ENGLISH TEACHERS GREAT BOOKS ACTIVITIES KIT：60 READY-TO-USE ACTIVITY PACKETS FEATURING CLASSIC, POPULAR & CURRENT LITERATURE

Contains scores of practical management techniques plus more than 180 reproducible student activities for teaching reading and writing skills through a selection of great literature covering various genres, themes, and cultures.

Gary Robert Muschla received his B.A. and M.A.T. degrees from Trenton State College in New Jersey. He teaches at Appleby School in Spotswood, New Jersey, where he has specialized in the teaching of reading and writing, conducted writing workshops for teachers and students, and edited magazines of students' writing.
In addition to his 19 years as a classroom teacher, Mr. Muschla has been a successful freelance writer, editor, and ghostwriter. He is a member of the Authors Guild, the Authors League of America, the National Writers Club, and the Associated Business Writers of America.
Mr. Muschla has also authored three other resources for teachers: the Writing Workshop Activities Kit: Ready-to-Use Worksheets and Enrichment Lessons for Grades 4-9 (The Center for Applied Research in Education, 1989), The Writing Teacher's Book of Lists (Prentice Hall, 1991), and the Writing Workshop Survival Kit (The Center for Applied Research in Education, 1993).

About English Instruction.

How to use this resource.

Chart for interdisciplinary activities.

PART I: MANAGING YOUR ENGLISH CLASSES.

An overview.

Elements of effective English classes.

The whole language class.

The role of the whole language teacher.

Using mini-lessons in your classes

Managing your English classes.

Developing your curriculum.

Student handout: A questionnaire of student interests.

Possible topics for a core curriculum.

Building a positive climate.

Promoting a positive atmosphere.

Student handout: student responsibilities.

Setting up the room.

Organizing your day.

Providing a supply of reading materials.

A sample schedule.

A sample lesson plan.

Utilizing your school library.

Utilizing public libraries.

Choosing books.

Maintaining the inventory of your books.

Book buying checklist.

Book sign-out sheet.

Keeping your books in good repair.

Managing your time

Reading, writing, and evaluation.

Reading in your English class.

Literature discussion groups.

Student handout: Book completion summary.

Student handout: Literature discussion group guidelines.

Literature response logs.

Writing in English class.

Student handout: Stages of the writing process.

Writing for authentic purposes.

Writing journals.

Student handouts: Types of writing.

Writing folders.

Publishing the work of students.

Ways to share student writing.

Evaluating reading and writing.

Logging.

Guidelines for producing class magazines.

Portfolios.

Reviewing logs and journals.

Grading.

PART II: READY-TO-USE ACTIVITIES.

Novels for grades 7-8.

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connection.

Worksheet, "How people change because of their experiences".

Questions to consider for Homecoming .

Projects and activities to consider for Homecoming .

Curriculum connections.

One Fat Summer by Robert Lipsyte.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connection.

Worksheet, "The Makeover".

Questions to consider for One Fat Summer .

Projects and activities to consider for One Fat Summer .

Curriculum connections.

Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connection.

Worksheet, "Fear!"

Questions to consider for Call it Courage.

Projects and activities to consider for Call it Courage.

Curriculum connections.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connection.

Worksheet, "Why gangs are bad (or good)".

Questions to consider for The Outisiders .

Projects and activities to consider for The Outsiders.

Curriculum connections.

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connection.

Worksheet, "A Fantastic Tale".

Questions to consider for A Wizard of Earthsea .

Project and activities to consider for A Wizard of Earthsea.

Curriculum connections.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connection.

Worksheet, "The Melting Pot— Is It What We Want?"

Questions to consider for Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry .

Projects and activities to consider for Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.

Curriculum connections.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connection.

Worksheet, "A Modern Day Hero".

Questions to consider for The Chocolate War.

Projects and Activities to consider for The Chocolate War.

Curriculum connections.

The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Abduction".

Questions to consider for The Slave Dancer.

Projects and activities to consider for The Slave Dancer.

Curriculum connection.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Beauty".

Questions to consider for The Princess Bride.

Projects and activities to consider for The Princess Bride.

Curriculum connection.

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Surviving in the Wilderness".

Questions to consider for Julie of the Wolves .

Projects and activities to consider for Julie of the Wolves.

Curriculum connection.

The Contender by Robert Lipsyte.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Expert".

Questions to consider for The Contender.

Projects and activities to consider for The Contender .

Curriculum connection.

The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "A Humanlike Acquaintance".

Questions to consider for The Sword in the Stone.

Projects and activities to consider for The Sword in the Stone.

Curriculum connection.

The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Hatred".

Questions to consider for The Upstairs Room.

Projects and activities to consider for The Upstairs Room.

Curriculum connection.

The Pigman by Paul Zindel.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "When Boys and Girls Are Just Friends".

Questions to consider for The Pigman .

Projects and activities to consider for The Pigman.

Curriculum connection.

Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "A Report of the Navaho".

Questions to consider for Sing Down the Moon.

Projects and activities to consider for Sing Down the Moon.

Curriculum connection.

I Will Call It Georgie's Blues by Suzanne Newton.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Real Me".

Questions to consider for I Will Call It Georgi'es Blues.

Projects and activities to consider for I Will Call It Georgie's Blues.

Curriculum connection.

Durango Street by Frank Bonham.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Ten Years from Now".

Questions to consider for Durango Street.

Projects and activities to consider for Durango Street.

Curriculum connection.

House of Stairs by William Sleator.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Misfits".

Questions to consider for House of Stairs.

Projects and activities to consider for House of Stairs.

Curriculum connection.

Home Before Dark by Sue Ellen Bridges.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Most Important Thing in My Life".

Questions to consider for Home Before Dark.

Projects and activities to consider for Home Before Dark.

Curriculum connection.

Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Manzanar-A Question of Rights".

Questions to consider for Farewell to Manzanar.

Projects and activities to consider for Farewell to Manzanar.

Curriculum connection

Novels for Grades 9-10.

A Separate Peace by John Knowles.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "My Own Separate Peace".

Questions to consider for A Separate Peace.

Projects and activities to consider for A Separate Peace.

Curriculum connection.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Injustice".

Questions to consider for To Kill A Mockingbird.

Projects and activities to consider for To Kill A Mockingbird.

Curriculum connection.

Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Freedom".

Questions to consider for Animal Farm .

Projects and activities to consider for Animal Farm.

Curriculum connection.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "A Great Sacrifice".

Questions to consider for A Tale of Two Cities.

Projects and activities to consider for A Tale of Two Cities.

Curriculum connection.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "A Mercy Killing".

Questions to consider for Of Mice and Men .

Projects and activities to consider for Of Mice and Men.

Curriculum connection.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Writing from the Heart".

Questions to consider for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Projects and activities to consider for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Curriculum connection.

After the First Death by Robert Cormier.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Terrorism".

Questions to consider for After the First Death.

Projects and activities to consider for After the First Death.

Curriculum connection.

Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voigt.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "A Major Responsibility".

Questions to consider for Dicey's Song.

Projects and activities to consider for Dicey's Song.

Curriculum connection.

I Never Promised You A Rose Garden by Joanne Greenberg.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Walk in My Shoes ".

Questions to consider for I Never Promised You A Rose Garden.

Projects and activities to consider for I Never Promised You A Rose Garden .

Curriculum connection.

Flowers for Algeron by Daniel Keyes.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Improving Human Beings".

Questions to consider for Flowers for Algeron.

Projects and activities to consider for Flowers for Algeron .

Curriculum connection.

Hiroshima by John Hersey.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Controversy Over Nuclear Weapons".

Questions to consider for Hiroshima.

Projects and activities to consider for Hiroshima .

Curriculum connection.

The Miracle Worker (play) by William Gibson.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Challeng".

Questions to consider for The Miracle Worker .

Projects and activities to consider for The Miracle Worker .

Curriculum connection.

Dragonwings by Laurence Yep.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "A New Land ".

Questions to consider for Dragonwings .

Projects and activities to consider for Dragonwings.

Curriculum connection.

Running Loose by Chris Crutcher.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Taking a Stand".

Questions to consider for Running Loose.

Projects and activities to consider for Running Loose.

Curriculum connection.

Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrew.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "People's Needs".

Questions to consider for Flowers in the Attic .

Projects and activities to consider for Flowers in the Attic.

Curriculum connection.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Continuing Adventures of Huckleberry Finn".

Questions to consider for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Projects and activities to consider for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Curriculum connection.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheets, "Riding Cooger and Dark's Merry Go-Round".

Questions to consider for Something Wicked This Way Comes .

Projects and activities to consider for Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Curriculum connection.

The Pearl by John Steinbeck.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Never Satisfied".

Questions to consider for The Pearl .

Projects and activities to consider for The Pearl .

Curriculum connection.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "A Science Fiction Short Story".

Questions to consider for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy .

Projects and activities to consider for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Curriculum connection.

Night by Elie Wiesel.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "No More Holocaust".

Questions to consider for Night .

Projects and activities to consider for Night .

Curriculum connection

Novels for Grades 11-12.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Good Versus Evil".

Questions to consider for Lord of the Flies .

Projects and activities to consider for Lord of the Flies .

Curriculum connection.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Breaking the Rules".

Questions to consider for The Scarlet Letter .

Projects and activities to consider for The Scarlet Letter .

Curriculum connection.

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "A Great Novel".

Questions to consider for All Quiet on the Western Front.

Projects and activities to consider for All Quiet on the Western Front.

Curriculum connection.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Where You Come From".

Questions to consider for Wuthering Heights.

Projects and activities to consider for Wuthering Heights.

Curriculum connection.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Advancement of Science".

Questions to consider for Brave New World.

Projects and activities to consider for Brave New World.

Curriculum connection.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Censorship".

Questions to consider for Fahrenheit 451.

Projects and activities to consider for Fahrenheit 451.

Curriculum connection.

A Raisin in the Sun (play) by Lorraine Hansberry.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Skin Colors".

Questions to consider for A Raisin in the Sun.

Projects and activities to consider for A Raisin in the Sun.

Curriculum connection.

Watership Down by Richard Adams.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "A Critic's Reaction".

Questions to consider for Watership Down.

Projects and activities to consider for Watership Down.

Curriculum connection.

A Little Love by Virginia Hamilton.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Love Is"& ;.

Questions to consider for A Little Love.

Projects and activities to consider for A Little Love .

Curriculum connection.

Dune by Frank Herbert.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Out Among the Stars".

Questions to consider for Dune .

Projects and activities to consider for Dune.

Curriculum connection.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Scarlett and Rhett".

Questions to consider for Gone With the Wind .

Projects and activities to consider for Gone With the Wind.

Curriculum connection.

Native Son by Richard Wright.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Race in America".

Questions to consider for Native Son.

Projects and activities to consider for Native Son.

Curriculum connection.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Brontes".

Questions to consider for Jane Eyre .

Projects and activities to consider for Jane Eyre.

Curriculum connection.

Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Trouble in the Family".

Questions to consider for Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant .

Projects and activities to consider for Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

Curriculum connection.

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "An Anti-War Novel".

Questions to consider for Slaughterhouse-Five.

Projects and activities to consider for Slaughterhouse-Five .

Curriculum connection.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Individual Versus Society".

Questions to consider for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest .

Projects and activities to consider for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest .

Curriculum connection.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisceros.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Esperanza and Me".

Questions to consider for The House on Mango Street .

Projects and activities to consider for The House on Mango Street .

Curriculum connection.

Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "The Impact of War on Richie Perry".

Questions to consider for Fallen Angels.

Projects and activities to consider for Fallen Angels .

Curriculum connection.

Hamlet (play) by William Shakespeare.

Synopsis.

Ideas and concepts to highlight.

Writing connections.

Worksheet, "Prince Hamlet".

Questions to consider for Hamlet .

Projects and activities to consider for Hamlet.

Curriculum connection.

Memory by Margaret Mahy.

Synopsis.

Ideas and Concepts to Highlight.

Writing connection.

Worksheet, "Being Old".

Questions to consider for Memory .

Projects and activities to consider for Memory .

Curriculum connections.