Category Archives : 9th Grade


Seventh Grade Short Story Mini Unit

Product Description

Seventh Grade Short Story Mini Unit is a great way to start any literature unit. Suitable from grade seven to ten, this unit reviews literary elements and allows students to practice identifying all important elements.

The unit includes:

-A Copy of the short story

-An anticipation reading guide

-a two-page literary element cheat sheet

-plot graph

-word wall

-Character trait explanation sheet

-Characterization activity

-Writing evaluation (or activity) with an evaluation sheet

-Comprehensive answer key for all activities.

18 pages total

It’s teaching made easy!

You may also be interested in the following products:

The 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 18 pages

Answer Key Included with rubric

Teaching Duration 3 days


Evaluating a Fish bowl Activity in a Literature Circle

Product Description

The Fishbowl activity is mostly useful during literature circles or in a novel study. Quite literally, the group in the center is being watched by the rest of the class, while they are discussing elements of fiction. This activity is a very important tool in order to teach students how group discussions should run, what is to be said, and how it is to be said. Many times the leader of the discussion doesn’t know how to prompt members to elaborate upon their contributions. This will certainly help.

In addition, it is often difficult for a teacher to evaluate these discussions, which is the reason I have created this package. It is easy to use and you can merely check boxes to quickly assess each member of the groups.

This package contains:
• An explanation of The Fishbowl Activity
• How to run a Fishbowl Activity (within the realm of a literature circle)
• Why such an activity is important
• Evaluation sheets one can use to easily evaluate the discussions and roles of students

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 8 pages

Answer Key N/A

Teaching Duration N/A


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!


Free: Exploring the Elements of Fiction in Creative Writing

Product Description

As an introduction to story writing and the creative writing process, these visual notes are a great way for students to understand what that process is and what it is not. 

Note sheet includes the following topics: 
What makes a story good?
What about the plot?
Narrative unity
Building suspense
Includes practical examples as explanations

The resource also includes a chart to help students think about the important elements in their own stories. 

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
Creative Writing Activity
Buidling Suspense in Creative Writing
Creative Characters in Creative Writing

It’s teaching made easy!


Rubrics: Self Evaluation and teacher assessment rubrics

Product Description

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.


Included within this document are over 20 different self-evaluation grids.

These self-evaluation grids are also very helpful to teachers:
 Helps the teacher justify the final mark;
Helps the teacher create meaningful evaluation grids;
 Helps to identify students’ weaknesses and strengths;
 Helps parents and students better understand the task required;
 Helps teachers create rubrics for the final evaluation.

This package was created in a Word document in order to be easily modified and changed according to the individual teacher’s needs.

This self-evaluation package contains self-evaluation grids for:
 Newspaper article
 Short story writing (intermediate and senior)
 Essay writing (various different types)
 Essay evaluation rubrics (for teacher –with and without sources)
 Independent study unit
 Research paper
 Skits
 Board game
 Group work
 Opinion piece
 Editorial
 Friendly letter
 Debate
 Movie review
 Journals
 Scrapbook
 Seminar
 Speech
 Riddle writing

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 27 pages

Answer Key N/A

Teaching Duration N/A


The Three Paragraph Essay

Product Description

This is a great way to teach students how to structure their essay properly. 

The Three Paragraph Essay is a resource that is best used for novice essay writers. It is an excellent way to introduce the expository essay. The 2-page pdf document includes simple step-by-step instructions to teach students how to write an effective three paragraph essay.

I recommend using this material with students who are in grades 7-9. It is an efficient and simple way of learning how to write a proper introduction, a one paragraph development, and a conclusion that serves a purpose.

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 2 pages

Answer Key N/A

Teaching Duration N/A



Episode 21…We Teach So Hard…Ringing in the New Year with Classroom Goal Setting

Everything feels fresh and new. It’s a new year…you have renewed energy…your kiddos are bouncing in their seats. How do you set goals with you students? How do you make sure those goals are meaningful? This is episode is chocked full of tips, advice, and secret confessions of failed resolutions! You don’t want to miss it!

Listen on iTunes
Don’t have iTunes, no worries, use this link

Like what you hear? Visit our blogs at:

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


FREE MISC. LESSON – “*FREEBIE* Heart Frame”

by Sparkle in Second

Pre-Kindergarten – 12th Grade

Here’s my first digital clip art product I created, and I am giving it to all of you! I love it, and I loved making it! I am hoping to continue creating more frames! Please leave feedback! Thanks!
Jamie Paino 

*For Personal & Commercial Use*

Please check out some of my other products!
Biography Template

Foldables

All About Book Packet

Skip Counting by 5s, 10s, and 100s

Foldables and Interactive Notebook MEGA PACK

Place Value Packet


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREEBIE-Heart-Frame-1659659

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Figurative Language and Poetic Devices Jeopardy Game

Product Description

Are you looking for a new way of introducing poetic devices in your class? This PowerPoint document is a great way to review poetic terms or to help students learn them. 

I play this game from grade 9 to grade 12 and all of the students love them.

Directions on how to play the game are also included.

It’s teaching made easy! 
Total Pages 28 pages

Answer Key N/A

Teaching Duration N/A


Poetry Unit : The Art of Interpretation No Prep

Product Description

Poetry: The Art of Interpretation – is designed to teach students how to interpret, appreciate, and analyze poetry.

There are nine complete lessons (estimated to last approximately 60 minutes), therefore two weeks of lessons.

This complete, no prep unit is a great way to start! This unit includes a student guide, nine detailed lesson plans, two multimedia presentations (no internet connection required), a detailed answer key with annotated poems and answers, and an end of the unit evaluation with a rubric, and answer key.

Just print it and teach it.

Poetry is a very subjective form of art. Some poems you love and others, you hate. What we need to realize is that this is the beauty of poetry. Poetry is not a mystery to be solved. Rather, it is the masterful manipulation of language that has the power to transform the ordinary and to immerse its reader into the world created by the author.

This unit incorporates art to help students understand and appreciate the beauty of words. Also, students will learn how to analyze themes in poetry through paintings and artwork. 

This bundle includes:

Each lesson focuses on a different skill set including:
– Knowledge and manipulation of figurative and poetic language
– How to read and understand (appreciate) poetry
– How to analyze poetry
– How to annotate poetry
– How to paraphrase effectively
– How to use symbols
– How to effectively develop themes from poetry
– Creative writing
– Creative activities to learn how to analyze

The unit includes a student packet (20 pages), a teacher packet (with nine complete lessons), and a comprehensive answer key with annotations to the poem (with 17 pages). See the preview for more details.

Poets studied include: (8 poems total)
– Billy Collins – “Introduction to Poetry”
– Anne Marriott – “As You Come in”
– Phyllis Gotlieb – “First Person Demonstrative”
– Edgar Allan Poe – The Raven
– Robert Frost – “Nothing Gold Can Stay.”
– John Crowe Ransom -“Janet Waking”
– Woodruff – “I am a Poem that Tells a Lie.”
– Tennyson – “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”

The unit also includes: 

1 – The teacher guide (Contains nine comprehensive lesson plans to teach the poems included in the unit. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO TEACH THIS UNIT HAS BEEN DONE FOR YOU. )

2 – The student package (Contains students’ notes, poems, and questions) (20 pages)

3 – The answer key includes annotated poems and answers to all student activities (saving you time – 18 pages).

4 – Included is a test with multiple choice questions as well as a development question. All answers are included. (Word format for easy changes)

5 – 2 PowerPoint presentations – one multimedia presentation to introduce the unit (17 slides) and the second to reinforce the use of imagery and symbolism (19 slides) – NO INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED

6 – Images to project or print

7- An end of the unit creative evaluation, which includes clear and concise directions and rubric. (In a Word document for easy modifications)

– An interactive multimedia Jeopardy game to review figurative language and poetic devices (PowerPoint – no internet required)

– A multimedia PowerPoint on how to read and interpret poetry

– A PowerPoint presentation on how to understand symbols and imagery in literature (19 slides)

– A final culminating evaluation with evaluation rubric (left in Word format for easily made modifications)

The unit has been created in such a way as to simplify the teacher’s life. Photocopy the three packages included and don’t worry about it for the rest of the unit. You literally can begin teaching it without any other preparation. 

A total of 43 pages + 64 slides are included in this package.

This unit is complete and does all of the thinking for you. All you need to do is to print out and photocopy the student package, and you’re set.

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

I will be adding to this resource. Click on the Follow Me section at the top of my store page 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.

Total Pages 43 pages and 64 slides

Answer Key Included with rubric

Teaching Duration 2 Weeks


Introduction to Creative Writing PowerPoint

Product Description

The Introduction to Creative Writing PowerPoint

is an easy way to introduce both a creative writing unit or a creative writing class. The PowerPoint includes thought-provoking questions and includes an overview of what writing should and shouldn’t be.

The PowerPoint includes 13 slides with the following titles:

-Activity on students’ expectations of the class

– All about being a writer

-Course overview (ex. Characterization, story structure, etc.)

– Stephen King on Writing

– Inspirational quotes from famous writers about writing

-The writing process

-General and realistic goals in writing

-Students’ personal goal about writing

– Ice breaking activity (So… What’s your story?)

– Grammar and spelling in writing

-Formatting

– Homework activity

Please see the preview for more details.

You may also be interested in the following products that are part of my Creative Writing Series:

Exploring the Elements of Fiction in Creative Writing

Creative Writing Activity

Buidling Suspense in Creative Writing

Creative Characters in Creative Writing

It’s teaching made easy!

Total Pages 13 slides

Answer Key N/A

Teaching Duration 1 hour


January Teacher Talk

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

It’s 2019! Time sure flies. We have some great ideas for you in our January
edition of Teacher Talk. So hurry on over to see what these 
creative educators are doing this month.

If you’re interested in joining this unique group of teacherentrepreneurs, 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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Success Begins with Baby Steps
Are you one of those people who starts the new year with the intention of making goals for yourself but never quite follow through? If you said yes, you’re in the majority, statistics show that only 8% of the people who make goals keep them. Why do so many of us, me included, fail at goal setting?
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Culturally Responsive Teaching
 Is your classroom culturally responsive? This post might surprise you!
 ************************************************************************** 
Tried & True Bookmaking: Poof Book
By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools 

 There’s nothing like making a book to get students excited! They oooh and aaah, as if it is magic! This blog post is the first in a series: Tried and True Bookmaking. 
  **************************************************************************

How to Respond to Incorrect Answers
 By Gini Musmanno of Reading Spotlight

 Have you ever wondered if there is a helpful way to respond to students’ incorrect answers— a way that will improve not only their comprehension, but also their mindfulness when they are reading and participating in class discussions? Here are some constructive tactics to use in replying to incorrect answers. 

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 How Do Velcro Dots Help to Regulate Behavior
By Margo Gentile of Margo Gentile 

 This was a spontaneous last resort behavior mod intervention that was really effective! Whatever works!
  **************************************************************************
 THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF ZERO, The Exponent- Why Any Number to the Zero Power Equals One
By Vicki Rauch of Scipi 

 Sometimes my college students like to ask me what seems to be a difficult question. (In reality, they want to play Stump the Teacher.) One such infamous question is, “Why is any number to the zero power one?” Find out how I showed them that the answer is always one using patterns.
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 Goal Setting for the New Year: One Word
By Lisa Robles of LisaTeachR’s Classroom

 Be intentional! Choose one word to focus your year.

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 Be My Valentine Treats
By Charlene Tess of Charlene Tess 

 Here are a free Valentine’s Day lesson idea and a free activity to help your students correct run-on sentences.
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 Hook Your Students in Writing
By Sally Hansen of Purposeful Plans 

The hook isn’t just the attention getter at the beginning of an essay. Get your students interested in the type of essay by playing an activity before you teach!
  **************************************************************************
Roses are Red: Using Poetry in Reader’s Workshop
By Tracy Willis of Mossy Oak Musings 

 Poetry + Reader’s Workshop = Common Core & Complex Text! It’s a winning equation. If you’re not using poetry in your reader’s workshop, you’re missing out on some phenomenal learning opportunities. This post is chocked full of ideas to help you incorporate poetry 
into your workshop.
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 5 Easy Ways to Implement Differentiation Into Your Classroom
By Marcy Howe of It’s a Teacher Thing 

 We all want to help every student succeed. Learn 5-easy ways you can start implementing differentiation in your classroom today.
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Charles by Shirley Jackson Short Story Mini-Unit

Product Description

This short story mini-unit features Shirley Jackson’s short story “Charles.” Appropriate for grades 7 to 10, the lessons focus on the development of theme and paragraphs.

Included in the mini-unit is:

• A copy of the short story

• A prediction chart

• An anticipation guide

• Activity sheet (select important passages in the text for later theme and paragraph support)

• Author’s purpose activity sheet

• How to develop a theme sheet with an example

• A graphic organizer to help student plan their paragraph

• An answer key for all activities

• 3-day lesson plan for easy planning

16 pages total

All the prep work has been done for you.

It’s teaching made easy!

You may also be interested in the following products:

Poetry Unit for Intermediate Students

Poetry Unit: The Art of Interpretation

Romeo and Juliet – A No Prep Unit

The 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 16 pages

Answer Key Included

Teaching Duration 3 days


Opinion Letter with the Novel Holes

Product Description

The Opinion Letter with the Novel Holes

Appropriate for grades 7 to 9, students learn how to recognize and write a supported opinion using Louis Sachar’s novel “Holes.”

The bundle includes: 
-An activity sheet on “What is a Supported Opinion?” (with answer key)

-Instructions on how to write an effective opinion letter

-The evaluation which contains the instruction sheet and list of topics (that were selected for students of different needs. Students who are high achieving might select one of the more complex topics, while a student who struggles can choose a more obvious one.)

-An evaluation grid is included along with evaluation expectations

-All writing process directions and sheets are included (Pre-Writing or Brainstorming sheet and a Paragraph Organizer)

-Also included is an example of the writing process from beginning to end to help students fully understand what the task entails. (Pre-Writing sheet, Paragraph Organizer and the final draft, which includes format expectations.)

It really is teaching made easy! Print it and go!

Ten pages in PDF format are included.

You may also be interested in the following products: 
The 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 10 pages

Answer KeyvIncluded with rubric

Teaching Duration 4 days


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

Join The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative at
http://www.thebestofteacherentrepreneursmarketingcooperative.com/2014/01/the-best-of-teacher-entrepreneurs.html
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Victoria Leon’s TpT Store
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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

Join The Best of Teacher Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative at
http://www.thebestofteacherentrepreneursmarketingcooperative.com/2014/01/the-best-of-teacher-entrepreneurs.html
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Victoria Leon’s TpT Store
Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!







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

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!

Victoria Leon’s TpT Store
Go to http://www.pinterest.com/TheBestofTPT/ for even more free products!







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 • 

Don’t forget about the green ★ to follow my store to get notifications of new resources and freebies!

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