Olivia Sutton

Punching the Air, National Book Award Finalist by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam, chronicles the trial and life of Amal Shahid as he enters a juvenile prison for a crime he didn't commit. This resource provides a review in literary terms (such as figurative language), a mini lesson on identity webs and "Where I am From" poems to explore the reader's own identity as Amal learns to shape his new identity, in a world very different than what he is used to. This book study also includes supplemental art

Looking for an alternative to the book report project? This Free Choice Grid project is a great assessment based on multiple intelligences. I have utilized this as a quarterly project. Students need to select a different square & I set aside one day for students to present their ‘square’ to the class. These make for a great book talk and peer-to-peer YA book recommendations.

I have combined all of my reading (check-in) quizzes. We didn't read the entire diary - just portions that are listed in the headings here. The purpose of many of these quizzes - make sure that students were understanding what they were reading. I have also included a final assessment that is brief, but would check for basic understanding of knowledge.

When I taught 8th grade ELA, we would read portions of the diary with students. I designed this dual note-taking/journaling graphic organizer to not only give my students practice on note-taking skills, but to also experience the power of journal writing. The prompts were sometimes pre-printed in the packet and other days I would select a topic from the PPT I have also included. *Please note I have also included a blank note-taking/journal page at the end of the word document, should you want t

Based on the graphic novel Nimona, this resource will give you 'About the Author' information as well as focusing on characterization, plot and conflict. Discussion questions are also provided and would be great for book clubs/small group or whole group instruction.

For the past couple of years I have used the iMovie program for students to create a movie trailer, based on what we have read. One year I focused on narrative poetry, another year I used short stories. This makes for a great summative assessment & has worked with for cooperative learning. This graphic organizer is key as a way for students to brainstorm images that they need to find, in order to convey what the literature is about.

These activities are great for both as you read the short story, as well as review before a final assessment. Many of these activities include various learning styles (visual/hands-on learners). While this is more of a 'classic' short story, students are very drawn to the characters & plot. This was also covered in a parody of a Simpson's Halloween special.

This is a brief overview slide that I have used when introducing textual evidence to my students, along with MLA.

Great activity for the start of the school year - get to know your students and review basic literary terms! Students are asked to not only define these terms, but then apply them to their own lives.

This is a great getting to know you activity for the start of the school year. Students get to move around the room and get to know one another, as well as provide the teacher with information that show how they are unique.