About the store
At Classroom in the Middle, my language arts and reading resources are designed and written for middle-grade kids to make them engaging for students and helpful for teachers. I've created task cards for many language arts topics, novel studies for classic middle-grade novels, activity sheets, and slide presentations. Many of these resources include both a printable version and a digital version that is ready for student use.
Reading comprehension, the writing process, and vocabulary skills are areas that I focus on.
My teaching experience includes about twenty-eight years of teaching, mostly in middle school. I have taught English and reading, as well as other subjects in inclusion and self-contained classes. Through these experiences, I learned to create materials that worked well with kids at various skill levels and with different learning styles.
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Characterization Kids - Story Elements Task Cards - Print and Easel Versions
This set of thirty task cards helps students to really understand the meaning of characterization and use close reading to identify character traits. The activities include: Choosing character traits from a word bankChoosing character traits – multiple choiceDescribing a pictured characterWriting a paragraphListing character traits to describe a famous personComparing two charactersCompleting a character web for a novel characterDrawing a character with certain character traitsDescribing sta
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
RL.4.1
, RL.4.3
, RL.4.10
 +10
Also included in:Â Reading Task Card Bundle - Print and Easel Versions
The Cay Novel Study
This novel study for The Cay includes questions for each chapter, a before reading activity, two characterization activities, two context clues activities, two inferencing activities, and a review card game. Questions are text dependent and written specifically for this novel. There is one page of text dependent questions for each chapter of this novel, Theodore Taylor's The Cay. Each one has eight questions including characterization questions, context clues questions, and inferencing ques
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
 +1
Story Elements - Activity Sheets and Slide Presentation
This resource includes both a Story Elements Activity Sheets Set and the Story Elements PowerPoint Presentation. The Story Elements Activity Sheet Set is a collection of 15 activity sheets for working with any story. The topics include characters and characterization, setting, plot and sequence, conflict, theme, and mixed story elements. All of the following are included: Character Traits Chart Character Traits List Character Web Picture a Character Character Web and Setting Chart Setting
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
Chronological Order - Text Structure Task Cards - Print and Easel Versions
With these Chronological Order Task Cards, students learn to really understand the text structure of chronological order. The cards include a variety of activities for plenty of practice on this essential reading comprehension skill. With these task cards, students practice identifying this text structure, organizing events from a passage in chronological order, and spotting key terms. The activities on the cards include: •Listing events in chronological order •Organizing events in order •Compl
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RI.4.5
, RI.5.5
, RI.6.5
 +3
Also included in:Â Chronological Order Text Structure -Task Cards and Slide Presentation Bundle
Pictures of Hollis Woods Novel Study
This novel study for Pictures of Hollis Woods includes chapter questions, a before reading activity, main idea and details activities, context clue activities, inferencing activities, writing prompts, and a review card game. Questions are text dependent and written specifically for this novel. There are fourteen pages of chapter questions for this novel, Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff. Each page has eight questions including main idea and detail questions, context clue ques
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
 +1
Connotations, Denotations, Synonyms, Antonyms
This vocabulary resource about word relationships includes both the Activity Sheet Set and the PowerPoint Presentation about connotations, denotations, synonyms, and antonyms. Both focus on the vocabulary skills of identifying connotative meanings, knowing the difference between connotations and denotations, comparing positive and negative connotations,and identifying and using synonyms and antonyms - important word relationship skills at a number of grade levels. The Activity Sheet Set incl
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
RL.4.4
, RL.5.4
, RL.6.4
 +5
Also included in:Â Connotations and Word Choices Bundle
CRASH Novel Study
This novel study for CRASH includes chapter questions, a before reading activity, two characterization activities, two context clues activities, two inferencing activities, and a review card game. Questions are text dependent and written specifically for this novel. There is one page of text dependent questions for every three chapter of Jerry Spinelli's novel, CRASH, a total of sixteen pages of chapter questions. Each page has eight questions including characterization questions, context cl
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
 +1
Proofreading - Task Cards - Print and Easel Versions
This set of 30 half-page proofreading, or editing, task cards gives students practice correcting common types of writing errors. The topics include: punctuation capitalization grammar run-on sentences homophones and spelling These task cards are designed specifically for middle grade kids. The cards are large – two cards per page and have more content per card than many of the smaller task cards –perfect for older kids who can handle more than one quick question per card. Each card provides
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Grammar, Writing
CCSS
W.4.5
, W.5.5
, W.6.5
 +1
Also included in:Â Writing Process and Grammar Task Card Bundle - Print and Easel Versions
Cause and Effect Text Structure - Task Cards and Slide Presentation Bundle
This Cause and Effect Package includes two resources for teaching the text structure of cause and effect - the set of Cause and Effects Task Cards, and a Cause and Effects Slide Presentation.Both resources address these cause and effect situations: - one cause with one effect - multiple causes with one effect - one cause with multiple effects - a sequence of causes and effects The PowerPoint includes lots of practice slides with graphic organizers that demonstrate and allow students to practi
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RI.4.5
, RI.5.5
, RI.6.5
 +3
Story Elements Task Card Bundle - Print and Easel Versions
This package of story elements task cards includes four sets - for the four major story elements: characterization, setting, plot and conflict, and theme. Each set contains thirty large cards with a variety of activities designed for middle school and upper elementary language arts or reading classes. By presenting each story element individually and in a variety of ways with these task cards, you can teach your kids to really understand the elements that make up a great story. Here are some
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RL.4.1
, RL.4.2
, RL.4.3
 +12
Schooled Novel Study
This novel study for Schooled includes text based chapter questions, two before-reading activities, three key idea and detail activities, two context clues activities, four inferencing activities, and a review card game. All of the questions and activities are written specifically for this novel. There is one page of text dependent questions for every two chapters for Gordon Korman's Schooled, a total of sixteen pages of chapter questions. Each page has eight questions including key idea an
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
 +1
Analogies - Task Cards - Print and Easel Versions
This set of 30 task cards is all about solving and understanding analogies. The tasks include completing a group of analogies, choosing the correct type of analogy from multiple-choice answers, identifying the correct type of analogy without assistance, illustrating analogies, and writing analogies. These cards provide practice with many different types of word relationships, including: Cause and Effect Synonyms Antonyms Part and Whole Object and Action Characteristic Degree These task card
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
L.4.5
, L.4.5c
, L.5.5
 +5
Story Elements Foldable Fill-in-the-Blanks Bookmark
This is a foldable bookmark with eight sections that students can use to record story elements as they read. By folding the paper in half, and then in half again, students create a bookmark that is always handy when they are ready to write. The story elements include characters, character traits, setting, problem and solution, and more. Students write, draw, and color to complete their bookmarks. For a set of 12 foldable book response bookmarks, each one designed for a specific genre of fic
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.10
Also included in:Â Reading Task Card Bundle - Print and Easel Versions
Capitalization and Punctuation Task Cards - Print and Easel Versions
Task card set for practicing capitalization and punctuation - addresses basic rules plus punctuating quotes and capitalization when writing a letter. Also included - capitalization and punctuation posters. Here is what is included: Capitalization Rules - Seven cards. Each card is about one or more specific capitalization rules. Each of these cards includes the rule, an example, and student practice. Punctuation Rules - Ten Cards. Each of these cards is about one or more specific punctuation
4th - 8th
English Language Arts, Grammar, Writing
CCSS
L.4.2
, L.5.2
, L.6.2
 +1
Also included in:Â Capitalization and Punctuation Bundle
Text Structure Task Card Bundle - Print and Easel Versions
This package of text structure task cards includes five sets - for five major text structures: cause and effect, chronological order, compare and contrast, problem and solution, and description. Each set contains thirty large cards with a variety of activities designed for middle school and upper elementary language arts or reading classes. By presenting each text structure individually and in a variety of ways with these task cards, you can teach your kids to really understand the structures t
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RI.4.5
, RI.5.5
, RI.6.5
 +4
Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots Bundle
Help your kids understand word parts and improve their vocabulary with this bundle which includes: Prefixes Activity Sheets Prefixes Slide Presentation Suffixes Activity Sheets Suffixes Slide Presentation Latin and Greek Roots Activity Sheets Latin and Greek Roots Slide Presentation PrefixesThe prefix resources include a big PowerPoint presentation and a set of 22 printable activities. The PowerPoint and the PDF of activities are packaged together in one zip file. The slide presentation includ
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading, Vocabulary
CCSS
L.4.4
, L.5.4
, L.6.4
 +2
Chronological Order Text Structure -Task Cards and Slide Presentation Bundle
This Chronological Order Text Structure Package includes two resources for teaching the text structure of chronological, or sequential, order - the set of Chronological Order Task Cards, and the Chronological Order Slide Presentation. The PowerPoint Slide Presentation explains the concept and includes examples and student practice slides. There is also a fill-in notebook page for students to complete as they view the slides. The T ask Cards Set includes thirty large cards with a variety of act
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RI.4.5
, RI.5.5
, RI.6.5
 +4
Bud, Not Buddy Novel Study
This novel study for Bud, Not Buddy includes chapter questions, before reading activities, main idea and details activities, context clue activities, inferencing activities, writing prompts, and a review card game. Questions are text dependent and written specifically for this novel. There are ten pages of chapter questions, one for each two chapters of this novel, Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. Each page has eight questions including main idea and detail questions, context clue
3rd - 6th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
 +1
Text Structure Bundle - Slide Presentations and Task Cards
This big Text Structure Bundle includes ten resources - two resources each for five text structures. There are five set of task cards and five PowerPoint presentations. The five structures are: Cause and Effect Chronological Order Cause and Effect Problem and Solution Description In addition to an explanation and examples of the specific text structure, each PowerPoint includes student practice slides and a fill-in-the-blank student notebook page that can be printed out in advance for stud
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RI.4.5
, RI.5.5
, RI.6.5
 +4
Analogies Activity Sheets and Slide Presentation
This resource includes both an Analogy Worksheet Set and the Analogies PowerPoint to introduce analogies and provide examples and practice with sixteen specific types of these word relationships. These sixteen types of analogies are included: Synonyms Antonyms Object/action Source/product Part/whole Animal/habitat Example Number Object / Purpose Cause / Effect Sequence Characteristic Degree Operator Mathematical Association The Slide Presentation includes explanations and examples of eac
4th - 7th
English Language Arts, Reading Strategies, Vocabulary
CCSS
L.4.5
, L.4.5c
, L.5.5
 +5
Showing 1-20 of 223 results
About the store
Experience
At Classroom in the Middle, my language arts and reading resources are designed and written for middle-grade kids to make them engaging for students and helpful for teachers. I've created task cards for many language arts topics, novel studies for classic middle-grade novels, activity sheets, and slide presentations. Many of these resources include both a printable version and a digital version that is ready for student use.
Reading comprehension, the writing process, and vocabulary skills are areas that I focus on.
My teaching experience includes about twenty-eight years of teaching, mostly in middle school. I have taught English and reading, as well as other subjects in inclusion and self-contained classes. Through these experiences, I learned to create materials that worked well with kids at various skill levels and with different learning styles.
Teaching style
My style is all about the middle grades, particularly grades 4 through 7. My goal is to create teaching resources that appeal to the active learning style of middle-grade kids by using original written passages, colorful designs, and age-appropriate graphics.
Awards & shining teacher moments
My favorite reward from teaching is watching kids get really engaged in classroom activities. Hearing that other teachers find my resources useful and reading comments about how their kids enjoy the activities is also rewarding.
My own education history
I have earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education with a major in English, and a master's degree in special education focusing on learning differences.
Additional biographical information
In addition to my TPT store, I have a teaching website for language arts teachers, also called Classroom in the Middle (classroominthemiddle.com). On the website, you'll see lots more teaching ideas and free resources such as charts and word lists. Follow the website, and you'll get a free full-size set of language arts task cards!
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