Category Archives : 9th Grade


Homophone Crossword Puzzles

Did you know that research proves that homophone misuse is the most common cause of spelling errors, even in adults?  Textbooks do not provide nearly enough practice to approach proficiency. This set of Homophone Crossword Puzzles makes homonym exercises more enjoyable than the standard fare, and students get extra practice in very important spelling and grammar skills. Easy to check for busy teachers, they include all Answer Keys. Great as homework, seatwork, or in learning centers!


Creating Characters in Creative Writing

Product Description

In creative writing, it is very important to create strong and dynamic characters. In addition, characters within a story need to have strong motivation, and their interactions with other characters need to add interest and appeal to the reader.
Included within this resource is a visual reminder to students in creative writing when it comes the time to incorporate characters in their work.

Also included is a worksheet that will guide students in creating a strong main character and a second worksheet for orchestrating dynamic and plot-driven secondary characters that will keep the reader interested until the end of the story.
Please see the preview for more details.

You may also be interested in the following products that are part of my Creative Writing Series: 
Introduction to Creative Writing PowerPoint
Exploring the Elements of Fiction in Creative Writing
Creative Writing Activity
Buidling Suspense in Creative Writing

It’s teaching made easy!

I will be adding to this resource. Click on the Follow Me, and you will be notified when I have revised this product or when a product is on sale. Of course, downloading the revised version will be free. 

IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE ZIP FILE, PLEASE

Total Pages 3 pages

Answer Key N/A

Teaching DurationN/A


FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “A Wrinkle in Time Interactive Notebook 8 Panel Fold-Ems FREEBIE”

by James Whitaker

4th – 9th Grade

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle 
Interactive Notebook 8 Panel Fold-Ems FREEBIE

Grades 4-8+—5 Pages!

Product Overview/Preface:

An engaging activity for use with Madeleine L’Engle’s classic Science-Fantasy novel A Wrinkle in Time. Analyze the dynamic aspects of various characters. Perfect for character studies, study guides, bulletin board display, book report alternatives, etc. 
Simple Steps: Print, Write, Cut, & Fold! 

Includes:

< 2 Eight Panel Fold-Ems
< 2 Customizable Fold-Ems (After Printing) 
< 1 Literary Element Overview Lesson

Please feel free to ask any questions—I will definitely respond to all inquiries in a timely fashion.

Please, check out my other products and resources at my teacher store:

Hopefully my products will help strengthen your lessons, help your students learn, and make your life easier. Thank you and enjoy! —J.D. Whitaker

Copyright © 2015 James D. Whitaker, SophistThoughts™ 
All rights reserved by author.
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
Electronic distribution limited to single classroom use only.
Not for public display.


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Wrinkle-in-Time-Interactive-Notebook-8-Panel-Fold-Ems-FREEBIE-1807002

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Teaching the Argument by Solving Mysteries


Product Description

Teaching the Argument by Solving Mysteries

This is a great introduction to any literature unit. It teaches students the proper approach to literary analysis, which can be used from grades 7 all the way to 12 in any levels of study. 

This mini unit contains 8 lessons that teach students the proper way to form an argument. Many times students will use the right information, but they don’t quite know what to do with it. Through a series of crime scenes, students learn how to collect information (data), collect evidence, and explain how this evidence supports a logical conclusion, all while having fun. This unit teaches students skills that are needed in all literature units. 
These lessons allow students to learn the importance of collecting data by taking careful notes, how to select only information that will help support a thesis (or a claim), and how to properly use the information by incorporating pertinent explanations to develop an irrefutable argument. 

This is a fun way of learning the necessary skills for argumentation.
The unit contains:

A Student Guide with 12 pages of activities and notes
A Teacher Guide with 8 comprehensive lesson plans and activities
An answer Key with 13 pages of answers and sample texts to help model proper format for students
A downloadable Prezi Presentation introducing the argument and how to develop it.
An end unit evaluation with answer key and evaluation grid 6 pages
Material is available as both PDF and in Word format for easy modifications

Pages total 58 pages

You may also be interested in the following products: 

Thesis Writing Activity with PowerPoint Presentation

Teaching The Essay Package
Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes
Poetry Through Song Unit
Lord of the Flies Unit (No prep required)
Hamlet Unit (No prep – Complete Unit)
Death of a Salesman (No prep required)
Frankenstein (No prep – Complete Unit)
Poetry Unit for Senior Students (NO PREP)
Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students
Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages 58 pages

Answer Key Included with rubric

Teaching Duration 1 Week


FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “Jason Reynolds FREE LESSON Rhetorical Analysis, Public Speaking, Sub Plan CCSS”

by Laura Randazzo

9th – 12th Grade

Use Jason Reynolds’ commencement address at Lesley University to show your students the power of a well-constructed speech. In this one-class period activity, students will discuss the techniques of effective public speaking, view Jason Reynolds’ 10-minute speech, and deconstruct/discuss his use of rhetorical devices. Questions focus on audience, the value of storytelling over lecture, and rhetorical application of poetic devices including foreshadowing and symbolism. These print-and-teach materials can serve as a stand-alone lesson or as a supplement to any literature study that focuses on issues of equity and social justice.

Jason Reynolds is the New York Times best-selling author of many works, including Ghost, All-American Boys, and Long Way Down. You can learn more about him at jasonwritesbooks.com.

Want more high-interest speeches for your students to analyze? Check out these materials based on Oprah Winfrey’s Golden Globes speech and Steve Jobs’ commencement address at Stanford University:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Oprah-Winfreys-Golden-Globes-Speech-Real-World-Rhetorical-Analysis-CCSS-3578438

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Expository-Text-Steve-Jobs-Tools-of-Rhetoric-Non-Fiction-Multimedia-CCSS-876830

Want podcast-based assignments that’ll help your students develop their listening skills? Check out this bundle of popular Listen & Learn lessons:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Listening-Skills-Podcast-Based-Listening-Activities-Listen-Learn-5-Pack-CCSS-3206742

Thanks for stopping by!

Image Credit: Farrell Howe, Flickr, Public Domain Mark 1.


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Jason-Reynolds-FREE-LESSON-Rhetorical-Analysis-Public-Speaking-Sub-Plan-CCSS-4109789

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FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “Teaching Allusions, Video for Teachers”

by Julie Faulkner

8th – 12th Grade

Teaching allusions can be tricky especially when they deal with controversial subject matter. In this quick video tutorial, I’ll share several tips for teaching allusions. 

Get my allusions complete teaching pack here!
Allusions Complete Teaching Pack

See more tips in video format right here on TPT of me sharing ideas from my classroom to yours. The goal?…having your own classroom success story!
10-Minute Grammar
Red Light Green Light, A Method for Analyzing Model Papers
Classroom Discussions
Gallery Walks
Teaching Novels with Difficult Content
Writing Formulas
Human Plot Charts

Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies and product launches. Look for the green star next to my store logo and click it to FOLLOW ME. Voila! You will now receive email updates about my store. 

For more ideas and inspiration:
Faulkner’s Fast Five Blog
Instagram
Pinterest
Julie’s Classroom Stories on Facebook
Teaching Tidbits Newsletter with Email-Only Freebies

Original Cover Photography © Julie Faulkner


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Teaching-Allusions-Video-for-Teachers-3936400

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Victoria Leon’s TpT Store
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ELA Report Card Comments

Product Description

The end of a school year or semester is always a challenge for English Language Arts teachers. Between the marking, end of the year activities, and packing up your class for the following year, creating individual and meaningful comments on students’ report cards can be challenging.

I say, take back your weekends! I am sharing my mid and end of year report card ELA comments with you. There are over 70 comments for you to use and personalize your ELA report cards.

There are comments on: 
-supporting an opinion
-argument development
-speeches
-theme development
-theme development while using historical context for analysis purposes
-supporting arguments in essay form
-Reading strategies
-reading comprehension
-Group work and literature circles
-novel study

There are also a slew of next step comments as well.

Each section is divided by levels 1,2, 3, and 4 where you can select the appropriate comment to accompany the mark the student received. 

It’s teaching made easy!

You may also be interested in the following products: 

Thesis Writing Activity with PowerPoint Presentation

Teaching The Essay Package
Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes
Lord of the Flies Unit (No prep required)
Hamlet Unit (No prep – Complete Unit)
Death of a Salesman (No prep required)
Frankenstein (No prep – Complete Unit)
Poetry Unit for Senior Students (NO PREP)
Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students
Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation
Romeo and Juliet – A No Prep Unit

Total Pages 6 pages

Answer Key N/A

Teaching Duration N/A


FREE MISC. LESSON – “Behavior Management Writing Prompts”

by Mrs Ds Corner

Kindergarten – 12th Grade

These 10 writing prompts are fantastic to use when students are displaying or have displayed poor behavior throughout the school day. While the prompts are the same for all ages of students, it’s the meaning of the prompt to the student and the student’s behavior(s). 

What is included:
• List of 10 Prompts

Elementary / Middle:
• Letter to Parent / Guardian
• 10 Writing Prompt Cards
• 10 Writing Prompt Record Sheets

Middle / Secondary
• Letter to Parent / Guardian
• 10 Writing Prompt Cards
• 10 Writing Prompt Record Sheets

Connect with me:
• Newsletter • Blog • Facebook • Instagram • Pinterest • 

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Thanks for Looking and Happy Teaching!


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Behavior-Management-Writing-Prompts-444882

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Hamlet Scene Summary Visual Notebook

Product Description

This resource has been created as a substitute for the traditional “questions and answers” method we are used to. As teachers, our goal is to make sure students understand the important elements from the play, but we also want to engage them in a “hands-on” fashion.

Studies demonstrate that Sketch noting and doodling help students retain information and understand concepts better than simply answering questions.

This resource allows students to complete notes during the reading process and use the images and heading provided to help them know what the focus should be on.

This is also an excellent study and review tool.

Included in this resources is:

-a note taking page for every scene in the play

-a note taking page for every soliloquy in the play

-a comprehensive answer key for all scenes and soliloquies

You may also be interested in the following products:

Poetry Through Song Unit

Lord of the Flies Unit (No prep required)

Hamlet Unit (No prep – Complete Unit)

Death of a Salesman (No prep required)

Frankenstein (No prep – Complete Unit)

Poetry Unit for Senior Students (NO PREP)

Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students

Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation

Romeo and Juliet – A No Prep Unit

Thesis Writing Activity with PowerPoint Presentation

Teaching The Essay Package

Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages 48 pages

Answer Key Included

Teaching Duration N/A


Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes

Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Essay-Evaluation-Comments-with-Drop-Down-Boxes-1175162





Product Description

Please note that this document does not work with a Mac computer.

Automated Comment Generator for THE ESSAY

This document has been created to help teachers evaluate students’ essays quickly and efficiently while including as many detailed comments as possible. It is created in a Microsoft Word document so that you can easily modify it to suit your particular classroom needs. (You also have the option to copy and paste the entire page, or certain elements.) The document is completely modifiable, even the comments. The “grunt work” has been done for you.

This quickens the evaluation process and will help the teacher to write down information more quickly. This particular document has been embedded with drop down boxes with comments on: persuasion, information presented, analysis, style, structure, communication, sources and format.

Take a look at the preview for a better idea of what this product can do for you.

You may also be interested in:

Speech Evaluation with drop down boxes
FREEGroup Work Comment Sheet with Drop Down Boxes

It’s teaching made easy! 

Total Pages 1 page

Answer Key N/A

Teaching Duration N/A


Parts of Speech Grammar Circles (Superhero Themed)

Product Description

Superhero themed Parts of speech Grammar Circle Unit

One of the biggest challenges I had in my English classes was how to fit grammar in with everything else I had to teach. I would give students grammar pages, and then we would correct them together. It was tedious, and it took forever! What’s more is that students were not learning the way I wanted them to. They wouldn’t apply what they had learned from the grammar pages and activities. 

I found a solution!

Grammar Circles. Grammar Circles are very similar to literature circles in the sense that students are teaching one another grammar. It is a fun and functional way to teach and Learn grammar. Although this may be done individually, it can also be completed as a group where students, through a specific process outlined in the package, teach one another grammar. They also correct the work together, so the teacher has very little to do other than to facilitate and supervise. 

Once these circles have been implemented and students know who their group members are and what they are supposed to do, it is a great prep to leave a supply teacher.

The package includes:

1) A Student Packet – which contains the Literature Circle directions, the notes, and activities, and a “Mark Calculation” page to keep track of their marks. (27 pages)

Activities included focus on: 

-nouns
-adjectives
-verbs
-adverbs
-prepositions
-conjunctions
-putting in all together
-correct use of pronouns
-who and whom
-that and which
-who’s and whose
-that and who
-pronoun case
-pronoun agreement
-active and passive voice
-verb tenses (present, past, future)
-verb uses (consistency in verb tenses)

2) A teacher Guide with easy to follow instructions on how to organize the Grammar Circles.

3) The Answer Key – devised to allow students to correct their work and learn from one another. 

Also included are free Superhero Themed Parts of Speech Posters to decorate your class.

For those who are from Ontario, Canada – this unit adheres to the Grade 9 English Curriculum (academic). The unit can be taught in any grade to learn parts of speech. 

(51 pages total for this unit)

You may also be interested in:

Sentences – Grammar Circles for easy and effective grammar

Super Hero Themed Parts of Speech Posters (FREE)


Total Pages 51 pages

Answer Key Included

Teaching Duration N/A


Essay Writing Flip Book


Product Description
The Essay Writing Flip Book is a resource that I created for my students for essay writing. Even when they have learned the basics of the essay, they soon forget important details. This guide is an ‘at a glance’ resource where students can quickly find the information they need so that they can concentrate on the bulk of their arguments.

The Flip Book contains: 

-Pre-writing: finding a topic, understanding it, writing a thesis statement
-Introduction writing: tips for writing and starting an intro, and proper format
-The body of the essay – paragraph format, how to build arguments, and other tips
-Quotations (2 pages) – how to use quotes in an essay, how to incorporate quotes, in text- citation using MLA format, etc.
-Transitions – how and why to use them, a list of commonly used transitional words and expressions
-MLA format
-Revision Checklist

8 pages of information in all!

It's teaching made easy!

You may also be interested in the following products: 

Thesis Writing Activity with PowerPoint Presentation
Teaching The Essay Package
Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes
Lord of the Flies Unit (No prep required)
Hamlet Unit (No prep - Complete Unit)
Death of a Salesman (No prep required)
Frankenstein (No prep - Complete Unit)
Poetry Unit for Senior Students (NO PREP)
Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students
Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation


Total Pages
9 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A

Free: Developing Themes in Literature

Product Description

This handout has been created to help both teachers and students learn how to develop themes in literature properly. This can be such an abstract concept for some students. Hopefully, this FREE handout will demystify theme development.

This handout includes step by step instructions on how to develop a theme in paragraph form.

I hope you enjoy it! 

It’s teaching made easy!

Thesis Writing Activity with PowerPoint Presentation

Teaching The Essay Package
Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes
Lord of the Flies Unit (No prep required)
Hamlet Unit (No prep – Complete Unit)
Death of a Salesman (No prep required)
Frankenstein (No prep – Complete Unit)
Poetry Unit for Senior Students (NO PREP)
Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students
Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation
Romeo and Juliet – A No Prep Unit
Total Pages 1 page

Answer Key  N/A

Teaching Duration N/A


The Elevator Short Story Mini Unit






Product Description
“The Elevator” Short Story Mini-Unit is a one-stop-shop for teaching the short story. Other than photocopies, all of the work has been done for you. 

This mini-unit is suitable for grades 7 through 10 and includes: 
-a copy of the short story
-questions for comprehension
-a plot chart organizer
-activity to help students discover the author’s purpose for writi-an instructional sheet on how to develop themes (with a practical example)
-an instructional sheet on how to develop a theme in paragraph form
-a graphic organizer to help students organize their paragraphs
-an example of a completed graphic organizer to plan the paragraph
-an example of a paragraph for “The Elevator.”
-a comprehensive answer key for all handouts
-a three-day lesson plan to accompany the story

It's teaching made easy!

You may also be interested in the following products: 

Rain, Rain, Go Away Short Story Mini Unit

Super Hero Themed Parts of Speech Posters (FREE)

FREE Parts of Speech Grammar Circles (Superhero Themed)

Sentences – Grammar Circles for easy and effective grammar

Spelling Flip Book

Rubrics Self-Evaluation

Fish Bowl Evaluation Bundle

Opinion Piece Bundle

How to Write a Paragraph

ELA Literature Study Unit to Use with ANY Work of Literature




Total Pages
16 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
N/A


Comment Bank

Product Description

Do you run out of meaningful criticism for your students’ high school papers and work? 

I created this comment bank because I had the same problem. After a little while, you don’t know what to write on a student’s test. 

The Comment Bank has been constructed to save the Language Arts teacher time when offering constructive and helpful comments on students’ evaluations. Marking papers in any Language Arts class is always a lengthy process. Increasingly, teachers are being asked to write more detailed comments to highlight students’ strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes we run out of ideas. Being the vigilant teachers we are, and wanting to help our students achieve their potential is and will always be one of our priorities. To this end, when marking students’ papers, writing down everything we want to say to them about their papers would be a very lengthy process. I have decided to share my personal comment bank with you.

The bank comments on the following areas: 

-Structure
-Communication
-The next step
-Mechanics
-Style
-Persuasion
-Analysis

The package contains 7 pages of comments, which are divided by levels of accomplishment A, B, C and D. (levels 100 to 50)

Included in this package are over 120 comments for students. You can get inspiration from these pages to handwrite your comments, or you can do what I do and copy/paste your comments into a word document, print, and staple the comment to the students’ evaluations. This is a real time saver. Parents, students, and school administration LOVE this method of feedback. And, this way, it takes much less time to be much more efficient. I hope you enjoy it!

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You may also be interested in the following products: 
Poetry Through Song Unit
Lord of the Flies Unit (No prep required)
Hamlet Unit (No prep – Complete Unit)
Death of a Salesman (No prep required)
Frankenstein (No prep – Complete Unit)
Poetry Unit for Senior Students (NO PREP)
Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students
Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation
Romeo and Juliet – A No Prep Unit
Thesis Writing Activity with PowerPoint Presentation
Teaching The Essay Package
Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes
It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages 7 pages

Answer Key N/A

Teaching Duration N/A


Free Creating a board Game Assessment Tool

Product Description

Assess your students’ knowledge of literature with this fun and creative evaluation. Not only will your students learn by creating a game, but other will learn as well by playing it.

This is a self-evaluation (and teacher assessment) rubric to guide students and teachers in the evaluation process.) 

This rubric was created to help students understand exactly what is expected of them for this evaluation. It is also an excellent tool to assess students’ progress and final product.

This self-assessment rubric is part of the bundle as well.

Self-evaluation grids are a great way to guide students in their evaluations. Students will know exactly what is expected of them and will be made responsible for their own success. This package can also easily be changed to be used as peer-evaluations.

It’s teaching made easy!

You may also be interested in the following products: 

Thesis Writing Activity with PowerPoint Presentation

Teaching The Essay Package
Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes
Lord of the Flies Unit (No prep required)
Hamlet Unit (No prep – Complete Unit)
Death of a Salesman (No prep required)
Frankenstein (No prep – Complete Unit)
Poetry Unit for Senior Students (NO PREP)
Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students
Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation
Total Pages 3 pages

Answer Key   N/A

Teaching Duration   N/A


FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “Free! Snowman Bookmarks ‘Reading is SNOW much fun!’”

by Christine Maxwell Hand to Heart

Pre-Kindergarten – 12th Grade

Free! Here are two pages of bookmarks for winter. One page is in color and the other is black and white.

They can be used to motivate reading with the words “Reading is SNOW much fun!” The clip art is appropriate for a wide range of groups.

Please leave feedback!
Please go to your My Purchases page (you may need to login). Beside each purchase you’ll see a Provide Feedbackbutton. Simply click it and you will be taken to a page where you can give a quick rating and leave a short comment for the product. Thank you for your feedback.

Also See:
Winter Products

More Snowman Activities:
Snowman ABC Letter and Sound Match
Winter Geometric Snowman Face
10 Little Snowmen Song and Number/Number Word Flashcards
Snowman’s Face Words Cut and Paste
Mr. Snowman
Winter Geometric Snowman
Snowman Do Together Parent/Child Homework Activity
10 Little Snowmen Class Book and Student Book for Winter
Snowman’s Face Words Cut and Paste
Snowman Color Word Puzzles
Winter Snowman Song And Posters S-N-O-W-Y Was His Name-O
Free! Snowman Bookmarks “Reading is SNOW much fun!”
Winter Build A Name or Word Snowman
Winter Geometric Snowman Face

See other:
Free Products In My Store!
Reading Activities

Follow Me to receive customized email updates about my store discounts, free activities and product launches. Look for the green star near the top of any page in my store and click it to become a follower.

How to get TPT credit to use on future purchases:
Please go to your My Purchases page (you may need to login). Beside each purchase you’ll see a Provide Feedbackbutton. Simply click it and you will be taken to a page where you can give a quick rating and leave a short comment for the product. Thank you for your feedback.

Enjoy!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Snowman-Bookmarks-Reading-is-SNOW-much-fun-985095

 

 

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Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Opinion Piece Bundle

Product Description

How to write an effective Opinion Piece Bundle includes:

-notes for students (What is an opinion piece? How do we write an opinion piece?…)
-work process sheets to help students organize their ideas
-an example of an effective opinion piece (an effective tool for teaching)
-a student self-evaluation and teacher evaluation

Total Pages 6 pages

Answer Key   N/A

Teaching Duration  N/A


December Teacher Talk

 
 
 
 
It’s December and time for our holiday version of Teacher Talk. Getting ready for the holiday festivities or just looking for some great ideas. You don’t want to miss what these creative educators are doing this month.
If you’re interested in joining this unique group of teacher entrepreneurs, blogging buddies and/or our blog linky, sign up here….The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative. If you decide to join, be sure to mention one of our names.
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Connect Kids to the Real World with PBL
 

 

What if you could connect your units of learning to current events without missing a beat with meeting the standards? Find a way to accomplish this here!
 
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Qi Gong and Emotional Well Being
By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

This past summer, I developed a love of Qi Gong which is a mind-body-spiritual practice that enhances our mental and physical well being by integrating posture, movement, correct breathing, self-massage, sound, and deep focus

 

 

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Beware of Creating Sweeping Generalizations
Be careful not to say way more than you meant to say when comparing adjectives and adverbs.


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Recycle Drinking Straws Into Christmas CreationsBy Margo Gentile of Margo Gentile

Make a beautiful Christmas tree plaque using only drinking straws and paper! Teachers and students will enjoy making these and giving them as gifts. Learning happens incidentally-lots of math, “engineering”, and language skills involved.
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An Ideal Gift
By Gini Musmanno of Reading Spotlight

It costs not a penny! It’s so easy, and it fills everyone (teacher included) with genial feelings! Perfect at this time of year, or anytime! Give this gift to your students.
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Finding Success With a Challenging Class
By Marcy Howe of It’s a Teacher Thing

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My Favorite Teaching Things
By Michelle Webb of Teaching Ideas For Those Who Love Teaching

My favorite things to use in my classroom.  Simple tools to make a teacher’s life easier.  Pleasures perfect for teachers classroom gifts. 
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From a Wanna Be Organizer
By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools

Okay, I admit it. . . I’m a wanna-be organizer. I’m envious of those classrooms (and homes!) that never have piles. Here are some tried & true tips for what has helped me (attempt to) tame the chaos.

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Please check out the tips from all the members in this link-up. You’ll find 
some fab ideas.


Romeo and Juliet Unit – No prep required

Romeo and Juliet Unit - No prep required

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Romeo-and-Juliet-Unit-No-prep-required-1133010

Product DescriptionROMEO AND JULIET UNIT

This bundled unit has been designed to make life easier for the Language Arts teacher. It contains a teacher guide with detailed lessons, a student guide with all of the notes required by students, an answer key for students’ work, and three evaluations (answer keys and evaluation rubrics included). All you need to do is print and begin teaching. 

This purchase includes:

•A comprehensive Teacher guide with 15 detailed lessons (7 pages)

•A student guide with guiding questions and activities (focus on characterization, themes, figurative language, irony, etc…) -10 pages

•A Scavenger Hunt activity to introduce students to Shakespeare and his times (includes eight colorful cards and a PowerPoint with answers.)

•A detailed answer key for students’ work (10 pages)

•A quiz on Acts 1 and 2 – answer key included

•Oral presentation on Irony – evaluation rubric included

•Culminating Activity – Students write a children’s story based on the themes in the play. Evaluation rubric as well as work process sheets included (7 pages)

There are a total of 51 pages included in this unit.

The unit will last between 17 to 20 periods. (3 – 4 week unit)

All that’s left is to teach. I hope you enjoy this unit.

You may also be interested in the following products: 
Poetry Through Song Unit
Lord of the Flies Unit (No prep required)
Hamlet Unit (No prep – Complete Unit)
Death of a Salesman (No prep required)
Frankenstein (No prep – Complete Unit)
Poetry Unit for Senior Students (NO PREP)
Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students
Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation

It’s teaching made easy! 


Total Pages 89 pages

Answer Key Included with rubric Teaching

Duration 2 Weeks


FREE Thesis Writing Activity

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Thesis-Writing-Activity-2827066

 

FREE Thesis Writing Activity

 

Product Description
Thesis writing is often an abstract concept for students and it is one of the most important things to know when writing an essay. 

This FREE activity will help students to correct problematic thesis statements, while learning how to compose their own.

There are lessons for two periods prepared for you : 

1) Attempting to write a thesis statement based on the following topic: Do we have the right to play God when it comes to human life?

2) Group activity where students must identify the weaknesses in 5 thesis statements and rewrite them to make them better.

Included:

– A comprehensive lesson plan (two days)
– The Student Activity Sheet
– Comprehensive Answer Sheet

5 pages total

You may also be interested in the following resources:

Step-by-Step Thesis Writing Poster

Thesis Writing Activity with PowerPoint Presentation

Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes

Teaching The Essay Package

Total Pages
5 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
2 days

FREE MISC. LESSON – “Secret Santa Slips”

by Spark Creativity

Pre-Kindergarten – 12th Grade

 

 

Use these fun slips to assign secret santas in your classroom, on your team, in your club, amongst the faculty, etc.

Just print and write in the names of everyone participating! Then shuffle and pass out.

Happy Holidays!

You might also enjoy:

Sensory Writing Activity: European Tour Postcards
6 Creative Review Activities for Any Material
An ELA STEM Activity: Literary Characters design their Own App
Group Work Guiding Handouts
Storyboard a Scene from Any Novel

Click the green star above to get updates on sales and freebies from Spark Creativity.

Let’s connect!

Spark Creativity on Facebook: Find creative teaching ideas, links and inspiring stories

Blogger: For pedagogy articles, new product descriptions, and videos

Pinterest: Stay tuned for each new release from Spark Creativity!

Remember, leaving product reviews earns you credit for future purchases! I’d always love to hear your feedback so I can make the kinds of products you want.

 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Secret-Santa-Slips-2870165

 

 

 

 

 

 

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http://www.thebestofteacherentrepreneursmarketingcooperative.com/2014/01/the-best-of-teacher-entrepreneurs.html
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Building Suspense in Creative Writing

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Building-Suspense-in-Creative-Writing-3774342

 

Building Suspense in Creative Writing

 

Product Description

In creative writing, the only thing that will keep the reader engaged in your story until the last page is by building effective suspense. This resource includes a visual chart of the different types of suspense to include in writing and includes relevant examples and tips to achieve it.

In addition, also included in this resource are two suspense building activities and 4 pages of notes on how to effectively build suspense within any type of story.
Please see the preview for more details.

You may also be interested in the following products that are part of my Creative Writing Series: 
Introduction to Creative Writing PowerPoint
Exploring the Elements of Fiction in Creative Writing
Creative Writing Activity
Creative Characters in Creative Writing

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
6 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A

ELA Literature Study Unit – Use with ANY Work of Literature

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ELA-Literature-Study-Unit-Use-with-ANY-Work-of-Literature-3223655

 

ELA Literature Study Unit - Use with ANY Work of Literature

 

Product Description

ELA Literature Study Unit – Use with ANY Work of Literature

This bundle has everything needed to teach any work of literature, to start literature circles, or as an alternative to independent book reports. It also teaches literacy skills which are essential for students to add meaning to content.

Now comes with a fill in the blank PDF for students who prefer using the computer

There are 24 pages in the unit guide that include:

-Anticipation guide

-Prediction chart

-Plot Chart

– Plot chart (graphic organizer)

-List of character traits and a STEAL chart for characterization

-Characterization graphic organizer

-STEAL characterization graphic organizer

-Character traits graphic organizer

-Conflict activity

-Personal word wall

-Important passages (quotes) activity sheet

-Questions for Comprehension (generic- before, during, and after reading)

-Event map

-Chapter summary pages

-Making inferences activity sheet

-Activity on author’s purpose

-Themes and how to develop them

-How to develop themes in paragraph form (using PEEL)

-Paragraph graphic organizer (using PEEL)

-How to answer a test question in paragraph form (using PEEL)

Included are 2 evaluations with rubrics:

1) Writing a journal as one of the characters in the story (focus on characterization)

2) Writing a newspaper article on an event from the story (focus on plot and cause and event)

Characterization poster for the classroom is also included in two different formats (legal size paper required)

It’s teaching made easy!

 

 

You may also be interested in the following products:

Thesis Writing Activity with PowerPoint Presentation

Teaching The Essay Package

Essay Evaluation Comments with Drop Down Boxes

Lord of the Flies Unit (No prep required)

Hamlet Unit (No prep – Complete Unit)

Death of a Salesman (No prep required)

Frankenstein (No prep – Complete Unit)

Poetry Unit for Senior Students (NO PREP)

Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students

Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation

Romeo and Juliet – A No Prep Unit

Total Pages
31 pages
Answer Key
Included with rubric
Teaching Duration
N/A

We Teach So Hard…Episode 18 Fur, Feathers & Scales: Animals in Your Classroom

Hissing cockroaches, live chickens, exploding cricket cages and more! This episode is meant for all teachers who have ever contemplated having animals in their classroom…and for those teachers who would never dream of it! Seriously, this episode might make you pee your pants…some of us might have in the recording of it. Let us entertain you with the highs and the lows of classroom pets.
Listen to our podcast on iTunes
 

Like what you hear? Come join our Facebook group click here Or visit us at any of the links below!
Tracy @ mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/
Retta @ rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/
Deann @ socrateslantern.com/
Kathie @ www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/


Free Frankenstein Activity

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Frankenstein-Activity-1110383

 

Frankenstein Activity

 

Product Description

Who is the real monster in Frankenstein?

This activity has been designed to help students to understand the creature’s character. Is he a friend, or is he an enemy? Is he solely responsible for his misery?

This activity helps to develop students’ argumentation skills in a fun and meaningful way.

This free activity is part of a larger unit:
Frankenstein Unit (No prep)

I hope you enjoy it.

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages
1 page
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A

Rain, Rain, Go Away Short Story Mini Unit

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Rain-Rain-Go-Away-Short-Story-Mini-Unit-3440607

 

Rain, Rain, Go Away Short Story Mini Unit

 

Product Description

The Rain Rain Go Away Mini Unit includes all materials to teach this short story. Students also get the opportunity to be creative and collaborate with others in the creative process. This unit is always a hit in my class.

The resource includes: 
-An anticipation guide
-A copy of the short story
-Questions for comprehension
-Plot graph activity
-Information sheet on characterization and an accompanying activity
-A personal word wall to improve students’ vocabulary and understanding
-A comprehensive answer key for all activities

Also included are two evaluations with evaluation grids:
-An individual evaluation where the student must write an alternate ending to the story
-A group evaluation where students must work collaboratively to produce an alternate ending

24 pages total

It’s teaching made easy!

You may also be interested in the following products: 

The Elevator Elevator Short Story Mini Unit

Intermediate Poetry Unit

Super Hero Themed Parts of Speech Posters (FREE)

FREE Parts of Speech Grammar Circles (Superhero Themed)

Sentences – Grammar Circles for easy and effective grammar

Spelling Flip Book

Rubrics Self-Evaluation

Fish Bowl Evaluation Bundle

Opinion Piece Bundle

How to Write a Paragraph

ELA Literature Study Unit to Use with ANY Work of Literature

Total Pages
24 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
1 Week

Rhythm in Poetry – A Complete Lesson

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Rhythm-in-Poetry-A-Complete-Lesson-1177410

 

Rhythm in Poetry - A Complete Lesson

 

Product Description

Teach students the importance of rhythm in poetry.

This lesson includes Emily Dickenson’s “If I Could Not Stop for Death” as well as Pearl Jam’s “Last Kiss” lyrics to discover (hands-on) the importance of rhythm in poetry. Often, Language Arts teachers are weaker in this area because it is a little more technical than merely looking at the language.

The lesson includes:
– a detailed lesson plan for the teacher
– student notes (the poems) and activities
– an annotated copy of the poems as well as a comprehensive answer key

The entire unit contains 6 pages and it will most likely take two periods to complete.

This lesson is part of a larger unit:
Click here for a preview of the Poetry Unit for senior Students unit

You may also be interested in the following products: 
Poetry Through Song Unit
Lord of the Flies Unit (No prep required)
Hamlet Unit (No prep – Complete Unit)
Death of a Salesman (No prep required)
Frankenstein (No prep – Complete Unit)
Poetry Unit for Senior Students (NO PREP)
Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students
Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation
Romeo and Juliet – A No Prep Unit

Total Pages
6 pages
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
2 days

FREE LANGUAGE ARTS LESSON – “FREE Christmas Bookmarks”

by HappyEdugator

Pre-Kindergarten – 12th Grade

 

 

Christmas – Free Christmas Bookmarks! 6 Color Bookmarks for you to enjoy. Print, laminate, and hand out as gifts or keep for yourself. A holiday treat for you in appreciation for your support! Thank you for following! Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas holiday!

You may also like:

Christmas Homophones Handout

Christmas Analogies PowerPoint

Christmas Pictionary and Charades Game

Christmas Activity – Christmas Trivia Game

This product is included in my huge

Christmas BUNDLE

© Deborah Hayes aka HappyEdugator. This resource is for classroom or homeschool use

 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Christmas-Bookmarks-1589580

 

 

 

 

 

 

Join The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative at
http://www.thebestofteacherentrepreneursmarketingcooperative.com/2014/01/the-best-of-teacher-entrepreneurs.html
and get THOUSANDS OF PAGE VIEWS for your TpT products!

Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!

 

 

 

 

We Teach So Hard……Episode 17 Stem…Steam…PBL? Decoding the Acronyms

STEM? STEAM? PBL? What’s the difference? Give us a listen as we discuss the differences, the reasons for incorporating it in your classroom, as well as some practical tips and tricks for success. Let us entertain you with a few fails of our own, as well!

Take a listen on iTunes

Like what you hear? Visit us at our blogs below! We promise, you won’t be sorry you stopped by! Don’t forget to comment or rate our podcast!

Tracy @ mossyoakmusings.blogspot.com/
Retta @ rainbowcitylearning.blogspot.com/
Kathie @ www.triedandtrueteachingtools.com/
Deann @ socrateslantern.com/

Would you like to take a look at some of our PBL Resources and Activities? Just click the images below.