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.
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Literary Terms | Literary Devices | Crossword Puzzle Word Search | Fiction Terms
Fun activities to go with learning or reviewing major literary terms! Includes a crossword puzzle with 25 clues plus answer key—good for review. Also includes a word search with the same terms for a fun filler activity—also includes answer key. Also includes bonus Literary Terms definition list. Contents:Crossword Puzzle (Clues from from the Literary Term definitions list)Crossword Puzzle KeyWord Search Word Search KeyLiterary Terms list with definitionsTerms usedALLUSION ANALOGY ANTAGONIST C
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Literature
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
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
Movie vs Book Comparison | Film Comparison | Fully Editable Activity | WORD
Works with any story or book paired with any movie or play. Can be used with a portion of the story or the whole. Keeps students working while a movie or play is shown. This item is fully editable to fit any movie and book pairing. Contents:Comparison Table: includes spots for up to 10 points of comparison. Students or teacher can choose the points to compare. Plot points, characters, setting, and more are good options for the comparison. Students must be detailed in the book column, but may wri
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Literature, Writing-Essays
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
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
The Raven | Vocabulary Terms and Concepts | Word Lists | Poetry Terms | Poe
Because of the time period when the poem “The Raven” was written, and because of the use of language to enhance the poetic elements, the poem uses some vocabulary and literary allusions that students are not familiar with. Can be assigned before or during reading the text. Also works well to jigsaw as a class for reference during reading. Includes student terms list, answer key, plus terms task cards. Contents:OverviewDeployment Terms listStudent Terms PrintableTerms Task CardsTerms and Conce
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Poetry, Vocabulary
Also included in: The Raven | Poetry Comprehension | Social Media | Mini Bundle | Poe
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 | Reading, Critical Thinking, Test Questions | London
Questions for use with the story The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Includes Reading Questions, Critical Thinking Questions and Quiz questions. Answer keys provided for Reading and Quiz questions. Also includes Chapter Review activity to examine the title and the main ideas of each chapter, with Task Cards. Reading Question: Questions are divided by chapter and include recall, inference, and opinion questions. Questions are in order. Answer key provided. There is a worksheet version with room
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Literature
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
The Raven | Culminating Projects | Final Project | Choice Board | Explore Poetry
A set of 9 projects for use with the study “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe. Students complete one or more projects related to material in and beyond the text. Allows students options to explore and create within their own interest and abilities. Includes Task Cards, Student Menu, and Choice Board versions, plus rubrics. The categories are: Visual Creations, Beyond the Text, and Analysis. Grading rubrics included for each category. This collection of projects is delivered in three formats,
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Literature, Poetry
Also included in: The Raven | Final Projects | Bundle | Edgar Allan Poe
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
Frankenstein | Literary Classic | Fiction Unit | Bundle | Mary Shelley | PDF
Bundle of activities for use with the text Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Includes reading and critical thinking questions, graphic organizers, essay topics, movie vs. book comparison, and several projects! Many options to choose from to fit your classroom needs. Contents:• Reading and Critical Thinking Questions -- 117 questions, divided by chapter/ letter. Includes inference and recall. Answer key included. Critical Thinking Questions includes a set of 18 questions with short rubric. Many
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Literature
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
Plan an Exciting Trip: A Real World Writing Activity | Seasonal | Holiday
Students will apply real world research and writing to plan an exciting trip for summer, or any time. Great for engagement at the end of the year. Destination can be local or distant. Students will research things to do and the cost of each activity. With this information, they'll create a project to advertise and persuade others to go, too. This activity implements real-world research and writing. Students will research locations for a planned trip and then use persuasive writing (adverti
8th - 11th, Adult Education
English Language Arts, Writing
The Raven | Graphic Organizers | Mind Maps | Poetry Comprehension | Poe
A collection of graphic organizers for use with the poem “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe. Includes Word Webs, Sequence of Events Chart, and Nevermore Responses. Also includes Character Analysis Organizer and Narrative Elements Organizer. Answer keys included. Contents:Word WebsMoodSettingMemory of LenoreThe Raven (the bird)Plus a blank word webKeySequence of Events Chart with KeyNevermore Response Chart with KeyCharacter Analysis Organizer with Answer GuideAlso included as part of The Raven C
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Poetry
Also included in: The Raven | Poetry Comprehension | Social Media | Mini Bundle | Poe
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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
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