Middle School Language Arts
144 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing
The New York Time Learning Network. A school year’s worth of short, accessible image-driven posts that invite a variety of kinds of writing. These short, accessible, image-driven prompts… learn more
Teach Critical Thinking with These Action Writing Strategies: Part One
AI-powered writing threatens the status quo of classrooms. And while AI literacy supersedes digital literacy, teachers and students are scrambling to learn how to use AI the right… learn more
Teach Critical Thinking with These Action Writing Strategies: Part Two
Ready for more action writing strategies that encourage critical thinking in an AI world? In the first part of this blog entry, you saw three powerful action strategies. Those… learn more
21 Best Funny Short Stories To Teach in Middle and High School
At least once a year, one of my freshmen would ask me why everything we read in 9th grade English was so depressing. A quick look at our… learn more
Poetry Appreciation: Free Lesson Plans, Activities and Resources
April is Poetry Month and William Shakespeare's Birthday is April 23rd. Use this curated collection of free poetry lessons to engage preK-12 students in expressing their feelings during--or momentarily escaping… learn more
130 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens
Persuasive writing is one of those skills that can help students succeed in real life. Learn the basics of this valuable skill, then use our big roundup of… learn more
Google Applied Digital Skills: English Language Arts
These lessons help you learn digital skills while exploring ELA concepts like reading, writing, and speaking. learn more
Halloween Haunts and Emoji Fun
Google Applied Digital Skills. In Write a Story Using Emojis, students combine creativity and technology to create unique emoji stories. Students can write and format a short Halloween… learn more
Native American Heritage Month Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Help students explore Native American traditions and modern-day culture while building important reading skills with this packet of reading comprehension activities and printable worksheets. This packet of printable… learn more
78 Best Short Stories To Teach in Middle School
Short stories are a perfect teaching tool for middle schoolers. They’re quick, fast-paced, and pack a punch with lots of action and drama. And because they require less… learn more
PROMOTING STEM THROUGH LITERATURE
These materials help educators use literature to get students excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by actively involving them in the design thinking process. Each title shares… learn more
Writing Worksheets
Becoming an effective writer takes a lifetime. These worksheets will get you headed in the "write" direction. Being able to express yourself to others is one of the… learn more
Language Arts Graphic Organizers
Graphic organizers are a simple yet super effective tools for making a picture into a well drawn out thought. They can greatly help a struggling student make better… learn more
101 Best Writing Prompts for Middle School Students
The key to helping middle schoolers succeed as writers is guiding them to connect their writing to their interests and experiences. When kids see themselves in the topic… learn more
21 Writing Strategies To Help Aspiring Writers Plan, Create, and Finalize Their Work
Writing well takes practice and patience, but it’s a skill that offers real benefits both in the classroom and the real world. For many, writing is incredibly challenging,… learn more
Annenberg Learner: In Search of the Novel
Discover creative strategies for bringing novels to life for middle and high school students with this workshop, featuring the words and works of 10 novelists, including Charles Dickens,… learn more
10 Best ELA Tools for Middle School
Middle school is the perfect time to ignite students' passion for reading and writing. These hand-picked ELA apps, games, and websites do just that, building on foundational elementary skills with… learn more
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage with Fishtank ELA
Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, provides an opportunity for students to focus on the voices, experiences, and legacies of Hispanic Americans. Fishtank ELA brings Hispanic… learn more
English Language Arts
Explore and share tips, strategies, and resources for helping students develop in English language arts. learn more
ELA Resources for Teachers
Facing our History. Explore our wide range of curricular resources and professional learning for secondary English Language Arts classrooms. Our ELA resources integrate literacy skills development with social-emotional… learn more
Vocabulary Spelling City
Effortlessly reinforce vocabulary and spelling instruction to help students keep up, catch up, or stay ahead! Effortlessly reinforce vocabulary and spelling instruction to help students keep up, catch… learn more
Get Our Free PowerPoint With 100 Writing Prompts for Grades 4-8
A good writing prompt can be just the thing to turn a reluctant writer into one who won’t lift their pen from the page! That’s why we created… learn more
Read Write Think: Lesson Plans
Find hundreds of standards-based lesson plans written and reviewed by educators using current research and the best instructional practices in language arts. learn more
Writing Differentiation Strategies and Activities for Middle School
Use the 4 strategies and 3 tools and activities in this resource for how to plan differentiated instruction for writing and implement it for your entire class. With… learn more
English Teaching Worksheets
Welcome to English Teaching Worksheets! This website provides a variety of free, printable worksheets for teaching English. These worksheets can be used by teachers, tutors, or students. They are suitable… learn more
How To Use the RACE Writing Strategy (Plus Free Printables)
In today’s world, it’s more important than ever for students to be able to articulate their thoughts clearly and concisely through the written word. One easy way to… learn more
How To Use Lit2Go Audiobooks in Your Classroom
FCIT’s Lit2Go audiobook website contains an amazing number of books and passages at all reading levels. The variety of recordings and the possibilities for using them can be a… learn more
4 Fresh Ways To Keep Track of Classroom Read-Alouds (That Aren’t Logs!)
Classroom read-alouds are a crucial component of developing students’ literacy skills and building a sense of community. To keep things interesting and to amplify student buy-in, I’m always… learn more
TeachingEnglish Secondary Lesson Plans
Here you can find a wide range of full lesson plans to use in your secondary classroom. All of our lessons are designed around themes engaging and relevant… learn more
Teaching English Resources
Here you can find a wide range of full lesson plans to use in your primary classroom. All of our lessons are designed around common themes from primary… learn more
60 Refreshing and Relatable Books To Teach in Middle School
Plus a free printable middle school reading list. Middle school students faced plenty of issues before the social, political, and economic upheavals of the past few years. At… learn more
Google Lit Trips
Google Lit Trips, is an educational technology project of GLT Global ED. The site is not part of Google, but integrated Google Earth into it's presentations. Their goal… learn more
Teaching English: Secondary Lesson Plans
Here you can find a wide range of practical resources to use in your secondary classroom. There are full lesson plans to choose from, covering different topics and… learn more
Science Lessons for Middle and High School
This collection of teaching resources spans a wide array of topics, from the fundamentals of biology and chemistry to the intricate studies of physics and earth sciences. Within… learn more
Poetry Lessons & Activities: Gallery of Worksheets (Grades 6-8)
The study of poetry can lead your students to new levels of creativity and reading comprehension, while helping them to appreciate it as an art form. learn more
25 Spring Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers
Spring has sprung! Help your middle school students blossom into enthusiastic writers with these 25 spring writing prompts. learn more
MAKE “CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE” STORIES WITH GOOGLE FORMS AND AI
How to create stories for students. Use Google Forms and AI to make interactive, cross curricular adventures for students. Or help them create their own. Written by Belinda Howell… learn more
Elements of Poetry
In this interactive lesson, discover how literary techniques like figurative language, imagery, and symbolism contribute to the overall meaning of a poem. Explore how a poet establishes and… learn more
60 Beautiful Earth Day Poems for Kids of All Ages
Dating back to the beginnings of the environmental movement in 1970, Earth Day is an annual reminder to treat our amazing planet with love, respect, and kindness. As… learn more
Free Printable Spring Writing Paper Plus 10 Spring Writing Prompts
Add a little festive flair to your notes and journaling with our free printable spring writing paper! This adorable set includes flowers, the sun, birds, and butterflies! Plus,… learn more
TeacherVision: Inaugural Poetry
Objectives Students will read and respond to poetry. Students will learn about the history of inaugural poetry. Students will discuss poetic devices. learn more
58 Captivating Haiku Examples for Kids (and Adults!)
Written in a 5/7/5 syllable count, traditional Japanese haiku are three-line poems that date back to the 13th century. Often incorporating images from nature, haiku became a direct… learn more
How to Write a Book Report (+ Book Report Example)
Write better book reports using the tips, examples, and outlines presented here. This resource covers three types of effective book reports: plot summaries, character analyses, and theme analyses.… learn more
13 Ways to Integrate Literature and Technology
Even the literary types can enjoy the benefits of technology. Check out how you can integrate literature and technology seamlessly. Here are tips, tools, and resources for teaching… learn more
34 Must-Share Poems for Middle School and High School
It can be hard to know which poems will spur your middle and high schoolers into deep, meaningful discussion and which will leave them yawning! So we asked… learn more
MARCH MADNESS ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR CLASSROOM
March Madness, the NCAA college basketball tournament, is an exciting time. While you might not be able to take your students to the Final Four, you can bring… learn more
25 Famous Walt Whitman Poems (Free Printables)
Walter Whitman Jr., better known as Walt Whitman, is considered one of the most influential American poets in history. He was also an essayist and journalist, and his… learn more
A SIFT LESSON PLAN: CRITICAL SKILLS FOR NAVIGATING MEDIA
“Oh my goodness, have you seen all the political ads on the television recently?” said a colleague earlier this month. It’s an election year, but how are you… learn more
20 Langston Hughes Poems Everyone Should Read (Free Printables)
Poet Langston Hughes (1901-1967) was one of the most influential voices of the Harlem Renaissance. This movement brought national (and international) attention to the voices of Black artists, writers, and musicians.… learn more
25 Robert Frost Poems (Free Printables)
Say the name Robert Frost and you can practically hear trees swaying and snow falling. Robert Frost (1874-1963) is best known for his poems about nature that meditate… learn more
Affect or Effect: Simple Tricks for Helping Your Students Get It Right
Affect or effect. These two similar-sounding words trip up English speakers all the time. In fact, the definition of “affect” is “to have an effect on something.” How… learn more
Women's History Month: Women Who Rock! Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Use this packet for Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day, or any time of the year, to help your middle school students learn about the achievements of five… learn more
PBS Literature
Literature explores the main themes of written language. Young readers can use the REACH collection to study main ideas and compare and contrast central characters of a story.… learn more
16 Thrilling Sci-Fi Books for Tweens and Young Adults
From Star Wars to The Hunger Games, Divergent to Star Trek, sci-fi stories offer thought-provoking scenarios and plenty of excitement. If your middle-grade or young adult reader is… learn more
110 Interesting Idiom Examples Everyone Should Know
Idioms are expressions that have a meaning that isn’t immediately obvious from the words themselves. Every language has them, and fluent speakers use them casually without even thinking… learn more
39 Delightful Winter Poems for Kids of All Ages
The days are shorter, cooler, and darker, and there’s a chill in the air. As we settle into these cold-weather months, there are many ways to warm our… learn more
35 Best Aesop’s Fables (Free Printables)
For thousands of years, people have been sharing Aesop’s fables to prove a point or teach a moral. Find our favorite tales to share with students, plus get… learn more
40 Strong Persuasive Writing Examples (Essays, Speeches, Ads, and More)
The more we read, the better writers we become. Teaching students to write strong persuasive essays should always start with reading some top-notch models. This round-up of persuasive… learn more
GRAPHIC NOVELS, AUDIOBOOKS, AND MORE: 6 WAYS TO ADD ACCESSIBLE STORIES TO YOUR LIBRARY
TCEA TechNotes. As a middle school librarian, I am acutely aware of the in-between space that middle school students inhabit. I serve 6th graders who just moved up… learn more
42 Creative Book Report Ideas for Students
Inspire your students to share their love of books. Responding to what you read is an important literacy skill. Reading about other people’s experiences and perspectives helps kids… learn more
MiddleWeb: Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels
Fun and Engaging Strategies to Improve Close Reading and Critical Thinking in Every Classroom, MiddleWeb is all about the middle grades, with great 4-8 resources, book reviews, and… learn more
Book Report Alternative: Rewind the Plot!
Although summarizing the plot is an important component of a book report, it does not lend itself to student creativity. By mimicking popular websites that relate the plot… learn more
55+ Metaphor Examples, Plus Clever Ideas To Teach Them
Writers use figurative language like metaphors to bring their writing to life. But what exactly is a metaphor (and how is it different from a simile)? Learn more… learn more
YMI Language Arts Archives
Young Minds Inspired educational outreach programs tap into popular culture to create a dynamic learning experience. Browse by subject through our library of free study guides and online… learn more
WordGameTime: Free Word Games
Word Game Time is your destination for the best language arts games and homework help online. Our games are FREE, fun, trustworthy and approved by educators. Word Game… learn more
TeacherVision: Five Elements of a Plot
Five elements of a story's plot (introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution) provide the structure for this graphic organizer. This printable is customizable. Tailor the PDF… learn more
Nonfiction Text Features: Books and Lesson Ideas
Nonfiction text features can be a lot of fun to teach, but they can also feel a bit overwhelming because there is just so much information. Teaching students how to utilize all… learn more
Literary Term Infographics
Use these printable infographics to help with literary terms and usage. Infographics can help you to retain information, by telling a visual story. The Learning Exchange (TLE), funded… learn more
Busy Teacher for Busy English Teachers
Browse our database of 17,300 free printable worksheets and lesson plans for teaching English. No matter if you teach kids or adults, beginners or advanced students - BusyTeacher… learn more
15 Back-to-School Ideas for Middle and High School
With the back-to-school season upon us, it is time to begin planning for the first week of school activities you’ll complete this school year. Here are 15 engaging… learn more
MightyOwl: Language Arts
Fun and engaging Our videos, quizzes and worksheets prepare and support learners in a truly fun and engaging way Mighty and serious Our materials are developed by teachers… learn more
TeacherVision: Reading and Literature Lesson Plans
Learning to read well is a vital skill for students to master. Help them achieve that goal with printables, lesson plans, and activities that enhance reading skills. Browse… learn more
50 Reading & Writing Websites
Language arts, which include reading, writing, listening and speaking, may seem daunting if it’s been a long time since you’ve conjugated a sentence or written an expository essay.… learn more
18 of the Best Online Grammar Games for Middle School
Online grammar games for middle school students can be a great way for them to learn, practice, and fine-tune their skills. Games are a great way to make… learn more
50 Must-Read Books for Seventh Graders
Welcome to Amy’s Bookshelf! Here, teachers will find carefully curated book lists for each grade level from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Moving forward, new lists filled with book… learn more
English Language Topics
Focus on specific English language topics and enjoy some great ideas for ESL lesson plans. Find a wide range of interactive games, classroom activities, printable worksheets, instructional videos,… learn more
AdLit: Video Library
Find multimedia resources to help you improve teaching and learning in your classrooms — including a classroom strategy library, video modules demonstrating effective practices, professional development webcasts, and… learn more
All About Adolescent Literacy
AdLit is a national multimedia project that provides educators and families with resources to support readers and writers in middle school and high school. We are an education… learn more
Earth Day ELA Choice Board for Middle School
Celebrate Earth Day while enhancing ELa skills and knowledge with this 9-square choice board menu for middle school. Create independent or group practice opportunities as a standalone Earth… learn more
Storybird
Storybird is a unique language arts tool focused on visual storytelling. Storybird lets anyone make visual stories in seconds. We curate artwork from illustrators around the world and inspire writers… learn more
Read Write Think: Classroom Resources
Dive into a sea of resources, knowledge, and inspiration for all your literacy needs. With thousands of standards-based resources for teachers and students, you can be confident your… learn more
TED-Ed Lessons With a Halloween Theme
A TED-Ed lesson examines what made Poe's macabre works timeless classics. In Why Should You Read Edgar Allan Poe? students can learn about Poe's guiding principles for writing, the recurring… learn more
Read Write Middle
I am in my ninth year of teaching 7th grade. I taught Social Studies for two of those years and Language Arts for the rest. learn more
100 Winning Debate Topics for Middle School Students
When students learn to debate, they gain valuable life skills. Debates teach kids to research their topic, make informed choices, and argue effectively using facts instead of emotion.… learn more
What are Literature Centers?
Literature Circles are a way for students to assume a specific role in the study of something (usually a text). Though almost always associated with the content area… learn more
Informational Text Projects That Build Thinking and Creativity
Ideas for helping you move student work from ordinary knowledge to extraordinary thinking. New demands for literacy instruction require an emphasis on both literature and informational text. But… learn more
826 Digital Writing Lessons
Lessons are highly engaging and ready to use. They’re built around a topic and genre and focused on an educational outcome. learn more
EDSITEment: Lesson Plans
EDSITEment is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Trust for the Humanities. EDSITEment offers free resources for teachers, students, and parents searching for high-quality K-12… learn more
Middle School English Lesson Plans
Bright Hub Education Find lesson plans for grades 6-8 covering material in core curricula such as English, math, science, social studies, and art. Many plans offer a series… learn more
ELA Classroom: 20 Meaningful Vocabulary Activities for Every Grade
We Are Teachers Learning new words is like adding to your writing wardrobe. Your writing becomes so much more interesting and engaging when you have more options available.… learn more
Read Write Think Unit Plans
Here at ReadWriteThink, our mission is to provide educators, parents, and afterschool professionals with access to the highest quality practices in reading and language arts instruction by offering the very best… learn more
10 THINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WANT YOU TO KNOW
I originally wrote this post a couple years ago after talking with my son about his first year in middle school. The quotes are his…love them or leave… learn more
70 Great Short Stories to Teach in Middle School
A good short story is a perfect teaching tool. Because they require less time to read, they are an easy way to expose your students to new authors… learn more
Khan Academy: ELA 2nd-9th
A personalized learning resource for all ages Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace… learn more
Literature, Writing, and Research Skills
A collection of websites to assist middle school students in writing and research skills. learn more
Fun English Games for Kids
Welcome to Fun English Games for Kids! Find a wide range of free teaching resources that are perfect for students learning English, ESL classes and teachers looking for… learn more