January 2009

STORYWORKS ACTIVITIES
Reading and writing skills practice for each
Storyworks article, play, and poem

 

We have created 25 brand-new standards-based reproducibles and comprehension quizzes for you to use with the November/December issue, plus a LIBRARY of reading comprehension/essay writing templates, graphic organizers, and skills activities to be used with any issue!

Important Answer Key Information
Answers to all online reproducibles and quizzes are on our secret Web site. The URL to this Web site can be found on page T1 of the print version of your Teacher’s Edition.

NEW! VOCABULARY ACTIVITY
A new activity presents vocabulary from the entire issue of Storyworks.
To download, click here.

This Month's Teacher's Edition
Misplace your Teacher’s Edition? Don’t worry! You can now download it directly from our Web site by clicking here. Note: This online version does NOT include the answer key. The answer key is on page T7 of the print version of your Teacher’s Edition, and also on the Answer Key Web site.

Mary Rose's January Strategy: Homework Monster!
We have learned so much from teacher Mary Rose, and so have the thousands of teachers who have attended her workshops and read her professional books. Back by popular demand, we are providing Mary's ideas and wisdom on a variety of writing topics. Click here for this month's tips.

Most of the following resources are in PDF format. To view and print them, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader Software. Click here to download it for free.

 

January 2009 Reproducible Skills Activities
and Quizzes


Poetry
Ferris-Wheeling

 

 

Nonfiction
A Superhero of the Sea
The frightening and inspiring story of a man who has saved millions of dolphins.


 

 

  • Comprehension Quiz
    Test-prep and critical thinking questions
  • Read. Think. Explain.
    Critical thinking questions
    (Note: These are also listed in our Teacher’s Edition and can be used for discussion.)
  • Vocabulary
    Based on words from this article
  • Summarizing
    Students identify important information and write a summary.
  • Writing Process
    Students use information from the article and their imagination to predict what would happen next in the saga of the captured dolphins.

For this article, we also recommend that you use the following reproducibles from the library (see the entire list at the bottom of this page):

 

 

Fiction
"Odd, Weird, & Little"
A moving and very funny story about the most unusual new "kid" who turns a classroom upside down.


For this article, we also recommend that you use the following reproducibles from the library (see the entire list below):


Yesterday & Today
The Original Amateur Hour & American Idol


 

  • Comprehension Quiz
    Test-prep and critical thinking questions
  • Read. Think. Explain.
    Critical thinking questions
    (Note: These are also listed in our Teacher’s Edition and can be used for discussion.)
  • Compare/Contrast
    A helpful two-column chart, plus a critical thinking question

For this article, we also recommend that you use the following reproducible from the library (see the entire list at the bottom of this page):

• Reading & Questioning
A chart for active reading

 

Micro-Mystery
The Case of the Missing Dogs


 

 

Play
Inkheart
Based on Cornelia Funke's beloved novel—and the new film!


 

 

  • Comprehension Quiz
    Test-prep and critical thinking questions
  • Read. Think. Explain.
    Critical thinking questions
    (Note: These are also listed in our Teacher’s Edition and can be used for discussion.)
  • Vocabulary
    Based on words from this article
  • Character Motivations
    Students explore genre elements in the play.
  • Genre Study
    Students learn the author's tricks for using dialogue to bring out each character's personality.

For this article, we also recommend that you use the following reproducibles from the library (see the entire list below):

Poetry
To You


 

  • Comprehension Quiz
    Test-prep and critical thinking questions
  • Read. Think. Explain.
    Critical thinking questions
    (Note: These are also listed in our Teacher’s Edition and can be used for discussion.)
  • Text to Self
    Students learn how to use alliteration in their writing.

 

•ALL of the January 09 Reproducibles
Click here to print all of these reproducibles at once.
(without answer key!)

•ALL of the January 09 Quizzes
Click here to print all of these quizzes at once
(Without answer key!)


Skills and Graphic-Organizer Library
Use these basic skills activities for just about any Storyworks feature