature

Rhetorical Devices Manual [RDM]

Hey guys, I'm Richard Williams, The Angry Teacher. I've been teaching for 18+ Years , and have amassed quite a bit of knowledge to share. Please consider joining the Angry Teacher family; we'll enjoy having you in the fam!

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Please consider checking out the other short story materials and resources in my store.

Also, guys, remember that leaving REVIEWS is a way that TeachShare gives you credit on products! So let's do it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lost in the Woods: A 5th Grade Adventure Story Reading Passage and Comprehension Questions

Engage your 5th grade students with this exciting adventure story reading passage at a 5th grade reading level! This high-interest short story is 426 words in length and focuses on Tom, a boy who gets lost in the woods while hiking. This narrative fiction passage is perfect for assessing comprehension through close reading.

After reading the passage, students will answer 10 multiple choice questions . The multiple choice questions assess skills like making inferences, finding details, identifying sequence of events, understanding cause and effect, distinguishing fact vs. opinion, interpreting imagery, and analyzing the author's purpose.

This comprehension resource can be used for:

Reading comprehension assessments

Close reading practice

Small group or whole class instruction

Independent work or reading rotations

Literacy centers

With fun adventure themes and age-appropriate vocabulary, this passage and set of comprehension questions are perfect for 5th grade students reading at or above grade level. Download this resource today to give your students practice with key ELA/Literacy skills in an engaging way!

This engaging resource delves into the 2024 U.S. election showdown between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, making it accessible and exciting for students aged 11 and up. Designed to fit a full class period, the material compares two texts that offer distinct viewpoints on the potential clash between these political figures. It provides students with a rich analysis of how different authors present varying perspectives on the same high-stakes topic.

Ideal for high school students, the resource helps readers understand how narrative techniques and authorial viewpoints shape the reader’s perception of the candidates and their policies. This comparison encourages critical thinking and equips students with the tools to analyze diverse opinions in written form.

Educators can use this lesson to engage students in discussions about media literacy and political rhetoric while fostering a deeper understanding of the 2024 election. It is a perfect fit for those looking to bring current events into the classroom in a meaningful and educational way.

What's Inside?

• Text One: "An Analytical Look at Kamala Harris’s Potential to Beat Trump" This analytical piece breaks down Kamala Harris's strengths and weaknesses as she challenges former President Donald Trump. It provides a detailed overview of her current polling position, fundraising achievements, and the specific challenges she faces, such as her track record on immigration and past performance as Vice-President. For example, it notes, “Harris faces considerable challenges... Her track record on immigration, her mixed performance as Vice-President, and past campaign struggles could be leveraged against her by the Trump campaign.” This text delivers a clear, fact-based assessment, ideal for understanding the nuts and bolts of her campaign strategy.

• Text Two: "Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump: The Political Battlefield" This narrative-driven text uses vivid imagery and evocative language to frame the election as a dramatic clash of ideologies and personalities. Describing Harris’s campaign as a “burst of vitality” and contrasting it with Trump’s “seasoned bravado,” this piece paints a compelling picture of the campaign dynamics and stakes. It engages readers with a dramatic portrayal of the political landscape, capturing the emotional and strategic dimensions of the contest.

A Peep from the Document: “Harris faces considerable challenges... Her track record on immigration, her mixed performance as Vice-President, and past campaign struggles could be leveraged against her by the Trump campaign.” This quote from Text One provides a factual basis for evaluating Harris’s position in the election.

Author's Take on this: This resource offers a fantastic way to explore the complexities of modern political campaigns. By comparing a factual analysis with a narrative portrayal, students gain a nuanced understanding of the electoral process and the candidates involved. It's an engaging tool for fostering critical thinking and political awareness in the classroom.

Topics Included:

• Analyzing Kamala Harris’s campaign strategy and challenges

• The impact of fundraising and polling on election outcomes

• Narrative techniques in political writing

• Comparative analysis of campaign portrayals

Why Choose this Resource?

This resource is designed to engage and inspire students by presenting contrasting styles that encourage a deeper analysis of narrative techniques in political discourse. Through examining factual versus evocative descriptions, students will develop critical thinking skills as they assess how effectively each style portrays political events and candidates.

The interactive learning aspect includes discussion prompts and activities, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of campaign strategies and the dynamics of elections. This makes the resource a valuable tool for teachers aiming to promote critical analysis and informed discussions in the classroom.

BONUS for Teachers: Includes a fun worksheet with answers—perfect for your students!

Best for high school kids, but fun for all ages!

Join us on a thrilling educational adventure with Real-World Reports – where knowledge meets excitement!
For permissions or inquiries, contact us through before purchase. Unauthorized use or reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Resource Information

• Pages: 10 Includes a Terms of Use (TOU) page, a “Get to Know Us” page, and all the engaging content you expect! Cover pages are NOT within this file!
• Ideal for Ages: school students in high school

• Teaching Duration: 1 class, depending on depth of exploration
• Download Now: This digital product is the full file at your fingertips!

Reminder: This resource is for single-classroom use only. Please refrain from sharing outside your class. Feel free to reach out with any questions before downloading. No refunds available on digital products.

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If you enjoyed this resource, we’d be thrilled if you left a kind review! Your support helps us continue creating more educational content that makes learning exciting and meaningful for students. Thank you!

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Dive into the dynamic world of meteorology with the FREEBIE “The Fury of Nature: Understanding Hurricanes” reading passage, Q & A, and Note-Taking Sheets!  This educational resource offers a captivating reading passage that explores the science, impact, and fascinating facts about hurricanes.  Accompanied by a comprehensive set of questions and answers, it provides a thorough framework for assessing student understanding and encouraging critical thinking. The note-taking sheets are designed to help students organize information effectively and develop strong study habits.  Ideal for middle to high school students, this freebie is an invaluable addition to any science curriculum or classroom library.