Prep for 10th grade Literature Pennsylvania standardized testing! Seven weeks (6+cumulative) of Keystone Literature vocabulary with worksheets, quizzes, adapted quizzes, and quiz keys.
Using the "Quote Sandwich" and R.A.C.E.S. formatting strategies, students can use this document as writer's checklist for their Text-Dependent Analysis response and/or as a way to peer review another student's response.
This bundle includes graphic organizers, RACES response format, embedding quotations, and multiple writing assignments that focus on analysis of a text (TDA). Perfect for standardized test prep, but also useful in teaching writing analysis in general! The testing language used is based on Pennsylvania standardized testing. Some focus on 8th grade ELA PSSA prep, others on Keystone Literature prep (10th grade). Buy the bundle to mix and match based on your students' needs!
Practice embedding quotations with this "quote sandwich" PDF deck, example page, and graphic organizer which applies to an article of your choice. Includes R.A.C.E.S. alignment for answering a TDA/open-ended and formatting information for making quotes Relevant, Accurate, and Sufficient. Example used is from The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
Before watching Newsies, students can complete this 24-question, 12-point Webquest to learn more about the historical context of the movie. The four categories are Key Terms, Child Labor, 1899 History, and Pulitzer/Hearst. Sources are linked in the directions for each section and a key is provided.
Not Specific
English Language Arts, Social Studies, Writing-Expository
This Text-Dependent Analysis question is set up for Keystone exam practice, but can be used in any English classroom. The focus is poetry analysis for structure, tone, style, and figurative language relating to author's purpose using "I Sit and Look Out" by Walt Whitman. It contains instructions, grading information, the poem, and the prompt that can be given as a packet all at once for independent completion or worked on together in steps. Consider R.A.C.E.S. formatting to answer prompt.
A chart to lead students in analyzing different "monster" representations in the media. There are clips for the three examples provided (Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors, Godzilla from the 2014 movie, and the smoke monster from Lost) that are linked in each title square. Students are asked to analyze looks, sound, perspective, and effectiveness of each monster in these clips, and then come up with one example of their own. This could be used as a whole-class activity where you watch the
This one-page assignment directs students in writing a "What am I?" riddle poem, focusing on sensory details and figurative language. The front has space to brainstorm about the item they've chosen, and the back provides them a format to draft their poem. Differentiation: students can break out of the format as long as they have sensory details, a simile or metaphor, and meet a length requirement of six lines. Students are then directed to type their final copy of the poem and submit. Two exampl
20 weeks of vocabulary quizzes (with answer keys) that focus on roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Students are asked to identify the terms from that week and then use them in context.
This was originally used as a letter to someone in government requesting a change in the community (promoting tolerance is the topic we used). It prompts students to write an opening statement, list how they could change and why they should change, and then end with a call to action.
6th - 10th
Character Education, English Language Arts, Social Studies
After reading tuesdays with morrie by Mitch Albom, students will choose three "life lessons" quotes from Morrie to analyze (strategically grouped so they will complete one about ambition, relationships, and compassion no matter what they choose). They have three activities and must complete each with the quote of their choosing. This assignment provides choice in two different ways, opportunities for collaboration, demonstration of reading and writing proficiency, and application/experience of
Use with a selection of similar poems to break students into smaller groups. Have them become the expert on their poem and then create heterogenous groupings so they can share information with each other.
Lyrics and close reading questions for seven songs about war and its effects on humans and society. Have students choose a few to complete while you play these songs throughout the period. Used in a Beowulf unit, but could be attached to any battle novel, poetry analysis, or political discussion about art and activism.
Using Jesse Welles's song "The Poor," students are asked to review structure (POV/perspective shift) and consider how it impacts author's purpose and tone. A response paper with expectations and grading rubric is included so students can see the success criteria and you can easily grade their work. Includes definitions of the structure terms. Could be assigned with a different grading policy due to being two different pages.
Using SNO's Award-Winning Sites collection, students will be encouraged to peruse a few high school news online publications. There are questions to direct them to respond to the presentation and content of the site and connect it back to their own experience with writing the school newspaper. They are provided with six site options and must give feedback on three of them.
9th - 12th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Writing-Expository
This worksheet uses a clip from the movie "The Glass Castle," based on the book by Jeanette Walls, to practice dialogue punctuation (via transcript of scene), theme (using TDA-style analysis), and sensory details (describe as if you were the narrator). The YouTube clip is linked in the instructions and there is an answer key included with this PDF.
This packet has students work through choosing a topic, practicing introductions, writing an outline, and lists characteristics of the personal narrative genre.