Writing

A lesson focused on understanding the structural components of an argumentative essay through a hands-on sorting and sequencing activity.

A set of three interactive writing stations where students analyze a provided article about social media's impact on mental health and draft a complete informative essay using graphic organizers and sentence frames.

In this lesson, students analyze Chapter 10 of 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963' to explain how the author uses the elements of nature and darkness to develop a theme about the family's journey to the South.

In this lesson, students analyze Chapter 8 of 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963' to understand how the chapter's events, including the preparation for the road trip and the installation of the Ultra-Glide, contribute to plot development and foreshadowing.

A comprehensive ELA lesson for grades 6-8 focused on mastering multi-paragraph evidence-based writing. Students will learn to synthesize information from two passages to construct high-scoring, argumentative responses aligned with NCSCOS standards.

This lesson breaks down the complex components of an argumentative essay into manageable structural parts, focusing on the 5-paragraph model, the introduction triad (Hook, Bridge, Thesis), and the essential trio of Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER). Students also learn how to address opposing viewpoints through counter-claims and rebuttals.

A high-intensity 90-minute STAAR Blitz lesson designed for a combined 6th and 8th-grade reading class, focusing on evidence-based analysis, vocabulary "intel," and SCR/ECR mastery through a "Mission Control" survival theme.

An exploration of the cultural conflict at Merry Mount, teaching students to identify main ideas, topic sentences, and text evidence through the lens of early American history and folklore.

Master the art of closing an argument by restating the claim, summarizing key evidence, and leaving the reader with a powerful final thought. Finalize the mission with a 'mic drop' conclusion.

A deep dive into constructing powerful body paragraphs using the TEAC (Topic Sentence, Evidence, Analysis, Concluding Sentence) method. Students will learn to support their claims with evidence and deep reasoning.

A self-paced Social Studies lesson for 6th grade focused on the Silk Road as an ancient global network, integrating rigorous primary source analysis and geography skills.

A full-length 8th-grade STAAR reading practice assessment, including 30 multiple-choice questions, two SCRs, and one ECR based on informational and fiction passages.

A rigorous informational reading and writing assignment focused on the mycorrhizal network, designed to practice SCR and ECR skills with an emphasis on organization, evidence, and sentence variety.

A quick-start guide to mastering the three essential components of an argumentative essay introduction: the hook, the bridge, and the claim.

A scaffolded writing lesson focused on structuring an argumentative essay about cell phone use in schools, featuring sentence starters and graphic organizers.

A collection of high-impact reference materials and strategy guides to help students navigate complex texts and construct high-quality written responses.

The second full-length mock ELA exam for Grade 6, providing further practice with complex texts and standards-aligned assessments.

A full-length mock ELA exam for Grade 6, featuring diverse reading passages and multiple-choice questions aligned with state standards.

A comprehensive guide to mastering argumentative writing, focusing on structural integrity, evidence-based claims, and the art of the counterargument.

A collection of tools and activities designed to help students transition from basic ideas to structured academic writing using sentence starters and organizational frames.

This lesson introduces nine key figurative language devices through interactive slides and practice. Students identify definitions, analyze examples, and create their own original phrases while reviewing previous concepts.

A deep dive into Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart', focusing on the mechanics of suspense, the psychology of the unreliable narrator, and the sharp edge of gothic irony.

An introductory lesson for the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, focusing on plot, setting, character, and the theme of survival.

In this lesson, students analyze the climax of the Prometheus myth, focusing on how specific details of his punishment convey the central idea of eternal sacrifice and defiance. Students will use the Bernard Evslin version of the text to identify key details and explain their significance.

A concise comparison between narrative stories and informational essays, focusing on their differing purposes and structural elements.

A comprehensive project where students research a Greek mythological figure and create a multimedia presentation demonstrating their understanding of text evidence, summarization, and digital storytelling.

A comprehensive review of the RACE writing strategy, focusing on analyzing author's purpose and figurative language through guided instruction and highly-scaffolded practice.

A complete lesson covering similes, metaphors, idioms, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, alliteration, oxymoron, and symbolism through direct instruction and guided practice.

A lesson on indirect characterization in Chapter 1 of Elie Wiesel's Night, focusing on the STEAL method (Speech, Thoughts, Effect, Actions, Looks) for Moishe the Beadle, Eliezer, and his father.

Students act as literary curators in this art-themed lesson. They use the F.A.C.T.S. method to gather 'brushstrokes' of evidence, synthesizing them into a sophisticated portrait of a character's overarching trait for an essay thesis.

A lesson covering the first few weeks of Auggie's school experience in 'Wonder', focusing on his interactions with Jack, Summer, and Julian, concluding with the betrayal on Halloween.

Analysis of Chapters 26-30, focusing on the external and internal consequences of the party incident, the fight with Wes, and the pressure of viral fame. Students will evaluate the themes of accountability and choices.

Analyzes the family's final rejection of Gregor and his subsequent physical and mental decline.

Focuses on Gregor's death and the family's ultimate relief and transformation after his passing.

Introduces the new characters (the boarders and the charwoman) and explores Gregor's deteriorating physical and mental health.

Focuses on the conflict over Gregor's furniture and the first violent confrontation with his father in Part II.

Analyzes the family's financial state and the psychological toll of isolation on Gregor.

Covers the beginning of Part II, exploring Gregor's physical adjustment to his room and his family's initial attempts to care for him.

Analyzes the first visual encounter between the family and Gregor in his new form, culminating in the Father's violent rejection.

Focuses on the immediate external pressure as the family and the Chief Clerk demand entry to Gregor's room.

A collection of reading passages designed to challenge students' comprehension and linguistic awareness by analyzing word counts, sentence structures, and syllable patterns.

A mixed review challenge where students diagnose and fix misplaced, dangling, and squinting modifiers in a timed 'escape room' environment.

An exploration of split infinitives as a specific case of modifier usage, focusing on the balance between prescriptive grammar and stylistic power.

A deep dive into dangling modifiers where students act as detectives to find the missing subjects in sentences and rewrite them for clarity.

Students define and distinguish between misplaced modifiers (syntax errors) and dangling modifiers (logical errors) through a matching game and instructional slides.

Students use their 'grammatical ear' to identify awkward sentences before learning technical terms. They sort clear and confusing sentences to discover patterns of misplacement.

This lesson empowers students to master the essential skill of paraphrasing, helping them understand, interpret, and accurately communicate information in their own words.

A lesson focused on analyzing the structure and content of a persuasive essay regarding school uniforms, helping students identify key argumentative components.

A cumulative review and application session where students differentiate between sentence types and correct structural errors.

Explores the hierarchy of complex sentences, teaching students to identify and utilize subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns.

Introduces the mechanics of compound sentences, focusing on coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) and the proper use of semicolons.

A lesson focused on enhancing sentence variety and structure through combining techniques. Students practice building compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences using April-themed prompts.

A comprehensive guide to mastering the RACE writing strategy (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain) for constructed responses. Students will learn to build strong, evidence-based arguments through scaffolded practice and graphic organizers.

A set of three interactive writing stations where students analyze a provided article about social media's impact on mental health and draft a complete informative essay using graphic organizers and sentence frames.

A high-impact tutoring session focused on STAAR writing skills, specifically targeting apostrophes, comma rules, and sentence combining through direct instruction and intensive practice.

A comprehensive ELA lesson for grades 6-8 focused on mastering multi-paragraph evidence-based writing. Students will learn to synthesize information from two passages to construct high-scoring, argumentative responses aligned with NCSCOS standards.

A comprehensive project where students research a Greek mythological figure and create a multimedia presentation demonstrating their understanding of text evidence, summarization, and digital storytelling.

A high-energy editing and revising game where students master comma splices, pronoun-antecedent agreement, and sentence structure through verbal challenges.

A rotation-based lesson featuring three 20-minute stations: Thesis Foundations, Paired Scaffolding, and Sentence Surgeon.

A rotation-based lesson featuring three 20-minute stations: Thesis Foundations, Paired Scaffolding, and Sentence Surgeon.

A targeted revising and editing lesson focused on sentence combining techniques, themed around the short story 'The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant'. Students practice merging short, choppy sentences into sophisticated prose.

A revision-focused lesson designed to help students strengthen the textual evidence in their Peter Pan book reviews. Students focus on selecting specific, high-impact examples and integrating them effectively with context and analysis.

This lesson breaks down the complex components of an argumentative essay into manageable structural parts, focusing on the 5-paragraph model, the introduction triad (Hook, Bridge, Thesis), and the essential trio of Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER). Students also learn how to address opposing viewpoints through counter-claims and rebuttals.

Resources for mastering comparative writing, including rubrics and organizers for subject analysis.

A collection of tools to help students and teachers evaluate narrative writing through clear criteria and student-friendly goals.

The final stage where students engage in peer review, use a revision checklist, and evaluate their work against a comprehensive rubric.

Students focus on transitions and logical flow as they move from planning to drafting their full persuasive essay.

A cumulative review and application session where students differentiate between sentence types and correct structural errors.

Explores the hierarchy of complex sentences, teaching students to identify and utilize subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns.

Introduces the mechanics of compound sentences, focusing on coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) and the proper use of semicolons.

A lesson focused on enhancing sentence variety and structure through combining techniques. Students practice building compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences using April-themed prompts.

A high-impact tutoring session focused on STAAR writing skills, specifically targeting apostrophes, comma rules, and sentence combining through direct instruction and intensive practice.

A high-energy editing and revising game where students master comma splices, pronoun-antecedent agreement, and sentence structure through verbal challenges.

A rotation-based lesson featuring three 20-minute stations: Thesis Foundations, Paired Scaffolding, and Sentence Surgeon.

A rotation-based lesson featuring three 20-minute stations: Thesis Foundations, Paired Scaffolding, and Sentence Surgeon.

A targeted revising and editing lesson focused on sentence combining techniques, themed around the short story 'The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant'. Students practice merging short, choppy sentences into sophisticated prose.

A high-intensity 45-minute STAAR Math Blitz focusing on the highest-tested 6th-grade TEKS, featuring tactical strategy slides and a targeted CFU worksheet.

Analyzes the family's final rejection of Gregor and his subsequent physical and mental decline.

Focuses on Gregor's death and the family's ultimate relief and transformation after his passing.

Introduces the new characters (the boarders and the charwoman) and explores Gregor's deteriorating physical and mental health.

Focuses on the conflict over Gregor's furniture and the first violent confrontation with his father in Part II.

Analyzes the family's financial state and the psychological toll of isolation on Gregor.

Covers the beginning of Part II, exploring Gregor's physical adjustment to his room and his family's initial attempts to care for him.

Analyzes the first visual encounter between the family and Gregor in his new form, culminating in the Father's violent rejection.

Focuses on the immediate external pressure as the family and the Chief Clerk demand entry to Gregor's room.

Explores Gregor's dissatisfaction with his job and the professional pressures that dictate his life even during his transformation.

Introduction to Gregor's transformation and initial reaction. Focuses on the physical details of his new state.

A deep dive into Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart', focusing on the mechanics of suspense, the psychology of the unreliable narrator, and the sharp edge of gothic irony.

A 45-minute lesson where students showcase their media literacy investigations through screencasts, engage in peer evaluation using a professional rubric, and reflect on their growth as digital fact-checkers.

In this lesson, students step into the role of investigative journalists to create a screencast that documents their fact-checking process and final findings. They will learn to combine digital storytelling with technical screencasting skills to present evidence clearly and convincingly.

A lesson focused on analyzing the structure and content of a persuasive essay regarding school uniforms, helping students identify key argumentative components.

A lesson focused on distinguishing summary from opinion through the lens of the Prometheus myth, featuring a neutral news reporting activity.

An introductory lesson for the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, focusing on plot, setting, character, and the theme of survival.

In this lesson, students analyze the climax of the Prometheus myth, focusing on how specific details of his punishment convey the central idea of eternal sacrifice and defiance. Students will use the Bernard Evslin version of the text to identify key details and explain their significance.

A lesson focused on helping students write a structured three-paragraph essay connecting a self-chosen topic to scientific principles.

A choice-based writing lesson where students select an opinion prompt and use provided short articles to gather evidence for their persuasive pieces.

A lesson focused on mastering the Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) framework through investigative practice and sentence structure analysis.

A comprehensive lesson combining the introduction to Greek mythology hierarchies with the analysis of Prometheus's gift of fire, focusing on technical vocabulary and word choice.

A lesson focused on understanding the structural components of an argumentative essay through a hands-on sorting and sequencing activity.

A lesson focused on analyzing complex social situations involving respect and translating those analyses into persuasive or argumentative essays. Students will evaluate different perspectives and build logical arguments.

A practice test and answer key based on the passage 'Getting Lost in a Good Book Can Help Keep You Healthy' by Hilary Freeman, focusing on reading comprehension, vocabulary in context, and analyzing claims.

A comprehensive guide to mastering the RACE writing strategy (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain) for constructed responses. Students will learn to build strong, evidence-based arguments through scaffolded practice and graphic organizers.

A choice-based writing lesson where students select an opinion prompt and use provided short articles to gather evidence for their persuasive pieces.

A set of three interactive writing stations where students analyze a provided article about social media's impact on mental health and draft a complete informative essay using graphic organizers and sentence frames.

A deep dive into ND Stevenson's 'Nimona', focusing on character dynamics, plot structure, and the unique visual language of graphic novels.

A focused lesson on the climactic events of early December in the novel Tangerine, exploring themes of truth, memory, and consequences.

This lesson focuses on helping students move beyond simple one-to-one cause and effect relationships to explore multiple, cascading, and long-term effects of a single event. It uses the 'Ripple Map' visual to help students trace consequences.

In this lesson, students step into the role of investigative journalists to create a screencast that documents their fact-checking process and final findings. They will learn to combine digital storytelling with technical screencasting skills to present evidence clearly and convincingly.

A lesson focused on analyzing the structure and content of a persuasive essay regarding school uniforms, helping students identify key argumentative components.

A lesson focused on helping students write a structured three-paragraph essay connecting a self-chosen topic to scientific principles.

A choice-based writing lesson where students select an opinion prompt and use provided short articles to gather evidence for their persuasive pieces.

A lesson focused on understanding the structural components of an argumentative essay through a hands-on sorting and sequencing activity.

A set of three interactive writing stations where students analyze a provided article about social media's impact on mental health and draft a complete informative essay using graphic organizers and sentence frames.

In this lesson, students analyze Chapter 10 of 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963' to explain how the author uses the elements of nature and darkness to develop a theme about the family's journey to the South.

In this lesson, students analyze Chapter 8 of 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963' to understand how the chapter's events, including the preparation for the road trip and the installation of the Ultra-Glide, contribute to plot development and foreshadowing.

A comprehensive ELA lesson for grades 6-8 focused on mastering multi-paragraph evidence-based writing. Students will learn to synthesize information from two passages to construct high-scoring, argumentative responses aligned with NCSCOS standards.

Students act as literary curators in this art-themed lesson. They use the F.A.C.T.S. method to gather 'brushstrokes' of evidence, synthesizing them into a sophisticated portrait of a character's overarching trait for an essay thesis.

A targeted IAR-style practice set based on the text "The New Kid" by John McGranaghan, focusing on character resilience and the development of theme through plot events.

A comprehensive ELA practice set designed to mimic the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) format, focusing on literary analysis through evidence-based selected-response questions and a prose-constructed response.

A scaffolded approach to argumentative writing using the CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) framework and simplified structures to help students build persuasive essays about school-related debates.

This lesson breaks down the complex components of an argumentative essay into manageable structural parts, focusing on the 5-paragraph model, the introduction triad (Hook, Bridge, Thesis), and the essential trio of Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER). Students also learn how to address opposing viewpoints through counter-claims and rebuttals.

A collection of tools to help students and teachers evaluate narrative writing through clear criteria and student-friendly goals.

The final stage where students engage in peer review, use a revision checklist, and evaluate their work against a comprehensive rubric.

Students focus on transitions and logical flow as they move from planning to drafting their full persuasive essay.

Students dive into types of evidence (stats, anecdotes, expert quotes) and learn how to address counterarguments effectively.

Students learn to craft a strong thesis statement and organize their main points using an Argument Architect graphic organizer.

Students explore the purpose of persuasive writing, analyze a mentor text to identify the author's claim, and distinguish between facts and opinions.

A lesson focused on distinguishing between effective and ineffective paraphrasing and summarizing techniques using the context of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. Students will read a short passage and categorize various examples into 'good' or 'bad' buckets.

A lesson focused on distinguishing summary from opinion through the lens of the Prometheus myth, featuring a neutral news reporting activity.

A lesson focused on enhancing sentence variety and structure through combining techniques. Students practice building compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences using April-themed prompts.

A rotation-based lesson featuring three 20-minute stations: Thesis Foundations, Paired Scaffolding, and Sentence Surgeon.