Make the Middle Matter
96 Followers
Marietta, Georgia, United States
About the store
I've taught for 23 years, with the majority being in middle school. I taught high school for my first three years of teaching. I taught reading grades 9-12, English for 10th graders, and tutored students that needed to pass the high school writing exam.
Since my move to middle school, I've been involved in many areas: Language Arts, Social Studies, Creative Writing, and Reading.
I also worked with many teachers, in all three school levels, conducting staff development courses on writing instruction.
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Nonfiction Structure & Text Features- Interactive Power Point!
A small unit that will help your students understand the importance and key elements of nonfiction. Characteristics of different types of nonfiction, text organizational structure, and text features are all covered for you. 3 Power Points with note taking sheets also, and a mix & match activity. There's also something special about these Power Points. 2 of them are interactive! Get your students up and moving while you go through the presentation with them. It's an easy way to a quick assessment
5th - 10th
English Language Arts, Informational Text, Reading
Point of View Activity- Hoodwinked!
This is a fun way to demonstrate point of view. The movie "Hoodwinked" follows four characters through a land of fairy tales as they try to solve a mystery. The Goodie Bandit keeps striking and Red, Wolf, Granny Pucket and the Woodsman are all under suspicion. To solve the crimes, they each tell their story from their point of view. It's a clever way to see how point of view can change depending on the character and the circumstances. This unit has graphic organizers to follow character traits.
5th - 10th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Reading
Current Events Social Studies Easy Templates Copy and Go!
This pack comes with 5 different types of current event templates to use in your classroom. Common Core focuses on increasing non-fiction reading and writing. These templates allow you to do just that, without having to create new activities every time. Depending on the level of your students, these can work from middle to high school. Here are some more easy and ready to go resources! GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Graphic-Organizers-and-Vocabulary-Activities-58
4th - 12th
English Language Arts, Social Studies
Writing Unit Prep for State Writing Tests- Writing Boot Camp
I like to call this Writing Boot Camp! This is a 2 week unit to gear up right before the writing test. This unit has well organized and clearly written lesson plans to follow - including classroom writing activities, peer work, homework, figurative language activities and quiz, DRAPES, and writing recipes. There are 20 files included in this unit. 2 Power Points to help clarify the writing program, multiple writing prompts, and more. If you like this unit, you will want to check out my COMPLE
5th - 10th
English Language Arts, Writing
Make Foldables EASY TEMPLATES!! ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading
With over 25 unique foldables, your students will always have a creative way to organize their learning. Students of all ages can use these hands-on graphic organizers. You'll find Tabs, Flaps, Pamphlets, Booklets, Flowers, Triangles, Rectangles, Pentagons and more! Language Arts, Reading, Science, Social Studies, Health, even Math can use foldables in a variety of ways so that students are interacting with the information in a variety of ways. Lapbooks, Posters, Presentations, Assessments, an
5th - 8th
English Language Arts, For All Subjects, Science
Reading Comprehension Foldable
Cubing Response: This activity allows students to respond to any type of writing. I have used it to connect a nonfiction article with a larger fictional story – like a class novel- with my students. However, you can use it in isolation also. Have students read the article of your choosing. Then, give them the directions below along with the blank cube sheet. Students complete their responses with one focus on each side of the cube. When they’re finished, they will cut the cube, fold it along th
4th - 10th
English Language Arts, Reading Strategies, Writing
Early Finishers and After State Test Activities QUIET
This is 12 pages of fun word games. Logic, Commonyms (what do 3 objects have in common), "Go-Togethers", and Rhyme Time keep students busy and thinking! Here are a few quick examples Rhyme Time Directions- your answers will be synonyms for each clue; however, they will rhyme- look at the following examples: EX #1- move female deer- GO DOE EX #2- daisy strength- FLOWER POWER Go-Togethers Directions- fill in the missing word, words, phrase to complete these words that often "go together": EX #1-
5th - 12th
English Language Arts
Parallel Structure Lessons
This small unit has 3 sections: PowerPoint to explain parallel structure, give examples, and then have the students create their own lines of parallel structure for practice; a foldable for parallel structure that uses magazine ads; a poetry assignment that layers figurative language with the theme of past, present, and future. I like to use this to help my students add style to their writing. It could also be used in a poetry unit.
Be sure to check out these resources too!
http://www.teachers
5th - 12th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Poetry
Character Traits Activities PPT Notes 6th-8th Grade ELA
Just what your students need to learn and study character traits. This is a group that includes PPT presentation, and three sets of notes: one completed, one with fill in the blanks, and one completely blank for students to complete. Easy differentiation for you to choose what works best for your students. OVER 20 Character Trait Charts in PDF for you to choose based on needs.Projects such as creating Hero Flags -This project is based around the hero of a story. It can be edited to use for a
5th - 8th
Literature, Novel Studies, Reading
Character Traits with Willy Wonka Movie
This packet contains several activities for students to do along with the classic movie Willy Wonka. The main focus is character traits. All the main characters are covered in a graphic organizer. Students will then track their own character traits. There are also over 25 general character trait graphic organizers contained in this packet. A PowerPoint outlines the basics of character traits. You can model the activity using a web relating to Spider Man. There is a final assignment where student
4th - 12th
Drama, English Language Arts, Literature
Dangling Modifier Activity Quick and Fun!
This is a fun way for students to see how a dangling modifier affects the meaning of a sentence. This activity includes step by step instructions, and over 4 pages of dangling or misplaced modifiers to choose from. Sometimes grammar isn't always fun, but this helps. My students have gotten a real kick out of the sentences and loved the final result of the assignment. Yours will too! Be sure to check out these grammar resources too: PARALLEL STRUCTURE! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product
5th - 11th
English Language Arts, Grammar
State Testing Review PPT on Informational Text and Research
This 36 slide PowerPoint Presentation reviews a wide variety of basics that come from using INFORMATIONAL TEXT - a major component of Common Core. How to begin basic research, the resource materials, text features, reference materials, and internet usage is all a part of this PowerPoint test review. The answers are included as a separate sheet. Middle grades would be the best fit for this file. Advanced/Gifted 5th graders may benefit from this too. BONUS: A text feature mix-and-match activity. U
5th - 9th
ELA Test Prep, English Language Arts, Informational Text
CCSS
RI.8.4
, RI.8.6
, RI.8.7
+1
Poetry Mini-Unit Grades 4-8
This is a small unit that has 7 different types of poems to share with your students, and let them try their hands at: biogrpahy poems, concrete poems, found poetry, poetry for two voices, 2 technology poems, and an ode. There are 2 PowerPoints, and 5 Word documents. This will work best with middle schoolers.
Be sure to check out this resource too!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Parallel-Structure
5th - 10th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Poetry
Back to School Make Your Own Flag, ELA 6th-8th, Easy to Assign, Get to Know You
PERSONAL FLAGS / COAT OF ARMS with RUBRIC This is a FUN and CREATIVE activity to do at the start of the school year. It will help you and your students learn about one another. This folder contains all the items you'll need: PowerPoint presentation, flag templates, student handout, student checklist, rubric, and teacher instructions. The PPT begins with common symbols in our American culture- flag, McDonalds, etc. It then gives the basic history for family crests used on flags and many other
5th - 8th
Creative Writing, Reading, Writing
Standardized Writing Tests Prep Multiple Activities for Essays- Basic Package
Highlight Your Writing is a unique program that allows students to interact with writing in a kinesthetic and visual way. By using the color-coding system, the action of highlighting easily illustrates the writings strengths and weaknesses. Students are able to scaffold through the process to allow themselves to develop their writing process until they exceed the standards. This program has been used by thousands of students with great success. Schools have seen their passing rates and exceed ra
5th - 12th
English Language Arts, Writing, Writing-Essays
Novel Projects EASY to assess summer reading! BACK TO SCHOOL IDEAS!
AN EASY WAY TO START THE YEAR BY USING THE STUDENTS’ SUMMER READING:
This purchase will give you 10 DIFFERENT NOVEL PROJECT IDEAS. Everything from a FACEBOOK WALL TO MUSICAL INTERPRETATIONS TO CHARACTER AWARDS.
These projects work well when you have students reading a variety of novels, so you can use them throughout the year if you have a book club or independent reading assignments.
Plus, you can tailor any one of the projects to fit a specific book. Because there are 10 projects to choo
4th - 10th
English Language Arts, Reading
Guided Reading Activities Templates Copy and Go!
This folder has seven different guided reading activities to complement any content area reading required for the Common Core Curriculum. Whether your students are reading textbooks, newspapers or magazine articles, online journal entries, even primary documents, these strategies will help them make the necessary connections.
Here is a list of what you will receive: Text-to-Text compare/contrast; Current Event response; triple entry reading diary, double entry reading diary, "So What?" reading r
5th - 12th
English Language Arts, For All Subjects
Common Core Template for Math Lesson Planning
Just what you've been looking for- a lesson plan template for your Math needs! The template can be used for daily lessons, or a longer unit plan. Read the reviews from my other templates to see that this provides just what principals are asking their teachers to do. I've also included a few guided reading activities for your students to use with the text book and other forms of informational text. There is also a peek in the preview of other templates in case you need one for another subject. Be
5th - 12th
Math
All Summer in a Day: Reading & Writing Activity
"All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury is the focus of this lesson. Guided reading, personal response, journal writing, and a rubric are included. This unit contains very clear lessons to follow. I made this for 6th graders, but this story can work with high level 5th through 8th grade. This synthesis activity will be for students to express their interpretations of the story and characters through writing. Students will be able to relate to the essential question: How can a character’s conflic
5th - 10th
English Language Arts, Short Stories, Writing
Plot Structure Reading ELA with an Interactive PowerPoint
• Each element of a story is represented in this PowerPoint.
• Be sure to go to the start of the slide show and watch it before you begin so you can see how it is set up.
• Text boxes are already inserted for you on each slide inside each element.
• As you introduce each new element, the animations help you transition into the new category.
• Ready to make it yours? It’s easy!
• Just click in the text box and add your own information that is required for any story you reading.
• The red sta
5th - 10th
English Language Arts, Reading, Short Stories
Showing 1-20 of 35 results
About the store
Experience
I've taught for 23 years, with the majority being in middle school. I taught high school for my first three years of teaching. I taught reading grades 9-12, English for 10th graders, and tutored students that needed to pass the high school writing exam.
Since my move to middle school, I've been involved in many areas: Language Arts, Social Studies, Creative Writing, and Reading.
I also worked with many teachers, in all three school levels, conducting staff development courses on writing instruction.
Teaching style
Getting to know my students is one of the ways I find great success. It can be a big challenge though in middle school- they aren't quite sure who they are at that point!
I like to find a few different ways to let the students express themselves, so differentation is often found in my lessons. I also search for ways to break tasks down into smaller steps or give strategies so students can become successful.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Teacher of the Year Finalist; multiple Teacher of the Month awards; Technology Teacher Honors of the Month; representative for Local School Improvement Committee; Chairperson for Language Arts; Chairperson for Connection Classes; PTA teacher representative; Coordinator for Vertical Teaming; Presenter for parent writing workshops.
My own education history
BS- Middle Grades Education from the University of Georgia
MEd- Reading Specialist from the University of Georgia
EdS- Instruction and Curriculum from Nova University
Additional biographical information
I've had to retire from the classroom, but I just can't leave teaching! Looking forward to what online instruction holds for me.
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