“The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe is a classic short story that is riveting from start to finish. This is one of Poe’s most recognized works, and it is sure to grab the attention of your students! This resource is aligned to Common Core standards and age/grade appropriate. All materials provided in this lesson will position students to make a claim about the narrator and engage in deep conversations regarding the events that unfold. This unit infuses a bit of technology with the use of QR codes, but no worries, teachers are still set up for success without the technology. This unit is designed for Grades 8-10! Mini-Lessons: - Mood and Tone - Prefixes and Suffixes - Context Clues - Irony *********************************************** Text Materials: This unit includes the text for students. There are two different options (with and without guided questions) and a teacher annotated copy to assist with analysis.

This is a complete novel study using the book Holes. The entire unit focuses on the Common Core Standards and shift to getting students to use evidence from the text to answer and defend their responses. The structure of my class was a vocabulary mini-lesson, mini-lesson connected to a skill, whole class and independent reading connected to the text. LESSON PLANS ARE IN WORD (AND PDF) FORMAT. This perfect for teachers who like to tweak class activities to the needs of their individual classes. Please note restrictions on commercial use. The Unit Includes: 25 Original Vocabulary Mini-lessons 24 Lessons (Questions from the chapters, Exit Ticket, Homework) 22 Mini-lessons aligned to skills from the text 4 Extension Activities (Create a Creature, Wanted Ads, Character Traits, Alternative Ending) Graphic Organizers 1 Character Study Mini-Book (9 pages) for students to track characters

Dr. Maya Angelou was an author, actress, singer, and most notably a poet. Known for her command of language, the poem “Still I Rise” is one of her most acclaimed works that speaks to overcoming oppression. This resource contains an in-depth analysis of the poem for teachers and aligned graphic organizers and text dependent questions for students. This is a NO PREP resource for teachers. Teacher Resources: - Detailed Lesson Plan - Text Analysis (3 pages) - Teacher Response Guide The Texts: - Dr. Angelou biography - “Still I Rise” student copy with wide margins for literal and analytical annotations Graphic Organizers: - Finding the Theme - Vocabulary

This unit focuses on remediation and/or enriching skills associated with main idea and supporting details using informational and fictional text. 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 “I Have, Who Has?” activity for students to practice main idea as a class! Answer keys are included for all resources and this is aligned to Common Core States Standard. All teachers have to do it print and copy!

This is a rigorous Greek Mythology unit geared at student engagement, thinking, reading, and writing skills. It also includes a number of activities that would be perfect for literacy centers. There are more than 100 pages which include: Rewritten Greek Myths with Common Core Aligned Questions and Activities: - Once Upon a Beauty: The Story of Medusa - The Wonderful Weaver: The Story of Arachne - The Trojan Horse - The Greek Army - Love’s Echo - The Midas Touch - Psyche & Eros: The Story of Love - Heracles: The Twelve Labors - The Story of Zeus *********************************************** Myth Writing: Suggested Scope and Sequence Mentor Text Brainstorming Outlining Character Development Drafting Paper Revision & Editing Checklist Rubric ***********************************************

Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl is a classic short story about a pregnant housewife who completes and covers for an unthinkable crime. All materials provided offer multiple opportunities to critically evaluate character motivation, plot elements, cite evidence and evaluate irony! The lesson also includes engaging extension activities. ★ Common Core Aligned Questions from the text w/Answer Key ★ Discussion Questions ★ Graphic Organizers ★ Writing Extension Activity (4) This resource is perfect for introducing a short story unit and reinforcing ideas from fiction reading. It is also simple enough to be used as an emergency substitute lesson plan!

In 1963, eight white clergymen wrote a letter condemning nonviolent protests happening in Alabama. From a jail cell, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr wrote a response to each argument presented by the clergymen. This letter contains some of Dr. King’s most recognized quotes such as, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” and “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” This unit focuses on analyzing arguments presented in the two letters, responding to various text dependent questions, and participating in a Socratic seminar. This unit is a LOW PREP resource for teachers. The Texts: - Annotated and Student Copy of “Call For Unity” - Student Copy of “Letter From Birmingham Jail” Graphic Organizers: - Reviewing Arguments - Writing Counterarguments - Responding to Arguments - Tracing Claims

This is a fun freebie to get writing juices flowing with students. There are 24 different story starters and a few bonus goodies to assist students with Halloween themed writing. Enjoy!

This is a bundled writing unit that saves buyers 25% versus buying each unit separately. There are more than 200 pages of materials. Each unit includes: ★ Graphic Organizers ★ Mini-lessons ★ Mentor Texts ★ Language Lessons ★ Rubrics for each Genre ★ Editing Checklists ★ Revision Checklists …AND MORE

The entire unit focuses on the Common Core Standards and shift to getting students to use evidence from the text to answer and defend their responses. The structure of my class was a vocabulary mini-lesson, mini-lesson connected to a skill, whole class and independent reading connected to the text. LESSON PLANS ARE IN WORD (AND PDF) FORMAT. This perfect for teachers who like to tweak class activities to the needs of their individual classes. Please note restrictions on commercial use. The Unit Includes: 25 Original Vocabulary Mini-lessons 24 Lessons (Questions from the chapters, Exit Ticket, Homework) 22 Mini-lessons aligned to skills from the text 4 Extension Activities (Create a Creature, Wanted Ads, Character Traits, Alternative Ending) Graphic Organizers 1 Character Study Mini-Book (9 pages) for students to track characters

This is a set of 24 high interest task cards for finding the main idea. This activity is perfect for centers or small groups! The paragraphs are thought provoking and include rich vocabulary. Student response cards and teacher answer key is included.

“The Dinner Party” by Mona Gardner is a short story about making generalizations, and perfect for teaching or reinforcing the elements of plot. The story centers on an argument that occurs at a dinner party while events happening during the argument counter claims being made. This resource is aligned to Common Core Standards and provides opportunities for students to critically evaluate vocabulary, steps to solving problems, how characters approach challenge, and theme using evidence from the text! One of the most amazing components is the inclusion of FOUR 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 - Rigorous Questions - Original Graphic Organizers - Description of how to implement Graphic Organizers - Comprehension Questions

This is a sample from my Poetry Resource Pack: Mini-books, Templates, Graphic Organizers resource. It teaches students about cinquain poetry.

This is a unit that can stand alone as a "mini-unit" or supplement your current poetry unit. Each poem includes an in-depth analysis of the poem that requires students to evaluate the speaker’s message, use of literary devices, rhyme scheme, and summarize the poem. Lessons combine the elements of close reading with poetry, literary analysis, and free verse writing.Included: • Teacher Resource Guide aligned to CCSS • 13 poems with printable worksheets and answer keys. • Sample lesson plans • Writing Enrichment activities • Rigorous mini-lessons to teach simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole with accompanying worksheets.

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 ***********************************************

“Charles” by Shirley Jackson is an amazing short story that is sure to grab the attention of your students. Students are invested in close reading for clues, find evidence, and determining the elements of plot. All materials provided in this lesson will allow students to do this at a high level! One of the most amazing components is the higher level vocabulary activities that position students to make inferences, use new words to describe characters, and summarize sentences where the word is used. This is a jam packed short story evaluation that includes: - Detailed Lesson Plan - Five Original Graphic Organizers - Common Core Aligned Questions from the text - Task cards to assign student annotated reading role (3 different roles) - Extension Activities It is perfect for introducing a short story unit and reinforcing ideas from fiction reading. It is simple enough to be used as an emergency substitute lesson plan.

These cards are included in my Theme and Greek mythology units. If you have those units, please do not grab these. This resource includes 32 different half page task cards that support the reading literature Common Core standards. These cards would work well as remediation for small groups, or as a test preparation activity. Skills covered include: ★ Using Evidence from the Text ★ Finding and Summarizing the Theme ★ Character Traits ★ Plot Events ★ Determining the Meaning of Words

This is a complete novel study using the book Number The Stars. This Novel unit has nonfiction embedded into the lesson and a class favorite! The entire unit focuses on the Common Core Standards and shift to getting students to use evidence from the text to defend their responses. More importantly it unites ELA with reading, writing, and vocabulary. Each lesson includes an annotated copy of student work with answer key, vocabulary word of the day, and homework option. Perfect for a whole class novel or with a guided reading group. Lessons are uploaded using Word so that they can be easily formatted for your classroom. Lessons are also available in PDFs for teachers who simply want to print and go! Updates include six activities/graphic organizers for students to use to help with comprehension, character taboo, vocabulary pictionary,writing mini-lessons, and a 10 page personal narrative (with model responses) lesson.

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

“Thank You Ma'am” by Langston Hughes is a timeless short story with very rich themes. This story demonstrates the value of compassion and second chances. All materials provided in this resource provide multiple opportunities to critically evaluate character traits, character change, character challenges, and theme! One of the most amazing components is the inclusion of SIX original graphic organizers with answer keys. These organizers can be used with other text! This is a jam packed short story evaluation that includes: - Common Core Aligned Questions from the text - Six Original Graphic Organizers with Answer Key - Description of how to implement Graphic Organizers - Writing Extension Activity Excluding Title and Resource pages this resource is 18 pages! It is perfect for introducing a short story unit and reinforcing ideas from fiction reading. It is simple enough to be used as an emergency substitute lesson plan!