Middle School Short Stories Lesson

Engage your middle school students with a thrilling 5-day detective unit centered around Roald Dahl's gripping short story, "Lamb to the Slaughter." This comprehensive unit combines critical thinking, inferencing, and multimedia analysis, making it perfect for ELA classrooms. Students will step into the shoes of detectives, analyze texts, watch film adaptations, and compare their experiences, all while meeting key CCSS standards.

What’s Included:

• Detailed Lesson Plans: Each day is thoughtfully planned to guide students through reading, analyzing, writing, and discussing "Lamb to the Slaughter."
• Graphic Organizers: Scaffolded organizers for each day to help students track evidence, make inferences, and compare the text with the film.
• Texts and Multimedia: The original short story and a link to the film adaptation, complete with an introduction by Roald Dahl.
• Writing Prompts: Engaging prompts to encourage students to write opinion essays and reflections.
• Class Discussion Guides: Questions and prompts to facilitate meaningful classroom discussions.

Day-by-Day Breakdown:

Day 1: Introduction to the Detective Activity

• Students are introduced to the murder mystery and work in groups to analyze witness statements and evidence photos.
• Focus on inference and deduction skills.

Day 2: Writing an Opinion Essay

• Students write an opinion essay based on their detective work from Day 1.
• Emphasis on textual evidence and structured writing.

Day 3: Reading "Lamb to the Slaughter"

• Students read the short story in chunked sections, making inferences and annotating the text.
• Use of scaffolding techniques to support all learners.

Day 4: Comparing Text and Film

• Students watch the film adaptation of "Lamb to the Slaughter."
• They use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast the text and film, analyzing differences in storytelling techniques.

Day 5: Final Analysis and Discussion

• Students discuss their findings and the differences between the text and film.
• Wrap-up activities include reflective writing and sharing insights.

CCSS Alignment:

This unit aligns with CCSS standards for grades 5-8, focusing on quoting accurately from texts, citing textual evidence, and analyzing multimedia elements. Standards covered include:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.1
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.1
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.7
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.7

Benefits:

• Engaging and Interactive: Students love the hands-on detective work and multimedia elements.
• Skill-Building: Focus on inferencing, textual evidence, and critical thinking skills.
• Comprehensive and Ready-to-Use: All materials and instructions are included for a seamless implementation.

Bring excitement and depth to your ELA classroom with this 5-day detective unit on "Lamb to the Slaughter." Your students will love stepping into the role of detectives while honing their reading and analytical skills.

The Silent Struggle: A Powerful Resource for Addressing Bullying and Promoting Social-Emotional Learning

This is one story taken from a book eight, which can be found here

Inspire your students to become advocates for change with "The Silent Struggle," a captivating story that tackles the issue of bullying and the transformative power of self-advocacy. This comprehensive learning package is designed to help students in grades 6-8 develop empathy, resilience, and the courage to speak out against injustice.

The package includes:

1. "The Silent Struggle" short story
2. 10 thought-provoking discussion questions
3. 5 creative writing prompts
4. 10 engaging project ideas that align with the core competencies of social-emotional learning
5. A vocabulary list featuring 20 words related to bullying prevention and personal growth, complete with definitions and parts of speech
6. An in-depth analysis of the story's themes, tailored for middle school students

Through this powerful resource, your students will:

• Explore the far-reaching consequences of bullying on mental health and academic performance
• Discuss the importance of supportive friendships and the role of allies in overcoming adversity
• Examine the responsibilities of school staff in creating a safe and inclusive learning environment
• Engage in projects that foster self-awareness, social awareness, responsible decision-making, self-management, and relationship skills
• Reflect on their own experiences and apply the lessons learned to their daily lives
• Expand their vocabulary and understanding of literary elements

"The Silent Struggle" learning package is a versatile tool that can be seamlessly integrated into your language arts, social studies, or character education curriculum. The projects and assignments are designed to accommodate diverse learning styles, ensuring that all students can engage with the material and develop a deeper understanding of the story's themes.

Unlock your students' creative potential with this engaging and flexible Gothic-themed creative writing unit! Designed with High-Impact Teaching Strategies/High Impact Practices, this resource is perfect for Middle School to High School students (Years 6-10 USA / Years 7-10 AU). Students will craft eerie, suspenseful short stories using carefully selected Gothic and atmospheric sentence starters while developing key narrative skills like suspense-building, character development, and structured storytelling. Perfect for Halloween, or any time of the school year!

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, homeschool educator, relief/substitute teacher, or tutor, this resource is easy to adapt to your needs. With step-by-step guidance, worked examples, differentiated activities, and printable resources, this short unit offers a complete framework for 2-4 lessons.

What’s Included:

• 2 x PDFs: one with USA English and the other with Australian English
• Teacher Guide: Step-by-step instructions for facilitating brainstorming, planning, writing, and reflection.
• Glossary of Gothic and Atmospheric Words (Printable): A comprehensive list of 95 words to expand students’ vocabulary and enhance their spooky storytelling.
• Sentence Starters (Printable): A set of 27 Gothic-themed sentence starters to spark creative ideas.
• Worked Example (Printable): A modeled short story exposition that demonstrates how to build suspense and create atmosphere.
• Brainstorming Prompts (Printable): Prompts designed to help students generate ideas for their Gothic tales.
• Short Story Planner (Printable): A structured template to guide students in planning their exposition, complication, sequence of events, climax, and resolution.
• Rubrics (Printable): Comprehensive rubrics for self-assessment, peer assessment, and teacher feedback.
• Extension Activities: Additional creative challenges, including illustration, scriptwriting adaptation, or continuing the story for advanced learners.

Accessibility Features

This resource is dyslexia-friendly, incorporating:

• Arial font
• Increased letter and word spacing
• 1.5 line spacing
• White space for readability
• Visual signposting for ease of navigation.

Key Skills Addressed:

• Narrative structure: Exposition, complication, sequence of events, climax, and resolution.
• Building suspense and atmosphere through figurative language and descriptive details.
• Character development and crafting character arcs.
• Writing with varied sentence structures to create mood and effect.

Perfect For:

• Classroom use
• Homeschooling
• Relief/substitute teacher lessons
• Tutoring sessions
• Creative writing units
• Gothic-themed writing tasks
• Group work or independent learning
• Differentiated learning with extension options for advanced students

Format & Accessibility

• PDF: Includes brainstorming prompts, planning templates, and rubrics for assessment.
• Print & 'Go' or Display Digitally: Printable and easy to upload for digital display for class use.

Terms of Use

This resource is licensed for personal classroom use only. You may print copies for your students, but please do not share, distribute, or upload this resource online. If colleagues are interested, kindly direct them to EduHive Learning Resources on TeachShare to purchase their own copy. Thank you for respecting copyright laws and supporting independent creators.

Acknowledgments

This resource incorporates graphics and design elements sourced from:

• Canva: Professional-quality designs under appropriate licensing.

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Keywords

Creative Writing | Gothic Stories | Suspense Building | Short Story Writing

Writing Prompts | Story Starters | Differentiated Learning | Extension Activities

HITS (High-Impact Teaching Strategies) | HIPs (High-Impact Practices) | English Lessons | Homeschool Creative Writing | Tutor Resources | Substitute/Relief Teacher Lessons | Peer & Self-Assessments | Rubrics for Writing

Do your students need extra practice to identify the plot and continue a story? Do they have trouble coming up with a resolution that makes sense based on the details in the story? Then this close reading set is for you! These 15 writing worksheets with reading passages are designed to give your students an opportunity to practice writing a continuation of the plot so that it comes to a believable ending.

After reading each passage, students will continue the story based on on the characterization of the main character as well as the plot - my students love this!!

This packet contains 15 passages including one that's perfect for Halloween titled "The Kind Witch."

These no-prep worksheets are ready to go for you. Just print and proceed! With 15 unique passages, this packet is ideal for teachers who want their students to get additional practice with this important skill.

Simply print and go! There is truly no preparation needed, which is why this set is perfect to leave for sub plans, bell ringers, homework, test prep, review or assessment!

INCLUDED WITH YOUR PURCHASE:

• 15 Printable Worksheets

⭐️ LOOKING FOR MORE RELATABLE ACTIVITIES FOR TEENS?

Check out the Pop Culture ACTIVITY BUNDLE - your solution to no-stress lesson planning and easy print and go sub plans.

INCLUDES THESE HIGH-INTEREST TOPICS FOR TEENS...

⭐️ Crocs

⭐️ Netflix

⭐️ Takis

⭐️ Fortnite

⭐️ MrBeast

⭐️ Air Jordans

⭐️ TikTok

⭐️ OpenAI

6-Page Article & Activity Sets - Includes 8 Sets!

Each set includes...

► 1-page pop culture article

► Reading Comprehension - 7 multiple choice questions

► Critical Thinking - 5 short answer questions

► Crossword Puzzle

► Design Page

► Impossible MAZE

This Pop Culture Bundle for Middle School will make your students WANT to work and stay on task as they read about high-interest trending topics among teens. Also available for High School and Upper Elementary School.

Have a question?

Please check out the Q&A section or message me and I'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Don't forget to leave me feedback! I love to hear what my buyers say, how the product worked for them, and any feedback I can use to improve my product! (It also earns you points towards future TeachShare Purchases)

**For personal and single classroom use only. If using with multiple classrooms, please purchase additional licenses at the discounted rate.**

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THE GREATEST GIFT by P. VanDoren Stern: This introductory PowerPoint lesson provides digital pre-reading information for the story’s author and genre. Bold photo visuals and engaging video clips support the story details. The lesson includes an in-depth vocabulary study, practice, assessment, and printable organizers.

This standard-aligned material is for use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

*PDF link to text included*

PowerPoint Slides:

1. **Author Biography** We provide author biographies for each short story. This adds depth to the lesson, allowing students to appreciate the story in the context of the author's life experience.

2. **Setting**Highly informative slides include maps, historical images and intriguing video links allowing students to have a deeper understanding of the location and time-period in which the story takes place. This is a crucial element when preparing students to read outside their own worldview.

3.**Bold Photos: ** Visual learners will thrive with our visually appealing slides, featuring bold and relevant images that help reinforce vocabulary concepts and make learning more engaging.

4. **Vocab with Concise Definitions and Part of Speech: ** Our lesson provides clear and concise definitions for challenging vocabulary words, ensuring that students understand the meaning of each word in context. Understanding the parts of speech is crucial for effective language comprehension. Our lesson includes sections dedicated to identifying the part of speech for each vocabulary word.

Vibrant Vocab Slides: eddied, resentful, sullenly, unremarkable, noteworthy, chuckling, satchel, cinch, vespers, awkwardness, affection, cordially, faltered

5.**Quizlet Practice Link ** Reinforce learning and encourage self-assessment with Quizlet practice tailored to the vocabulary words covered in the lesson. This interactive tool allows students to review and quiz themselves.

6. **Fun Fact Images and Videos** These features highlight unique elements of the text to aid comprehension

PDF FILE.

Plus, each ZIP file comes with a PDF folder containing printable worksheets to be used with the lesson!

**Grammar Sort**

Strengthen language skills with integrated grammar review sections, ensuring students can apply the vocabulary words correctly in their own writing and communication.

**Connotation Sort**

Dive deeper into vocabulary nuances by exploring the connotations of words, helping students grasp the subtle shades of meaning and usage.

**Context Clues Sentences, Word Bank and Key: **

Our lesson includes carefully curated sentences that employ context clues, enabling students to decipher word meanings from surrounding text. This fosters independent comprehension skills. These worksheets can be used for practice or assessment.

**Vocabulary Organizer**

This worksheet allows the students to infer the meaning from the animated vocabulary slide. After students complete the organizer, it is a great reference sheet.

**Synonym and Antonym Word Study**

The graphic organizer allows the students to explore the variations in meaning of the new vocabulary word.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide backstory to text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage for review

· Add to electronic notebooks

· Provide test review

· Prompt Writing or Research assignments

· Grammar study / parts of speech

· Discuss Word Connotation

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in Google Slides.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab!

This social emotional learning lesson uses Amy Tan's short story Fish Cheeks. The short story is not included in this resource, but it can be found online. The focus of this lesson is embracing our own differences.

This resource is a Google File that includes a PDF and Google Slides version of the teaching slides, which can be projected in front of the class, 4 student worksheets in color and 4 in b/w, and a teaching guide.

The lesson includes:

- Pre-reading Journal and Discussion Question

- Reading Questions for Fish Cheeks

- Discussion Questions for Personal Reflection Focused on Embracing our Differences

- An Interview Assignment Related to Embracing our Differences

This product features an engaging pre-reading activity for Shirley Jackson's classic tale of an idyllic town with a shocking tradition, The Lottery. The lesson, called "Tossing Lines," will have each and every one of your students thinking, conversing, writing, and moving all in one class period as they become immersed in the words of the story. At the end of this lesson, students will be chomping at the bit to find out what The Lottery is all about! Over the years, this non-intimidating approach to literature has been the most often requested anticipatory activity that I do with my students.

Product Includes:

• Comprehensive 30 minute Lesson Plan
• 30 Unique "Tossing Lines" cards tailored to The Lottery

___________________________________________________________________

Also, check out these great products to supplement your unit on "The Lottery" and dystopian fiction by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Lottery Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ The Lottery ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Lottery Social Media Activities

⭐ The Lottery Comprehension Questions, Literary Elements & Vocabulary

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

⭐Escape from Dystopia ESCAPE ROOM

___________________________________________________________________

Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Explore the complexities of international conflict and humanitarian efforts with this insightful article package, designed for students aged 10+. This resource offers a 45-minute to 1-hour learning experience, presenting the recent release of hostages in Gaza through a balanced and age-appropriate lens. We talk about why these hostages were given gift bags by their captors! With engaging content, historical perspectives, and interactive activities, students will gain a deeper understanding of key global issues while developing critical thinking skills.

Included Topics:

• Top News Story: A simplified overview of the recent hostage release, detailing the events surrounding the ceasefire agreement and its implications.
• Fun Facts and Did You Know?: Fascinating insights about the Red Cross, ceasefire agreements, and the symbolic meaning behind the items given to the hostages.
• History Corner: A look at notable hostage situations in history, from the 1979 Iran hostage crisis to modern-day rescue missions and  the 2014 rescue of hostages by the French military in Mali, showcasing global efforts to resolve conflicts.
• Person Profile: An introduction to the International Red Cross, its humanitarian mission, and its crucial role in ensuring fair treatment during conflicts.
• Art and Jokes: Lighthearted content with a joke and creative DIY activity to reinforce peace-themed learning in a fun way.
• DIY and Craft Ideas: A step-by-step guide to creating a peace dove, promoting messages of hope and unity through hands-on creativity.

Our Recommendation:
This resource provides a balanced approach to discussing current events with young learners. With quotes like “The Red Cross helps people affected by conflicts around the world and ensures hostages are treated according to international laws,” it offers an educational yet hopeful perspective. The DIY peace dove activity is a meaningful way to encourage students to reflect on peace and unity.

Why This Resource Is a Must-Have:

• Introduces complex global topics in a student-friendly format.
• Encourages critical thinking and discussions about peace and conflict resolution.
• Provides historical context to help students connect past and present events.
• Features creative activities to reinforce learning through hands-on engagement.
• Ready-to-use, print-friendly, and perfect for social studies and current events lessons.

Do Purchase This, If the Following Is Something You Are Looking For:

• A well-rounded, engaging resource that simplifies global issues for young learners.
• Discussion-friendly content to explore humanitarian efforts and conflict resolution.
• Interactive elements, including fun facts, profiles, and creative projects.
• A classroom-friendly, no-prep tool for social studies lessons.
• A resource that fosters empathy and understanding of international events.

Help students better understand world events with this informative and creative learning package that combines knowledge with engaging activities!

Behind the Pages ~ Real-World Reports' Remarks:

**Welcome to Real-World Reports! **

At Real-World Reports, we’re all about igniting young scholars with engaging stories and exciting facts. Tailored for curious learners aged 7* and up, our resource-packed publication brings current events and historical highlights to life in a fun, interactive way.

What We Offer:

• Engaging Content: Dive into easy-to-understand summaries of global events and historical moments. Our lively newspaper articles make complex topics accessible and interesting.

• Fun Facts: Fuel curiosity with “Did You Know?” tidbits that spark wonder and inspire further exploration.

• History Corner: Journey through history with captivating tales from ancient civilizations to modern milestones.

• Person’s Profile: Meet influential figures from science, arts, and innovation. Discover their stories and find inspiration for future dreams.

• Creative Activities: Get hands-on with art projects and DIY fun that reinforce learning and foster creativity.

• Visual Appeal: Our print-friendly design ensures clarity and engagement without relying on color, if printing is intended. In some publications, we have opted for a bit of paint, without causing printing problems!

• Versatile Learning: Ideal for classrooms, libraries, and homeschooling, our resources adapt to various age groups and learning styles.

• ***Note: *While my publications aim to cover a broad spectrum of educational themes, each resource may vary in its inclusion of specific features.

Special Feature:

FREE Reading Comprehension Worksheet: Enhance your students’ reading skills with our interactive worksheet. Perfect for quick 5-10 minute sessions, it covers key details, fun facts, and historical summaries (which can be used on this lesson).

Teacher and Student Benefits:

• For Teachers: Simplifies lesson planning with ready-to-use content, boosting classroom discussions and critical thinking.

• For Students: Stimulates curiosity and fosters a deeper understanding of world events and ideas.

*Note (on age preferences): Our publications aim to educate and inspire, without overwhelming young learners with complex or distressing content. Choose resources that fit your students’ needs and interests. 

Why Choose this publication?

- Easy to implement: Simply download and print for instant classroom fun!

- Promotes fun literacy: Spark discussion and critical thinking with captivating stories and interactive activity/ies.

-Ready to educate youngsters with current event/s in a kid-friendly manner!

Explore More:

Discover similar resources on my page that dive into current events, historical contexts, creative projects, and interactive activities. These publications cater to various age groups and learning styles, offering a range of topics to engage your students.

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: 7 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: students in elementary schools (only if you see they are ready to read this sought of publication) 10+ in age

• 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.

NOTE: “We are not affiliated with or connected to any organizations or references mentioned in this document. This material is intended solely for educational purposes.”

Your Feedback matters!

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!

Thanks for supporting the journey of learning and discovery with Real-World Reports!

Take the guesswork out of teaching with this NO-PREP Comprehensive Teaching Resource for The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry.  Designed for middle and high school students, this The Gift of the Magi NO-PREP Comprehensive Teaching Resource offers a complete package that explores the story’s themes of love, sacrifice, and irony, along with its rich use of symbolism.  Whether you’re in a classroom or homeschool setting, this resource provides all the tools you need to create a seamless and engaging learning experience.

This The Gift ofthe Magi NO-PREP Comprehensive Teaching Resource resource includes a meticulously crafted 2-week lesson plan, a scope and sequence, and a pacing guide to ensure each day is productive and focused.  Students will engage with the key elements of the story through a PowerPoint presentation that offers a visually rich and interactive way to dive into O. Henry’s masterful writing.  The symbolism in The Gift of the Magi is explored in depth, giving students the opportunity to uncover deeper meanings and appreciate the literary artistry of the text.

The included tools—such as the PowerPoint, pacing guide, and a detailed exploration of symbolism—are designed to provide structure and enhance student understanding.  Use the interactive elements to analyze the characters, plot, and themes, fostering critical thinking and discussion.  The resource encourages both independent and group activities, making it adaptable to a variety of teaching styles.

INCLUDED IN THIS RESOURCE:

• 2-Week Lesson Plan
• 2-Week Scope & Sequence
• 2-Week Pacing Guide
• Symbolism in The Gift of the Magi
• Powerpoint
• Plot Diagram
• Digital or Printable Character Analysis Map
• Self-Evaluation Form

BENEFITS FOR TEACHERS/HOMESCHOOL PARENTS:

• Ready-to-use tools:  Save time with a no-prep resource that includes everything you need for two weeks of instruction.
• Structured lesson plans:  Provides a detailed 2-week lesson plan, pacing guide, and scope and sequence.
• Engaging multimedia:  PowerPoint presentation enhances instruction and student engagement.
• Flexibility:  Suitable for individual, group, or whole-class learning.
• In-depth analysis:  Covers literary elements like symbolism, themes, and character development.

BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS:

• Enhanced comprehension:  Deep dive into the story’s symbolism, themes, and plot.
• Critical thinking skills:  Analyze characters and themes through guided activities and discussions.
• Interactive learning:  Utilize the PowerPoint and structured lessons to stay engaged.
• Time management:  Follow a clear pacing guide for organized and manageable learning.
• Connection to literature:  Explore timeless themes of love and sacrifice in an accessible way.

From exploring the timeless themes of love and sacrifice to analyzing the rich symbolism embedded in the story, this resource equips educators with all they need for an impactful and meaningful study of The Gift of the Magi. Make teaching more enjoyable and effective while helping students connect with this enduring classic in a thoughtful and memorable way.Thank you for your support!

Tina – Big Easy Homeschooling Mom

Social Media Links: http://linktr.ee/bigeasyhomeschoolingmom

Please subscribe to my website to you do not miss any new resources or blogs:

http://tidewindacademyhomeschool.com

*This is one story taken from a book eight, which can be found here.

Introducing "The Bystander's Dilemma" - a compelling story and comprehensive teaching resource for grades 5-8 that addresses the critical issue of bullying and the power of being an upstander.

This thought-provoking story follows Lucas, a middle school student who witnesses the bullying of his classmate, Emma. As Lucas grapples with the decision to intervene or remain silent, students will explore themes of courage, compassion, and the importance of standing up for others.

"The Bystander's Dilemma" is more than just a story; it's a complete teaching package designed to engage your students and foster meaningful discussions about bullying prevention and character development.

This resource includes:

• The full story, divided into chapters for easy classroom reading and discussion
• Detailed character profiles and a story arc to help students analyze literary elements
• Thoughtful discussion questions to promote critical thinking and personal reflection
• Engaging writing prompts to encourage creative expression and empathy-building
• Vocabulary list with definitions to support language development
• Comprehensive lesson ideas & activities, including character analysis, anti-bullying campaign poster design, role-playing, and more

As an educator, you understand the importance of addressing bullying and promoting a positive school climate. "The Bystander's Dilemma" provides a relevant and relatable context for students to explore these issues, while also strengthening their literacy skills and social-emotional learning.

15 Minute Composing Challenge (Freebie)

Bring creativity and excitement into your classroom with this fast-paced, Gothic-themed writing challenge!

This 15 Minute Composing Challenge (Freebie) introduces students to the Gothic genre through engaging timed writing tasks. Perfect for middle school and high school students, this free resource gives a taste of the full 15 Minute Composing Challenge while helping students improve their creative writing skills in a fun and structured way.

Students will plan, write, and review their stories using Gothic quotes to inspire suspenseful narratives. Whether working individually or in groups, this quick exercise promotes critical thinking, creativity, and reflection—all in just 15 minutes!

What’s Included:

• Task cards with Gothic quotes for students to use in their writing
• Structured timing: 3 minutes to plan, 10 minutes to write, and 2 minutes to review
• Teacher instructions to pace the activity and guide students

Use this freebie to spark student interest in creative writing, or as a warm-up to more detailed lessons. If you enjoy this free resource, explore the full version for more prompts and activities!

This freebie offers just a taster of what the complete resource provides. If you found these prompts engaging, the full version includes more quotes, a wider range of activities, and extra tools to deepen your students' exploration of Gothic literature. Check out the full version with 5 different prompt cards, plus 3 beginner prompt cards and 2 extension prompt cards: 15 Minute Activity: Gothic Creative Short Story Writing Prompts & Activity

P.S. Follow EduHive Learning Resources for more creative teaching tools, and feel free to share your feedback—I would love to hear from you! Bee

Keywords: creative writing, composing challenge, Gothic literature, writing prompts, middle school writing, high school writing, ELA activities, quick writing exercise, free TeachShare resource, teacher, educator, homeschooling/homeschool, tutoring/tutor.

This Figurative Language Short Passage Set is a no-prep, printable close reading activity that's perfect for middle school and high school. This is a 210-word passage filled with 19 examples of figurative language, such as hyperbole, metaphor, simile, and personification. I’ve found that although my students can tell me the definition of these terms, simile is the only one they can truly pick out in a text. As a result, their writing is filled with overused similes that need work! This figurative language passage set is rigorous, uses higher-level words and phrases, and in addition to merely identifying the different types, students will be asked to discuss the impact it has on the reader, as they’re asked to do on standardized testing.

***Check out my other figurative language passage sets here!

Simply print and go! There is truly no preparation needed, which is why this set is perfect to leave for sub plans, bell ringers, homework, test prep, review or assessment!

*As an optional review activity, use my No-prep Four Corners Figurative Language Activity resource for a fun whole-group game, then use this passage set for assessment!

Activity:
Students can complete all three worksheets as part of a packet, but I suggest using one each day. If you teach allusion, alliteration, idiom, or onomatopoeia, you can ask students to include those in Task 2 where they will be asked to continue the passage using a similar writing style. I have left some blanks on the checklist for this very purpose.

Reflection:
The class can review the answers and comments as a whole group when the activity is complete. You’ll be surprised how much better they’ll get at figurative language after being exposed to some high-quality examples!

INCLUDED WITH YOUR PURCHASE:

• 3 Printable Worksheets

⭐️ LOOKING FOR MORE RELATABLE ACTIVITIES FOR TEENS?

Check out the Pop Culture ACTIVITY BUNDLE - your solution to no-stress lesson planning and easy print and go sub plans.

INCLUDES THESE HIGH-INTEREST TOPICS FOR TEENS...

⭐️ Crocs

⭐️ Netflix

⭐️ Takis

⭐️ Fortnite

⭐️ MrBeast

⭐️ Air Jordans

⭐️ TikTok

⭐️ OpenAI

6-Page Article & Activity Sets - Includes 8 Sets!

Each set includes...

► 1-page pop culture article

► Reading Comprehension - 7 multiple choice questions

► Critical Thinking - 5 short answer questions

► Crossword Puzzle

► Design Page

► Impossible MAZE

This Pop Culture Bundle for Middle School will make your students WANT to work and stay on task as they read about high-interest trending topics among teens. Also available for High School and Upper Elementary School.

Have a question?

Please check out the Q&A section or message me and I'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Don't forget to leave me feedback! I love to hear what my buyers say, how the product worked for them, and any feedback I can use to improve my product! (It also earns you points towards future TeachShare Purchases)

**For personal and single classroom use only. If using with multiple classrooms, please purchase additional licenses at the discounted rate.**

★I would love to have you as my newest follower!★ Click here to follow.

This PowerPoint lesson provides digital pre-reading resources, historical background info, vocabulary word study, practice, and assessment for the short story, NO GUITAR BLUES, BY GARY SOTO.

GOAL: to prepare each student to read rigorous literature by front-loading story elements critical to comprehension aligned to standards

AUDIENCE: whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual classrooms

PDF FILE. Plus, each ZIP file comes with a PDF folder containing 8 printable worksheets to be used with the PPT lesson! These printables include Connotation and Grammar sort, Word Study, and Vocabulary Quiz with optional word bank and answer key.

POWERPOINT:

1. **Author Bio:** To connect vocabulary with real-world context, we provide author biographies related to each short story. This adds depth to the lesson, allowing students to appreciate the words in the context of the author's life experience.

2. **Setting**: highly informative slides include maps, historical images and intriguing video links to prepare students to have a deeper understanding of the location and time period in which the story takes place. This is a crucial element when preparing students to read outside their own worldview.

3. **Vocab with Concise Definitions :** Our PowerPoint lesson provides clear and concise definitions for challenging vocabulary words, ensuring that students understand the meaning of each word in context as it appears in the text. Vocab slides: distracted, license, complicated, confessed, deceitful, guilt

4.**Bold Photos:** Visual learners will thrive with our visually appealing slides, featuring bold and relevant images that help reinforce vocabulary concepts and make learning more engaging.

5.**Parts of Speech:** Understanding the parts of speech is crucial for effective language comprehension. Our lesson includes sections dedicated to identifying the part of speech for each vocabulary word.

6. **Grammar Review & Sort** Strengthen language skills with integrated grammar review sections, ensuring students can apply the vocabulary words correctly in their own writing and communication.

7. **Connotation Review & Sort** Dive deeper into vocabulary nuances by exploring the connotations of words, helping students grasp the subtle shades of meaning and usage.

8.**Context Clues Sentences:** Our lesson includes carefully curated sentences that employ context clues, enabling students to decipher word meanings from surrounding text. This fosters independent comprehension skills. These worksheets can be used for practice or assessment.

9.**Quizlet Practice:** Reinforce learning and encourage self-assessment with Quizlet practice sets tailored to the vocabulary words covered in the lesson. This interactive tool allows students to review and quiz themselves.

10**PDF file** 9 organizers, activities, and quizzes

11 **Fun Fact** photos and video links are inserted throughout to bring important elements of the story into context and aid comprehension •

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:
· Introduce new story
· Provide backstory to text
· Stimulate group discussion/prediction
· Create predictions about text
· Use as distance learning resource
· Post on webpage for review
· Add to electronic notebooks
· Provide test review
· Prompt Writing or Research assignments
· Grammar study / parts of speech
· Discuss Word Connotation

PRINTABLE USES: word walls and interactive notebooks

*NOTE* This product is included in the Baseball in April bundle. Purchase the bundle to receive this lesson PLUS 11 additional short story lessons by Gary Soto! Click below.

Baseball in April by G. Soto Bundle-PREREADING ACTIVITIES& VOCAB FOR 12 STORIES (TeachShare.com)

Enjoy -from Kiwious About Vocab!

This social emotional learning lesson uses Ray Bradbury's short story "All Summer in a Day." The short story is not included in this resources, but it can be found online. The focus of the lesson is social awareness.

This resource is a Google File that includes a PDF and Google Slides version of the teaching slides, which can be projected in front of the class, 4 student worksheets in color and 4 in b/w, and a teaching guide.

The lesson includes:

- Pre-reading Journal and Discussion Question

- Reading Questions for All Summer in a Day

- Cause and Effect Questions for All Summer in a Day

- Definition of Social Awareness

- Discussion Questions Regarding Social Awareness Situations

- Social Awareness Questions Related to All Summer in a Day and a Personal Reflection Question

This resource features lesson plans and materials to conduct a formal set of Socratic Seminars for Charles Dicken's beloved classic, A Christmas Carol. 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 A Christmas Carol... and no preparation is required by you at all. It is the perfect administration-approved lesson for one of the days leading up to Christmas vacation.

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom
• Engaging Introductory Activity for Conversation Building
• 5 Discussion Questions for each “Fishbowl” conversation
• “Fishbowl” Preparation Sheet
• Conversation Builder Prompts
• Observation Sheet
• Rubric

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Also, check out more great holiday products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ A Christmas Carol "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ A Christmas Carol ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Christmas ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Christmas Poetry ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Hanukkah Kwanzaa Christmas Diwali ESCAPE ROOM

⭐‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Figurative Language Lesson Plan

⭐ The Little Match Girl Sensory Details Lesson Plan

⭐"Christmas Talk" Lesson Plan

⭐The Gift of the Magi & The Necklace Compare/Contrast Essay

⭐Christmas Song Figurative Language Powerpoint Presentation

⭐Figurative Language in Christmas Songs

⭐Letter to a Member of the Military

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Discover the inspiring story of resilience and community strength in Mayotte after Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to ever hit the island. This educational package provides a captivating overview of the challenges faced by survivors, the history of cyclones in the Indian Ocean, and the importance of disaster preparedness. Tailored for young learners (likely 8-7+ in age), this resource encourages critical thinking and compassion through age-appropriate language and engaging activities, one of which is a fill-in FREEBIE!

Included Topics:

• What’s Happening in Mayotte?: A simplified overview of Cyclone Chido's impact, the island’s challenges, and the aid efforts.
• Challenges Survivors Face: Insight into issues like destroyed infrastructure, limited resources, and marginalized voices.
• History Corner: A brief history of cyclones in the Indian Ocean and their effects on small island communities.
• Person Profile: Stories of local heroes and aid workers who stepped up during the crisis.
• Did You Know?: Fascinating cyclone trivia and facts about Mayotte.
• Jokes for a Smile: Light-hearted jokes to bring some fun into the learning experience.
• DIY Activity: A step-by-step guide to building a weather-resistant shelter model. (Not too detailed.)

Our Recommendation:

“When the winds roar, communities soar.” This story highlights the incredible power of unity and preparation in the face of natural disasters. Use this resource to spark meaningful discussions about disaster response, environmental awareness and empathy for vulnerable communities.

Why This Resource Is a Must-Have:

• Builds awareness of the global impact of disasters.
• Introduces historical and scientific insights about cyclones.
• Encourages empathy and critical thinking through survivor stories.
• Includes engaging elements like DIY activity, jokes and trivia for interactive learning.
• Perfectly aligned with geography, history and environmental studies topics.
• Free Worksheet to Fill-in & Complete!

Do Purchase This, If the Following Is Something You Are Looking For:

• A ready-to-teach, no-prep resource on natural disasters for children aged 8+.
• A print-friendly article package covering real-world stories and educational activities.
• Materials to teach resilience, disaster preparedness, and environmental responsibility.
• A free mini-worksheet to complement your lesson plan with hands-on learning.

Behind the Pages ~ Real-World Reports' Remarks:

**Welcome to Real-World Reports! **

At Real-World Reports, we’re all about igniting young scholars with engaging stories and exciting facts. Tailored for curious learners aged 7* and up, our resource-packed publication brings current events and historical highlights to life in a fun, interactive way.

What We Offer:

• Engaging Content: Dive into easy-to-understand summaries of global events and historical moments. Our lively newspaper articles make complex topics accessible and interesting.

• Fun Facts: Fuel curiosity with “Did You Know?” tidbits that spark wonder and inspire further exploration.

• History Corner: Journey through history with captivating tales from ancient civilizations to modern milestones.

• Person’s Profile: Meet influential figures from science, arts, and innovation. Discover their stories and find inspiration for future dreams.

• Creative Activities: Get hands-on with art projects and DIY fun that reinforce learning and foster creativity.

• Visual Appeal: Our print-friendly design ensures clarity and engagement without relying on color, if printing is intended. In some publications, we have opted for a bit of paint, without causing printing problems!

• Versatile Learning: Ideal for classrooms, libraries, and homeschooling, our resources adapt to various age groups and learning styles.

• ***Note: *While my publications aim to cover a broad spectrum of educational themes, each resource may vary in its inclusion of specific features.

Special Feature:

FREE Reading Comprehension Worksheet: Enhance your students’ reading skills with our interactive worksheet. Perfect for quick 5-10 minute sessions, it covers key details, fun facts, and historical summaries (which can be used on this lesson).

Teacher and Student Benefits:

• For Teachers: Simplifies lesson planning with ready-to-use content, boosting classroom discussions and critical thinking.

• For Students: Stimulates curiosity and fosters a deeper understanding of world events and ideas.

*Note (on age preferences): Our publications aim to educate and inspire, without overwhelming young learners with complex or distressing content. Choose resources that fit your students’ needs and interests. 

Why Choose this publication?

- Easy to implement: Simply download and print for instant classroom fun!

- Promotes fun literacy: Spark discussion and critical thinking with captivating stories and interactive activity/ies.

-Ready to educate youngsters with current event/s in a kid-friendly manner!

Explore More:

Discover similar resources on my page that dive into current events, historical contexts, creative projects, and interactive activities. These publications cater to various age groups and learning styles, offering a range of topics to engage your students.

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: 7 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: students in elementary schools (only if you see they are ready to read this sought of publication) likely 7-8+ in age

• 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.

NOTE: “We are not affiliated with or connected to any organizations or references mentioned in this document. This material is intended solely for educational purposes.”

Your Feedback matters!

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!

Thanks for supporting the journey of learning and discovery with Real-World Reports!

Each of these stores can be found individually here

Empower Your Students to Overcome Bullying with "The Power Within"

A Collection of Short Stories & Engaging Activities Designed to Spark Dialogue, Build Empathy, and Inspire Change

Are you seeking a powerful tool to address bullying in your middle school classroom?

"The Power Within: Stories of Overcoming Bullying" is more than just a book; it's a comprehensive resource designed to help you navigate the complex landscape of bullying with your students.

What's Inside:

• Eight Engaging Narratives: Captivating stories that explore various forms of bullying, including verbal, physical, social, and cyberbullying, from multiple perspectives – the victim, the bully, the bystander, and the supportive adult.
• Thought-Provoking Discussion Questions: Each story is followed by a set of questions designed to spark meaningful conversations, encourage critical thinking, promote self-reflection, and foster empathy.
• Creative Writing Prompts: Inspire your students to explore the themes of the stories through writing, allowing them to develop their own voices, express their understanding of bullying, and consider alternative perspectives.
• Action-Oriented Project Ideas: Empower your students to take action against bullying by engaging in projects that promote kindness, inclusivity, and positive change within their school communities.

Why Choose "The Power Within":

• Relatable and Engaging: The stories are carefully crafted to resonate with the middle school experience, capturing the attention of your students and making the lessons more impactful.
• Multifaceted Approach: The book addresses bullying from various angles, providing a holistic understanding of the issue and its complexities.
• Promotes Social-Emotional Learning: The activities and discussion prompts encourage students to develop essential social-emotional skills, such as empathy, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship building.
• Versatile Teaching Tool: Use the stories as individual reading assignments, springboards for class discussions, or the foundation for a unit on bullying prevention.

"The Power Within" is more than just a book; it's a catalyst for positive change.

Help your students find their voices, embrace their strength, and create a more compassionate and inclusive school environment. Order your copy of "The Power Within: Stories of Overcoming Bullying" today!

Bonus: Follow us on

https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Deep-By-Design

https://www.youtube.com/@DEEP.by.DESIGN

https://www.facebook.com/deepbydesign.2024

15 Minute Composing Challenge (Freebie)

Bring creativity and excitement into your classroom with this fast-paced, Gothic-themed writing challenge!

This 15 Minute Composing Challenge (Freebie) introduces students to the Gothic genre through engaging timed writing tasks. Perfect for middle school and high school students, this free resource gives a taste of the full 15 Minute Composing Challenge while helping students improve their creative writing skills in a fun and structured way.

Students will plan, write, and review their stories using Gothic quotes to inspire suspenseful narratives. Whether working individually or in groups, this quick exercise promotes critical thinking, creativity, and reflection—all in just 15 minutes!

What’s Included:

• Task cards with Gothic quotes for students to use in their writing
• Structured timing: 3 minutes to plan, 10 minutes to write, and 2 minutes to review
• Teacher instructions to pace the activity and guide students

Use this freebie to spark student interest in creative writing, or as a warm-up to more detailed lessons. If you enjoy this free resource, explore the full version for more prompts and activities!

This freebie offers just a taster of what the complete resource provides. If you found these prompts engaging, the full version includes more quotes, a wider range of activities, and extra tools to deepen your students' exploration of Gothic literature. Check out the full version with 5 different prompt cards, plus 3 beginner prompt cards and 2 extension prompt cards: 15 Minute Activity: Gothic Creative Short Story Writing Prompts & Activity

P.S. Follow EduHive Learning Resources for more creative teaching tools, and feel free to share your feedback—I would love to hear from you! Bee

Keywords: creative writing, composing challenge, Gothic literature, writing prompts, middle school writing, high school writing, ELA activities, quick writing exercise, free TeachShare resource, teacher, educator, homeschooling/homeschool, tutoring/tutor.

This St. Patrick's Day Figurative Language Short Passage Set is a no-prep, printable close reading activity that's perfect for middle school and high school. Use it for St. Patrick's Day or any day! This is a 207-word passage filled with 14 examples of figurative language, such as hyperbole, metaphor, simile, and personification. I’ve found that although my students can tell me the definition of these terms, simile is the only one they can truly pick out in a text. As a result, their writing is filled with overused similes that need work! This figurative language passage set is rigorous, uses higher-level words and phrases, and in addition to merely identifying the different types, students will be asked to discuss the impact it has on the reader, as they’re asked to do on standardized testing. Check out my other figurative language passage sets here!

Simply print and go! There is truly no preparation needed, which is why this set is perfect to leave for sub plans, bell ringers, homework, test prep, review or assessment!

*As an optional review activity, use my No-prep Four Corners Figurative Language Activity resource for a fun whole-group game, then use this passage set for assessment!
Activity:
Students can complete all three worksheets as part of a packet, but I suggest using one each day. If you teach allusion, alliteration, idiom, or onomatopoeia, you can ask students to include those in Task 2 where they will be asked to continue the passage using a similar writing style. I have left some blanks on the checklist for this very purpose.

Reflection:
The class can review the answers and comments as a whole group when the activity is complete. You’ll be surprised how much better they’ll get at figurative language after being exposed to some high-quality examples!

INCLUDED WITH YOUR PURCHASE:

• 3 Printable Worksheets

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"The Circuit" By Francisco Jimenez: This introductory PowerPoint lesson provides digital pre-reading information for the story’s author and genre. Bold photo visuals and engaging video clips support the story details. The lesson includes an in-depth vocabulary study, practice, assessment, and printable organizers.

This standard-aligned material is for use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

PowerPoint Slides:

1. **Author Biography** This adds depth to the lesson, allowing students to appreciate the story in the context of the author's life experience.

2. **Setting**Highly informative slides include maps, historical images and intriguing video links allowing students to have a deeper understanding of the location and time-period in which the story takes place. This is a crucial element when preparing students to read outside their own worldview.

3.**Bold Photos: ** Visual learners will thrive with our visually appealing slides, featuring bold and relevant images that help reinforce vocabulary concepts and make learning more engaging.

4. **Vocab with Concise Definitions and Part of Speech: ** Our lesson provides clear and concise definitions for challenging vocabulary words, ensuring that students understand the meaning of each word in context. Understanding the parts of speech is crucial for effective language comprehension. Our lesson includes sections dedicated to identifying the part of speech for each vocabulary word.

Vibrant Vocab slides (accompany, acquire, clasp, detect, dizzy, drone, foreman, hesitantly, instinct, original, peak, signaling, stained, sunset, thoroughly, husky)

5.**Quizlet Practice Link ** Reinforce learning and encourage self-assessment with Quizlet practice tailored to the vocabulary words covered in the lesson. This interactive tool allows students to review and quiz themselves.

6. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the story's historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

7. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

PDF FILE.

Plus, each ZIP file comes with a PDF folder containing printable worksheets to be used with the lesson!

**Grammar Sort**

Strengthen language skills with integrated grammar review sections, ensuring students can apply the vocabulary words correctly in their own writing and communication.

**Connotation Sort**

Dive deeper into vocabulary nuances by exploring the connotations of words, helping students grasp the subtle shades of meaning and usage.

**Context Clues Sentences, Word Bank and Key: **

Our lesson includes carefully curated sentences that employ context clues, enabling students to decipher word meanings from surrounding text. This fosters independent comprehension skills. These worksheets can be used for practice or assessment.

**Vocabulary Organizer**

This worksheet allows the students to infer the meaning from the animated vocabulary slide. After students complete the organizer, it is a great reference sheet.

**Synonym and Antonym Word Study**

The graphic organizer allows the students to explore the variations in meaning of the new vocabulary word.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide backstory to text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage for review

· Add to electronic notebooks

· Provide test review

· Prompt Writing or Research assignments

· Grammar study / parts of speech

· Discuss Word Connotation

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in Google Slides.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab!