September 2009

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

 

We have created 23 brand-new standards-based reproducibles and comprehension quizzes for you to use with the September issue, plus a LIBRARY of reading comprehension/essay writing templates, graphic organizers, and skills activities to be used with any issue!

•NEW: A Checklist for Young Authors
As part of our effort to help you enhance your writing curriculum, we asked one of our favorite teachers, Ed Wolf, of Westport, Connecticut, to share some of the secrets from his highly successful classroom program. This month, he's prepared a checklist that your students can use every time they write. Click here.

•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.

•Your Favorite Vocabulary Activity Is Back!
This comprehensive 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.

 

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.

 

September 2009
Reproducible Skills Activities and Quizzes


Poetry
"The Bookoceros or Ancient Thesaurus"

This fearsome creature has a voracious appetite. . . for words!

  • 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.)
  • Poetry Writing
    Students create a creature from their imaginations and write a poem about it.

 

 

Nonfiction
"Animal 9-1-1!"
The story of a sick foal pulls your students into the exciting and heart-racing world of high-tech animal emergency medicine, with a fascinating history of pet ownership in America.


 

 

  • 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
  • Cause/Effect
    Students study the cause/effect relationships within the article.

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
"Dad, the Disco King"
Winnie's uncle is getting married, and the cutest boy in fifth grade will be at the wedding. Will her dad's outrageous disco moves send her running for cover?


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

 

 

Play
The Curse of King Tut
Science and superstition collide in this fast-paced play about the discovery of
the tomb of King Tut.

  • 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
  • Fact/Opinion
    A fun maze helps students distinguish between fact and opinion.

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


Word Nerd
Think of simple and concise ways to rewrite complicated sentences
in this fun vocabulary activity.

PLUS: Word Nerd Contest! Have your students think of their own funny Word Nerd episodes. Winners will receive a special prize and see their work published in Storyworks! Click here for details.

 

 

Yesterday & Today
Just decades ago, a visit to the dentist was nothing to smile about!



Poetry
"I Am the Book"
A beautiful metaphor poem about the friendship found with books

 

ALL of the September 09 Reproducibles

Click here to print all of these reproducibles at once. (Without answer key!)

ALL of the September 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