Freckle Juice Novel Unit
Judy Blume’s Freckle Juice is a classic, must read with your students. Everyone is able to relate to Andrew as he wants something he can’t have. And, even though this is a novel that will have your students laughing, you can still use this Freckle Juice novel unit to teach Common Core standards! Read on to see our reading focus for some of the chapters and to print FREE handouts from our Freckle Juice novel unit.
Hyperbole is explored and analyzed in chapter one. We have students write a sentence that uses hyperbole that is of course about – FRECKLES!
In chapter three, we use Blume’s craft to be sure our students can distinguish shades of meaning among verbs that describe the same action. We even have them act out the sentences from the story. (Common Core Language Standard 5) We use five sentences from the chapter, and students must pick out verbs such as crept and gulped. Then, we laugh as they “creep into a room” and “gulp down a disgusting drink”. Fun!
The kids in our classrooms even read an informational text to learn all about freckles!
Now, if you click here, we would like to share the handouts we use for chapters one and three of our Freckle Juice novel unit. We have even given you several of our test questions for the Freckle Juice novel unit test. Enjoy!
Hoot Lesson Plans
The first year that I decided to teach the novel Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, I did not want my Hoot lesson plans to simply consist of reading a chapter, answering comprehension questions, and discussing the plot diagram and conflicts. So, I read the book chapter by chapter looking for literary techniques that could be analyzed and the craft of the author that could be examined and challenge my students to become better writers themselves. I ended up with Hoot lesson plans with titles like “Beatrice and her Barbecue Sandwich” in which we take a look at Hiaasen’s brilliant technique of suspense and voice. It was then that I fell in love with creating solid, standards-based fun lesson plans for novels. It all started with this novel, Hoot, and I must say, I think it’s one of the best teaching units we have ever created.
Scroll down to print free lesson plans for Hoot!
Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen, is one of our very favorite novels to use in our seventh grade classrooms. Some years we use it as a class read. Other years we use it as a book club choice along with Flush by the same author. We’ve even used it as an individual novel study unit.
Filled with realistic and quirky characters, this book has just the right amount of humor and suspense to keep our students begging to read. We take a good look at Hiaasen’s craft, how he uses voice, suspense, imagery, and creates such realistic characters. This book also has an omniscient point of view, so we examine that, as well as other literary devices such as irony and symbolism.
Many teachers have said so many kind words to us about our teaching unit for this novel. We encourage you to try it out.
Print our FREE sample packet for Hoot which includes a prereading activity, handouts for you to use for chapters 1-3, and a portion of a test!
The Watsons Go to Birmingham Lesson Plans
This post has a link for free The Watsons Go to Birmingham lesson plans. Yipee! Read on for the ideas, and make sure you click the link below to download FREE printables to help you teach this novel!
First, we wold like to outline a couple of activities from our The Watsons Go to Birmingham lesson plans. After reading chapter one, for example, we have students complete a chart in which they examine the characters. For each of the characters mentioned in chapter one, students write two facts about the person, two descriptive words for the character, and find a quote that shows the character’s personality. This ensures that students are returning to the text and defending their inferences with the text. You can print the chart that we use in the link below.
Here’s another fun idea from our The Watsons Go to Birmingham lesson plans! After reading chapter 15, allow your students to listen to the song “Yakety Yak”. Then, ask them some questions about the song. Also, Mr. Watson imitates a disc jockey in this chapter. In the fashion of the one written in chapter fifteen, have your students create their own disc jockey rhyme. You may want to allow them to complete this in groups. You can download these two activities in the link below.
Click here to download our FREE sample packet for The Watsons Go to Birmingham, and you can print the handouts that we use in these two activities, plus a portion of a test!
If you enjoy these free samples, consider downloading our entire teaching unit for this novel. You only buy it once, but you can use these activities for years to come! Plus, all of your plans will be done!
The Tale of Despereaux Lesson Plans
“I honor you…” These famous words from The Tale of Despereaux will ring in your students’ hearts long after they finish reading this novel. Read on for some fun The Tale of Despereaux lesson plans, activities, and ideas to use when teaching this novel, and be sure to print our FREE handouts and a test by clicking the link below!
There are many memorable characters in this novel, but Miggery Sow is definitely a heart gripper! The reader feels sympathy for her as soon as we read about her clouts to the ear. One of my really cool The Tale of Despereaux lesson plans involves an activity I used with my students this past school year. The way Miggery Sow is treated reminded me of a country song. So, I played the video of Taylor Swift’s song “Mean” by showing them the YouTube music video. This song fits perfectly for Mig and her very mean uncle. After watching the video, I had my students write a short paragraph explaining why the song is so fitting for Mig. Then, I challenged them to find songs appropriate and fitting for the other characters in the book. They absolutely loved this, and when we were done reading, we had a vote and put together a sound track for the entire novel!
After finishing the book, I showed the movie. The movie is very different from the book, and I wanted my students to take note of the differences so that we could discuss how these differences affected the plot. I gave them what I will call an “active watching guide” so that they could take notes while whatching. We held a discussion, and then I gave a test which compared the novel and the movie. This provided a great opportunity for me to cover an important Common Core standard!
Click here to download our FREE sample packet for The Tale of Despereaux and you will have two printables and a portion of a test! If you enjoy these freebies, consider downloading our entire teaching unit for this novel. You’ll have handouts to help you teach each chapter as well as tests, including one to compare the novel to the movie. You only buy it once, and you have it for years to come! Plus, all of your plans will be complete!
Happy teaching!
Bridge to Terabithia Lesson Plans….
If you’re looking for Bridge to Terabithia lesson plans, activities, and printables, stay put. There is a free download on this page for Bridge to Terabithia lesson plans below!
Katherine Paterson’s Newberry Medal novel Bridge to Terabithia is a gripping story about the unlikely friendship of a lonely boy and girl. As their friendship grows, they create a magical kingdom in the forest. This touching story will be one of your students’ favorite novel! Read on for activities I use while teaching this book and to print FREE handouts!
Two of my most interesting activities I use while we read this book accompany chapters five and nine. After reading chapter nine, I provide students with a handout that includes snippets of conversations had by both the Aarons and Burke families. The students spend time thinking about the impact the use of dialect has on the development of the characters. They infer why the author most likely used the dialect in the dialogue.
After analyzing the author’s craft in this chapter, when we finish chapter nine, my students are ready for some dialogue writing of their own. In chapter nine, student’s take a careful look at the serious tone Jesse and Leslie use while they are at Terabithia. I mean, they REALLY use a serious tone! We have to haul out the dictionaries to be sure we know the meanings of some of the words they use.
Then, my seventh graders practice writing a dialogue that they would have with a friend while visiting the magical kingdom of Terabithia. They must use a formal tone in their written dialogue. Sure, these sassy scholars moan and groan after they first hear they have to actually write, but they get into it after a bit. The last thing I have them do is choose a classmate to help them read the dialogue and bring it to life. (Never hurts to have a bit of fluency practice!)
I have a free little Bridge to Terabithia packet you can download, and you are welcome to use the chapter nine activity.
The packet also has handouts for chapters four and thirteen and even a few questions from a test! If you enjoy this free packet, consider purchasing our entire unit. Your plans will all be complete for you. You will simply print and teach! Best of all, you will have it to use year after year!
Happy Teaching!
The Cay Lesson Plans
If you’re looking for The Cay lesson plans, printables, or activities, you’re in the right spot! The Cay by Theodore Taylor is a story of survival and friendship. Your students will not want to stop reading this awesome and powerful story!
Scroll down to print free lesson plans/handouts for this novel.
After reading chapter one of The Cay, we have students analyze the setting by explaining how it relates to the main character. We also have them pay attention to any historical information regarding the setting. After chapter three, we take a look at Timothy’s dialect. Students absolutely love reading Timothy’s dialogue. We use another chart and have students translate what Timothy says in this chapter.
The Cay lesson plans and activities that we offer in our unit will engage your students and help them become better readers as they analyze the literary elements and author’s craft in this novel.
Print these two handouts for chapters one and three as well as a test for chapters 1-6
If you enjoy this free sample, consider downloading our entire teaching unit for The Cay. You will have everything ready to print and teach! Plus, you can save it and use it year after year!
Maniac Magee Lesson Plans
All students love Jerry Spinelli’s Maniac Magee! Scroll down to print free Maniac Magee lesson plans and a test.
The unforgettable characters and the legend of Maniac paired with a plot that deals with real issues and family life create the perfect realistic story. In the classroom, this book lends itself perfectly for an independent or whole-class study. Before starting your own Maniac Magee lesson plans, we recommend listing literary techniques and passages from the book to study. For example, the Finsterwald’s backyard is described in chapter 5 of this novel. This description is captivating, mainly because of the metaphor, imagery, and humor in it. After reading the description, we have our students write their own description, mimicking Spinelli’s writing style. In the students’ description, they must describe the yard as if it is the nicest place in town instead of the worst. With activities such as this one, students are not only examining the literary elements of imagery and metaphor, but they are also growing as writers by studying the author’s craft.
You can download the handout for this Maniac Magee writing activity in the link below.
In our teaching unit, the Maniac Magee lesson plans handouts guide students in analyzing literary elements, such as dramatic irony, conflict, and theme. In addition, we provide printables that teach students to study the author’s craft by taking a look at things such as Spinelli’s word choice and creation of realistic characters.
We would like to share some of our printables from our Maniac Magee lesson plans with you. Just click the link below. If you like these lesson ideas, consider purchasing our entire unit. Buy it one time, and use it for years. Everything will be ready for you to print and teach. Your planning – done! We hope you enjoy the free lessons!
Click here to download our FREE sample packet for Maniac Magee which includes handouts for chapters five, six through eight, and a test!
Double Dutch lesson plans
The novel Double Dutch is perfect for a whole class read or an independent novel study. However, in our classrooms, we use this book as a choice on our book club list. Students in book clubs read the book independently and then get together three times to complete activities and discuss the novel. We would like to share some of our Double Dutch lesson plans with you! The download will contain activities for the following literary elements: Chapter 5 – making inferences and drawing conclusions, chapter 6- allusions, chapter 7- point of view, chapter 8 – theme.
Click here to download free printables from our Double Dutch lesson plans!
If you like these free handouts, consider purchasing our complete teaching unit so you will have all of our Double Dutch lesson plans and printables. All of your plans will be complete, and you can use them for years to come!
While we use this novel as a book club choice, it is also perfect for a whole class read or an independent novel study. Our seventh graders love this book! And while it is about double dutch, it’s perfect for both girls and boys. The Tolliver twins, Randy, and Delia all have secrets, and this is one thing that makes the book such a page-turner! We hope you enjoy the free lessons. Happy teaching!
The Great Gilly Hopkins lesson plans
Want to hear some good news? This post has a free The Great Gilly Hopkins lesson plans preview lessons for you to download! In my classroom, I offer The Great Gilly Hopkins as a choice for literature circles, but this book will also work perfectly as a class read or as an individual novel study.
It is often hard to incorporate Common Core standards into activities students are completing on their own or in a small group. One of the activities that students enjoy with this novel is completed after reading chapter four. In this chapter, Gilly receives a letter from her mom. I have each member of the Gilly lit circle group reply to this letter by taking on the persona of Gilly herself. This requires the students to really understand her inner thoughts and feelings and conflicts. After the students in the literature circle have all written their own “Gilly letter”, I have them swap letters and then respond to Gilly from mom! Both activities require my students to delve back into the chapter and revisit the text. This is the kind of activity that is included in our The Great Gilly Hopkins lesson plans packet.
Click the link below to print the instructions for this activity and print some other free handouts as well from our Gilly Hopkins Teaching Unit.
Print FREE lessons and handouts for the novel The Great Gilly Hopkins.
ELA Core Plans provides teacher-written lesson plans, bellringers, and novel units designed to coordinate with Common Core State Standards.
