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Raising Rigor and Readers

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I am a middle grades ELA teacher who loves teaching! One of my favorite topics to blog about is providing access to a quality education to ALL students. Thanks for stopping by!

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I am a middle grades ELA teacher who loves teaching! One of my favorite topics to blog about is providing access to a quality education to ALL students. Thanks for stopping by!
Personal Narrative Unit Grades 6-8
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Personal Narrative Unit Grades 6-8

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This personal narrative unit is directly aligned to Common Core Writing and Language standards, and is designed for students in grades 6-8. This unit will lead you and your students through the process of writing personal narratives. There are more than 65 pages which include: Suggested Lesson and Resource Scope and Sequence Lesson Plan Template Graphic Organizers Narrative Definition Poster Narrative Subway Art Mentor Text Narrative topics Narrative Activities Student Revision Checklist Student Editing Checklist Common Core Aligned Rubric 32 Task Cards aligned to Language standards Publishing Paper Mini-lessons: Flashbacks Dialogue and Quotations Descriptive Language Voice Point of View Clauses and Phrases Sentence Fluency Writing Narrative Leads Using Transition Words
Poetry Analysis Resource
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Poetry Analysis Resource

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This resource is included in the Locomotion Novel Unit so if you have purchased that Unit please do not purchase this one. It includes Common Core Analysis of 10 poems. • “Ode to family photographs” by Gary Soto • “A Bird Came Down the Walk” by Emily Dickinson • “A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long.” by Nikki Giovanni • “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost • “Humanity” by Elma Stuckey • “Something Told the Wild Geese” by Rachel Field • “Words as Free as Confetti” by Pat Mora • “In the Time of Silver Rain” by Langston Hughes • “The Sea” by James Reeves • “Wind” by James Reeves There is a bonus lesson included that gets to students to use the biography of Nikki Giovanni in order to analysis the poem through the lens of the author.
Narrative: The Holocaust
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Narrative: The Holocaust

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This resource includes materials to walk your students through creating a personal narrative from the perspective of a Holocaust survivor. The topic is about the Holocaust, but the majority of planning documents included in this resource will stand alone with any other topic. This is resource includes: - Two mini-lessons to help students understand Personal Narratives and Revise their writing for descriptive language - Three original planning graphic organizers - Teacher model for the topic - Drafting and Publishing Paper Excluding Title Page this resource is 16 pages! This activity is included in my Number the Stars novel unit, but I have updated it to include one more graphic organizer and two additional mini-lessons.
FREEBIE - Valentine's Day
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FREEBIE - Valentine's Day

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This is a fun freebie to get writing juices flowing with students. This freebie assists students with creating the “perfect pair” and is great to assist students with Valentine’s Day writing. Enjoy!
Informational Text Graphic Organizers
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Informational Text Graphic Organizers

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The use of graphic organizers is a research based strategy for building comprehension and engagement with complex text. This resource is for all “graphic-FANantics” and those interested in using graphic organizers with their class. This a rich collection of 50 original organizers aligned to Common Core Informational Text standards. They are perfect for any informational text and focus on students digging into the text to find specific details and deeper meaning. There are 50 original organizers that can be used with students in grades 4-6 and Common Core alignment is discretely noted on each organizer. These organizers can be used in whole group lessons, homework assignments, during skill lesson, and/or small groups. My personal favorite includes using these organizers to hold students accountable for independent reading.
A to Z Task Cards: Famous African Americans
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A to Z Task Cards: Famous African Americans

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This is a set of 26 half page task cards about famous African Americans. There are 3 questions for each card, an answer key, and student response form. This activity is perfect for centers or small groups! An intentional focus was place on introducing students to a variety of celebrated African Americans. Marian Anderson Mary McLeod Bethune Cab Calloway Dr. Charles R. Drew Duke Ellington Ella Fitzgerald Althea Gibson Matthew Henson Rex Ingram Mae Jemison Ulysses Kay Alaine Locke Constance Baker Motley Kwame Nkrumah Jessie Owens Colin Luther Powell Benjamin Quarles Wilma Rudolph Betty Shabazz Sojourner Truth Leslie Uggams Denmark Vesey Ida B. Wells Malcolm X Whitney Young Jr. Shaka Zulu
Common Core Aligned Reading Literature Graphic Organizers
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Common Core Aligned Reading Literature Graphic Organizers

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This resource is a compilation of reading literature graphic organizers that I have created for my students through the years. They are perfect for any fictional text and focus on students digging into the text to find specific details and deeper meaning for the Reading Literature Common Core standards. There are 43 original organizers that can be used with students in grades 4-6 and Common Core alignment is discretely noted on each organizer. This resource also includes six sample completed organizers aligned with the short story “Thank You Ma’am” and suggested implementation for these organizers. These organizers can be used in whole group lessons, literature circles, novel studies, homework assignments, and/or small groups. My personal favorite includes using these organizers to hold students accountable for their independent reading books.
Figurative Language and Context Clues "I have...Who has?" Game
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Figurative Language and Context Clues "I have...Who has?" Game

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These activities are prefect for engaging your entire class in a quick game of “I have…Who has…?” The game promotes listening and speaking skills. My students love doing a timed edition where I compete between classes for the class that can get to 100% without errors in the shortest amount of time. This product includes: • 24 figurative language game task cards • 24 context clues game task cards • Response keys • Guidance for playing the game
Rigorous Short Story - Raymond's Run
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Rigorous Short Story - Raymond's Run

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“Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara is a short story about self-identity and confidence. The lead character Squeaky is a hard-working and smart mouthed runner who takes care of her brother Raymond who has a disability. As the story progresses readers are treated to an unexpected character change. This resource is aligned to Common Core Standards and provides opportunities for students to critically evaluate character traits, character change, character challenges, and theme using evidence from the text! One of the most amazing components is the inclusion of FIVE original graphic organizers with answer keys. These organizers can be used with other texts! This is a jam packed short story evaluation that includes: - Suggested Lesson Plan - Common Core Aligned Questions based on the text - Original Graphic Organizers - Description of how to implement Graphic Organizers - Comprehension Questions
Native American Unit
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Native American Unit

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This is a rigorous unit geared at student engagement, thinking, reading, and writing skills. Students read and analyze both informational and fictional texts, and write an argumentative and literary essay. This unit was designed for students to celebrate the rich and complex history of North America’s first people. Please download the preview for more information. There are more than 80 pages which include: Two page Informational Text Articles with Comprehension Questions and Activities: - The First Americans - Cultures of the Southwest - Cultures of the Northwest - Cultures of the Great Plains - Eastern Woodlands Natives - Mound Building Cultures - The Inuit Fictional Text with Comprehension Questions and Activities: - The Raven and The Crow: The Stolen Potlatch - The Legend of Good Luck - The Coyote and the Buffalo ***********************************************
Common Core Aligned Collaborative Discussions (Grades 3-6)
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Common Core Aligned Collaborative Discussions (Grades 3-6)

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This resource is aligned to Speaking and Listening standards from the Common Core standards. I use this with my 5th graders, but it is broad enough to apply to grades 3-6. This resource is intended to assist teachers in implementing effective collaborative discussions about the text. This resource includes: - Overview and Key Components to Implementation Description - Student Responsibilities (Roles) Cards - Sentence Starters aligned to Roles - Discussion Participant Checklist - Self-Evaluation Rubric for participants - Teacher evaluation rubric (CUSTOMIZABLE) - 6 Reading Literature Preparation Guides - 7 Reading Informational Text Preparation Guides - 16 Reading Literature Conversation Starter Cards - 12 Reading Informational Text Conversation Starter Cards If you like this product or have thoughts on how to improve please leave me your feedback! Enjoy!
Writing Graphic Organizers - Common Core Aligned
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Writing Graphic Organizers - Common Core Aligned

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These organizers are included in my Argumentative, Informative, and Personal Narrative writing units. If you have those units, or purchased my writing bundle, please do not grab these. This resource includes 30 original graphic organizers that will assist your students with writing. These organizers are aligned to three types of writing noted in the Common Core State Standards, and will guide students with organizing their thoughts to the topic of your choice. Organizers included: ★ Argumentative (8) ★ Informative (15) ★ Personal Narrative (7)
Informative Writing - Middle Grades
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Informative Writing - Middle Grades

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This unit is directly aligned to Common Core Writing and Language standards, and is designed for students in grades 6-8. This unit will lead you and your students through the process of writing different types of informative pieces. Download the preview for a peak at the resources. There are more than 65 pages which include: ★ Explanatory/Informative Writing Overview ★ Mentor Texts (4) ★ Writing topics (32) ★ Student Revision Checklist ★ Student Editing Checklist ★ Common Core Aligned Rubric Graphic Organizers by Organization Structure Descriptive (5) Problem Solution (2) Compare and Contrast (2) Cause and Effect (4) Generic (4) Mini-lessons: Drafting From an Outline Recognizing Bias in Writing Compare and Contrast Formats Cause Effect Language Lessons: Infinitive and Infinitive Phrases Gerunds
Making Inferences & Quoting from the Text: Common Core Aligned
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Making Inferences & Quoting from the Text: Common Core Aligned

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This unit focuses on remediating and/or enriching skills associated with quoting, inferring, and explaining using informational and fictional text. The Lexile level for each passage is noted in the table of contents, and there are multiple examples, sample questions, and aligned assessments. It is compiled in four sections that gradually develop student independence: 1. Modeled Instruction 2. Guided Instruction 3. Independent Practice 4. Assessment There are also graphic organizers, and an activity for students to practice inferring using pictures. Answer keys are included for all resources and this is aligned to Common Core States Standards (RL.4.1,RL.5.1, RI.4.1,RI.5.1). All teachers have to do it print and copy! ***********************************************
Theme Unit - Common Core Aligned
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Theme Unit - Common Core Aligned

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This unit will help students and teachers take on the ever elusive theme, which is a difficult concept to teach. This unit also delves into students writing constructed responses to text, which is aligned to Common Core Standards. There are more than 65 pages in this unit, which include posters, graphic organizers, half page graphic organizers, and practice questions (spanning multiple common core standards). Literature Passages: • The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Aesop fable) • The Lion and the Mouse (Aesop fable) • The Tortoise and the Hare (Aesop fable) • The Princess and the Frog (Fairy Tale) • Rapunzel (Fairy Tale) • Marie and the Brilliant Fish (African fable) • The Helping Hand (Short Story) • Diamond in the Rough (Short Story) • the drum by Nikki Giovanni (poem) • Same Song by Pat Mora (poem) (5) Theme Posters (6) Graphic Organizers (16) Half Page Task cards
Rules Novel Study
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Rules Novel Study

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This is a complete novel study using the book Rules. The book is a Newberry Honor Book and explores themes of friendship, family, and students with disabilities. The entire unit focuses on the Common Core Standards and shift to getting students to use evidence from the text to defend their responses. You will notice a mix of multiple choice questions and short answers where students are required to give specific evidence to explain their answers. More importantly it unites ELA with reading, writing, and vocabulary. This unit is also perfect for guided reading groups. This unit also includes a guide for implementing collaborative conversations with your students that aligns to the Speaking and Listening Common Core State Standards. Included: 17 Print and Go/Editable Lessons (Student work, exit ticket, homework) 18 Vocabulary words that are explored for deeper meaning 1 Student Collaborative Discussion booklet
Bud, Not Buddy Novel Unit
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Bud, Not Buddy Novel Unit

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This is a unit has been completely updated for formatting and content. It is a complete novel study using the book Bud, Not Buddy. The entire unit focuses on the Common Core Standards shift to getting students to use evidence from the text to defend their responses. It includes: • Overview with Suggested Objectives aligned to the text • Explanation of Lesson Components • Daily Reading Summary • Daily Vocabulary Words • Six Mini-lessons • Daily "Active Reading" Lesson that aligns to Common Core Standards with an Exit Ticket • Daily Homework Questions • Writing Component All lesson parts are in Word formatting that can be easily edited for classroom needs. There are Word version AND PDF files for ease of printing.
FREEBIE - Poetry in your Pocket Day
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FREEBIE - Poetry in your Pocket Day

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I love teaching poetry and this includes the poems that are included in all my resources and many more!This resource is just a list of poems from various poets. Share them on National Poem in Your Pocket Day by folding them up and putting them in your pocket. Enjoy!
FREEBIE - Determine how a speaker reflects on a topic
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FREEBIE - Determine how a speaker reflects on a topic

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This is a free lesson that focuses on Common Core Standard RL.5.2 The file uses the poem "Same Song" by Pat Mora (obtained on a free public domain) to help student analyze the main idea or topic that that the author is describing. This activity can be used as review, homework, or a supplemental component for the aligned standard. This file is saved as a PDF, but can be printed out and used with students in it's current format. I am working to create additional products for my store and appreciate any feedback on this lesson.