Level Up Literacy
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Seattle, Washington, United States
About the store
I'm a middle school teacher in Seattle, WA. I've taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grades social studies, reading, and language arts for 7 years.
I currently work at a diverse Title 1 middle school that has a high population English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with IEPs. Therefore, all the materials I develop aim to support these students as well as their general education classmates.
All of my materials are standards-aligned and are used in conjunction with standards-based grading rubrics.
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How to write a strong HOOKS for literary analysis essays
Middle schoolers CAN do literary analysis! Help your 6th, 7th, and 8th graders move beyond the typical "question" hook by teaching them dynamic strategies for capturing their reader's attention right away in a literary essay. This handout and accompanying PowerPoint presentation will give you all the tools you'll need to teach your students 5 effective hook strategies. It also includes a highly engaging animated short film with example hooks using each strategy. Concepts covered include: What
5th - 9th
English Language Arts, Writing-Essays, Writing-Expository
CCSS
W.6.1a
, W.7.1a
, W.8.1a
Also included in: Literary Analysis Essay BUNDLE
The Real Story of the First Thanksgiving
Why did the Pilgrims celebrate the first thanksgiving? Teach your students to question history's "official narrative" with this interactive text! This original text dives into the history and context of the first thanksgiving by focusing on the relationship between Pilgrims and the indigenous people of the Wampanoag Confederation, led by Tisquantum (Squanto). Interspersed with the text are maps, graphics, and critical comprehension questions to support deep analysis. ☺ Reading Level: 8th grade
6th - 12th
Close Reading, Native Americans, U.S. History
CCSS
RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.10
Literary Analysis Essay BUNDLE
Middle schoolers CAN write literary analysis essays! Use this bundle of best-selling resources to walk your students through every step of literary analysis, from reading to determine theme to studying exemplar essays to drafting and revising structured 5-paragraph essays. This bundle contains a mix of resources I have used in my own middle school Language Arts classroom for years. Each year, I am amazed at how quickly my students' writing improves! The bundle includes: PowerPoint presentation
6th - 8th
English Language Arts, Literature, Writing-Essays
Teaching Theme with Short Films
Are your students stuck on theme? This resource pack includes everything you'll need to design highly engaging lessons that will teach students to determine complex themes. Through a study of short animated films, students will be excited to develop and refine their themes! Who it's for: These materials were developed in the context of a middle school (6th, 7th, 8th grades), but would be appropriate for advanced upper elementary students (4th, 5th) or struggling high schoolers (9th, 10th grades)
4th - 10th
English Language Arts, Reading
CCSS
RL.6.2
, RL.7.2
, RL.8.2
Also included in: Literary Analysis Essay BUNDLE
Paragraphing Practice for Narrative Writing
Do your students know when to start a new paragraph when writing a narrative story? Or does their writing look like one gigantic block of words and sentences? If your students are like mine, every year there are a few (or more than a few) in each class who just don't "get" paragraphing, indenting, and dialogue. This worksheet + answer key will help students practice starting new paragraphs in their narrative writing. The worksheet guides students to re-write a short narrative excerpt using pr
5th - 11th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Writing
CCSS
CCRA.W.3
, CCRA.W.5
Introduction to Primary & Secondary Sources Bundle
This bundle is a must-have for any teacher who intends to make primary sources an important part of their social studies curriculum. Use the PowerPoint and guided notes as the cornerstone for students' understanding of the differences between primary and secondary sources Can middle school students read and interpret primary sources? YES!Can English Language Learners (ELLs) read primary sources? YES!Can students with IEPs read primary sources? YES!This bundle includes: ☺ A PowerPoint presenta
6th - 10th
Social Studies, U.S. History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.4
, RH.6-8.9
+1
Colonists & Native American Interaction - Primary Source Analysis
This text set allows students to craft their own narratives about how early American Colonists and Native Americans interacted. Text set includes includes:
☺ 2 secondary sources (American history textbook excerpts)
☺ 6 primary sources
- - - • excerpts from colonists' journals
- - - • a speech
- - - • 1 piece of artwork
☺ Graphic organizers with each source that support students' interpretation of the text and determine whether the source is primary or secondary.
**Use this in units on Americ
6th - 10th
Native Americans, Social Studies, U.S. History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.6
+3
Also included in: Introduction to Primary & Secondary Sources Bundle
Literary Analysis Essay Mentor Text Pack
Use this pack of 6 exemplar essays to teach your students what strong literary analysis looks like. All essays are aligned to middle school-leveled texts (6th, 7th, and 8th grades), and the writing reflects strong middle-level 4- or 5-paragraph structured essay format. Yes, middle school students CAN write literary analysis essays! I have used these mentor texts with my 6th and 7th grade students to give them a vision of what strong writing looks like before they begin their own essays. Using
5th - 9th
Literature, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
W.6.2
, W.6.2a
, W.6.2b
+27
Also included in: Literary Analysis Essay BUNDLE
US History Primary Sources for Middle Schoolers
With these highly scaffolded resources, middle schoolers CAN read primary sources in US History! This super-discounted bundle includes many of my most popular resources. Files include: Primary sources that align with most US History curricula (age of exploration - westward expansion)Glossaries & word banks for vocabulary developmentPrintable worksheets for student engagementQuizzes & exit tickets to check for understandingAccompanying PowerPoint presentationsThis bundle is perfect for middle sch
6th - 10th
Native Americans, Social Studies, U.S. History
CCSS
RI.6.1
, RI.6.2
, RI.6.6
+6
Laptop Use Contract & Sign-Out Sheet
Keep your classroom laptops in top shape with this usage contract and sign-out sheet. By signing their name to a contract, students will hold themselves accountable for taking care of classroom technology. Clear and consistent expectations are the key to good classroom management! This file includes Student-friendly laptop use contractTwo versions of a class laptop sign-out sheetUse this resource with: Laptop cartsClassroom laptopsComputer labsComputer stationsLibraries
4th - 12th
Classroom Community, Computer Science - Technology
Intro Lesson: Chinese Immigration to the US (1880s)
This complete lesson will teach your students: WHY people immigrated from China to the US in the 1880s, WHAT Chinese immigrants did for money when they got to the US, and HOW white Americans responded to Chinese immigration. Use this lesson in any US History curriculum during units on the age of immigration, the 1880s, westward expansion, Washington State History, California History, or Oregon History. This direct instruction lesson will give students the background knowledge they will need to d
6th - 10th
Social Studies, U.S. History
CCSS
RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
Letter of Introduction & Beginning of Year Writing Assessment
Start the school year off right with this assignment that doubles as a getting-to-know-you letter of introduction and a formative writing assessment in one! It is crucial to get to know students both as full humans AND as writers in your ELA English class. This assignment gives kids the opportunity to use their own voice share their interests, hobbies, learning styles, preferences, academic strengths, and areas of need.I work with a ton of students with IEPs and English Language Learners (ELLs),
5th - 9th
Informational Text, Other (ELA), Writing
CCSS
W.6.2
, W.6.2a
, W.6.2b
+23
Outlines for Middle School Literary Analysis Essay
This product contains THREE scaffolded outlines for student use on 5-paragraph literary analysis essays. These resources will support your middle school students' analytical writing with structural support and high-quality sentence stems. Yes, middle schoolers CAN write literary analysis essays! I have used these outlines for years with my 6th and 7th graders to scaffold essay structure through multiple rounds of essay writing. With enough practice and a gradual release of the scaffolding, stud
5th - 9th
English Language Arts, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
W.6.2a
, W.6.2b
, W.6.2c
+27
Also included in: Literary Analysis Essay BUNDLE
Beginning of Year Formative Diagnostic Writing Rubric Checklist
There is nothing more valuable for a writing teacher at the beginning of the school year than quick, actionable data about your students’ writing skills. Use these checklists and rubrics for a quick formative assessment of your students’ areas of strength and need for instruction in writing this school year. This diagnostic information will help you design small groups or offer targeted supports as you start the school year. This Resource Includes:2 pages of guidance on how to use the resource,
6th - 9th
Writing, Writing-Essays, Writing-Expository
CCSS
W.6.1
, W.6.2
, W.6.3
+9
Write Strong Hooks for Persuasive/Argument Essays
Improve your students persuasive writing and argument essays with more interesting hook strategies to craft a strong introduction paragraph. This resource was designed for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who are ready to move beyond the typical "question" hook. However, it could be appropriate for students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grades as well. It teaches them dynamic strategies for capturing their reader's attention right away in a persuasive essay. This handout and accompanying PowerPoint presentati
6th - 11th
English Language Arts, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
W.6.1
, W.6.1a
, W.7.1
+11
Also included in: Persuasive/Argument Essay Writing BUNDLE
Immigration, Oppression, and Resistance: Concept Formation Lesson
How have immigrants and oppressed groups fought back against legal and social exclusion throughout US History? This lesson helps students create a conceptual framework for ACTIVE RESISTANCE against unjust policies & social norms. This middle school-friendly lesson guides students through the inquiry process to uncover the nature of active resistance against injustice. It is a great backdrop for any social justice social studies curriculum, requires critical thinking, and promotes high-qualit
5th - 10th
Civics, Social Studies, U.S. History
CCSS
RI.7.1
, RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.10
Persuasive/Argument Essay Writing BUNDLE
Middle schoolers can write truly excellent argument and persuasive essays! Use this bundle of best-selling resources to walk your students through every step of argument writing, from studying exemplar essays (mentor texts) to drafting and revising structured 5-paragraph essays. This bundle contains a mix of resources I have used in my own middle school Language Arts classroom for years. Each year, I am amazed at how quickly my students' writing improves!The bundle includes: PowerPoint presenta
5th - 9th
English Language Arts, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
W.6.1
, W.6.1a
, W.6.1b
+28
Assessment for Literary Analysis Essay with Rubric - "Shells" by Cynthia Rylant
Use this assessment & rubric as a pre- or post-assessment for your middle school literary analysis essay unit!Yes, middle schoolers CAN write complex analytical essays that display critical thinking about literature! Using this scaffolded, Common Core-aligned assessment, your students will show you what they can do either before or after a unit on literary analysis. This essay assessment was created to be used with "Shells" by Cynthia Rylant, an engaging short story that middle school students
5th - 7th
English Language Arts, Writing, Writing-Essays
CCSS
W.6.2
, W.6.2a
, W.6.2b
+5
Also included in: Literary Analysis Essay BUNDLE
SBA Performance Task Informational Writing Practice
Prepare your students for the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) using this engaging informational writing task. This assignment will walk students through all steps of the writing process: RESEARCH - Read two 2-page informational texts on snakes & snakebites in India(Optional) - Watch 1 video text on India's deadliest snakesPLAN - Brainstorm a thesis statement/ central idea and gather supporting evidence in a graphic organizerWRITE - Write an informational pamphlet on snakes in IndiaSELF-ASSESS,
5th - 7th
English Language Arts, Informational Text, Writing-Expository
CCSS
W.5.2
, W.5.2a
, W.5.2b
+24
Primary vs. Secondary Source Quiz for US History: Chief Powhatan
Can middle school students read and interpret primary sources? YES!
This quiz assesses students' ability to distinguish between primary and secondary sources. It was created in the context of a US History class during a unit on early colonial America.
This quiz includes:
☺ A speech from Chief Powhatan
☺ An encyclopedia excerpt about Chief Powhatan
☺ Analysis questions
☺ Answer Key
**Use this in units on American Colonies, Native Americans, or Colonialism**
Common Core Alignment: This quiz
6th - 10th
Informational Text, Social Studies, U.S. History
CCSS
RH.6-8.6
, RH.6-8.8
, RH.6-8.9
+1
Also included in: Introduction to Primary & Secondary Sources Bundle
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About the store
Experience
I'm a middle school teacher in Seattle, WA. I've taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grades social studies, reading, and language arts for 7 years.
I currently work at a diverse Title 1 middle school that has a high population English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with IEPs. Therefore, all the materials I develop aim to support these students as well as their general education classmates.
All of my materials are standards-aligned and are used in conjunction with standards-based grading rubrics.
Teaching style
I use a rigorous, student-centered curriculum that prioritizes inquiry, exploration, and critical thinking.
Social studies/History:
I believe that kids deserve to craft their own theories of history by examining the same primary documents that historians study. With support and practice, middle schoolers CAN read complex primary source documents! I believe that any curriculum can be infused with a social justice perspective, and that making connections between the events of the past and today's current events is one of the best ways to infuse my teaching with cultural relevance.
Literacy:
Learning to read closely and write clearly are the cornerstone of a quality education. My literacy and writing resources focus on helping the most struggling readers and writers access texts and write with clarify and purpose.
Awards & shining teacher moments
National Board Certification, 2017
My own education history
BA- Grinnell College - Philosophy and Education
M.Ed- University of Washington - Curriculum and Instruction
National Board Certification
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