**MIDDLE SCHOOL THANKSGIVING ACTIVITIES PACKET! Fun for students! Time-saver for YOU! This Packet Includes:** Letter of Gratitude: I am thankful for… This meaningful and engaging activity includes writing prompts and a template for students to pen a letter of reflection and gratitude Crossword Puzzle Word Search And a Parts of Speech Fill-in-the-blank Word Story (based off of the popular word game! (Always a class favorite!) Save yourself some time (and sanity!) when the Thanksgiving Break week approaches with this packet of five “time-filler” activities:** Answer Keys always provided! Happy Thanksgiving!

******** THE GIVER UNIT PACKET: This is a UNIT PACKET for The Giver by Lois Lowry. The packet includes the following: 1) TIMELINE UNIT PROJECT This project encourages student engagement throughout the entire progression of the novel. It includes a guideline with instructions for the students, a graphic organizer for note-taking, and an easy-to-grade rubric for you.This can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups. 2) MOCK CEREMONY OF TWELVE The most fun you'll have all year... This is a fun and engaging activity to do with your students as you read. This Mock Ceremony allows your students to actively engage with the novel as they play the roles as citizens of the community. There is a writing portion of the activity that encourages persuasive writing, as well as a public speaking aspect. The packet includes instructions and a "script" for you, guidelines and worksheets for the students, and job assignments. 3) CHAPTER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS This is a packet of over 50 chapter questions that can be used as a tool for you to facilitate class discussion and/or given to your students for individual reflection. The questions are reflective of main points or themes that require critical thinking skills. Many of the questions challenge students to think outside of the novel and reflect on our own society and encourage growth as individuals. 4) CHAPTER VOCABULARY GRAPHIC ORGANIZER This is a comprehensive unit packet of Vocabulary with over 50 Vocabulary terms used in the novel. Providing students with this packet allows for closer reading and engagement with the novel. The Vocabulary Graphic Organizer is a column chart that instructs the students to write how the word is used in context with the book (page numbers included), provide a definition, and create a new sentence. 5) 45 QUESTION UNIT EXAM (PLUS ESSAY PROMPT) 45-Question Unit Exam that includes 25 multiple choice comprehension/critical thinking questions, 15 character and terminology matching questions, and 5 plot diagram questions. Easy-to-read Answer Key. Also included is an Essay prompt that may be used as part of the exam (based on how much time your class periods allow for assessment) or assigned as an individual take-home or in-class essay. A Rubric, a Brainstorming Sheet, an Outline Sheet, and a Final Draft Sheet are provided. (The latter three are optional based on your preference.) 6) STUDENT UTOPIA PROJECT Get your students excited about reading this novel by starting off the unit with The Utopia Project. . .While this is a project designed to introduce students to the novel, it may be done during any portion of the unit. The purpose of this project is to not only introduce the novel, but to get your students actively thinking about the setting and theme of a Utopian vs. Dystopian world. Included in this product are guidelines to help your students create an advertisement or visual depiction of their perfect, Utopian society. Also included is a Rubric for quick and easy grading. *****************************************************************************

******** THE OUTSIDERS UNIT PACKET: This is a UNIT PACKET for The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. The packet includes the following: 1) TIMELINE UNIT PROJECT This project encourages student engagement throughout the entire progression of the novel. It includes a guideline with instructions for the students, a graphic organizer for note-taking, and an easy-to-grade rubric for you.This can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups. 2) JOHNNY ON TRIAL: A MOCK TRIAL The most fun you’ll have all year… The activity is a Mock Trial for Johnny Cade and his role in the murder of Bob Sheldon. It is the students’ job to decide if Johnny acted in self defense or if he is guilty of second degree murder. The packet guides the students through the process of the trial with easy-to-follow instructions which means no prep for you! This activity challenges them to engage their close reading, writing, group collaboration, and public speaking skills. A grading rubric is also included. 4) COMPREHENSION QUIZZES These are three very BASIC* comprehension quizzes that cover Chapters 1-4, 5-8, and 9-12. These quizzes are just a quick assessment to ensure they are following along. There are ten multiple choice questions per quiz and an Answer Key is included. *The EXAM included in this packet delves more into details and close reading. 5) CHARACTER AND TERMINOLOGY CROSSWORD REVIEW This is a 20-question Crossword Puzzle with terms, characters, and plot points from the play. Good for summary and review before exam, or just for days when students are silent reading and you get some early finishers. 6) 40 QUESTION UNIT EXAM (PLUS ESSAY PROMPT) 40 question unit exam that includes 15 multiple choice comprehension/critical thinking questions, 15 character and terminology matching questions, 5 true/false, and 5 plot diagram (optional). Answer key provided. Also included is an Essay prompt that may be used as part of the exam (based on how much time your class periods allow for assessment) or assigned as an individual take-home or in-class essay. A Rubric, a Brainstorming Sheet, an Outline Sheet, and a Final Draft Sheet are provided. (The latter three are optional based on your preference.)

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES PACKET! Fun for students! Time-saver for YOU! Now includes inclusive activities for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Bodhi Day UPDATE!! I have added a new, meaningful activity that allows students to explore other cultural traditions: “Letter Writing” Now, along with the other fun activities, your kids can pen an impactful letter of cultural exploration during this holiday season. This Packet Includes: Letter Writing: Exploring other Cultural Traditions This meaningful and engaging activity includes writing prompts; facts for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Bodhi Day; as well as a letter template. Students will explore (fact sheets provided!) a holiday different from their own, and a pen a letter to a figure or person representing that holiday. A Parts of Speech Fill-in-the-blank Word Story (based off of the popular word game “Mad Libs”! Always a class favorite! Students will rewrite “The Night Before Christmas” Crossword Puzzle ( 15 Christmas Clues) Word Searches (2 Puzzles: Christmas and December Holidays) Acrostic Poem (with brainstorming word web and template for all four holidays) Save yourself some time (and sanity!) when the Holiday Break approaches with this packet of five activities. Great for time-fillers, subs, or just a quick activity with no prep for you! Answer Keys always provided! Happy Holidays!