A comprehensive lesson on the eight parts of speech, using a mechanical 'Grammar Gear' theme to help 6th and 7th grade students understand how language is constructed.
A 15-minute intensive reteach focused on identifying journalism with delayed ledes, building on the text 'Planes on the Brain'. Students learn to distinguish between narrative hooks and the informational core of news articles.
A comprehensive lesson for 7th graders on crafting clear, engaging introductions for both writing and speaking, focusing on hooks, context, and thesis statements using an architectural theme.
This lesson compares two student presentations on the god Hermes to help students understand grading criteria and how to improve their own mythological research projects.
A creative arts-integrated ELA lesson where students map the Hero's Journey using symbolic collage, supporting executive functioning through visual storytelling and metaphorical thinking.
A deep dive into Chapter 20 of 'The Westing Game', focusing on Turtle's sacrifice, the elevator bombing, and the ongoing investigation by the heirs. Students will demonstrate literal recall and summarize key plot developments.
A comprehensive novel study for 'Number the Stars' covering WWII history, character bravery, and key plot events across all 17 chapters.
A middle school lesson where students act as media scientists, deconstructing the psychological triggers and logical fallacies found in modern social media advertising. Students will learn to identify manipulation tactics and develop critical thinking skills to become savvy consumers.
A grammar-focused lesson set in professional and travel contexts, teaching middle schoolers to use compound-complex sentences, relative clauses, and consistent verb tenses through role-play scenarios.
A creative exploration of found poetry for middle schoolers, focusing on sourcing linguistic materials from their environment to demystify the poetic process.
A targeted grammar lesson focused on identifying and correcting run-on sentences using coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) within the context of Frederick Douglass's narrative.
A lesson designed to guide students through the planning phase of researching an extraordinary person. It covers selection, inquiry, source hunting, and outlining.
A lesson that uses role-play scripts of current events to teach middle schoolers comprehension skills like inference, figurative language, and main idea. Students take on roles as news anchors, reporters, and experts to engage with complex topics.
A middle school ELA lesson where students analyze narrative voice by rewriting a scene from a minor character's perspective to uncover hidden motivations and shifts in meaning.
A high-energy STAAR prep lesson focused on key reading skills using a relay race game format. Students practice genre, context clues, inference, character analysis, and central idea identification while mastering the RACE strategy for constructed responses.
A 6th-grade lesson on claim and evidence where students master persuasive techniques through mini-debates on high-interest school topics. Students will learn to construct logical arguments and select the most relevant evidence to support their positions.
An introductory study of the first five chapters of 'I Am Number Four,' focusing on John Smith's arrival in Paradise and the initial development of his relationships and Legacies.
A practice session focused on identifying main ideas and supporting details in informational texts, modeled after MCAS standardized testing formats.
A comprehensive look at the life, struggles, and eventual triumph of Zora Neale Hurston, adapted for middle school readers. Students explore her journey from Eatonville to the Harlem Renaissance and her modern-day legacy.
An introductory lesson for 6th grade students to explore the concept of extraordinary people, focusing on the unit's essential question and core academic vocabulary. Students will analyze what defines greatness and master the terminology needed for the unit.
Students take the stage as professional journalists to launch their digital magazine. This lesson guides them through the final live presentation, fielding audience questions, and demonstrating professional communication skills.
Students master the art of professional public speaking as they prepare for a high-stakes press conference, focusing on body language, vocal delivery, and audience engagement.
In this 45-minute lesson, 6th-grade students step into the role of professional editors to master house style and factual accuracy. They will learn foundational AP style rules and apply fact-checking strategies to polish their articles to a professional standard.
A lesson for 6th graders on the editorial process, focusing on improving clarity and identifying bias in peer-written articles. Students learn to provide constructive feedback to help their peers polish their work for publication.
Students explore the hierarchy and responsibilities of a professional newsroom, assigning roles and establishing communication norms for their own publication project.
A 6th-grade journalism lesson focused on enhancing digital articles with images, hyperlinks, and multimedia to improve reader engagement and storytelling depth.
In this lesson, students transition from editors to publishers as they perform a final quality check on their beat reporting articles and navigate the pressure of a real newsroom deadline. They will evaluate their work against a rubric, ensure professional formatting, and submit their final pieces before reflecting on their growth as journalists.
A 45-minute workshop where students step into the role of news editors to provide constructive feedback on peer articles, focusing on structural integrity and narrative clarity.
In this 45-minute workshop, 6th-grade students synthesize their beat interview notes into a cohesive news article draft, focusing on structural elements like the lead and nut graph.
A 45-minute lesson for 6th grade students on the ethical and technical aspects of using direct quotes in journalism. Students learn formatting rules, the importance of journalistic integrity, and how to select impactful quotes for their news articles.
A journalism-focused lesson for 6th graders to master the art of lead writing. Students learn to pack the 5 Ws and H into a concise, compelling opening paragraph to hook their readers immediately.
In this journalism lesson, 6th-grade students learn the Inverted Pyramid structure to organize information. They will analyze real-world news articles and practice prioritizing facts to write effective, front-loaded stories.
A 6th-grade journalism-themed lesson focused on the power of open-ended questions. Students learn to pivot away from 'yes/no' dead ends and draft high-impact questions for a beat interview.
A comprehensive ELA review game designed to help students master MCAS standards through a competitive and engaging bingo format. The lesson covers vocabulary, literary elements, text structures, and grammar.