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Experience:13 Years Classroom Teaching High School 1 Year Classroom Teaching Middle School 1 Year Director School Newspaper 6 Years Student Development Higher Education Typical lesson follows this basic format using a variety of formats to touch numerous learning modalities. 1. Facilitated Socratic session and/or group activity to stimulate prior knowledge. 2. Interactive Media Presentation presenting subject area and skills with facilitated exercises to check for understanding.

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Experience:13 Years Classroom Teaching High School 1 Year Classroom Teaching Middle School 1 Year Director School Newspaper 6 Years Student Development Higher Education Typical lesson follows this basic format using a variety of formats to touch numerous learning modalities. 1. Facilitated Socratic session and/or group activity to stimulate prior knowledge. 2. Interactive Media Presentation presenting subject area and skills with facilitated exercises to check for understanding.
Halloween Short Story Unit: Monkey's Paw Masque of the Red Death
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Halloween Short Story Unit: Monkey's Paw Masque of the Red Death

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This Halloween Horror Short Story Unit includes the full text of 2 classic and creepy short stories that students will enjoy during the Halloween season: Masque of the Red Death and The Monkey's Paw. Learn about each packet in the descriptions below: MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH These short story lesson plans use Masque of the Red Death as the platform for developing student skills in literary analysis writing. Multiple activities provide guided instruction on how to write a literary analysis paragraph, with detailed lessons that teach students the fundamental literary elements of characterization and narrative setting. Each lesson provides systematic, facilitated writing exercises that address each element of analysis writing: analyzing a prompt, writing statements, deeply analyzing a text, using evidence, writing commentary and explanation, and writing conclusions. Unique acronyms help students remember how to approach each part of an essay. Each lesson includes PPT lectures, student notes, guided practice, and individual practice. THE MONKEY'S PAW These short story lesson plans use The Monkey's Paw as the platform for developing student skills in literary analysis writing. Multiple activities provide guided instruction on how to write a literary analysis paragraph, with detailed lessons that teach students the fundamental literary elements of foreshadowing and irony. Each lesson provides systematic, facilitated writing exercises that address each element of analysis writing: analyzing a prompt, writing statements, deeply analyzing a text, using evidence, writing commentary and explanation, and writing conclusions. Unique acronyms help students remember how to approach each part of an essay. Each lesson includes PPT lectures, student notes, guided practice, and individual practice. To learn more about the unit, look at the detailed preview. This resource includes: PPT Lectures Literary Element Student Notes Body Paragraph Literary Analysis Writing Exercises Introduction Paragraph Exercises Conclusion Paragraphs Graphic Organizers Sample Paragraphs Literary Analysis Annotation Guidelines PPT and Notes. Three different options for chapter organizer worksheets Full Text and Analysis Questions for "Masque of the Red Death" Full Text and Analysis Questions for "The Monkey's Paw"
Halloween Descriptive Writing Activities (Figurative Language & Imagery)
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Halloween Descriptive Writing Activities (Figurative Language & Imagery)

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Fun and engaging Halloween descriptive writing activities. This engaging descriptive writing unit focuses on develop students’ use of the following descriptive writing techniques to develop mood and tone: figurative language (simile, metaphor, allusion, and hyperbole), visual imagery, auditory imagery, olfactory imagery, tactile imagery, gustatory imagery, indirect characterization, and connotative diction. Each activity includes PPT lectures, student notes, guided activities, independent practice, and graphic organizers for brainstorming and planning. This unit includes 1. Teacher's Guide 2. Common Core Standards Alignment 3. PPT Lectures (Mood, Tone, Imagery, Figurative Language, Indirect Characterization) 4. Student Notes (Mood, Tone, Imagery, Figurative Language, Indirect Characterization) 5. Guided Descriptive Writing Activities 6. Independent Descriptive Writing Activities 7. Descriptive Writing Graphic Organizers
Lord of the Flies Symbols
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Lord of the Flies Symbols

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Common Core Aligned. CHECK OUT THE PREVIEW. This detailed collection of resources is designed to help facilitate student understanding of the development of symbols and motifs within Lord of the Flies. Active Listening Exercises and a PPT slide lecture instruct a students with the knowledge of motifs vs. symbols in literature. Students then use the graphic organizer to track the development of motifs and symbols within the novel. Completed organizers (including analysis and quotes from the text) are provided as a teacher resource. Students complete the exercise by using the provided writing templates to complete their own symbol analysis paragraphs. Novel excerpts are provided for student close reading and symbol analysis.
Lord of the Flies Mood of the Island Setting (Connotation Imagery)
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Lord of the Flies Mood of the Island Setting (Connotation Imagery)

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Lord of the Flies Understanding the basics of an author's use of diction (denotation vs connotation), imagery, figurative language, and syntax; is essential for analyzing the tone and mood of a text. This multi-faceted lesson plan integrates listening skills, reading strategies, and writing skills, as students analyze each of these elements to determine the tone an mood of the setting in the novel.
Lord of the Flies Narrative Conflict
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Lord of the Flies Narrative Conflict

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These handouts are a great resource and activity/homework to teach students to analyze an author's use literary conflicts within a Lord of the Flies. Teacher uses PPT lecture and notes to instruct students on the purpose and types of internal and external conflict. Students will use graphic organizers to track the development of conflict within the narrative. Students then write analysis paragraphs (Reflecting Bloom's Taxonomy) explaining how the conflicts are developed within the narrative and their connection to the student experience.
Lord of the Flies Character Analysis Characterization Exercises
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Lord of the Flies Character Analysis Characterization Exercises

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The characterization of each character in Lord of the Flies is a central part of the message of the novel. This bundle of notes, organizers, and activities focus on developing active reading skills for analyzing the characterization of the main characters within the story. Graphic organizers are provided for students to record the author's use of characterization within the text. Sample analysis paragraphs and templates provide scaffolding for students to write their own character analysis paragraphs.
Hunger Games Theme Analysis Writing Lessons
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Hunger Games Theme Analysis Writing Lessons

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These Hunger Games lessons focus on developing student skills in literary analysis of the themes within the text. Each lesson provides guided worksheets and systematic, facilitated writing exercises that address each element of essay writing: analyzing a prompt, writing thesis statements, writing introductions, deeply analyzing a text, using evidence, writing commentary and explanation, and writing conclusions. Unique acronyms help students remember how to approach each part of an essay. Each lesson includes PPT lectures, student notes, guided practice, and individual practice. This resource includes: 1 PPT Lectures 2 Literary Theme Student Notes 3 Body Paragraph Literary Analysis Writing Exercises 4 Graphic Organizers 5 Sample Paragraphs 6 Literary Analysis Annotation Guidelines PPT and Notes. 7 Graphic Organizers 8 Novel Excerpts 9 Detailed Teacher Resources
Introduction Paragraphs Essay Writing Fundamentals
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Introduction Paragraphs Essay Writing Fundamentals

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The introduction paragraph is "ACT ONE" of a student's paper and needs to by dynamic, engaging, and build toward a strong thesis. Using the "A.C.T." acronym (Attention Grabber, Context, Thesis), this lesson provides a guided practice writing process, taking students through a step by step system to draft an introduction paragraph. Students begin by analyzing the rhetorical situation outlined within the prompt, and construct thesis a statement that is on topic and on task. Using this thesis as the basis of the paragraph, students participate in guided exercises to develop context for the audience and engaging attention grabbers. Finally using graphic organizers, students put all the pieces together to complete their "ACT ONE" introductions. Included with this lesson 1. TEACHER GUIDE: Full lesson plan 2. PPT LECTURE: ppt slides that coincide with student handouts 3. STUDENT NOTES AND HANDOUTS 4. GRAPHIC ORGANIZER 5. ANSWER SHEET: 6. PEER REVIEW EXERCISE
Body PEEL Paragraphs Essay Writing Fundamentals
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Body PEEL Paragraphs Essay Writing Fundamentals

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If the introduction paragraph is the "compass" that provides the orientation, direction, and purpose of your essay; then the body paragraphs are the map that shows you how to get there. This lesson takes students through a guided lecture and exercises that instruct them how to use PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) to and transitions to construct a body paragraph. The lesson includes student notes that integrate with guided exercises and independant practice.
Conclusion Paragraph Writing Fundamentals
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Conclusion Paragraph Writing Fundamentals

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The conclusion paragraph is often overlooked and rushed, but a good conclusion is necessary to make you essay valuable to the reader. Using the "R.I.P." acronym (Restatement, Importance, Present Recommendations), this lesson provides a guided practice writing process, taking students through a step by step system to draft the conclusion paragraph. Using PPT direct lecture and guided exercises, students will master how to construct great conclusions that leave the reader challenged ready to act. Included with this lesson 1. TEACHER GUIDE: Full lesson plan 2. PPT LECTURE: ppt slides that coincide with student handouts 3. STUDENT NOTES AND HANDOUTS 4. GRAPHIC ORGANIZER 5. PEER REVIEW EXERCISE
Nonfiction Close Reading "Great Speeches
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Nonfiction Close Reading "Great Speeches

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Common Core Aligned. General Mac Arthur's Duty Honor Country speech provides an engaging resource for students to analyze an author's use of figurative language, analyzing the rhetorical situation, mood and tone, rhetorical appeals, author's purpose, and point of view. This 4-5 day unit teaches the fundamentals of analyzing informational text with the unique acrostic "R.E.A.D.S" Close “R.E.A.D.S” Recognize (purpose, tone, point of view) Evaluate (support) Analyze (rhetoric) Develop (questions and judgments) Summarize (the main idea of the text) This Unit Includes 1. Common Core Alignment 2. Student Notes and Handouts 3. Teacher "day by day" schedule 4. Text for Analysis 5. Writing Task and Rubric 6. PPT lectures to facilitate student notes (54 slides)
Close Reading Nonfiction "Great Speeches" Winston Churchill
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Close Reading Nonfiction "Great Speeches" Winston Churchill

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Common Core Aligned. Winston Churchill's Blood Toil and Tears speech provides an engaging resource for students to analyze an author's use of figurative language, analyzing the rhetorical situation, mood and tone, rhetorical appeals, author's purpose, and point of view. This 4-5 day unit teaches the fundamentals of analyzing informational text with the unique acrostic "R.E.A.D.S" Close “R.E.A.D.S” Recognize (purpose, tone, point of view) Evaluate (support) Analyze (rhetoric) Develop (questions and judgments) Summarize (the main idea of the text) This Unit Includes 1. Common Core Alignment 2. Student Notes and Handouts 3. Teacher "day by day" schedule 4. Text for Analysis 5. Writing Task and Rubric 6. PPT lectures to facilitate student notes (54 slides)
9/11 George Bush Speech Close Reading Unit
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9/11 George Bush Speech Close Reading Unit

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Common Core Aligned. George Bush's 9/11 address to the nation provides an engaging resource for students to analyze an author's use of figurative language, analyzing the rhetorical situation, mood and tone, rhetorical appeals, author's purpose, and point of view. This 4-5 day unit teaches the fundamentals of analyzing informational text with the unique acrostic "R.E.A.D.S" Close “R.E.A.D.S” Recognize (purpose, tone, point of view) Evaluate (support) Analyze (rhetoric) Develop (questions and judgments) Summarize (the main idea of the text) If you are interested in the detailed close reading bundle including PPT lectures and guided student activities visit the link below Close Reading Guidelines and Activities Bundle If you are interested in other close reading resources or close reading bundles, visit the link below: Close Reading Resources This Unit Includes 1. Common Core Alignment 2. Student Notes and Handouts 3. Teacher "day by day" schedule 4. Text for Analysis 5. Writing Task and Rubric 6. PPT lectures to facilitate student notes (54 slides)
Non-Fiction Close Reading "Conformity"
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Non-Fiction Close Reading "Conformity"

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"To conform or not to conform?...That is the question" Getting students to read informational text can be trying, but the topic of conformity will spark their interest. The new Common Core State Standards place a greater emphasis on critical thinking and implementing expository and nonfiction texts into the English Language Arts curriculum. Understanding the basics of analyzing the rhetorical situation, mood and tone, and author's purpose and point of view are essential to understanding nonfiction texts. This 4-5 day unit teaches the fundamentals of analyzing informational text with the unique acrostic "R.E.A.D.S" Close “R.E.A.D” Recognize (purpose, tone, point of view) Evaluate (support) Analyze (rhetoric) Develop (questions and judgments) Summarize (the main idea of the text) This multi-faceted unit integrates listening skills, reading strategies, and writing skills, as students analyze each of these elements to develop practical skills in analyzing nonfiction texts. This Unit Includes 1. Common Core Alignment 2. Student Notes and Handouts 3. Video links and analysis worksheet 4. Teacher "day by day" schedule 5. Articles for Analysis 6. Writing Task and Rubric 7. PPT Lectures
Non-Fiction Close Reading Lessons "Cheating"
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Non-Fiction Close Reading Lessons "Cheating"

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Getting students to read informational text can be trying, but the conflicting ideas surrounding academic cheating will spark their interest. The new Common Core State Standards place a greater emphasis on critical thinking and implementing expository and nonfiction texts into the English Language Arts curriculum. Understanding the basics of analyzing the rhetorical situation, mood and tone, and author's purpose and point of view are essential to understanding nonfiction texts. This 4-5 day unit teaches the fundamentals of analyzing informational text with the unique acrostic "R.E.A.D.S" Close “R.E.A.D” Recognize (purpose, tone, point of view) Evaluate (support) Analyze (rhetoric) Develop (questions and judgments) Summarize (the main idea of the text) This multi-faceted unit integrates listening skills, reading strategies, and writing skills, as students analyze each of these elements to develop practical skills in analyzing nonfiction texts. If you are interested in the detailed close reading bundle including PPT lectures and guided student activities visit the link below This Unit Includes 1. Common Core Alignment 2. Student Notes and Handouts 3. Teacher "day by day" schedule 4. Articles for Analysis 5. Writing Task and Rubric 6. PPT Lectures
Non-Fiction Close Reading "Books vs. Movies"
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Non-Fiction Close Reading "Books vs. Movies"

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Which is better, a book or a movie? Getting students to read informational text can be trying, but the debate of books versus movies will spark their interest. The new Common Core State Standards place a greater emphasis on critical thinking and implementing expository and nonfiction texts into the English Language Arts curriculum. Understanding the basics of analyzing the rhetorical situation, mood and tone, and author's purpose and point of view are essential to understanding nonfiction texts. This 4-5 day unit teaches the fundamentals of analyzing informational text with the unique acrostic "R.E.A.D.S" Close “R.E.A.D” Recognize (purpose, tone, point of view) Evaluate (support) Analyze (rhetoric) Develop (questions and judgments) Summarize (the main idea of the text) This multi-faceted unit integrates listening skills, reading strategies, and writing skills, as students analyze each of these elements to develop practical skills in analyzing nonfiction texts. This Unit Includes 1. Common Core Alignment 2. Student Notes and Handouts 3. Teacher "day by day" schedule 4. Articles for Analysis 5. Writing Task and Rubric 6. PPT Lecture
Christmas Activities Winter Holiday Parody and Satire Song Exercise
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Christmas Activities Winter Holiday Parody and Satire Song Exercise

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holiday songs and carols. This unique, engaging lesson plan uses favorite Winter holiday songs to facilitate students' understanding of parody and satire. Students will listen and sing along with classic holiday songs and then analyze humorous parodies/satires of those original songs. After analyzing other satires, studens will create their own parodies/satires of holiday songs to share with the class. This Lesson Includes 1. Common Core Alignment 2. Student Notes and Handouts 3. Teacher planning tool 4. Parody/Satire Songs for Analysis 5. Parody/Satire Planning Worksheet 6. PPT lecture and student notesheet
Christmas Hanukkah Activities Poetry Analysis & Acrostic Poem Writing
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Christmas Hanukkah Activities Poetry Analysis & Acrostic Poem Writing

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Fun and creative Christmas and Hanukkah poetry activities. This resource comes complete with Power Point lecture, student notes, poetry analysis worksheets, and acrostic poem planning worksheets. After analyzing Holiday poems for rhythm, sound, figurative langauge, mood, and theme; students will use the acrostic "CHRISTMAS", "HANUKKAH" or "HOLIDAY" to create their own Winter Holiday themed poem. This lesson includes: PPT Lecture Student Notes Poetry Analysis Worksheets Acrostic Poem Worksheets