Something About Teaching
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South Carolina, United States
About the store
I have been teaching middle school ELA for twenty-five years. I love my job and LOVE creating engaging resources to keep learning fun yet also meaningful!
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Goodbye, Middle School Breakup Letter 8th Grade End of the Year ELA Activity
Say goodbye to middle school in style with this engaging and creative writing activity! In this resource, students will write a "break-up letter" to their middle school, reflecting on their experiences and emotions as they prepare to move on to high school. With an easy-to-understand handout that includes directions, requirements, and common break-up phrases to use in their letters, as well as brainstorming pages, sample letters, and even a template for guidance, students will have all the tool
8th
English Language Arts
Lamb to the Slaughter Short Story Unit with Test ~ Printable, Easel, and Google
This short story teaching unit uses “Lamb to the Slaughter” as an anchor text to cover some of the major elements of fiction. It also provides a text dependent analysis prompt and handouts to teach objective summary. Note-taking pages, literary device analysis pages, and a complete test are all included. Specifically, the following resources are included: A detailed plan telling you step by step how to use this resource and how to teach “Lamb to the Slaughter”A close reading guide for student
8th - 9th
English Language Arts
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.6
+3
Also included in: "The Landlady" and "Lamb to the Slaughter" Roald Dahl Short Story Bundle
Goodbye 7th Grade Breakup Letter 7th Grade End of the Year ELA Activity
This super fun 7th grade ELA end of the year activity will be one students will remember! Let your students say goodbye to seventh grade in style with this engaging and creative writing activity! In this resource, students will write a "break-up letter" to their seventh grade year, reflecting on their experiences and emotions as they prepare to move on to the eighth grade. With an easy-to-understand handout that includes directions, requirements, and common break-up phrases to use in their lett
7th
English Language Arts
Also included in: 7th Grade ELA End of Year Activities Bundle
Middle School ELA Halloween Color By Number Context Clues Activity
This middle school ELA Halloween color-by-number context clues activity is sure to be a hit in your classroom this Halloween season! Halloween Haunted House Context Clues Color-by-Number Activity Looking for a fun, calming, and educational Halloween activity to engage your middle school English Language Arts (ELA) students, or something to leave in October for a substitute? You've found it! Enhance Vocabulary Skills: This spooky-themed activity is designed to challenge your students' voca
6th - 8th
English Language Arts, Vocabulary
CCSS
CCRA.R.4
"I Have a Dream" Speech Rhetorical Analysis Activity - Engaging and Interactive
Have your students complete a rhetorical analysis of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech by using the interactive jigsaw teaching method. This resource has everything you need! There are handouts to help you teach and/or review rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, pathos) and popular rhetorical devices, such as anaphora, antithesis, and allusion. Dr. King’s entire "I Have a Dream" speech is included in both a printable format and Google Doc. Complete directions are included on how to u
8th - 9th
English Language Arts
CCSS
RI.8.3
, RI.9-10.6
Also included in: Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devices in Speeches Bundle
"The Landlady" Short Story Unit with Test ~ Google Digital Version and Printable
This teaching unit uses “The Landlady” as an anchor text to cover the major elements of fiction. Note-taking pages, literary device analysis pages, and a complete test are all included. Specifically, the following resources are included: A detailed procedures plan telling you step by step how to use this resource and how to teach “The Landlady” Introductory charts to introduce the main genres and the main elements of fiction. (This is perfect if “The Landlady” is your first story of the year.)A
7th - 9th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Short Stories
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+14
Also included in: "The Landlady" and "Lamb to the Slaughter" Roald Dahl Short Story Bundle
Middle School ELA Emergency Sub Plan | Mystery Box Creative Writing ~ No Prep!
Need a fast, engaging, and no-prep emergency sub plan for your middle school ELA class? The Mystery Box Challenge is the perfect grab-and-go activity that keeps students writing, thinking creatively, and staying on task — even when you can’t be there. This fun writing challenge gives each student a unique story prompt and set of three required words to work into their short story. The element of surprise keeps students engaged while still hitting essential ELA skills like narrative writing,
6th - 8th
Creative Writing, Other (ELA)
CCSS
W.6.3
, W.7.3
, W.8.3
Christmas Simile and Metaphor Color By Number Activity Middle School ELA
Engage your middle school English Language Arts students in a festive and educational activity with our "Christmas Simile and Metaphor Color-by-Number Activity." This captivating resource is designed to enhance students' understanding of literary devices in a fun and holiday-themed way. Key Features:Critical Thinking: Encourage critical thinking skills as students read ten Christmas-themed sentences and distinguish between similes and metaphors.Interactive Learning: Transform learning into an in
6th - 8th
English Language Arts
Also included in: Middle School ELA Christmas Activities Bundle
7th Grade ELA End of Year Color by Number Activity | Last Week of School
End of Year 7th Grade Reflection Color by Number Activity | Last Week of School Looking for a fun, low-prep end of year activity for 7th grade that your middle school students will actually enjoy? This End-of-Year 7th Grade Reflection Color by Number Activity is perfect for the last week of school, those busy final days, or whenever you need an easy, meaningful activity that keeps students engaged. Students will answer funny and relatable reflection questions about their 7th grade year, then
7th
Coloring Pages, Other (ELA)
The Monkey's Paw Test ~ Printable and Google Forms
This test for the short story "The Monkey's Paw" has 20 multiple choice questions. You will find a link to the test in Google Forms and a printable test and key as well. The test includes comprehension questions as well as questions on literary devices and the author's craft . A study guide is included. This guide can be used a day or two before the test, and requires students to take a look back at the story as they look at some of the literary devices used by W. W. Jacobs. All of the lit
8th
English Language Arts, Short Stories
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.2
, CCRA.R.3
+2
Also included in: 8th Grade Short Story Bundle
The Wise Old Woman – StudySync Unit 1 Reader’s Theater, Summary, Theme, & More
Bring The Wise Old Woman to life with these engaging and ready-to-use activities, perfect for 7th grade ELA classrooms. Designed to complement StudySync Unit 1 (but flexible enough for any classroom), this resource includes a Reader’s Theater script, an engaging prereading discussion activity, summary practice, and theme analysis tools that make teaching this folktale both interactive and memorable. Students will connect with the story through prereading challenges, predict solutions to the
7th
Other (ELA), Reading, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.7.1
, RL.7.2
Also included in: 7th Grade Short Stories Bundle
The Gettysburg Address Rhetorical Analysis Test ~ Printable and Google Forms
This resource includes Abraham Lincoln's speech "The Gettysburg Address" and a ten multiple choice question test/quiz on comprehension of the speech as well as the rhetorical devices used in the speech. In addition to the printable test, a link to the test in Google Forms is included. As with any Google Forms test, you can edit any of the questions or even add questions of your own. Also included is a note-taking handout which can be used to teach the three rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos,
8th - 9th
English Language Arts, Informational Text, Literature
CCSS
RI.9-10.6
Also included in: Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devices in Speeches Bundle
Thanksgiving Short Story Reader's Theater "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen"
Read the perfect Thanksgiving Day short story with a fun reader's theater! The script is adapted from O. Henry's short story "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen." Specifically designed for middle school ELA classrooms, this resource offers a rich and engaging literary experience for both teacher and students. What's Included:Pre-Reading Activity: Engage your students from the start with a thoughtful pre-reading activity that sets the stage for exploring O. Henry's narrative. The questions will ge
6th - 8th
English Language Arts, Reading, Short Stories
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
, CCRA.R.10
6th Grade ELA End of the Year Color By Number Reflection Activity
End of Year 6th Grade Reflection Color by Number Activity | Last Week of School Looking for a fun, low-prep end of year activity for 6th grade that feels meaningful but still keeps students engaged? This End-of-Year 6th Grade Reflection Color by Number Activity is perfect for the last week of school, the last day of school, after testing, advisory, homeroom, or those final days when you need something easy and student-friendly. Students answer funny and relatable reflection questions about
6th
Coloring Pages
Ground Zero Novel Final Test ~ Printable and Google Form
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz Middle School ELA Standards-Based Test & Study Guide Looking for a rigorous, ready-to-use assessment for Ground Zero by Alan Gratz? This resource goes far beyond basic comprehension! It’s designed to help students analyze literature through key ELA standards.This Ground Zero test and study guide bundle focuses on author’s craft, theme, and analysis skills, helping your students think deeply about how Alan Gratz develops meaning, emotion, and perspective throughou
6th - 8th
Literature, Novel Studies
Seventh Grade by Gary Soto Short Story – Setting and Plot Engaging Activities
Help your students dive into Gary Soto’s short story “Seventh Grade” with this engaging, standards-aligned lesson focused on how setting affects characters and plot. This resource includes everything you need to keep middle schoolers engaged — from a fun pre-reading activity to hands-on analysis, writing practice, and multiple-choice comprehension questions. What’s Included: Student-Friendly Mad Lib Hook – a hilarious first-day-of-school warm-up activity that builds buy-in before reading.
7th
Short Stories
CCSS
RL.7.3
, CCRA.R.1
Also included in: 7th Grade Short Stories Bundle
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers Activity Bundle ~ Fun and Engaging!
Make grammar finally click with this engaging, low-prep lesson bundle on misplaced modifiers and dangling modifiers! Students will laugh, learn, and actually remember the difference as they identify errors, fix confusing sentences, and rewrite for clarity. Perfect for middle school ELA and early high school, this resource includes guided notes, practice, and a fun review activity—everything you need to teach one of the trickiest grammar concepts. What students will learn How to spot a misp
7th - 9th
Grammar, Other (ELA)
CCSS
L.7.1c
2026 New Year Context Clues Color by Number Activity + Word of the Year
Kick off the first week back in January with a fun, low-prep 2026 Color-by-Number + Context Clues activity! Students read short real-life scenarios, use context clues to determine the meaning of bold vocabulary words, and then color the matching numbered sections of a festive “2026” design based on the correct answer choice. It’s engaging, independent, and easy to check at a glance. 2026 new year color by number What’s included: Teacher guide with clear steps + suggested timing (25–35 minut
6th - 8th
Other (ELA), Vocabulary
CCSS
CCRA.R.4
Poem "Speech to the Young" by Gwendolyn Brooks Activities
Powerful and Engaging ELA Activities: Speech to the Young by Gwendolyn Brooks – Poetry, Reflection, and Creative WritingEngage your middle school students with this comprehensive ELA resource based on Gwendolyn Brooks' powerful poem Speech to the Young: Speech to the Progress-Toward. This lesson plan provides a variety of activities that help students understand and reflect on the poem’s themes of living in the moment, embracing challenges, and making thoughtful decisions. This resource includ
6th - 9th
Literature, Poetry
CCSS
CCRA.R.1
8th Grade ELA End of the Year Color by Number Reflection Activity
End of Year 8th Grade Reflection Color by Number Activity | Last Week of School Looking for a fun, low-prep end of year activity for 8th grade that helps students reflect on their middle school years? This End-of-Year 8th Grade Reflection Color by Number Activity is perfect for the last week of school, last day of school, after testing, homeroom, advisory, or any time you need an easy and engaging activity for the final days of the year. Students answer funny and meaningful reflection quest
8th
Coloring Pages, Other (ELA)
Showing 1-20 of 52 results
About the store
Experience
I have been teaching middle school ELA for twenty-five years. I love my job and LOVE creating engaging resources to keep learning fun yet also meaningful!
Teaching style
I’m a middle school ELA teacher who believes in practical, engaging instruction that meets students where they are—and helps them grow with confidence. My teaching style is built around clarity, consistency, and creativity. I love using routines (like daily grammar bell ringers and writing warm-ups) to build skills over time, and I’m always looking for ways to make standards feel relevant and manageable for students. Whether it’s through scaffolded grammar practice, writing support, or rigorous reading lessons, my goal is to create resources that save teachers time and help students succeed.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Teacher of the Year for my school in 2016, Teacher of the Year for my district in 2021
My own education history
I have an undergraduate degree in English and a master's degree in teaching English. I am national board certified teacher.
Additional biographical information
Hello! My name is Shannon Temple, and I am a seasoned educator with 25 years of experience teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade English Language Arts. I received my undergraduate degree in English and my masters in teaching English. I am National Board certified.
Over the years, I have had the pleasure of seeing my students grow and thrive, and I am honored to have been named Teacher of the Year for my school in 2016 and for my district in 2020.
As a passionate educator, I am committed to creating resources that make teaching easier and more enjoyable for my fellow teachers. I believe that teaching is not just a job, but a calling, and I take great pride in sharing my knowledge and expertise with others.
My daughter is a speech teacher, and she enjoys creating products to help her in he speech sessions. Some of her creations will be featured in my store as well!
In addition, I teach children once a month at church. I enjoy creating fun Bible based resources to use in that setting, and I've recently been adding some of those to my store so others can enjoy them too!
Whether you're looking for engaging lesson plans, fun classroom activities, or helpful teaching strategies, you'll find everything you need in my store. I am dedicated to creating high-quality, effective resources that will help you inspire and educate your students, and I look forward to sharing them with you.
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