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
Movie Poster & Book Cover Projects | Any Novel or Short Story |Creative Project
A pair of creative projects that work with any novel or short story. Students will create a book cover or movie poster. The book cover includes images/ motifs from the text as well as a short blurb about the story. The movie poster includes casting the actors/ actresses to play the characters of the story as well as a symbol/motif and a tag line. Self-reflections included to examine the elements used in their project. A fun creative project for a break or to wrap up the story. At its basic l
8th - 11th, Adult Education
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
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
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
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
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
A Christmas Carol | Culminating Project | Final Project | Choice Board |Dickens
A set of 16 projects for use with the study of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. 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. Several versions to best fit your classroom needs, including condensed versions with only 12 projects. The categories are: Visual Creations, Beyond the Text, Retell
7th - 10th
English Language Arts, Literature
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
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening | Poetry Comprehension | Bundle | Frost|PDF
Set of activities for use with the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. Reading activities use recall and inference, with answer key. Choice of graphic organizers, including 4 different Word Webs, a blank Word Web, a Cause and Effect organizer, and an Poetic Device Evaluation organizer—all with answer guides. Multimedia project has students find media to complement the mood and story of the poem—great for after a snowfall!—and includes rubric. Also includes a Write You
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Poetry
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
Personal Metamorphosis Projects | Task Cards | Choice Board | Essay options
This activity works well for self-reflection about change or growth—great as a stand-alone activity, or a tie in for stories about change, like “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka. This pack includes a set of projects offered as Task Cards, student menu, and choice board, as well as stand-alone narrative essay. Rubrics included. Option 1: Task Cards Differentiated Instruction. A set of 12 activities divided into three categories: Visual, Writing, and Other Media. Also offered as Student Menu and
8th - 11th, Adult Education
Creative Writing, Writing, Writing-Essays
Showing 1-20 of 359 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
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