Marilyn Pryle
67 Followers
Clarks Green, Pennsylvania, United States
About the store
I have been an English teacher for over 20 years, beginning with my first job in Kathmandu, Nepal. I have since taught at the middle school, high school, and college levels in Philadelphia, Boston, and currently, Clarks Summit, PA. I have written six books for Scholastic: four about writing workshop and two about reading and writing activities aligned with the CCSS. Most recently, I wrote Reading with Presence, a book about a reader response system I've used for years, with Heinemann. I speak regularly at national and local conferences. In 2104 I became National Board Certified.
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Shield Project and Reflection Paper Based on the Elements of an Epic Hero
This Word document provides directions and a rubric for assigning a Shield Project. Each student will create his or her own shield, using the epic elements of the hero’s good qualities, flaws, background and quest, using their own lives as material. In the end, the shield is a collage of the student’s life. Students also must have a “life motto” that is included as a banner. On the other side of the sheet are directions and a rubric for a reflection paper. Students will choose one section of the
7th - 11th
Art, English Language Arts, Literature
Writing Workshop for Middle School: Teaching Students to Write Effective Essays
This book gives an in-depth description of 10 expository writing assignments to be used alone or in a writing workshop setting. Each writing assignment includes a description, 3 mini-lessons, an assignment sheet for students (with checkboxes), a rubric, brainstorming sheets and mentor texts (also called sample reading). I also explain how to set up and maintain a writing workshop, and how the 10 assignments and mini-lessons are scaffolded in order to progress in complexity as the year goes on. I
5th - 9th
Writing, Writing-Essays, Writing-Expository
CCSS
CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.4
+2
Analyze Your Name Essay, with Prewriting, Mentor Texts, & Rubric
This PDF gives you all you need to have your students write interesting, informed analyses of their own names. The “What’s In a Name?” Essay combines autobiography, research, and a bit of opinion. It requires students to ask their families about their own names and research the etymological origins of their names. Great for the beginning of the year! Included is:
-a step-by-step assignment/instruction sheet (with checkboxes for each task) that you can give to students,
-a rubric (with categori
6th - 10th
English Language Arts, Writing, Writing-Expository
Writing Workshop for Middle School: 10 Easy Narrative and Persuasive Assignments
This book details 10 writing activities for a beginner writing workshop. But don't be discouraged if you have advanced writers--the activities are scaffolded and differentiated into beginner and advanced versions! The first half of the book focuses on narrative writing, and the second half moves into persuasive writing. The 10 writing lessons progress in complexity and difficulty in order to build skills. Several mini-lessons are suggested for each writing activity; the mini-lessons are also dif
4th - 9th
Writing, Writing-Essays, Writing-Expository
CCSS
CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.3
+2
Compare and Contrast Essay Bundle in Word--Great for Writing Workshop or Alone
This Word document gives you all you need to have your students write interesting, well-organized Compare and Contrast Essays. Included is:
-a brief introduction to teaching the Compare and Contrast Essay,
-a step-by-step assignment/instruction sheet (with checkboxes for each task) that you can give to students,
-a rubric (with categories for Structure, Process, Description, Spelling and Grammar),
-three suggested mini-lessons (Compare & Contrast Organization, Cliches, and Transition Words) w
5th - 10th
Writing, Writing-Essays, Writing-Expository
CCSS
CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.4
, CCRA.W.5
Poetry Writing: Me, in Metaphors. With Directions, Prewriting, Models, Rubric
This PDF gives you all you need to have your students write poems about themselves using only metaphors. The “Me, in Metaphors” activity asks students to think of the qualities that define them and convert those qualities into metaphors. Students will learn about metaphors from the inside out by creating their own. Great for the beginning of the year! Included is:
-a step-by-step assignment/instruction sheet (with checkboxes for each task) that you can give to students,
-a rubric (with categor
7th - 12th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Poetry
Bundle of 20 Writing Activities! Perfect Alone or w/Wrtg. Workshop, Great 4 ELL
This is a bundle of 2 books listed separately in my store. Their descriptions are each listed below. Since one activity (the Compare and Contrast Essay) is listed twice, once in each book, an additional assignment titled the Personal Ballad is included as an individual assignment in the bundle.
Book 1: Writing Workshop for Middle School: Teaching Students to Write Effective Essays
This book gives an in-depth description of 10 expository writing assignments to be used alone or in a writing wor
6th - 10th
English Language Arts, Writing
CCSS
CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.3
+3
The Outsiders Chart: Whose Fault Was Bob's Death?
This handout asks students to evaluate several characters' roles in the death of Bob. Nine relevant characters are listed on the chart, and students must consider how each of them played a part in Bob's murder. Students must not only recall the story but also make inferences and judgments. After completing the chart, students can debate whose role was the greatest, and who was really at fault.
6th - 9th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.3
Writing Workshop: 40+ Genres Defined with Possible Fitting Mini-Lessons
This packet lists over 40 possible genres for writing workshop or English class, defines what each would entail, and gives several possible fitting mini-lessons for each. The genres are also divided into "Easy," "Intermediate" and "Advanced" categories so you can more effectively plan writing assignments for the quarter, semester, or whole year. This packet matches perfectly with my "Genre" and "Mini-lesson" charts, also posted here on TpT. It matches those two charts together and further explai
5th - 10th
Creative Writing, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.3
+2
Process (How-To) Essay Bundle in Word--Great for Writing Workshop or Alone!
This Word document gives you all you need to teach a Process Essay. It includes:
--a brief introduction to teaching a Process Essay,
--a step-by-step assignment/instruction sheet (with checkboxes for each task) that you can give to students,
--a rubric for the assignment (with categories for Structure, Process, Description, Spelling and Grammar),
--three suggested mini-lessons with explanations (Sensory Details, Ways to End an Essay, Ways to Start an Essay),
--and two mentor texts.
The do
5th - 9th
Writing, Writing-Essays, Writing-Expository
CCSS
CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.4
, CCRA.W.5
Setting Sketch Bundle in Word--Great for Writing Workshop or Alone, and for ELLs
This Word document gives all you need to guide students in writing meaningful and descriptive Setting Sketches. It includes:
--a brief introduction to teaching a Setting Sketch,
--two differentiated step-by-step assignment/instruction sheets (with checkboxes for each task) that you can give to students,
--rubrics for each (with categories for Structure, Process, Description, Spelling and Grammar),
--two suggested mini-lessons (Sensory Details and Theme),
--brainstorming sheets,
--and two di
5th - 9th
Creative Writing, Writing
The Outsiders Chapter 9 Wordle with Critical Thinking Questions
This activity is a Wordle of the entire text of Chapter 9 from The Outsiders with nine accompanying questions about plot, setting, characters, theme, point of view, and inferences. The question sheet also explains the premise of Wordles (the most repeated words are the largest). I've used this activity several times-- it is a wonderful departure from the normal question worksheet, and it sparks interesting discussion. It works best as a partner / small group activity.
Tip: Give students highlig
6th - 9th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+2
Autobiographical Account Bundle in Word--Perfect for Writing Workshop or Alone!
This Word document gives you all you need to have your students write interesting, detailed, meaningful autobiographical accounts / memoirs. Included is:
-a brief introduction to teaching an Autobiographical Incident,
-a step-by-step assignment/instruction sheet (with checkboxes for each task) that you can give to students,
-a rubric (with categories for Structure, Process, Description, Spelling and Grammar),
-three suggested mini-lessons (Autobiography defined, Theme, Introductions) with exp
5th - 10th
Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
CCRA.W.3
, CCRA.W.4
, CCRA.W.5
Iliad Book 3 Readers Theater
This is an abridged, high school appropriate script of Book 3 of the Iliad. Paris challenges any Greek to a fight, but when Menelaus steps forward, he cowers in the background. Hector then berates him. Menelaus and Paris fight, but just as Paris is about to lose, Aphrodite saves him with a mist. Helen is watching from afar and talking to King Priam. Helen's true feelings are later revealed when she tells Paris she wishes she never came to Troy with him.
The students have fun with this, and eve
9th - 12th
English Language Arts
HS Poetry Writing & Analyzing Bundle--14 Activities for National Poetry Month!
Get ready for National Poetry Month! This fun bundle includes the following 14 activities:
1. Autobiographical Image Poem Writing Activity (1 page PDF: brainstorming sheet)
2. Personal Ballad Writing Activity (2 pages in Word: instructions and sensory detail brainstorming sheet)
3. Extended Metaphor Exercise and Writing Activity (2 pages PDF: "Mother to Son" analysis and instruction sheet for writing)
4. Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt (1 page PDF chart)
5. Google Autocomplete Found Poe
8th - 11th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Poetry
Analysis of a Short Story (Writing Assignment) Bundle in Word
This Word document gives you all you need to have your students write detailed Short Story Analyses. Included is:
--a brief introduction to teaching an Analysis of a Short Story,
--a step-by-step assignment/instruction sheet (with checkboxes for each task) that you can give to students,
--a rubric (with categories for Structure, Process, Description, Spelling and Grammar),
--three suggested mini-lessons (How to Analyze Literature, Avoiding "You," and Keeping the Same Tense) with explanation
5th - 10th
Short Stories, Writing-Essays, Writing-Expository
CCSS
CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.4
+1
Sentence Combining Exercise with Book 1 of the Iliad
Excellent for pre-reading! On this handout, Book 1, lines 1-8 of the Iliad have been separated into small, repetitive sentences. Students must combine the sentences by condensing words, changing word endings, and adding punctuation. In the text, lines 1-8 are only two actual sentences long, so this exercise will take some thought. When finished, students can "check" their answers to see how close they are to Homer's sentences. Regardless of their final accuracy to the original, students will hav
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
75+ Ideas of What to Say During a Writing Conference, and When to Say It!
Do you sometimes wonder if you're giving students the most helpful advice at the right stage when you talk to them about their writing? Here, I have compiled a list of 79 thoughts, activities, and responses to give students during a writing conference. I have taught writing and writing workshop for over 20 years, and these are my most effective methods. In addition, I give a flow-chart of what to (generally) check for first, next, and so on when you see a student's draft. The flow chart has 11 s
5th - 12th
Creative Writing, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.3
+2
Persuasive Essay Bundle in Word--Perfect for Writing Workshop or Alone!
This Word document gives you all you need to have your students write interesting, well-organized Persuasive Essays. Included is:
-a brief introduction to teaching the Persuasive Essay,
-a step-by-step assignment/instruction sheet (with checkboxes for each task) that you can give to students,
-a rubric (with categories for Structure, Process, Description, Spelling and Grammar),
-three suggested mini-lessons (Persuasive Essay Organization, Effective Titles, and Strong Verbs) with explanations,
5th - 10th
English Language Arts, Writing-Essays, Writing-Expository
CCSS
CCRA.W.1
, CCRA.W.2
, CCRA.W.4
+1
The Outsiders PowerPoint--Prereading, Background Info, and Journal Prompts
This PowerPoint includes a multiple-slide pre-reading activity about stereotypes, many pictures illustrating references in the novel (Paul Newman, Corvair, madras shirt), and over 30 journal prompts that draw upon events and specific pages in the book.
The prompts are in order of the book. One example:
At the end of Chapter 6, Ponyboy writes, “I had taken the long way around, but I was finally home” (99). What does he mean by this? He’s not actually in his house, so what does he mean by “ho
6th - 9th
Close Reading, Literature, Writing
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About the store
Experience
I have been an English teacher for over 20 years, beginning with my first job in Kathmandu, Nepal. I have since taught at the middle school, high school, and college levels in Philadelphia, Boston, and currently, Clarks Summit, PA. I have written six books for Scholastic: four about writing workshop and two about reading and writing activities aligned with the CCSS. Most recently, I wrote Reading with Presence, a book about a reader response system I've used for years, with Heinemann. I speak regularly at national and local conferences. In 2104 I became National Board Certified.
Teaching style
I believe in guiding students thorough writing, group collaboration, self-reflection, discussion, and close reading. I believe in using different learning styles and a variety of methods. I believe in the power of well-written and/or time-tested texts.
Awards & shining teacher moments
PA Teacher of the Year, 2019-2021;
National Board Certified Teacher;
Multiple grant recipient;
Heinemann author and presenter;
Scholastic author and presenter
My own education history
In addition to my B.S. in Education from the University of Scranton, I have an M.S. in Reading Education and M.F.A. in Creative Writing. I completed an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in the spring of 2020.
Additional biographical information
Visit my website at www.marilynpryle.com
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