Understanding plot structure helps students recognize how stories are built, making it easier to analyze and create their own narratives.
What’s Included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-Activity Worksheet
Plot Structure Introduction
Fairytale Plot Structures
Organize the Story
Comic Preparation
Comic Strip
Plot Swap Activity
Story Rubric
Peer Review Worksheet
Answers
Through the Tunnel is a relatable coming-of-age story that teaches students about perseverance, independence, and personal growth. This is a comprehensive and engaging lesson featuring multiple worksheets, a paired video and informational text, interactive games, and more.
What’s Included:
Common Core Standards
Teaching Guide
Pre-Reading Worksheet
Vocabulary Worksheet
Multiple Choice Comprehension
Analysis Questions
Plot Structure Worksheet
Setting Worksheet
Coming-of-Age Worksheet
Written Response Essay
Paired Video
Paired Informational Text
Real-World Connection
Extension Activities
Online Game
Answers
A PowerPoint presentation has also been included to accompany the lesson.
The No-Guitar Blues is a relatable story about honesty, choices, and growing up. This engaging and comprehensive lesson includes worksheets exploring Fausto’s conflict, along with interactive games and paired activities.
What’s Included:
Common Core Standards
Teaching Guide
Pre-Reading Worksheet
Vocabulary Worksheet
Multiple Choice Comprehension
Analysis Questions
Conflict Worksheet
Written Response Essay
Paired Video
Paired Informational Text
Real-World Connection
Extension Activities
Online Game
Answers
A PowerPoint presentation has been included to accompany the lesson.
Gary Soto’s humor and relatable characters make him a favorite in any middle school class.
This bundle includes three of his classic stories: The Jacket, The No-Guitar Blues, and Seventh Grade. The analysis worksheets can be used to compare and contrast elements of the stories. Summative assessment essay questions have been included as a bonus file.
Each Lesson Includes:
Common Core Standards
Teaching Guide
Active Reading Questions
Pre-Reading Worksheet
Vocabulary Worksheet
Multiple Choice Comprehension
Analysis Questions
A Variety of Worksheets
Paired Video
Paired Informational Text
Written Response Essay
Real-World Connection
Extension Activities
Online Game
Answers
Each lesson also has a PowerPoint presentation to guide teaching.
These worksheets can be used alongside any coming-of-age story to deepen students’ understanding and awareness of coming-of-age features.
These worksheets are part of my comprehensive and engaging Coming-of-Age Unit.
Gary Paulsen’s Stop the Sun gives students the perfect opportunity to explore mental health, empathy, and understanding.
What’s Included:
Common Core Standards
Teaching Guide
Pre-Reading Worksheet
Vocabulary Worksheet
Multiple Choice Comprehension Quiz
Analysis Questions
Character Analysis Worksheet
Conflict Worksheet
Paired Video
Paired Informational Text
Real-World Connection Questions
Extension Activities
Written Response Essay
Answers
A PowerPoint presentation to accompany the lesson has been included.
Students learn about the importance of identity with Evan Hunter’s fantastic short story, On the Sidewalk Bleeding. Our comprehensive lesson plan is brimming with activities, such as a variety of worksheets, games, a paired video and informational text, and much more that will maximize engagement and learning.
What’s Included:
Common Core Standards
Teaching Guide
Pre-Reading Worksheet
Vocabulary Worksheet
Analysis Questions
Symbolism Analysis Worksheet
Character Analysis Worksheet
Theme Worksheet
Dialogue Worksheet
Paired Video
Paired Informational Text
Written Response Essay
Real-World Connection Questions
Extension Activities
Online Game
The Outsiders Connection Activities
Answers
A PowerPoint presentation to accompany the lesson has been included.
The Outsiders connection activities have also been included, making it a perfect paired story.
Seventh Grade is a funny and relatable story that captures the awkwardness and excitement of trying to impress someone at school. This lesson plan includes engaging worksheets, interactive games, and paired activities that help students connect with the characters and themes.
What’s Included:
Common Core Standards
Teaching Guide
Active Reading Questions
Pre-Reading Worksheet
Vocabulary Worksheet
Multiple Choice Comprehension
Analysis Questions
Character Analysis Worksheet
Plot Structure Worksheet
Paired Video
Paired Informational Text
Written Response Essay
Real-World Connection
Extension Activities
Online Game
Answers
A PowerPoint presentation has been included to accompany the lesson.
This lesson plan includes a student-friendly abridged version of O. Henry’s classic story, along with a variety of engaging worksheets, paired, videos, games, and much more!
What’s Included:
Common Core Standards
Teaching Guide
Pre-Reading Worksheet
The Gift of the Magi Text
The Gift of the Magi Text (Abridged, simplified, & with active reading questions)
Vocabulary Worksheet
Multiple Choice Comprehension
Analysis Questions
Theme Analysis Worksheet
Magi Analysis Worksheet
Character Analysis Worksheet
Paired Video
Written Response Essay
Text vs. Movie Worksheet
Real-World Connection Questions
Extension Activities
Online Game
Answers
A PowerPoint presentation to accompany the lesson has also been included.
Note on text and images:
The full text of The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is in the public domain. All images included in this lesson were created by AI and are original.
This comprehensive resource is ready-to-print and will keep students engaged for up to two months.
What’s included:
Pre-reading: Students learn about the author and complete a survey to engage with themes they will encounter. A slang dictionary is also included.
Worksheets: Six worksheets (covering two chapters each) are perfect to keep students engaged and on track during independent reading.
Discussion Questions: Six sets of discussion questions allow the class to expand understanding and make real-world connections.
Written Response Questions: Practice analytical writing skills with essay questions.
Jeopardy: Have fun reviewing the novel at the halfway point and end of the book.
Plot Structure: Students organize the story’s plot using a graphic organizer.
Extension Activities: Students get creative and have fun after novel completion.
Common Core Standards, a teaching guide, and sample answers are also included.
Dive into the world of horror storytelling through engaging games, scary sensory word lists, and monster and eerie settings creation - topped off with a guided rubric for their spine-tingling tales.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Warm Up Games
Scary Sensory Word List
Monster Origin Reading
Create a Monster Guide
Design a Scary Setting Guide
Rubric
Transport students to Moana’s tropical Motunui Island and Aladdin’s mystical Arabian kingdom while practicing invaluable ELA skills. Students will practice citing textual evidence and making inferences with Moana’s How Far I’ll Go, and Aladdin’s A Whole New World.
What’s included:
Common Core Standards
Teaching Guide
Important Definitions
Citing Textual Evidence Guide
Paraphrasing Activity
Explicit information v Inferences Document
How Far I’ll Go Analysis Worksheet
A Whole New World Analysis Worksheet
Sample Answers
This easy-to-follow and ready-to-print resource guarantees students will master the skill of identifying a central idea and supporting details.
What’s included
Teaching Guide
Pre-Activity Questions
Introduction to Central Idea Reading
Central Idea Examples
Identify the Central Idea Worksheet
Supporting Details Reading & Examples
3 texts with central idea graphic organizers (1. The Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, 2. The Fascination with Dinosaurs, 3. The Impact of Technology on Society)
Rubric
Sample Answers
This easy-to-follow research paper guide assists students in crafting sophisticated research papers. Choose our space exploration theme or pick a topic of your own.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Mindmap with Instructions (Space exploration theme or blank document to choose your own)
Research Question Worksheet
Research Paper Layout & Content Document
Sentence Structure Document
Writing Guide & Checklists
Research Paper Example
Reflection Survery
Rubric
Formal Writing Tips
Credible Source Checklist
Article: The Thrilling Journey of Space Exploration
Transitions between time frames and settings are crucial for guiding the reader smoothly through short stories. They help establish the context and maintain the flow of the narrative. Yet, more often than not, students tend to ignore these vital components of fictional writing. This free resource includes beautiful transitions for time frame and setting, as well as transitions to navigate along a narrative’s plot structure.
Tim Urban’s TED talk is relatable, humorous, and engaging. Our ready-to-print lesson plan is designed to maximize students’ engagement and ensure they fully reflect on tactics to combat their own procrastination.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-Activity Worksheet
Claims and Evidence Worksheet
Multiple Choice Comprehension Quiz
Character Map Worksheet
Self-Evaluation Worksheet
Evidence Evaluation Checklist
Answers
This resource includes three engaging writing activities related to Greek mythology. Activities are designed to spark creativity and are accompanied by ready-to-print guides, worksheets, examples, and rubrics so students can work effectively and independently.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
The Hero’s Journey (Guide, Poster, Example, Worksheets, Rubric)
Modern Day Myth (Guide, Example, Worksheets, Rubric)
Greek Mythology Newspaper (Guide, Example, Rubric)
This resource includes three engaging writing activities related to Christmas. Activities are designed to spark creativity and are accompanied by ready-to-print guides and rubrics so students can work effectively and independently. âť„
What’s included:
Teaching Guide + Common Core Standards
Christmas Short Story (Guide, Prompts, Rubric)
Christmas Character Diary (Guide, Rubric)
My Memorable Christmas Experience (Guide, Christmas Vocabulary, Rubric)
Students are sure to have plenty to say on this topic! Creative worksheets get students engaged in the topic before assigning each student a character to research and represent in the debate.
What’s included:
Teaching Guide
Pre-Activity Questions
Eating Habits Survey
School Menu Worksheet
Debate Character Name Tags
Character Research Perparation Worksheet
Debate Sentence Structures
Debate Format
Debate Reflection Survey
Post-Activity Questions
Rubric