A lesson focused on analyzing character motivations and perceptions in the short story 'The Lure of Sheila Mant' by W.D. Wetherell. Students will explore how the narrator views the Mant family and Sheila herself through close reading and textual evidence.

Day 5 serves as a final comprehensive quick check. Students read a new passage independently and apply their analysis of character relationships and plot structure to demonstrate mastery of standards 5.8B and 5.8C.

An 8th-grade ELA lesson focused on Chapter 15 ('The Cigarette') of Persepolis, exploring themes of coming-of-age, rebellion, and oppression through analytical writing and collaborative discussion.

A lesson focused on helping students master the criteria for successful argumentative writing using a student-friendly checklist based on state-aligned rubrics.

Day 4 serves as a synthesis day using a mystery genre. Students apply their knowledge of character conflict and plot resolution to solve a 'narrative puzzle' and complete a comprehensive assessment.

Day 3 integrates both character and plot (5.8B/C) using traditional literature (a fable). Students examine how a character's traits and choices create the conflict and lead to the climax.

Day 2 focuses on plot elements (5.8C), specifically identifying the rising action, climax, and resolution in an adventure-themed text. Students map the 'Plot Peak' to understand story structure.

Day 1 focuses on analyzing character relationships and conflicts (5.8B) within a realistic fiction text. Students investigate how characters interact and the specific conflicts that drive their actions.

A 1-hour intensive review session focused on identifying central ideas and evaluating the evidence authors use to build strong arguments, utilizing passages from the NY Grade 7 ELA Interim Assessment.

An 8th-grade ELA lesson focusing on the symbolic power of the Oscar Holden record and other recurring objects in Jamie Ford's *Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet*. Students explore how physical items carry emotional weight and develop deeper themes within a narrative.

An 8th-grade ELA lesson focused on identifying and analyzing the purpose of flashbacks within a narrative structure, specifically examining how they reveal character history and advance the plot.

An introductory lesson on identifying and tracking literary themes like identity, prejudice, and memory, using a detective-style 'investigation' framework.

A weekly homework routine featuring a word search challenge and deep-dive vocabulary exercises for 10 target spelling words.

A 60-minute ELA lesson focused on analyzing author's diction and drawing logical inferences using excerpts from the Grade 7 Interim Assessment. Students will explore how specific word choices shape meaning and tone through guided and independent practice.

This lesson equips 8th-grade students with the tools to identify and analyze propaganda techniques in media, fostering critical thinking and media literacy. Students will explore common devices like bandwagon, testimonials, and glittering generalities through real-world examples.

A high-energy, 35-minute introduction to making inferences. Students act as detectives, combining text evidence with their own background knowledge to solve mini-mysteries.

An immersive exploration of narrative structure where 8th graders master the art of plot mapping, character development, and thematic analysis using nautical-themed blueprints and charts. Students transform into 'Plot Pilots' to navigate complex texts and construct their own compelling stories.

This lesson equips 8th-grade students with the tools to identify and analyze propaganda techniques across various media formats. Students will investigate the 'Big 7' propaganda devices, evaluate source credibility, and practice 'unmasking' persuasive rhetoric in real-world examples.

Focusing on CCSS W.4.3.e, students write a satisfying conclusion and reflect on their narrative writing journey through an exit ticket.

Focusing on CCSS W.4.3.b and W.4.3.d, students use dialogue and sensory details to describe the climax and potential solutions to the story's problem.

Focusing on CCSS W.4.3.c, students organize event sequences using transitional words. Groups will plan the 'rising action' for the chosen story start and vote for the best path forward.

Students focus on CCSS W.4.3.a by establishing a situation and introducing characters. They will draft a story 'hook' and vote on the best start for the class's collaborative story.

A lesson focused on identifying the main idea and supporting details in nonfiction texts using a comparison of Giant Pandas and Red Pandas.

This lesson explores the pivotal transitions in the novel *Tangerine* during the month of September, focusing on Paul Fisher's move to Tangerine Middle School and the cultural shift he experiences.

A 45-minute lesson focused on RI.4.8, where students learn to identify specific points an author makes and the reasons and evidence provided to support those points using a detective-themed investigation.

A 4th-grade ELA lesson focused on identifying and distinguishing between first-person and third-person points of view using detective-themed 'clue' identification.

An introduction to Shakespeare's whimsical comedy for young readers, focusing on plot, characters, and the magical setting of the enchanted forest.

A cumulative review using narrative poetry or a short story where students synthesize their skills in plot analysis, character study, and multi-layered connections.

Analyzing how drama uses dialogue to drive plot elements and character interactions. Students make text-to-society connections by examining themes within a play script.

Exploring traditional literature (folktales) to identify universal plot patterns and how characters in legends undergo moral or physical changes. Focuses on text-to-text connections.

Introduction to plot architecture and character evolution using realistic fiction. Students map out the 'Rising Action' through 'Resolution' and track how characters react to conflict.

A lesson focused on RL.5.1, teaching students how to quote accurately from a text to support inferences. Students act as 'text detectives' to uncover hidden meanings in short narrative passages.

A set of resources designed to help parents understand and support their child's reading fluency progress at home, focusing on the balance between speed and accuracy.

A lesson focused on self-editing and peer-reviewing using a rubric-aligned checklist to improve sentence variety, grammar, and mechanics.

A 30-minute review and assessment lesson focusing on literary elements (character, conflict, setting, plot) within the first section of a novel, featuring a team game and a comprehension quiz.

A revision and editing lesson focused on TEKS 9C and 9D, featuring a student's personal essay about a learning experience. The lesson includes a STAAR-aligned quiz with 15 multiple-choice questions and a sentence construction task, along with a detailed answer key.

A deep dive into Chapter 14 of Persepolis, focusing on visual storytelling, risk, and rebellion. Students analyze panel sequencing to understand how suspense is built and how characters navigate oppressive environments through the lens of graphic narrative techniques.

A 30-minute exploration of Henry's evolving relationships with Keiko and his father in 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet', focusing on the tension between cultural loyalty and personal connection.

This lesson guides students through an analysis of Día de Muertos, focusing on the cultural significance, historical roots, and identity-affirming power of the tradition. Students will practice synthesizing information from multiple paragraphs to construct a meaningful written response about resilience and memory.