Classics on Caffeine

Before starting the novel, THE OUTSIDERS by SE HINTON, pass out this wildly popular handout. Read the different "friend requests" out loud and have students determine whether they would FRIEND or DENY the requests, base on the words written. Each request represents one of the Greasers. Students will love reading Chapter One and finding out which character they FRIENDED and which they DENIED. This is a simple activity that instantly connects students to the Greasers!

This single sheet poetry response is ready for you to print and use! This handout is designed to compliment my other Maya Angelou resources or to stand alone as a poetry analysis activity. Within minutes, students will be able to dive into Angelou's "Still I Rise" poem by making personal connections, annotating examples of figurative language, connecting to Angelou's life and suggestion historical significance.

It is important for students to have choice when it comes to reading. This project allows students to choose from a wide variety of novels that feature the "Hero's Journey" plot structure. Assign this independent project to reinforce "journey" novels discussed in class. Perfect compliment for units on THE GIVER, THE ILLIAD, THE ODYSSEY, 127 HOURS and endless others. Students read a novel of choice, take notes and then create a board game that highlights the stages. What a great way to advert

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

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

This simple print-and-use form can provide professional development leaders feedback on the target session and ideas for future interactions. Can be edited to meet the needs of principals, supervisors, professional speakers and teacher-leaders.

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

Imagine the look on your students faces when you tell them THEIR parents have homework on the first day of school (and they don't). This simple, open-ended activity has produced many heart-warming, sometimes sad, always informative pieces of information about future students. You will be amazed at the willingness of parents to respond to this assignment with letters, video, pictures and so much love!