Darlene Anne - Middle School ELA
10,813 Followers
Seaford, New York, United States
About the store
Hey, there! I'm Darlene, and I hope to save you time and help you fall in love with teaching again! With 20+ years of experience teaching ELA 5-8, reading, and writing, and an M.Ed. from Stony Brook University, I understand your challenges. It's my goal to help you out by creating high-quality English Language Arts resources that simplify your workload while making learning both enjoyable and impactful for your students.
I understand the unique dynamics of teaching middle school, where engaging content and scaffolding are key. This insight shapes each resource I create, from writing units and escape rooms to independent reading activities and listening activities. Every resource and activity is designed to enchant and educate simultaneously. Additionally, every single product in my store is designed to make YOUR life easier. Whether you are purchasing an argumentative lesson slideshow with notes or an ELA reading and writing spiral review bellringer, rest assured that it is teacher-tested with care.
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Back to School First Week One Pager Activity and Name Tag / Tent
Start the first week of school with a getting to know you activity that will be worth its weight in gold! This Back to School First Week One Pager Activity and Name Tag is a super useful way to get to know your students. It can be folded to create a cute name tent for kids' desks, making it easy to connect names and faces. Or you can display them on an "All About Me" bulletin board to make your classroom look stylish! The icebreaker prompt choices are sure to be a hit – students will get to s
5th - 8th
Classroom Community, For All Subjects, Writing
CCSS
W.5.4
, W.6.4
, W.7.4
+2
Argumentative Writing Slideshow & Notes Middle School ELA PRINT & DIGITAL
Argument writing will be a lot easier to teach with this step-by-step interactive PowerPoint and/or Google Slides presentation with EDITABLE guided notes. Created specifically for middle school students, it tackles the challenges of the argumentative essay by breaking everything down. The kid-friendly explanations and actionable steps making it a lot easier for kids to understand. Now, when I tell my students we're working on this unit, they cheer! Kids LOVE to “argue,” and when they learn the
6th - 9th
English Language Arts, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
W.6.1
, W.6.1a
, W.6.1b
+21
Also included in: Argument, Informative, Narrative Essay Writing Guided Notes & Slideshows
Argumentative Essay Unit Argument Writing Graphic Organizers Mentor Texts 6-9th
Argumentative Essay Unit | Argument Writing | Graphic Organizers | Mentor Texts Grades 6-9th Q- What makes argument essay writing easier to teach? A- An EDITABLE argumentative writing unit with well-written mentor texts and a step-by-step process! Students will LOVE this argument essay writing unit, as well as the real-life application and mentor texts included here. Update 1: August 2025- I added a beautiful writing prompt notebook for students. Each prompt includes additional questions for
6th - 9th
English Language Arts, Writing-Essays, Writing-Expository
CCSS
W.6.1
, W.6.1a
, W.6.1b
+32
Narrative Writing Unit Personal & Fictional Narrative Lessons Graphic Organizers
Narrative writing is fun and easy with the step-by-step instructions and mini-lessons included in this unit! It covers personal narrative writing, fictional narrative writing, and biographical narrative writing. It includes full-length mentor texts, graphic organizers, AND a 41-page writer's notebook with prompts! Digital and Print versions are included! UPDATE: August 2025- You're going to adore the awesome update to this resource! Additional mini lessons, visual (and editable) daily plan
6th - 8th
Creative Writing, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
W.6.3
, W.6.3a
, W.6.3b
+18
Teaching Theme Slideshow, Notes, Practice, Test Bundle
Teach theme in literature with this animated slideshow in PowerPoint and Google, a choice of student notes, worksheets, and a theme test. Lesson plans and extensions activities are also included in this comprehensive unit! Determining theme in literature is a challenging literary element for middle school students to grasp. (I understand that, but I still wanted to cry when I heard, The theme is you can’t judge a book by its cover, for virtually every work of literature ever written!) Since
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
RL.5.1
, RL.6.1
, RL.6.3
+4
Argumentative, Narrative, Informative, Research, & Expository Essay Writing
Argument writing, personal narrative writing, fictional narrative writing, informative essay writing, and research writing will be so much easier to teach with this awesome step-by-step writing bundle! It includes every resource you need to teach an entire year of writing for grades 6, 7, and 8. Buy it now, while it is offered at a steep discount of 30% off! These resources all include digital versions for Google Drive. They all get frequent updates. Click the links below to check out the in
6th - 8th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Writing-Essays
Informational Writing Workshop for Middle School ELA PRINT & DIGITAL
Do you need an informative writing unit that includes multiple mentor texts and comes with the option of using a print version or an interactive Google version? Do you want an entire unit that's ready to go, so you don't have to scramble to piece it together? (Who has time for that? Right?) This expository essay unit includes EVERYTHING you need to teach informational writing. At-a-glance-instructions, writing prompts, step-by-step instructions, visuals, graphic organizers, and high-interest men
6th - 8th
English Language Arts, Informational Text, Writing-Expository
CCSS
RI.6.5
, RI.6.6
, RI.7.5
+12
Text Structures Nonfiction Reading & Writing Bundle
Text Structure Teach, Practice, Test provides everything you need to make teaching EASY. Everything you need is included, so planning and teaching nonfiction text structure will be greatly simplified when you use introduce the five common nonfiction text structures: description, compare/contrast, problem/solution, cause & effect, and sequence (including chronological). It’s a step-by-step, “soup to nuts” unit that includes a PowerPoint presentation with guided notes, practice worksheets, FU
6th - 8th
Informational Text, Reading Strategies, Writing-Expository
CCSS
RI.6.5
, RI.7.5
, RI.8.5
+6
ELA Escape Room Back to School Escape the School Reading Activities
Are you looking for a team building escape room breakout that is so much fun students won't even notice they're learning? Here you go! Escape the School is a great back-to-school activity during the first week of school. Or use it ANY time you want to strengthen students' reading comprehension skills, provide figurative language practice, and hone their critical thinking and problem solving skills.This engaging breakout is immersive and fun! Your students are trapped in school by a giant wh
5th - 8th
Creative Writing, ELA Test Prep, Reading
CCSS
RL.5.4
, RL.6.4
, RL.7.4
+4
Also included in: Escape Room: School, Forest, and Planet
Author's Purpose and Author's Point of View Practice Worksheets and Test
Determining the author's purpose and point of view can be challenging for middle school ELA students. This resource provides helpful worksheets that will help your students learn how to figure out the author's purpose and how to determine the author's perspective. When looking for author's purpose activities, I found that the usual method of using PIE just wasn't enough. So this resource starts with PIE: persuade, inform, and entertain, but then goes into many other reasons authors have for w
6th - 8th
Informational Text, Reading Strategies, Writing-Expository
CCSS
RI.6.6
, RI.7.6
, RI.8.6
Argument Writing, Narrative Writing, Informational Writing PRINT & DIGITAL
Argument, narrative, and informative essays are fun and easy to teach when you use strong mentor texts and a step-by-step process. These highly-rated writing units include everything you need, all in one place. Each writing resource is comprehensive and easy to use. The lessons at a glance pages are also included in an editable format for easy insertion into a digital plan-book.This is what awesome teachers like you have said about this resource: "Tons of resources that I go back to again and
6th - 8th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Writing
CCSS
RI.6.5
, RI.6.6
, RI.7.5
+72
Plot Elements & Conflict Slideshow, Notes, Practice Worksheets, Test
Plot: Teach, Practice, Test is an engaging, step-by-step way to teach plot elements. It’s a thorough unit that includes PRINT & DIGITAL options, a PowerPoint presentation with guided notes, follow-through practice activities and worksheets, and an editable test that includes self-checking multiple-choice and constructed response questions. The print unit provides you with two types of notes. You have a choice between folding notes or Cornell outline notes. The practice work will reinforce
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
RL.5.3
, RL.5.9
, RL.5.10
+6
Summarizing & Paraphrasing Practice Worksheets and Test PRINT & DIGITAL
Teach students to summarize and paraphrase fiction and nonfiction with 6 high-interest texts, beautifully designed instructional handouts, and worksheets. An editable test in Google Drive is also included, as are blank graphic organizers that can be used for ANY text. UPDATE (4/2020): I've added a digital file to reduce your remote teaching prep work by providing Google Drive versions of every part of the resource. *Note: Save money! This is part of SUMMARIZING AND PARAPHRASING POWERPOINT,
6th - 8th
English Language Arts, Reading, Writing
Escape Room Context Clues and Inferences for Middle School English
This creative escape room adventure is a well-organized context clue breakout with a fun sci-fi twist! Your students are visiting relatives on the planet Nonsensica, but their only map home to Earth has been torn to shreds. They'll have to stay forever...unless they can work in teams to solve a series of FUN context clue and inference challenges! What have awesome teachers just like you said about this escape room?"This is so fun! It was the perfect level for my kids. They loved it all. There
5th - 8th
Close Reading, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
RL.5.1
, RL.6.1
, RL.7.1
+9
Also included in: Escape Room: School, Forest, and Planet
Nonfiction Central Idea Practice Worksheets & Test- Middle School ELA
This resource includes central idea guided practice, independent practice, and an assessment. It will be easy to help your students find supporting details and write using text evidence. Students will then complete the collaborative and independent practice and the final assessment. The high-interest texts are beautifully designed and include a graphic organizer that can be used with future assignments. *Note: Save money! This resource is part of a bundle that includes a PowerPoint and notes:
6th - 8th
Informational Text, Reading Strategies, Writing-Expository
Teaching Theme PowerPoint and Guided Notes: Cornell and Folding Interactive
Theme: Slideshow and Notes takes a challenging concept and makes it easy and fun! The guided notes come in two styles: foldable interactive and Cornell style. ( I like choices, don't you?) WHAT'S INCLUDED? ★ 50 colorful, engaging slides (PowerPoint and Google) ★ Interactive guided notes ★ graphic organizers ★ Print and digital versions ★ A bonus anchor chart mini-poster is also included! *** Please Note: This resource is the TEACH part of my Teach, Practice, Test unit. If you would like more pr
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.5.1
+6
Also included in: Teaching Theme Slideshow, Notes, Practice, Test Bundle
Fiction & Nonfiction Reading -Teach, Practice, Test BUNDLE - Middle School ELA
Reading Comprehension and Writing Skills Units - Step-by-Step, Complete, No Prep Lessons for Middle School ELAEVERY MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER needs the resources that are now available in this HUGE, money-saving bundle. Thousands of teachers (including ME!) are saving countless hours of planning time and are using these resources with great success! It's ready to go; everything has been done for you! Complete lesson plans, notes, PowerPoint presentations, students' activities, and edit
6th - 8th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
RL.5.1
, RL.5.4
, RL.6.1
+27
Nonfiction Central Idea PowerPoint, Notes, Worksheets, Test PRINT & DIGITAL
Finding the main/central idea of nonfiction paragraphs and passages will be easy once your students know exactly what to look for! These resources will also help your students find supporting details and write using text evidence. Students will then complete the collaborative and independent practice and the final assessment. The PowerPoint corresponds with the guided notes that come in Cornell AND folding versions. BOTH are engaging and require interaction!* This now includes links to Googl
6th - 8th
Informational Text, Reading Strategies, Writing-Expository
CCSS
RI.6.1
, RI.6.2
, RI.7.1
+4
New Year 2026 Growth Mindset Vision Board Activity One Pager
Happy New Year 2026! Get back from winter break and ring in the new year with a fun and easy-to-use growth mindset activity! Encourage your students to plan and create the person they will be and the life they will lead, starting today! New year's resolutions and goal-setting are essential, but this new year one-pager offers much more. Similar to a vision board, it focuses on a word of intent, gratitude, step-by-step goals, and manifesting a future that will empower kids and make them pro
5th - 8th
Classroom Community, For All Subjects, Writing
Author's Purpose & Point of View Notes, Worksheets, & Test
Determining the author's purpose and point of view can be challenging for middle school ELA students. This resource follows an effective step-by-step process that will help your students learn how to figure out the author's purpose and how to determine the author's perspective. When looking for author's purpose activities, I found that the usual method of using PIE just wasn't enough. So this resource starts with PIE: persuade, inform, and entertain, but then goes into many other reasons aut
6th - 8th
Informational Text, Reading Strategies, Writing-Expository
CCSS
RI.6.6
, RI.7.6
, RI.8.6
Showing 1-20 of 258 results
About the store
Experience
Hey, there! I'm Darlene, and I hope to save you time and help you fall in love with teaching again! With 20+ years of experience teaching ELA 5-8, reading, and writing, and an M.Ed. from Stony Brook University, I understand your challenges. It's my goal to help you out by creating high-quality English Language Arts resources that simplify your workload while making learning both enjoyable and impactful for your students.
I understand the unique dynamics of teaching middle school, where engaging content and scaffolding are key. This insight shapes each resource I create, from writing units and escape rooms to independent reading activities and listening activities. Every resource and activity is designed to enchant and educate simultaneously. Additionally, every single product in my store is designed to make YOUR life easier. Whether you are purchasing an argumentative lesson slideshow with notes or an ELA reading and writing spiral review bellringer, rest assured that it is teacher-tested with care.
Teaching style
I strive to be the ELA teacher I would want my own children to have. That means differentiating instruction and challenging students at every ability level. It also means being interesting! Teaching is 3/4 theater. Finally, it all comes down to demonstrating respect for students and appreciating them for who they are right now.
As teachers, the promise of the future is in our hands. I try to remember that every single day.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Although I am honored to be a Founder's Day Award Winner in my district, my most cherished "trophy" is a battered, second-hand binder filled with letters and poems from thankful students and parents. That binder is precious to me and never fails to warm my heart.
My own education history
My master's degree is from Stony Brook University, and I am certified to teach English 7-12 and Elementary Education N-6.
Additional biographical information
When I'm not writing or teaching, I love to play tennis, read, and travel with my family.
You and I can hang out together at my blog <i><b><a href="http://meatballsinthemiddle.blogspot.com/">ELABuffet</a></b></i>
We'll settle in for some teaching tips, free resources, and a whole lot of fun!
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