Classics on Caffeine

BLACK SHIPS BEFORE TROY by Rosemary Sutcliff is a story of love, deception, courage and war. This retelling of THE ILLIAD is sure to engage students from upper elementary all the way to high school-- unfortunately the resources all seemed to fall flat. Thus the creation of this workbook. If you would like your students to move beyond simple question- and -answer study guides, this workbook is all you need! Designed to be printed as either individual lessons or bound together as a novel workb

50 DIFFERENT SENTENCE STEMS AND QUESTIONS WILL KEEP YOUR STUDENTS TALKING AND ENGAGED!! These Cafe Conversation Cards were created to help students learn how to ask thought-provoking questions and engage with classmates for an academic purpose. Simply make enough copies for each group, have students choose a question or prompt and then sit back and enjoy listening to your students take over the class! When the conversation fades, students simply read off of the cards and fill in the blanks w

Are you looking for a way for students to practice identifying the FICTION NOTICE AND NOTE SIGNPOSTS (Beers, Probst) and are tired of the same old bookmarks and note taking sheets? Then this project may be just what you need!! Once my students had plenty of practice identifying signposts in our class novels, they were ready to move on to independent work. This project guides students through a 13 step process of reading a novel, taking notes on the signposts and then creating an original boar

"I, Paris, Prince of Troy, challenge any warrior to meet me in single combat!" And so begins this intense chapter from Rosemary Sutcliff's BLACK SHIPS BEFORE TROY. If you are looking for a simple way to break up the monotony of daily in-class reading OR if you just want your students to bring a moment to life, my ACT IT OUT scripts are for you! Just make copies of the 5-page script, gather a few simple props, use suggestions to rearrange desks and "ACTION!". Students will love the fight betw

What do roller coasters and suspense stories have in common? EVERYTHING! If you are looking for an engaging way to teach fiction story elements--this resource is for you! Students will not mind taking notes about exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution as an introduction Powerpoint compares these elements to the ultimate roller coaster experience! Students will share coaster stories, take notes, and then read a suspense story that will leave them da

Students use the "Behind the Name" website and the student-friendly handout to research the origin, meaning, and history of their first and middle names. This is a TERRIFIC first week of school activity-- students can make name tags that display the information learned through the webquest. Students can then share this information in a quick "introductory" speech. The handout can also be used to research the meanings behind CHARACTER names in students favorite novels OR as inspiration for nam

What happens when a Trojan spy crosses paths with two Greek spies? Find out in this readers theater scene inspired by the "Horses of Rhesus" chapter in THE BLACK SHIPS BEFORE TROY. Using an "act it out" scene is a great way to get your students involved in a novel while still remaining true to the original content. Grab a couple of swords and let your students engage in this scene of war strategy, bribery, and deception. This packet includes the following: + a six-page script + print and cut

Achilles: "Leave me, stranger. My heart is heavy" Priam: "As is mine" Narrator: Achilles looked up the second King Priam spoke. Priam uncovered his face and Achilles jumped back, reaching for his sword. Two leaders + Two tragic deaths = one emotional conversation. Let your students experience the grief felt by Achilles and by King Priam as they act out this very real conversation inspired by the "Ransom for Hector" chapter found in THE BLACK SHIPS BEFORE TROY. Students will gain a better

"I need a hero. I'm holding out for a hero till the end of the night!" Who deserves the title of "Greatest Epic Hero"? Is it Achilles, Odysseus, Katniss Everdeen, Bilbo Baggins, or some other heroic figure? This Bonnie Tyler-inspired question will get your students ready to analyze and write about Epic Heroes. I have used this lesson with BLACK SHIPS BEFORE TROY, THE ODYSSEY, HUNGER GAMES and THE HOBBIT-- but the possibilities are endless! The lesson includes all of the following: + Song of

"It may not sound like much, but it is where I'm from". Students in a classroom come from diverse backgrounds. This is the perfect activity to bring that diversity to light. I have used the song analysis and poetry writing assignment as a "back to school" ice breaker, as a tool to connect background with values right before reading TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD or FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, or as just a free-standing poetry lesson. No matter how you plan on using the songs, it will quickly become a stude

Symbolism Powerpoint and Writing Activity. This SWEET lesson is an engaging way to lead students into a deeper level of thinking in regards to SYMBOLISM! The versatile lesson begins with a complete powerpoint that will drive an entire class period. No prep is needed as each slide guides students through simple steps in identifying symbols..all using candy! Once the steps are practiced, students can apply them to ANY poem, novel, song or short story! Wrap up the day, by giving students a poet

Nothing is better than curling up with a good book, sipping a cup of cocoa, and warming up by the fire. Now students can take advantage of an unplanned snow day or a long winter break to experience a variety of "COZY reading COMFORTS" For this FUN activity, students take pictures of themselves reading, advertise their books/photos on PADLET, and write an acrostic poem book summary. This Packet is READY TO PRINT AND DISTRIBUTE TODAY! + Student Instructions Handout + Reading Log + Two creative

Middle or High School students will appreciate this delicious twist on a standard-based writing rubric. With clear, student-friendly expectations outlined within the rubric, students will know exactly how to "order up" a "VENTI" score on their next TEXT-DEPENDENT RESPONSE question. There is even a "With Whip" column that gives advice on how to add a little flavor to the response! This rubric can easily be used as a grading tool for any short answer response questions you assign. (Makes an a

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen" -- Winston Churchill Students will gain a better understanding of the different forms of courage through this ready to print handout. Clear definitions of FIVE kinds of courage are given for the students to review. Below the definition is a box for notetaking. As students find examples of the different forms of courage, they can write quotes, stories, or brief examples in the space provide

Students will strive to earn an "Venti, with Whip" using this simple coffee-themed rubric. This can easily be used with an fictional narrative, personal narrative, or memoir writing assignment. ALSO MAKES A GREAT POSTER!

Did you ever find your Reading Standards confusing to read? Is it difficult to see how skills build from one year to the next? Do you struggle with knowing what it means when a student struggles "with meaning and context in literary text"? These are all questions my teachers struggle with as well. As the District English Supervisor, I wanted to create a notebook that would help teachers answer those questions. Thus the creation of my Reading Progression Guide. THIS IS NOT A SERIES OF WORKS