Lessons We Learn

Have your students analyze any text using this document. Students can read informational text and make predictions, write questions, clarify any unknown words and summarize. This can also be used with any novel.

Make virtual learning fun with theme days! Keep your students engaged, active and having fun by dedicating each day to a different theme!

Use this list to help your students get started on a story! Easily upload this document on Google Classroom.

Mini-lesson on the genre of historical fiction. Focuses on the key elements of setting, characters, fictional vs historical events, and plot development. Includes a video. A total of 7 slides.

Use this Reading Survey to get to know your students as readers. 10 questions, multiple-choice and short answer responses. All questions can easily be posted on Google Classroom and used as a homework assignment, as a Do-Now or exit slip. Collect the data you need to design fun reading lessons. Google form is EDITABLE.

"HyperDocs are created by teachers and given to students to engage, educate, and inspire learning with web tools." Get your students excited about the 2024 Solar Eclipse with this Hyperdoc. Easily post it onto your Google Classroom and let the students explore the different links on their own. Includes 8 educational links, including BrainPop, NASA Science, Memory Game with definitions, articles, and a read-aloud of Eclipse by Andy Rash. Lesson Plan:Post the Hyperdoc on Google ClassroomPre

Easily post these slides on Google Classroom for your students! Students can work independently or in small groups to complete the activities. Slides include ELA concepts such as the definition of the word eclipse, finding synonyms for the word eclipse, finding adjectives for the words sun and moon, finding figurative language related to the sun and moon, and researching the root word 'luna'. Included are fun slides such as an online solar eclipse word search, creating a blackout poem, and a

This document includes 100 reading suggestions made by middle school students complete with a short explanation and links to their summaries. Students are more likely to read if it's recommended by a peer. Easily post this document to your Google Classroom at the beginning of the year, so students can refer to it year-round. Recommended books are forreading levels from grades 4-8.

This quote analysis activity was translated for my Spanish speaking MLL students. They could easily follow along to the lesson and also work with a partner.

Have your students compare and contrast the award winning novel, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson to the movie version. Easily upload this presentation to Google Classroom and have your students follow along during virtual learning or present it in your classroom for a whole-group discussion. This can also be turned into a written assignment or project. Each slide has pictures from the movie and prompts the students to compare and contrast the novel to the movie using evidence from

Students will have fun identifying the different types of figurative language memes. They will also create their own meme using the website https://www.canva.com/create/memes/ and share their creations with the class. Includes practice identifying hyperbole, personification, simile, metaphor, alliteration, idiom and onomatopoeia. Total of 4 slides with 9 memes.

Mini lesson on foreshadowing. Includes definitions, questions and examples from the book Bridge to Terabithia. This lesson can easily be uploaded to your Google Classroom for students to follow along.

In this lesson students will reflect on their personal goals using Minecraft as a motivation. The book, Minecraft- The Island by Max Brooks is referenced, but student do not have to read the book to complete the Growth Mindset activities. A list of life lessons from the book is provided for the students to reflect and make a connection by explaining its significance to their immediate or future goals.  Max Brooks also references, “The Way of the Cube.”  He explains that each mission needs

Students will watch a 2 minute youtube video of Maya Angelou speaking. They will then reflect on her famous quote, "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." Students will write their own interpretations of the quote. This assignment ties in perfectly with Black History Month and Acts of Kindness Week.

Your students will have fun participating in this fun brain break! There are 15 slides with relatable questions and pictures. Students of all ages can have fun playing along. Students can stand up and move to the side of the room that represents their choice or you can have them stand for one choice and remain sitting for the other.  Whatever works for your class!

Celebrate Dr. Seuss with this fun and engaging writing activity. Students of any age will be inspired to write a short poem. Have your students work independently or in groups. You can easily post this on your Google Classroom and have the students work from home. Includes a link to read Dr. Seuss stories online! Total of 8 slides, each with a cute rhyme to get the students excited about writing.

This figurative language digital notebook can be uploaded to Google Classroom so students can take notes during virtual learning. Each page is dedicated to a different example of figurative language. Additional blank pages have been added for more examples.

Students will enjoy analyzing some of Maya Angelou's famous quotes by participating in a Gallery Walk. Print the quotes from this website: https://www.weareteachers.com/maya-angelou-education-quotes-posters/ Hang up the quotes around the room. Break up your students into even groups and have them go to each poster, discuss and complete the quote reflection sheet. This can easily be posted on Google Classroom and students can work with their groups in breakout rooms for virtual instruction or

Reading Suggestions for Middle School Students WITH links to summaries. Sorted by genres and can be EDITED to include your own suggestions. Booklists include themes that teach diversity, equality, and inclusion.

Students will demonstrate their understanding of internal and external conflicts by completing this activity. Students can work alone or with a partner to identify the internal and external conflicts of a story and create a poster (slide) for the main character of the story. Use this activity with any story.