msdickson
649 Followers
Michigan, United States
About the store
I spent years teaching English on a Shoestring Budget, using Photocopies and Projects to stretch my meager budget of school and personal funds. In addition to limited resources, I also had the challenge of engaging reluctant alternative high school students. I worked to balance high expectations with accessible coursework. I keep an eye out for affordable, yet engaging text options that can be used for papers and projects in class.
Read more
All resources
Filters
Grade
Subject
Resource type
Theme
Audience
The Call of the Wild | Literary Classic | Fiction Unit | Bundle | London | PDF
Save 45% on this bundle of 17 resources to use with the story The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Includes a variety of activities for before, during, and after the story. Lots of options to choose from in a money-saving bundle. Contents:The Call of the Wild Reading, Thinking, Quiz QuestionsThe Call of the Wild Graphic OrganizersThe Call of the Wild Literary Essay WritingThe Call of the Wild Word SearchJack London Author InformationProjectsEach Project is a stand-alone project with its own
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Literature, Writing
The Raven | Reading Analysis Questions | Poetry Analysis | Inferring | Poe
Reading comprehension questions and inference questions for the poem “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe. Students will answer the questions while reading or after reading to demonstrate their understanding. Students will also strengthen their skills at making inferences and providing support for those conclusions. Answer key provided. Also includes critical thinking questions for students to dig deeper into the text and support their answer. Two short quizzes, multiple choice and short answer, w
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Poetry
Also included in: The Raven | Poetry Comprehension | Social Media | Mini Bundle | Poe
The Metamorphosis | Reading, Critical Thinking, Test Questions | Inferring|Kafka
A set of reading, critical thinking and assessment (test or quiz) questions for use with the text The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. Reading questions are in order of the text, divided in sections to match the text. Answer Key provided. Critical Thinking questions is a 15 questions list with students writing a paragraph answer (with optional Paragraph Model) using support. Plus short answer assessment, for use as a quiz or test. Reading questions are print-and-go! Ready. Student printable in
8th - 11th, Adult Education
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
Also included in: The Metamorphosis | Essential Activities | Mini Bundle | Franz Kafka
Quoth the Raven | Social Media | Text Messaging | Poetry Comprehension | Poe
Fun activity for the poem “The Raven” has students translate the poem into a digital text-based format (such as social media or text messaging). This activity was formerly “The Raven Tweets” but has been revised and expanded to include multiple digital formats. Students will work to rewrite the content of the poem in an online format then reflect on their work. Several templates provided for students to write on, or they can use presentation software to create their own mock-ups. This activity
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Poetry
Also included in: The Raven | Poetry Comprehension | Social Media | Mini Bundle | Poe
The Monkey's Paw | Movie vs. Books | Film Comparison | Fiction Analysis | Jacobs
This activity bundle gives you several choices for comparing a movie, a portion of a movie, or a TV show adaptation with the text of "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. While use of movies in the classroom can be controversial, bringing different media into lessons for comparison and evaluation can be a worthwhile activity. A well-structured comparison and evaluation activity requires higher-order thinking Contents:Comparison Table with 8 items for comparison and 2 'your choice' spotsBest of Bo
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Literature, Short Stories
The Metamorphosis | Graphic Organizers | Mind Maps | Fiction Unit | Franz Kafka
Set of graphic organizers to use in examine the text of The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. Several options to choose from to fit your classroom needs. Includes comparing Gregor’s life before and after, as well as comparing the impact of the transformation on Grete and the family. Explore expectations of the story with an Expectations chart and a KWL. Examine how Gregor becomes more bug-like with the Going Buggy chart. Word Webs provided for Mood, Setting, Grete, and Gregor, after Transformation.
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Literature
Also included in: The Metamorphosis | Essential Activities | Mini Bundle | Franz Kafka
A Christmas Carol | Movie vs Book Comparison | Film Comparison | Dickens
This activity bundle gives you several choices for comparing the text of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens with some or all of one of the movie or play versions. Includes evaluation of the movie vs book pairing with several options. While use of movies in the classroom can be controversial, bringing different media into lessons for comparison and evaluation can be a worthwhile activity. A well-structured comparison and evaluation activity requires higher-order thinking. This activity i
7th - 10th
English Language Arts, Literature
Also included in: A Christmas Carol | Essential Mini Bundle | Holiday | Seasonal | Dickens
Frankenstein | Movie vs Book Comparison | Film Comparison | Mary Shelley
This activity bundle gives you several choices for comparing the text of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley with some or all of one of the movie versions. Includes evaluation of the movie vs book pairing with several options. While use of movies in the classroom can be controversial, bringing different media into lessons for comparison and evaluation can be a worthwhile activity. A well-structured comparison and evaluation activity requires higher-order thinking Contents:Comparison Table with 8 items
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Literature, Short Stories
The Time Machine | Reading, Critical Thinking, Test Questions | Inferring |Wells
A set of questions for use with the text The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells. Includes Reading Questions with key that includes recall, comprehension, and inference. There are 35 Critical Thinking open-ended questions in 3 categories. There are 12 short-answer reading quizzes focusing on basic understanding and accountability. The Whole Text Assessment comes in short-answer with answer key, plus multiple choice. The multiple-choice has 2 versions, with key. The questions have minimal overlap, so th
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Literature
I Have a Dream | MLK Speech | Reading, Critical Thinking, Test Questions
Use with: Martin Luther King Day / MLK DayTexts or speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Black History MonthLooking for something a little different for older students? Check out the Informational Text reading MLK vs. FBI using excerpts from the House Select Committee Report. Pairs great with the "I Have a Dream" Speech.This resource includes Reading, Quiz, and Critical Thinking questions for the “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There is a short answer set of questions fo
8th - 11th
English Language Arts
A Christmas Carol | Graphic Organizers | Mind Maps | Holiday | Seasonal |Dickens
A collection of graphic organizers for students to fill in with phrases and lines from the text of the story “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Includes Narrative Elements organizer, Character Analysis Organizers, Word Webs, a Cause and Effect, a Ghost Lessons (a modified E-Chart), and a KWL. Contents: Narrative Elements-- students identify characters, setting, conflict and plot of the story. Great for keeping track or reviewing. With Key.Character Analysis Organizer-- fill in characteri
7th - 10th
English Language Arts, Literature
Also included in: A Christmas Carol | Essential Mini Bundle | Holiday | Seasonal | Dickens
Valentine's Day | Reading Questions | New York Times Article | Non Fiction
Sometimes students (and their teachers) need a break from the pressures of the romantic aspects of Valentine’s Day. This activity looks at the entirely-unromantic St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago, 1929. Students will read the historic New York Times Article on the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and complete one or more reading activities. Contents:Set of reading questions, including recall and opinion (inference and analysis). Questions are in order of the text. Answer key is provided.
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Informational Text
The Story of an Hour | Reading, Thinking, Test Questions | Inferring | Chopin
Set of activities to go with reading the text of “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin. Reading questions have recall and inference questions in order of text, plus answer key. Assessment can be used for reading comprehension or culminating assessment, includes key. Critical thinking questions have students support their position in a short writing and includes a brief rubric and optional paragraph model. Plus, there are several graphic organizers, including Word Webs, Mrs. Mallards Reaction
8th - 11th
Close Reading, Literature
The Call of the Wild | Literary Classic | Fiction Unit | Bundle | London | WORD
Save 30% on this bundle of 17 editable resources to use with the story The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Includes a variety of activities for before, during, and after the story. Lots of options to choose from in a money-saving bundle. Contents:The Call of the Wild Reading, Thinking, Quiz QuestionsThe Call of the Wild Graphic OrganizersThe Call of the Wild Literary Essay WritingThe Call of the Wild Word SearchJack London Author InformationProjectsEach Project is a stand-alone project wit
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Literature, Writing
Movie Literary Analysis Essay for Use with ANY Movie
Students will analyze a movie similar to analyzing of a print text. Includes movie analysis worksheet for taking notes during the movie—can be a stand-alone activity for studying literary devices in a movie as well as part of the process of the literary essay. Literary essay student printable includes rubric. Prewriting worksheet and MEAL Plan paragraph template also included to guide writing process. Great way to include movies with meaningful analysis. Contents:Teacher Notes on movie liter
8th - 11th, Adult Education
Literature, Writing
Song Lyric | Literary Analysis Essay Writing | Mini Lesson | PDF
Great introduction to Literary Analysis! Student use a song of their choice to write a literary analysis. Students will walk through the steps of a literary analysis with the printables, then put the pieces together in an essay. The break down of steps is good for teaching students new to writing literary essays or for those who need a structured review of the process. This process has students start with the close reading, using the fill-in-the-blank student printable. After completing the w
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Poetry, Writing-Essays
Also included in: Poetry Teacher Toolkit Bundle for Teaching Poetry- PDF
Persuasive Writing | Proposal Writing | Real World Writing | Informational Text
This practical, real-world activity has students identify a problem or issue and come up with a solution. Based on real-world proposal writing, this activity includes problem-solution writing, persuasive writing, and research writing. Includes both a standard proposal and a Short Form proposal, with rubrics. Also includes a Planning worksheet, Basics of Proposal Writing Handout and a Sample Proposal. Practice writing outside the essay format, and engage students in skills they will need in the r
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Writing
The Monkey's Paw | Graphic Organizers | Mind Maps | Fiction Unit | W.W. Jacobs
Set of graphic organizers to help students recall and analyze the story ‘The Monkey’s Paw’ by W.W. Jacobs. Includes Literary Devices, Wishes & Consequences and a Story map. Answer Keys included. Contents:Literary Devices Graphic Organizer with KeyWishes & Consequences Graphic Organizer with keyStory Map with KeyAlso available in the money-saving The Monkey's Paw Activity Bundle.This item is also part of the Halloween ELA Activity Bundle and the Three Wishes Unit: Aladdin and The Monkey's Paw
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Literature, Short Stories
The Cask of Amontillado | The Search for Fortunato Project | Creative Expression
A fun project that combines real-world writing and analysis with creative writing. Students will analyze the text for details, apply forensics to the investigation, and use creative writing to conduct interviews about Fortunato's disappearance. They work in groups and present their findings in one of the real-life scenarios. Contents:Teacher Notes with instructions on how to run the projectStudent Sheet: Includes information on how to write a police report and an interview Templates for the
8th - 11th, Adult Education
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Literature
The Monkey's Paw | Reading, Critical Thinking Questions | Inferring | Jacobs
A set of reading and critical thinking questions for use with the text “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs. Reading questions includes a combination of recall and inference questions. Answer key included. Critical Thinking questions rely on student support—grading and paragraph model included. Works great as a filler or part of a larger unit. Consider comparing the wishes to the story of "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp." Contents:Reading Questions and Key, in order of the text.Critical Thinkin
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Literature, Short Stories
Showing 1-20 of 123 results
About the store
Experience
I spent years teaching English on a Shoestring Budget, using Photocopies and Projects to stretch my meager budget of school and personal funds. In addition to limited resources, I also had the challenge of engaging reluctant alternative high school students. I worked to balance high expectations with accessible coursework. I keep an eye out for affordable, yet engaging text options that can be used for papers and projects in class.
Teaching style
The goal of any activity in education is for students to learn and then demonstrate their understanding of the concepts. However, they cannot understand what they know if they are not engaged in the activity. It is always my goal to create activities that are accessible and/ or engaging so that students can be successful. Projects are my favorite as they allowed flexibility and opportunities for differentiation. I also do appreciate reading questions to guide students, and hold them accountable for reading (and they are accessible, since I make them in order and limited "tricky" questions.)
Awards & shining teacher moments
Recognized by the State of Michigan, along with the other teachers, for Excellence in Adult Education.
My own education history
I earned my GED rather than be a senior in high school. I spent two years at a local community college before transferring to finish my degree in Secondary English and History education. I later returned to online schooling to get a Graduate Certificate in Educational Media and Technology. I always try to help my own students have a better high school experience than I did.
Additional biographical information
I share teaching ideas and more at www.msdicksonsclass.com
TPT is the largest marketplace for PreK-12 resources, powered by a community of educators.
IXL family of brands