Novelinks
Oedipus the King: Biopoem
The biopoem is a great way for instructors to get to know class members, classmates to get to know each other, and readers to flesh out their understanding of a character. Why not create a biopoem for a character from Oedipus the King?
Curated OER
Printable Story Starter: Collision
This writing prompt provides students with the introductory paragraph to a creative story about a sledding accident. Students can use the provided prompt, or they can choose to begin a similar story with their own ideas. They are also...
Curated OER
Printable Story Starter: Mothers Day
In this writing prompt, students can continue the story of Prince Rosco, whose mother has gone away for Mother's Day. The prompt provides the introduction of the story, and students can choose how to continue and end the tale of Rosco....
Curated OER
Printable Story Starter: The Newest Reindeer
Students can finish the story of Pluto, the newest Reindeer, and his adventures at Rudolf's Reindeer Academy in this writing prompt. The prompt provides students with an introduction to the story and allows them to continue with details...
Curated OER
Printable Story Starter: Tired of the Snow
This writing prompt about Earl, the polar bear, who is tired of the snow, helps students complete the story by providing the first few sentences. The prompt also sets students up with the first conflict, which they can complete as they...
Curated OER
Printable Story Starter: Grandmother's Cottage
This writing prompt provides students with an introduction paragraph about a trip to Grandmother's house for Thanksgiving. Students can finish the story in a creative writing exercise. The prompt could be a good addition to a...
Curated OER
Printable Story Starter: Christmas Morning
A writing prompt about a surprise on Christmas morning provides students with the beginning of the story, and invites them to finish the middle and ending. This prompt could be a good addition to a Christmas-themed unit, or as a lesson...
Curated OER
Story Starters: Woodpeckers' Park
A great Earth Day and environment assignment, or even a basic creative writing lesson, this prompt helps students to begin the story of Woody and Woodruff, two woodpeckers who don't like litterers! Both a picture and an introduction can...
Curated OER
"Theseus and the Minotaur"
Learners analyze the features of myths and legends. They read the myths "Theseus and the Minotaur" and "Orpheus and Eurydice," identify the myth story elements, evaluate each story for the overall theme, describe the characters, and...
Starfall
Dorothy Strait
For this language arts worksheet, the story starter says that Native Americans like to dance when they come together. Learners write and illustrate what they like to do when they are with friends.
Starfall
My Shadow
In this writing instructional activity, students read a story starter which asks them to recall a time they saw their shadow. Students write the story and illustrate it.
Starfall
My Pretend Friend
For this writing worksheet, learners read a story starter which asks them to tell about a real or pretend friend. Students write the story and illustrate it.
Starfall
Let's Make a Snowman
In this literacy instructional activity, students practice writing their own story with the help of the picture dictionary and matching them to the new story.
Starfall
This is Me
For this literacy learning exercise, students draw a picture of themselves and then compose a sentence that is descriptive of who they are.
Starfall
Tate's Birthday
In this language arts worksheet, learners use the word bank in order to create a story related to a birthday suprise.
Starfall
Planting Seeds
In this literacy learning exercise, learners use a word bank to create a story about planting seeds.
Art Educators of New Jersey
Exploring Eric Carle’s Painted Collage
Where does inspiration come from? Where do writers get their ideas? What about visual artists? A PowerPoint and a video introduce middle schoolers to children's author and illustrator Eric Carle and how he found inspiration in the work...
Penguin Books
An Educator’s Guide to Ruta Sepetys
Historical fiction novels give readers a chance to step into someone else's shoes. An educator's guide from Penguin Common Core Lesson Plans provides resources to accompany three historical fiction novels written by Ruta Sepetys: Between...
Curated OER
The Martian Chronicles: Anticipation Guide
Begin your unit on Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles with an anticipation guide about literary themes. Class members read six statements about time, rules, and mortality, and note they believe each statement is true or false.
Civil War Trust
Genealogy
The Civil War is undoubtedly a part of America's history, but could it be part of your pupils' history as well? Middle schoolers conduct research to discover a connection between their ancestors and the American Civil War. Whether they...
Peace Corps
Introducing Culture
Growing up within a culture leaves a lot of ideas and values unspoken. Take a closer look at the cultures in which your learners live with a discussion activity that addresses cultural identity and traits of those living within the...
Nosapo
Getting to Know Each Other
How do you do? Guide learners through the basics of conversational English with an extensive set of discussion questions. Class members ask partners more about themselves, including their favorite hobbies, music, and time of day, as well...
Curated OER
Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury: April Eighth, 1928: Narrating from an 'Ordered Place'?
Students describe Faulkner's use of time to structure the plot of The Sound and the Fury. They discuss the differences between first and third person narration and its effects on the novel. Discussion of the overall meaning is brought to...
Curated OER
The American West: Images of Its People
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this American West lesson, students examine photographs that reveal the cultural components of the West and then write narratives regarding the photographs.