These lesson plans focus on teaching English in sixth, seventh or eighth grade and include ideas for spelling and vocabulary, critical thinking, paragraph and essay writing, as well as units for teaching popular and often-taught books such as The Outsiders, Diary of Anne Frank and The Hunger Games. You’ll find strategies for planning and writing a language arts curriculum map, recommended reading lists, fresh ideas for teaching literary terms, and more. All have been carefully written and vetted by teachers and educators, and based on tried and true teaching experience in the classroom.
Perhaps you have seen the article and lessons on the culminating writing experience using Into the Woods. If you liked the idea but do not have enough class time to dedicate to the task, try this quick writing experience instead. Use the download provided for a STEAM-centered lesson they’ll enjoy.
This innovative approach to fairy tales is an ideal culminating writing experience for your students. Use the movie Into the Woods as a guide and show episodes of Once Upon a Time to inspire your students to become excellent creative writers, skilled at creating their own unique fairy tale by blendi
Fairy tales can be an excellent starting point to encourage students to read weightier materials. One way to spur interest is with the popular movie, Into the Woods. Discover how you can use this film with the free download provided.
Quote analysis is certainly not a new idea, but finding a fresh, exciting way to introduce it to your middle school class can be a challenge. Consider using a popular movie to encourage your students to participate.
Peter and Fudge return in the third book of Judy Blume’s well-loved series. Fudge is no longer the youngest child in the Hatcher family when a new baby sister, quickly nicknamed “Tootsie,” is born. Download the free teaching guide to read along and discuss the book, ending with a fun activity.
Unlike the other books in the “Fudge” series, the second installment is written from Sheila Tubman’s point of view, giving readers a glimpse into the real life of this seemingly overconfident classmate of Peter Hatcher. Use the guide to read along with your class.
Third in the ever-popular Judy Blume series, Fudge-a-Mania follows Peter Hatcher and his family as they spend their vacation alongside the dreaded Sheila Tubman and her family. Students who have read the first two “Fudge” books will love this sequel, and this guide will help you make the most of it.
Students who have read the entire “Fudge” book series by Judy Blume have watched Farley Drexel –aka Fudge– grow from a tiny tot to a school-aged boy. Read along and enjoy lively discussions with this helpful teaching guide.
Peter Warren Hatcher has one major problem in his 9-year-old life. That problem is his brother, Fudge. This lesson plan and download are the first in a five-part series.
The final two books of the Anne series focus mainly on her children. Enjoy these fun and poignant novels with your classroom. Students will enjoy the stories and will also learn more about the time period.
Anne’s House of Dreams is book five and Anne of Ingleside is the sixth book in the Lucy Maud Montgomery series. Download the PowerPoint presentation to guide your class through these books and follow up with discussion, questions and journal entry assignments.
Anne of Green Gables, written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is the first in a series of eight books about her red headed heroine, Anne Shirley. Share the book or entire series with your middle school class using the PowerPoint download provided as your guide.
Anne of the Island and Anne of Windy Poplars are the third and fourth books in the Anne series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Download the PowerPoint files provided to use as a classroom teaching guide.
Writing poetry does not come easy to everyone. Ease your students into the process by having them model a poem after “The Christmas Night” by L. M. Montgomery, personalizing it by picking their own holiday theme. Downloadable assignment and powerpoint are included in this lesson.
There is no story that exemplifies the Christmas spirit more than “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry. This lesson plan is great to use with eighth or ninth graders to get students into the spirit of the holidays. Downloadable group project and writing prompts included.
At this point in the series, your students are likely champing at the bit between books. Book four is certain to satisfy while keeping them hooked and this discussion guide will help you lead your class through the novel’s key points.
It will likely be with mixed emotions that your students complete the final book in the Harry Potter series. Guide them through the novel with class discussions and conclude with a series recap.
As you move through the Harry Potter novel series with your middle school students, you will see both the characters and themes develop and change. This overview will help you guide your students through the third book in the collection.
As you continue to explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with your middle school students, plots and themes become deeper and darker. In this book, students will deal with topics including death and politics.
Teachers can present the Harry Potter collection to students in all of their classes, who are likely to enjoy the books. The first lesson plan in this series includes a PowerPoint teaching tool for download.
