Blog | Literacy In Focus

8 Free Online Resources for Primary Source Documents

8 FREE online resources for finding historical primary source documents. These websites are perfect for upper elementary and middle school teachers looking for examples, lesson plans, and student activities for primary source analysis.

Methods and Goals for Teaching Silent Reading

Make the most of independent reading time in your upper elementary or middle school classroom with easy to implement teaching methods and clear instructional goals.

16 Pre-Reading Questions For Any Novel

16 pre-reading questions to use with any novel! This novel study pre-reading activity is perfect for introducing students to their next book!

15 Exit Ticket Prompts For Any Subject

15 exit ticket ideas for any subject or grade level! These exit ticket questions and prompts will work to assess elementary, middle, or high school students.

5 Language Arts Activities for Thanksgiving

These five Thanksgiving lesson plan ideas for elementary and middle school students are a quick and easy way to add relevant language arts practice to your curriculum! The no-prep Thanksgiving activities include free printables, templates, worksheets, and more!

Edgar Allan Poe’s “Tell Tale Heart” Lesson Plan

This free Common Core aligned “Tell Tale Heart” lesson plan is perfect for your middle school English or Language Arts class. Students will gain a clear understanding of the short story and Edgar Allan Poe’s use of tone and mood.

12 Unique Must-Haves If You Teach Reading

These 12 unique resources and ideas are must-haves if you teach reading! All of the items support reading comprehension skills or a reading intervention program, making them perfect for small group, whole class, or one-on-one instruction.

Unique Halloween Picture Books with Writing Workshop Ideas

These unique Halloween picture books with ideas for writing workshop activities are perfect for upper elementary read alouds. Older kids will love the fun workshop style writing practice that goes along with these fun October books!

Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” Lesson Plan PDF

This free printable PDF lesson plan for Robert Frost’s poem "The Road Not Taken" is perfect for teaching the poem to 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade students. Clear objectives and differentiation ideas are included!

7 Free Current Events Websites for Students

7 best (and FREE) news websites for students to find engaging current event articles.

20 Classroom Rewards Your Students Will Love

20 inexpensive classroom reward system ideas for upper-elementary and middle school students. These prize box ideas don't include candy or food, and they work well for positive reinforcement incentives.