I use this activity for the beginning of the school year. However, it is also great to use when forming literature circles, book clubs, cooperative learning groups, or partner activities. It is a great ice-breaker.
This activity is 10 pages. Everything is included. There are four well-detailed lesson plans, assignment overview sheet for the students, a rubric to grade the assignment (free product), KWL chart, models for students to critique, and detailed board or overhead notes.
Multiple teaching and learning styles are utilized in this activity. There are partner activities (interviews, peer editing, etc.), teacher instruction, class discussion, and student writing.
I have been teaching middle school English in New York since 1999. I have taught inclusion classes, regular education classes, and NYS ELA review classes. I have also been a scoring leader for the NYS ELA.