1.   Define unknown words through context clues and the author’s use of comparison, contrast and cause and effect.

1. Spelling City  Spelling City is a fun new educational site that can help children improve their spelling skills:
   -  contains over 25,000 words, including plurals, contractions, future and past tenses. -  uses a REAL human voice that says both the word and the word in a sentence -  a 'Teach Me' function that spells out the word using both visual and auditory input to improve retention -  teachers and parents can enter and save their own spelling lists for their students/children
   -  students can play games with their words or any saved lists
   -  teachers and parents can save and share their lists.
   -  the forum allows teachers and parents to share lists and ideas   4 Star
2. Inflation in Russia - read and answer questions
3. News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC. Each story has a ten question quiz associated with it. They also have a section of stories which include math in the news and the quiz
4. Reading Exercises - Comprehension, Fill in and Sequencing
5. Kids Port.  Great site to assist in all areas
6. Words with multiple meanings - students fill in the blanks from a word list
7. Context is the Key - students use context clues to determine the meaning of a word
8. Using Multiple Meanings - students decide which sentences use a word correctly
9. Main Idea - The main idea of a paragraph is what all the sentences are about. Read the paragraph and ask, “What’s your point?”
10. Cause-and-Effect Writing Challenges Students - The cause-and-effect relationship is both a way of thinking and a format for writing. Teachers who emphasize cause-and-effect writing say that they are helping students learn to think critically as well as write cogently. Read what three experienced teachers have to say about this teaching approach, which can be used with students of all ages. This is an article from Education World magazine .
11. practice context clues

2.   Apply knowledge of connotation and denotation to determine the meaning of words.

3.   Identify the relationships of pairs of words in analogical statements (e.g., synonyms and antonyms) and infer word meanings from these relationships.

1. Synonym Match Game one- Concentration style Game Two - Game Three
2. Synonym & Antonym Word Encounters - Level 1 words | Level 2 words | Level 3 words
3. Synonym.com - type as word in the box and find a synonym, or antonym, of the word.
4. Words with multiple meanings - students fill in the blanks from a word list
5. Say it Another Way - Fill in the blank with a synonym for the missing word.
6. The Thesaurus - a reference book that lists words and their synonyms - Drag and drop the words to the right thesaurus entry.
7. Teaching Students to Make Inferences
8. Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions - descriptions of the various ways to aid you in reaching a conclusion
9. Fact Monster Analogy of the Day
10. Analogy Quiz which requires students to type the word to complete the analogy
11. Analogy Lesson from Diana Dell
12. Analogy quiz 1at Quia posted by Diana Dell
13. Analogy quiz 2 at Quia posted by Diana Dell
14. Analogy Quiz from Paul Shoebottom at Frankfurt International School
15. Awesome Analogies for one or two players - posted at Quia
16. Discovery School Analogy Quizzes
    1. AnalogyQuiz8
    2. AnalogyQuiz9
    3. AnalogyQuiz10
17. Puzz.com has a quiz with 152 analogies - pick one or two a day and practice this valuable skill
18. Analogy PowerPoint Show template - you make modifications to use with your students
19. Critical Reasoning Warm-ups - (Scroll down, it's there!) These are warm-ups for people who are somewhat familiar with critical reasoning questions. These questions are a good way to start your brain thinking before you answer the real questions
20. antonyms, synonyms, homophones  

4.   Infer the literal and figurative meaning of words and phrases and discuss the function of figurative language, including metaphors, similes and idioms.

1. Reading Exercises - Comprehension, Fill in and Sequencing
2. A one-page handout giving examples of each poetic device
3. A ten-question quiz on Literary Terms - Choose whether the line from a poem is an example of alliteration, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification, or simile
4. Simile Poem - Read a simile poem, then write one of your own.
5. Simile RiddleSo you have to teach figures of speech, onomatopoeia, alliteration and all that stuff? The author loaded this one up for that purpose. More word-play for you to enjoy.
6. On Line Quiz  Practicing onomatopoeia, alliteration, rhyme, simile  Created by:  Katie Arabie
7. Word Play 1 | Word Play 2 | Word Play 3 | Word Play 4 | Word Play 5 | Word Play 6
8. Shakespearean alliteration insults - have fun while reinforcing the concept of alliteration
9. Do you know your similes? - drag the nouns to complete a Simile (Refresh the page to get a new set.)
10. Alliteration or Simile? - Choose whether each statement is an alliterative phrase, simile or neither.
11. Simile lesson with a printable quiz
12. simile and metaphors
13. ON LINE QUIZ  HOMOPHONES  CREATED BY: Katie Arabie
14. ON LINE QUIZ  ANTONYMS  CREATED BY:  Katie Arabie
15. ON LINE QUIZ  RHYMING WORDS  CREATED BY:  Katie Arabie

5.   Examine and discuss the ways that different events (e.g., cultural, political, social, technological, and scientific events) impact and change the English language.

1. Inflation in Russia - read and answer questions
2. Literal Understanding - Interactive quizzes with factual information on planets
3. News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC. Each story has a ten question quiz associated with it. They also have a section of stories which include math in the news and the quiz
4. Sample assignment - Invent an X-ray satellite, name it, draw a picture of it. Write a one- to two-page persuasion letter addressed to your Congressperson or essay for your local newspaper in order to obtain funding for your X-ray astronomy mission.
5. Foreign Words and Phrases - The English meanings given are not necessarily literal translations.

6.   Use knowledge of Greek, Latin and Anglo-Saxon roots, prefixes and suffixes to understand complex words and new subject-area vocabulary (e.g., unknown words in science, mathematics and social studies).

7.   Determine the meanings and pronunciations of unknown words by using dictionaries, thesauruses, glossaries, technology and textual features, such as definitional footnotes or sidebars.

1. News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC. Each story has a ten question quiz associated with it. They also have a section of stories which include math in the news and the quiz
2. Synonym.com - type as word in the box and find a synonym, or antonym, of the word.
3. Context is the Key - students use context clues to determine the meaning of a word
4. Say it Another Way - Fill in the blank with a synonym for the missing word.
5. The Thesaurus - a reference book that lists words and their synonyms - Drag and drop the words to the right thesaurus entry.
6. Match the Definition Exercises: - Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 (These activities are not interactive, but the answers are at the bottom of this page)
7. Word Meaning Jigsaw Game One- match words with their meanings
   Game Two; Game Three; Game Four; Game Five; Game Six.

Reading Process: Concepts of Print, Comprehension Strategies and Self-Monitoring Strategies

1.       Apply reading comprehension strategies, including making predictions, comparing and contrasting, recalling and summarizing and making inferences and drawing conclusions.

1. Brainchild Test - 12 questions - Students should use the summary page after finishing this test to practice their areas of weakness.
2. Inflation in Russia - read and answer questions
3. Reading Comprehension stories - Interactive quizzes online for 5 stories - Each text is followed by a grammar exercise and summary writing exercise.
4. Reading Exercises - Comprehension, Fill in and Sequencing
5. Kids Port.  Great site to assist in all areas Reading Comprehension - free reading comprehension worksheets for teachers and parents - includes original stories, poems, essays, and articles
6. Cause-and-Effect Writing Challenges Students - The cause-and-effect relationship is both a way of thinking and a format for writing. Teachers who emphasize cause-and-effect writing say that they are helping students learn to think critically as well as write cogently. Read what three experienced teachers have to say about this teaching approach, which can be used with students of all ages. This is an article from Education World magazine .
7. Teaching Students to Make Inferences
8. Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions - descriptions of the various ways to aid you in reaching a conclusion
9. Drawing Conclusions - Read the story and choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
10.  

2.       Answer literal, inferential, evaluative and synthesizing questions to demonstrate comprehension of grade-appropriate print texts and electronic and visual media.

1. Movie transcripts   You will find the transcripts from many if not all movies made on this website.  You will notice how they identify and explain various types of characters.  4 Star
2. Brainchild Test - 12 questions - Students should use the summary page after finishing this test to practice their areas of weakness.
3. Eighth Grade Reading - Read the introduction and the passage that follows. Then read each question and mark the circle next to the correct answer.
4. Inflation in Russia - read and answer questions
5. News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC. Each story has a ten question quiz associated with it. They also have a section of stories which include math in the news and the quiz
6. Reading Comprehension stories - Interactive quizzes online for 5 stories - Each text is followed by a grammar exercise and summary writing exercise.
7. Reading Exercises - Comprehension, Fill in and Sequencing
8. Main Idea - Reading comprehension: how to find the main idea in text
9. Locating the Main Ideas of Paragraphs with Main-Idea Maps
10. Finding the Main Idea
11. Main Idea - The main idea of a passage or reading is the central thought or message.
12. Main Idea - Building Blocks of Comprehension
13. Reading Comprehension - free reading comprehension worksheets for teachers and parents - includes original stories, poems, essays, and articles
14. Teaching Students to Make Inferences
15. Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions - descriptions of the various ways to aid you in reaching a conclusion
16. Main Idea - The main idea of a paragraph is what all the sentences are about. Read the paragraph and ask, “What’s your point?”
17. Critical Reasoning Warm-ups - (Scroll down, it's there!) These are warm-ups for people who are somewhat familiar with critical reasoning questions. These questions are a good way to start your brain thinking before you answer the real questions

3.       Monitor own comprehension by adjusting speed to fit the purpose, or by skimming, scanning, reading on, looking back, not taking or summarizing what has been read so far in text.

1. Reading Comprehension stories - Interactive quizzes online for 5 stories - Each text is followed by a grammar exercise and summary writing exercise.
2. Reading Exercises - Comprehension, Fill in and Sequencing
3. Reading Comprehension - free reading comprehension worksheets for teachers and parents - includes original stories, poems, essays, and articles
4. Online Lessons - Cloze exercises, speed reading and more
5. Online Practice for Reading - Many choices of text selections - Choose specific activity from the frame on the left to practice skills.
6. Cloze Tests Exercises
7. Cloze Test: (Reading test - Proficiency level) - Students are to complete the text with one word in each gap.
8. Cloze Test: (Exploration - Why in the World?) - Students are to complete the text with one word in each gap.
9.  Cloze Test: (Juliet) - longing for Romeo to arrive - Act III, Scene 2.
10. Cloze Test: (The Chink) - A long (and fairly difficult) cloze exercise about the experiences of a young man of Japanese extraction during World War Two.

4.       Use criteria to choose independent reading materials (e.g., personal interest, knowledge of authors and genres, or recommendations from others).

1. Webquest about Story Elements -Each team presents a brief informational summary after reading the book Holes by Louis Sachar. (Holes WebQuest created by Janet Swartz)
2. Using Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart to illustrate verbal and situational irony

5.       Independently read books for various purposes (e.g., for enjoyment, for literary experience, to gain information or to perform a task).

1. Reading Comprehension - free reading comprehension worksheets for teachers and parents - includes original stories, poems, essays, and articles
2. Using Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart to illustrate verbal and situational irony
3. Cloze Tests Exercises
4. Cloze Test: (Reading test - Proficiency level) - Students are to complete the text with one word in each gap.
5. Cloze Test: (Exploration - Why in the World?) - Students are to complete the text with one word in each gap.
6.  Cloze Test: (Juliet) - longing for Romeo to arrive - Act III, Scene 2.
7. Cloze Test: (The Chink) - A long (and fairly difficult) cloze exercise about the experiences of a young man of Japanese extraction during World War Two.

Reading Applications: Informational, Technical and Persuasive Text

1.      Compare and contrast text features, including format and headers of various informational texts in terms of their structure and purpose.

1. Literal Understanding - Interactive quizzes with factual information on planets
2. Read a Contract - and answer questions
3. Kids Port.  Great site to assist in all areas
4. Short Story Elements - Online Quiz

1. Eighth Grade Reading - Read the introduction and the passage that follows. Then read each question and mark the circle next to the correct answer.
2. News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC. Each story has a ten question quiz associated with it. They also have a section of stories which include math in the news and the quiz
3. Making The Relationship Explicit Between Your Ideas - from UniLearning - Academic Writing
4. Cause-and-Effect Writing Challenges Students - The cause-and-effect relationship is both a way of thinking and a format for writing. Teachers who emphasize cause-and-effect writing say that they are helping students learn to think critically as well as write cogently. Read what three experienced teachers have to say about this teaching approach, which can be used with students of all ages. This is an article from Education World magazine .
5. Finding the purpose of each paragraph - from a site on preparing for the GRE
6. Cause and Effect graphic organizer

1. Literal Understanding - Interactive quizzes with factual information on planets

4.       Analyze information found in maps, charts, tables, graphs, diagrams, cutaways and overlays.

1. Eighth Grade Reading - Read the introduction and the passage that follows. Then read each question and mark the circle next to the correct answer.
2. News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC. Each story has a ten question quiz associated with it. They also have a section of stories which include math in the news and the quiz
3. Online Practice for Reading - Many choices of text selections - Choose specific activity from the frame on the left to practice skills.

5.      Assess the adequacy, accuracy and appropriateness of an author's details, identifying persuasive techniques (e.g., bandwagon, testimonial and emotional word repetition) and examples of bias and stereotyping.

1. Persuasive Writing
2. The Five Paragraph Essay Wizard - Persuasive Essay and prompts (Note: this free site will occasionally exceed its allocated data transfer)
3. The Power of Persuasive Writing is a three week communication skills and interdisciplinary middle school Internet project. (a WebQuest)
4. Writing to Persuade - Persuasion means making someone with a different point of view from your own change their mind to your way of thinking.
5.  Text Types- Online game helping learn about the different text types such as persuasion, informative, descriptive, or instructive.
6. Analyzing Political Ads - Students will view current political ads and learn how they make use of various commercial ad appeals. Students will also develop familiarity with basic videography terms.
7. Guide to Analysis of Political Ads
8. Affluenza: A PBS Program - Lessons such as "Be an Adbuster!" and "What are Advertisers Selling?" are based on Affluenza, a one-hour television special that explores the high social and environmental costs of materialism and over consumption. The lessons can be used without the video
9. Critical Reasoning Warm-ups - (Scroll down, it's there!) These are warm-ups for people who are somewhat familiar with critical reasoning questions. These questions are a good way to start your brain thinking before you answer the real questions
10. the different Persuasive Techniques

1. The Five Paragraph Essay Wizard - Persuasive Essay and prompts (Note: this free site will occasionally exceed its allocated data transfer)
2. Locating the Main Ideas of Paragraphs with Main-Idea Maps
3. Main Idea - Reading comprehension: how to find the main idea in text
4. Finding the Main Idea
5. Main Idea - The main idea of a passage or reading is the central thought or message.
6. Main Idea - Building Blocks of Comprehension
7. What's the Big Idea? Exercise 1 - Write the common subject for each group of words, or "write a good title for each list." - a worksheet to print, not interactive
8. What's the Big Idea? Exercise 2 - Write the common subject for each group of words, or "write a good title for each list." - a worksheet to print, not interactive
9. What's the Big Idea? Exercise 3 - a bit harder than 1 & 2 - Write the common subject for each group of words, or "write a good title for each list." Then add another example that could be included in that group. Be as specific as you can. - a worksheet to print, not interactive
10. Main Idea - The main idea of a paragraph is what all the sentences are about. Read the paragraph and ask, “What’s your point?”
11. Reading for a Purpose - Nine activities to check understanding about the purposes of different sorts of text
12. The writer's purpose and voice - from a site on preparing for the GRE
13. Using Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart to illustrate verbal and situational irony

7.      Analyze an author's argument, perspective or viewpoint and explain the development of key points.

1. News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC. Each story has a ten question quiz associated with it. They also have a section of stories which include math in the news and the quiz
2. Persuasive Writing
3. The Five Paragraph Essay Wizard - Persuasive Essay and prompts (Note: this free site will occasionally exceed its allocated data transfer)
4. The Power of Persuasive Writing is a three week communication skills and interdisciplinary middle school Internet project. (a WebQuest)
5. Main Idea - The main idea of a paragraph is what all the sentences are about. Read the paragraph and ask, “What’s your point?”
6. The writer's purpose and voice - from a site on preparing for the GRE
7. Writing to Persuade - Persuasion means making someone with a different point of view from your own change their mind to your way of thinking.
8. Critical Reasoning Warm-ups - (Scroll down, it's there!) These are warm-ups for people who are somewhat familiar with critical reasoning questions. These questions are a good way to start your brain thinking before you answer the real questions

8.       Recognize how writes cite facts, draw inferences and present opinion in informational text.

1. Literal Understanding - Interactive quizzes with factual information on planets
2. Persuasive Writing
3. The Five Paragraph Essay Wizard - Persuasive Essay and prompts (Note: this free site will occasionally exceed its allocated data transfer)
4. The Power of Persuasive Writing is a three week communication skills and interdisciplinary middle school Internet project. (a WebQuest)

9.       Distinguish the characteristics of consumer materials (e.g., warranties, product information, instructional materials), functional or workplace documents (e.g., job-related materials, memoranda, instructions) and public documents (e.g., speeches or newspaper editorials).

1. News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC. Each story has a ten question quiz associated with it. They also have a section of stories which include math in the news and the quiz
2. Read a Contract - and answer questions
3. Online Practice for Reading - Many choices of text selections - Choose specific activity from the frame on the left to practice skills.

Reading Applications: Literary Text

1.   Identify and explain various types of characters (e.g., flat, round dynamic, static) and how their interactions and conflicts affect the plot.

1. Movie transcripts   You will find the transcripts from many if not all movies made on this website.  You will notice how they identify and explain various types of characters.  4 Star
2. Kids Port.  Great site to assist in all areas
3. Webquest about Story Elements -Each team presents a brief informational summary after reading the book Holes by Louis Sachar. (Holes WebQuest created by Janet Swartz)

1. Webquest about Story Elements -Each team presents a brief informational summary after reading the book Holes by Louis Sachar. (Holes WebQuest created by Janet Swartz)
2.  Using Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart to illustrate verbal and situational irony
3. Critical Concepts - Verbal Irony
4. Critical Concepts - Dramatic Irony

3.  Explain how authors pace action and use subplots, parallel episodes and climax.

1. Webquest about Story Elements -Each team presents a brief informational summary after reading the book Holes by Louis Sachar. (Holes WebQuest created by Janet Swartz)
2. The writer's purpose and voice - from a site on preparing for the GRE
3. Using Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart to illustrate verbal and situational irony

4.  Compare and contrast different points of view (e.g., first person and third person limited, omniscient, objective and subjective), and explain how voice affects literary text.

1. Point of View - Two Heads Aren't Always Better Than One. suggestions regarding choosing a point of view for your writing
2. Definition of Point of View - All literature must be narrated or recorded by someone, and an author must decide who that someone will be.

6.  Explain how an author's choice of genre affects the expression of theme or topic.

1. Webquest about Story Elements -Each team presents a brief informational summary after reading the book Holes by Louis Sachar. (Holes WebQuest created by Janet Swartz)
2. The writer's purpose and voice - from a site on preparing for the GRE
3. An Overview of Poetry - a comprehensive show on the topic of rhythm and rhyme

7.   Identify examples of foreshadowing and flashback in a literary text.

1. Webquest about Story Elements -Each team presents a brief informational summary after reading the book Holes by Louis Sachar. (Holes WebQuest created by Janet Swartz)

8.   Explain ways in the author conveys mood and tone through word choice, figurative language, and syntax.

1. Using Eudora Welty's The Ponder Heart to illustrate verbal and situational irony
2. Critical Concepts - Verbal Irony
3. Critical Concepts - Dramatic Irony

1. Different Types of Text - Do you understand the purpose of different text types and the main differences between them? Online quizzes
2. 12 Exercises for Improving Dialogue from the Writer's Resource Center
3. Narrative and Dialogue - A Contrast In Writing Styles
4. Critical Concepts - Verbal Irony
5. Critical Concepts - Dramatic Irony

Writing Processes

1.       Generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material, and keep a list of writing ideas.

1. Communicating    You have the opportunity to create a Poster, Newspaper and or a Cartoon.  This website is very good and will allow students to learn how to transform their ideas to a hard copy that they may printout.   This is great for an LCD projector or a computer lab.  4 Star 
2. Communicating through Garfield  Your students may create a cartoon and depending on your experience with technology they may create a complete story.  You will only be limited by your technology background and your imagination.  4 Star 
3. Kids Port.  Great site to assist in all areas
4. Writing Dialogue - This is a dialogue sheet which can be used to teach students to include the basic characteristics of good dialogue in their own writing. The form may be modified to include whatever characteristics the instructor desires.
5. Prewriting Tactics (6 - 8) Students organize and group related ideas. (Author - Laurie Ayers)
6. Step-by-step Guide to Brainstorming - an effective way to generate lots of ideas and then determine which idea(s) best solves the problem
7. Prewriting Techniques from Friends University Writing Center
8. Prewriting Techniques from Mason, Kentucky

1. Bibliographic Blunders (6 - 8) Students use note cards to collect information. (Author - Carolyn Garner)

1. Information Elimination (6 - 8) Students model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)
2. Compose a Thesis Statement - Now that you have decided, at least tentatively, what information you plan to present in your essay, you are ready to write your thesis statement.
3. How To Write a Thesis Statement
4. Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements – from the OWL at Purdue 11/12/05
5. Thesis statement - instruction and practice

1. Making The Relationship Explicit Between Your Ideas - from UniLearning - Academic Writing
2. Britannica - a study guide  

1. The Power of Persuasive Writing is a three week communication skills and interdisciplinary middle school Internet project. (a WebQuest)
2. Making The Relationship Explicit Between Your Ideas - from UniLearning - Academic Writing
3. Poetry writing practice web
4. Writing Dialogue - This is a dialogue sheet which can be used to teach students to include the basic characteristics of good dialogue in their own writing. The form may be modified to include whatever characteristics the instructor desires.
5. Prewriting Tactics 
6. Bibliographic Blunders (6 - 8) Students use note cards to collect information. (Author - Carolyn Garner)
7. Creating an Argument - This exercise will guide you through the prewriting, organizing and writing stages of producing a philosophy.
8. Information Elimination (6 - 8) Students model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)
9. Prewriting Tactics (6 - 8) Students organize and group related ideas. (Author - Laurie Ayers)

6.      Organize writing with an effective and engaging introduction, body and a conclusion that summarizes, extends or elaborates on points or ideas in the writing.

1. Making The Relationship Explicit Between Your Ideas - from UniLearning - Academic Writing
2. Transitional Devices (Connecting Words) - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
3. Writing Academic Essays - transition words
4. Creating an Argument - This exercise will guide you through the prewriting, organizing and writing stages of producing a philosophy.
5. Information Elimination (6 - 8) Students model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)
6. Trailblazing Introductions (6 - 8) Students develop a sense of beginning by using strong leads. (Author - Laurie Ayers
7. Trailblazing Conclusions (6 - 8) Students develop a sense of ending by using closure and thought-provoking statements. (Author - Laurie Ayers)

1. Semicolons in Compound Sentences - Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.
2. Semicolon - The semicolon comes third in the descending order of punctuation: period, colon, semicolon, comma. It indicates a pause or degree of separation less than a colon but more than a comma.
3. Combining Sentences for Variety and Clarity

8.      Group related ideas into paragraphs, including topic sentences following paragraph form, and maintain a consistent focus reinforced by parallel structures across paragraphs.

1. Making The Relationship Explicit Between Your Ideas - from UniLearning - Academic Writing
2. Finding the purpose of each paragraph - from a site on preparing for the GRE
3. Writing Academic Essays - transition words
4. Transitional Devices (Connecting Words) - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
5. Transitional Devices - transitional guides are connectives (symbols,words, phrases; sometimes whole sentences and paragraphs) that make possible a smooth "passing over" from one idea to the next
6. Information Elimination (6 - 8) Students model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)
7. Britannica - a study guide
8.  Putting together a paragraph - instruction and practice web site 

1. Nouns    Smart Board presentation with video on this part of English Language.  SB  Created by:  Shannon Weston
2. Adjectives  Smart Board presentation with video on this part of English Language  SB  Created by:  Shannon Weston
3. Verbs  Smart Board presentation with video on this part of the English language. SB  Created by:  Shannon Weston
4. Transitions indicate relations, whether from sentence to sentence, or from paragraph to paragraph. This is a list of "relationships" that supporting ideas may have, followed by a list of "transitional" words and phrases  that can connect those ideas
5. Transitional Devices (Connecting Words) - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
6. Writing Academic Essays - transition words
7. Transitional Devices (Connecting Words) - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
8. Transitional Devices - transitional guides are connectives (symbols,words, phrases; sometimes whole sentences and paragraphs) that make possible a smooth "passing over" from one idea to the next
9. A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices - definitions and examples of more than sixty traditional rhetorical devices, all of which can still be useful today to improve the effectiveness, clarity, and enjoyment of your writing
10. Figurative Language - terms, definitions, and an example
11. Online Grammar Quizzes - many categories to select from
12. Grammar Blast - Choose your grade level and practice grammar skills
13. Comparative & Superlative Quiz - Click the answer buttons to see the answers
14. using precise language - an instruction and practice web site

1. The Power of Persuasive Writing is a three week communication skills and interdisciplinary middle school Internet project. (a WebQuest)
2. Making The Relationship Explicit Between Your Ideas - from UniLearning - Academic Writing
3. Writing Dialogue - This is a dialogue sheet which can be used to teach students to include the basic characteristics of good dialogue in their own writing. The form may be modified to include whatever characteristics the instructor desires.
4. A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices - definitions and examples of more than sixty traditional rhetorical devices, all of which can still be useful today to improve the effectiveness, clarity, and enjoyment of your writing
5. Creating an Argument - This exercise will guide you through the prewriting, organizing and writing stages of producing a philosophy.
6. Writing Effective Sentences: Eliminating Sentence Errors Comma Splices and Fused Sentences - not interactive
7. Magnetic Poetry - uses a refrigerator and magnets to create poetry
8. Keyboarding skill - this site improves students keyboarding skills

11.      Reread and analyze clarity of writing and consistency of point of view.

1. Creating an Argument - This exercise will guide you through the prewriting, organizing and writing stages of producing a philosophy.
2. Writing Effective Sentences: Eliminating Sentence Errors Comma Splices and Fused Sentences - not interactive
3. Combining Sentences for Variety and Clarity

1. Persuasive Writing
2. The Five Paragraph Essay Wizard - Persuasive Essay and prompts (Note: this free site will occasionally exceed its allocated data transfer)
3. Transitional Devices - transitional guides are connectives (symbols,words, phrases; sometimes whole sentences and paragraphs) that make possible a smooth "passing over" from one idea to the next
4. Information Elimination (6 - 8) Students model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)
5. Writing Effective Sentences: Eliminating Sentence Errors Comma Splices and Fused Sentences - not interactive
6. Examples and Explanations - instruction and practice

13.  Rearrange words, sentences and  paragraphs, and add transitional words and phrases to clarify meaning.

1. Guide to Grammar   You will find that this is an outstanding site to assist you and your students in learning proper grammar  4 Star
2. Persuasive Writing
3. The Five Paragraph Essay Wizard - Persuasive Essay and prompts (Note: this free site will occasionally exceed its allocated data transfer)
4. Transitions indicate relations, whether from sentence to sentence, or from paragraph to paragraph. This is a list of "relationships" that supporting ideas may have, followed by a list of "transitional" words and phrases  that can connect those ideas
5. Transitional Devices (Connecting Words) - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
6. Writing Academic Essays - transition words
7. Transitional Devices - transitional guides are connectives (symbols,words, phrases; sometimes whole sentences and paragraphs) that make possible a smooth "passing over" from one idea to the next
8. A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices - definitions and examples of more than sixty traditional rhetorical devices, all of which can still be useful today to improve the effectiveness, clarity, and enjoyment of your writing
9. Trailblazing Introductions (6 - 8) Students develop a sense of beginning by using strong leads. (Author - Laurie Ayers
10. Trailblazing Conclusions (6 - 8) Students develop a sense of ending by using closure and thought-provoking statements. (Author - Laurie Ayers)
11. Avoiding Comma Splices, Fused Sentences, and Run-On's from LEO: Literacy Education Online
12. Combining Sentences for Variety and Clarity

1. Word Meaning Jigsaw Game One- match words with their meanings
   Game Two; Game Three; Game Four; Game Five; Game Six
2. A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices - definitions and examples of more than sixty traditional rhetorical devices, all of which can still be useful today to improve the effectiveness, clarity, and enjoyment of your writing
3. The CopyCat Game 1 from English-Zone
4. Merriam Webster site - includes dictionary, thesaurus, and word pronunciation 

15.  Proofread writing, edit to improve conventions (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization) and identify and correct fragments and run-ons.

1. Semicolon - The semicolon comes third in the descending order of punctuation: period, colon, semicolon, comma. It indicates a pause or degree of separation less than a colon but more than a comma.
2. Proofreading for Commas - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
3. Review: The Comma - Using a separate sheet of paper, rewrite each sentence to correct the comma usage. (answers provided)
4. A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices - definitions and examples of more than sixty traditional rhetorical devices, all of which can still be useful today to improve the effectiveness, clarity, and enjoyment of your writing
5. Power Proofreading - Choose your level of skill and your areas of concepts to practice with an interactive activity (choose grade 8) There are over two dozen different passages to choose from.
6. Avoiding Comma Splices, Fused Sentences, and Run-On's from LEO: Literacy Education Online
7. Combining Sentences for Variety and Clarity
8. Proofreading and grammar - excellent site, great for ESL students

1. The Power of Persuasive Writing is a three week communication skills and interdisciplinary middle school Internet project. (a WebQuest)
2. Writing Workshop - includes a mini lesson, time to work and a wrap up session
3. Writing to Persuade Rubric - Perhaps your students can understand writing to persuade better by seeing this rubric.
4. Information Elimination (6 - 8) Students model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)
5. Writing Effective Sentences: Eliminating Sentence Errors Comma Splices and Fused Sentences - not interactive
6. Peer Editing - site deals with giving and receiving peer feedback on writing 

1. Keyboarding skill - this site improves students keyboarding skills
2. Create your own Cartoons   This site will allow the student to design and create their own cartoons and printout a story.  You will discover that there is much detail to this page.  Students may use their imagination and be totally engaged when learning. 4 Star

Writing Applications

1.     Write narratives that:

a.  sustain reader interest by pacing action and developing an engaging plot (e.g., tension and suspense);

b.  use literary devices to enhance style and tone; and

c.  create complex characters in a definite, believable setting.

1. Kids Port.  Great site to assist in all areas
2. Different Types of Text - Do you understand the purpose of different text types and the main differences between them? Online quizzes
3. Writing Dialogue - "Personally, I think dialogue can make or break a story. Here are some tips I’ve discovered that may help you with yours," said Elizabeth Rose.
4. Writing Dialogue - This is a dialogue sheet which can be used to teach students to include the basic characteristics of good dialogue in their own writing. The form may be modified to include whatever characteristics the instructor desires.

2.  Write responses to literature that organize an insightful interpretation around several clear ideas, premises or images and support judgments with specific references to the original text, to other texts, authors and to prior knowledge.

1. Webquest about Story Elements -Each team presents a brief informational summary after reading the book Holes by Louis Sachar. (Holes WebQuest created by Janet Swartz)
2. Writing Workshop  - includes a mini lesson, time to work and a wrap up session 
3. Different Types of Text - Do you understand the purpose of different text types and the main differences between them? Online quizzes

a.  address audience needs, stated purpose and context in a clear and efficient manner;

b.  follow the conventional style appropriate to the text using proper technical terms;

c.  include appropriate facts and details;

d.  exclude extraneous details and inconsistencies; and provide a sense of closure to the writing.

1. Different Types of Text - Do you understand the purpose of different text types and the main differences between them? Online quizzes
2. Sample assignment - Invent an X-ray satellite, name it, draw a picture of it. Write a one- to two-page persuasion letter addressed to your Congressperson or essay for your local newspaper in order to obtain funding for your X-ray astronomy mission.
3. Britannica letter writing site - includes letter to editor, job applications and personal letters 

a.  pose relevant and tightly drawn questions that engage the reader;

b.  provide a clear and accurate perspective on the subject;

c.  create an organizing structure appropriate to the purpose, audience and context;

d.  support the main ideas with facts, details, examples and explanations from sources; and

e.  document sources and include bibliographies.

1. Which Writing? (6-8) Students learn about and practice expository writing. (Author - Carol Rine) 5
2. Different Types of Text - Do you understand the purpose of different text types and the main differences between them? Online quizzes
3. Information Elimination (6 - 8) Students model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)
4. Writing Effective Sentences: Eliminating Sentence Errors Comma Splices and Fused Sentences - not interactive

a.  establish and develop a controlling idea;

b.  support arguments with detailed evidence;

c.  exclude irrelevant information; and cite sources of information

1. Persuasive Writing
2. The Five Paragraph Essay Wizard - Persuasive Essay and prompts (Note: this free site will occasionally exceed its allocated data transfer)
3. Different Types of Text - Do you understand the purpose of different text types and the main differences between them? Online quizzes
4. Writing to Persuade - Persuasion means making someone with a different point of view from your own change their mind to your way of thinking.
5. Sample assignment - Invent an X-ray satellite, name it, draw a picture of it. Write a one- to two-page persuasion letter addressed to your Congressperson or essay for your local newspaper in order to obtain funding for your X-ray astronomy mission.
6. Creating an Argument - This exercise will guide you through the prewriting, organizing and writing stages of producing a philosophy.
7. Information Elimination (6 - 8) Students model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)
8. Writing Effective Sentences: Eliminating Sentence Errors Comma Splices and Fused Sentences - not interactive

1. Writing Workshop - includes a mini lesson, time to work and a wrap up session
2. Different Types of Text - Do you understand the purpose of different text types and the main differences between them? Online quizzes
3. Writing Poetry - site that allows for several different types of poetry 

Writing Conventions

1. Kids Port.  Great site to assist in all areas
2. Match the Definition Exercises: - Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 (These activities are not interactive, but the answers are at the bottom of this page)
3. Rootonym - Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 - studying the roots/cells: CESS/CED, CEPT/CIP and CUR.
4. Online Grammar Quizzes - many categories to select from
5. Grammar Blast - Choose your grade level and practice grammar skills
6. Spelling Practice

1. Guide to Grammar   You will find that this is an outstanding site to assist you and your students in learning proper grammar  4 Star
2. Commas vs. Semicolons in Compound Sentences - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
3. Semicolons in Compound Sentences - Use a semicolon to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.
4. Semicolon - The semicolon comes third in the descending order of punctuation: period, colon, semicolon, comma. It indicates a pause or degree of separation less than a colon but more than a comma.
5. Using Commas - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
6. Proofreading for Commas - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
7. Review: The Comma - Using a separate sheet of paper, rewrite each sentence to correct the comma usage. (answers provided)
8. Quotation Marks and Colons - online quiz
9. A Brief, No-Nonsense Guide to Comma Usage (plus a great cartoon)
10. Quotation Marks: Exercise to be printed and completed by students at their desk || answer to the exercise
11. Quotation Marks - Place commas and periods inside, not outside, quotation marks. Place all other punctuation outside quotation marks unless it was contained in the original source.
12. The Gallery Of "Misused" Quotation Marks Single Quotation Marks - Use single quotation marks for a quotation or title using quotation marks inside another quotation or title which uses quotation marks.
13. Online Grammar Quizzes - many categories to select from
14. Grammar Blast - Choose your grade level and practice grammar skills
15. Writing Effective Sentences: Eliminating Sentence Errors Comma Splices and Fused Sentences - not interactive
16. Avoiding Comma Splices, Fused Sentences, and Run-On's from LEO: Literacy Education Online
17. Using Commas: Exercise 1 || Exercise 2 || Exercise 3 || Exercise 4 || Exercise 5
18. ESL Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 1 - In the quiz questions , choose the correct verb so that subject and verb agree.
19. A test of the Emergency Grammar System - It is only a test. Actually, it isn't even a test ... and it contains more than grammar. Oh, never mind.... give it a try
20. Skillwise: Commas - practice proper usage of commas
21. Punctuation and Capitalization
22.  Capitalization - when done, visit the home site for tons of more English practice
23. Punctuation  - when done, visit the home site for tons of more English practice

1. Nouns    Smart Board presentation with video on this part of English Language.  SB  Created by:  Shannon Weston
2. Adjectives  Smart Board presentation with video on this part of English Language  SB  Created by:  Shannon Weston
3. Verbs  Smart Board presentation with video on this part of the English language. SB  Created by:  Shannon Weston
4. Transitional Devices (Connecting Words) - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
5. Adjective or Adverb Exercise 1
6. Adjective or Adverb Exercise 2
7. Parts of Speech - Noun, Verb, Preposition, etc. Interactive quizzes
8. Online Grammar Quizzes - many categories to select from
9. Parts of Speech Quiz -Select correct part of speech
10. Grammar Blast - Choose your grade level and practice grammar skills
11. Subject and Verb Agreement from LEO: Literacy Education Online
12. Subject Verb Agreement Quiz
13. There is  or  there are?
14. Making Subjects and Verbs Agree - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
15. Subject-Verb Agreement - from The Writer's Handbook
16. Let's see whether you understand subject-verb agreement. - Read each sentence, enter your response in the space provided, and then press "Submit" to check your answer
17. Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz - Select the correct verb form to agree with the subject
18. Subject-Verb Agreement: The Sore Thumb of Grammar
19. Subject Verb Agreement from Big Dog's Grammar
20. Making Subjects and Verbs Agree: Exercises - a worksheet to print, not interactive
21. The grammar outlaw: Disagreeing Subject and Verb, AKA The Disagreeable Sentence
22. Practicing adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word Skills 1 | Word Skills 2 | Word Skills 3
23. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement - LEO: Literacy Education Online
24. Agreement: pronoun antecedent from Big Dog's Grammar. After reviewing this material take an interactive quiz
25. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement - This tutorial will help you accomplish the following learning objectives: define and understand pronoun agreement, choose pronouns that agree with their antecedents in number, person, and gender and check and apply your skills
26. Pronoun Case - The case of some pronouns depends on their function in sentences or clauses. This lesson is followed by an interactive quiz
27. Pronoun Case - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL)
28. Conjunctions - Click on the buttons to find the correct answer
29. Conjunctions Quiz I - Click the answer buttons to see the answers
30. Conjunctions Quiz II - Combine the sentences using the conjunction given in parentheses.
31. Conjunction-itis Popup - Find the correct conjunction form to combine two short sentences together into one! (a Quia quiz)
32. ESL Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 1 - In the quiz questions , choose the correct verb so that subject and verb agree.
33. ESL Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 2 - Do this quiz after mastering the quiz questions and their rules in the first
34. A test of the Emergency Grammar System - It is only a test. Actually, it isn't even a test ... and it contains more than grammar. Oh, never mind.... give it a try
35. Grammar - provides definitions and examples of basic grammar
36. Madlibs - students create zany stories while filling in the different parts of grammar  

4.  Use clauses (e.g., main, subordinate) and phrases (e.g., gerund, infinitive, participial).

1. Online Grammar Quizzes - many categories to select from
2. Grammar Blast - Choose your grade level and practice grammar skills
3. Clauses - study guide and online practice tests

5.  Use parallel structure to present items in a series and items juxtaposed for emphasis.

1. Grammar Blast - Choose your grade level and practice grammar skills
2. Online Grammar Quizzes - many categories to select from
3. Writing consistently - study guide and online practice tests 

6.      Use proper placement of modifiers.

1. Online Grammar Quizzes - many categories to select from
2. Grammar Blast - Choose your grade level and practice grammar skills
3. Comparative & Superlative Quiz - Click the answer buttons to see the answers
4. Modifers  - study guide and online practice tests 

1. Verb and Preposition Combinations I - a quiz from the English-Zone
2. Verb and Preposition Combinations II - a quiz from the English-Zone
3. Verb and Preposition Combinations III - a quiz from the English-Zone
4. Online Grammar Quizzes - many categories to select from
5. Grammar Blast - Choose your grade level and practice grammar skills
6. Controlling Shifts in Verb Tense - General guideline: Do not shift from one tense to another if the time frame for each action or state is the same.
7. There is  or  there are?
8. Tag Questions 1 - Present Tense/To Be Verb/Affirmative
9. Practicing past, present & future tenses - Tense Activity 1 | Tense Activity 2 | Tense Activity 3
10. Using Verbs - study guide and online practice tests
11. ESL Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 1 - In the quiz questions , choose the correct verb so that subject and verb agree.
12. ESL Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 2 - Do this quiz after mastering the quiz questions and their rules in the first

1. Verb and Preposition Combinations I - a quiz from the English-Zone
2. Verb and Preposition Combinations II - a quiz from the English-Zone
3. Verb and Preposition Combinations III - a quiz from the English-Zone
4. Online Grammar Quizzes - many categories to select from
5. Grammar Blast - Choose your grade level and practice grammar skills
6. Controlling Shifts in Verb Tense - General guideline: Do not shift from one tense to another if the time frame for each action or state is the same.
7. Tag Questions 1 - Present Tense/To Be Verb/Affirmative
8. Making Subjects and Verbs Agree - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
9. Practicing past, present & future tenses - Tense Activity 1 | Tense Activity 2 | Tense Activity 3
10.  
11. ESL Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 1 - In the quiz questions , choose the correct verb so that subject and verb agree.
12. ESL Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 2 - Do this quiz after mastering the quiz questions and their rules in the first
13. Rise/Raise Practice Quiz - from Quia
14. Sit or Set Quiz - Complete the sentences using the proper form of "sit" or "set."
15. Raise or Rise? - Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer hidden under the answer button.
16. Confusing Verbs: Raise / Rise
17. The Notorious Confusables - Quiz 1 | Quiz 2 | Quiz 3 | Quiz 4 | Quiz 5
18. Using Verbs - study guide and online practice tests

9. Identify appropriate sources and gather relevant information from multiple sources (e.g., school library catalogs, online databases, electronic resources and Internet-based resources).

1. Prewriting Tactics 
2. Bibliographic Blunders (6 - 8) Students use note cards to collect information. (Author - Carolyn Garner)
3. infohio - excellent resource tool

10. Explain the usefulness and accuracy of sources by determining their validity (e.g., authority, accuracy, objectivity, publication date and coverage) and define primary and secondary sources.

1. Bibliographic Blunders (6 - 8) Students use note cards to collect information. (Author - Carolyn Garner)

11. Select an appropriate structure for organizing information in a systematic way (e.g., notes, outlines, charts, tables and graphic organizers).

1. Prewriting tactics 
2. Bibliographic Blunders (6 - 8) Students use note cards to collect information. (Author - Carolyn Garner)

12. Compile and organize the important information and select appropriate sources to support central ideas, concepts and themes.

1. Tactics for Prewriting  
2. Information Elimination (6 - 8) Students model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)

1. Quotation Marks and Colons - online quiz
2. Quotation Marks: Exercise to be printed and completed by students at their desk || answer to the exercise
3. Quotation Marks - Place commas and periods inside, not outside, quotation marks. Place all other punctuation outside quotation marks unless it was contained in the original source.
4. The Gallery Of "Misused" Quotation Marks
5. Single Quotation Marks - Use single quotation marks for a quotation or title using quotation marks inside another quotation or title which uses quotation marks.
6. Citation Guide - APA, MLA, or Chicago format

1. Citation Guide - APA, MLA, or Chicago format

Communication: Oral and Visual

1. Kids Port.  Great site to assist in all areas
2. Sample assignment - Invent an X-ray satellite, name it, draw a picture of it. Write a one- to two-page persuasion letter addressed to your Congressperson or essay for your local newspaper in order to obtain funding for your X-ray astronomy mission.

1. Critical Reasoning Warm-ups - (Scroll down, it's there!) These are warm-ups for people who are somewhat familiar with critical reasoning questions. These questions are a good way to start your brain thinking before you answer the real questions

7.      Vary language choices as appropriate to the context of the speech.

8.      Deliver informational presentations (e.g., expository, research) that:

a.          demonstrate an understanding of the topic and present events or ideas in a logical sequence;

b.          support the controlling idea or thesis with well-chosen and relevant facts, details, examples, quotations, statistics, stories and anecdotes;

c.          include an effective introduction and conclusion and use a consistent organizational structure (e.g., cause-effect, compare-contrast, problem-solution);

d.          use appropriate visual materials (e.g., diagrams, charts, illustrations) and available technology; and

e.          draw from multiple sources, including both primary and secondary sources, and identify sources used.

9.      Deliver formal and informal descriptive presentations that convey relevant information and descriptive details.

1. A Writing Workshop - includes a mini lesson, time to work and a wrap up session

a.         establish and develop a logical and controlled argument;

c. consistently use common organizational structures as appropriate (e.g., cause-effect, compare-contrast, problem-solution).

1. Persuasive Writing
2. The Five Paragraph Essay Wizard - Persuasive Essay and prompts (Note: this free site will occasionally exceed its allocated data transfer)
3. The Power of Persuasive Writing is a three week communication skills and interdisciplinary middle school Internet project. (a WebQuest)  

1. Grade Eight English Questions - Nine weekly sheets to print and distribute (read selections and answer questions)
2. Brainchild's Eighth Grade Reading Assessment - Online quiz
3. Eight Grade Reading Test - Online quiz that covers most areas of Standardized testing. Click on Return to Program to begin test.