The sonnet begins with the speaker stating that the earth’s poetry never dies. In summer, the grasshopper runs among the hedgerows singing his song and then rests in the shade. In the frosty silence of winter, the earth's poetry continues now the cricket, singing from the stove, shrills a song that's as warm and summery as the grasshopper's music. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this story through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

The poem Oranges by Gary Soto is about the bittersweet experience of a first date. They walk together to the drug store and girl picks a chocolate that costs a dime. The boy offers to pay for the candy with a nickel and an orange. The boy takes the girl's hand and then releases it so she can unwrap her chocolate, and he can peel his orange. In the darkness of the winter day, the orange burns bright light a fire, much like the love in his heart. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this story through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

This resource includes two nonfiction texts, a link to a video, and 17 text-dependent questions (including one optional constructed-response prompt for students). Also includes explanatory information for teachers regarding alignment to the CCSS.

Although Danny is a young adult of only 17, he is fully capable of taking his father’s boat out to sea to fish. While out on a solo trip one foggy morning, Danny encounters “something” mysterious in the water. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this story through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

When the land surveyor, Gleb Smirnov, arrives in the Gnilushka train station, he hires a peasant to take him to the estate that he must survey. This story shows how the reactions of one character, due to his fear, can lead to unexpected consequences and have a direct impact on the actions of the other character(s). In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this story through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

Harry Tillian’s father owns a candy and nut shop. Harry used to visit the shop with his friends every day, but his priorities change once he enters middle school. Mr. Tillian buys a talking parrot to keep him company. One day Mr. Tillian gets sick and must go to the hospital. Harry takes care of the shop while his dad is ill, and the parrot helps Harry realize how much his dad has been missing him. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this story through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

A narrator recounts the story of Paul Revere’s ride, which took place in Massachusetts on April 18, 1775. On that night, Revere tells his friend to hang a lantern in the belfry of the Old North Church if the British forces begin to march—one light if they are coming by land, two if they are coming by sea. We know the rest—the minutemen routed the redcoats. He also says that we will hear Revere’s cry of defiance throughout history. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this history through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

The text begins with a poor fisherman, Kino, his wife, Juana, their baby Coyotito, and the great pearl. When Coyotito is stung by a scorpion, Kino and Juana travel from their village to take him to the nearest doctor. However, they are unable to pay for treatment and are turned away. But once they have a large pearl in their possession, the greedy doctor makes a house call, hoping to get a share of the profits. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this story through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

In this lesson, students use comprehension skills to discuss and respond to questions about a text.

This is a lesson guide for "Cat!, Silver and Your World". In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this history through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

Lesson guides for :Concrete, Harlem Night Song" and "The City is So Big". In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this history through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

Lesson guides for "Old Man, Runagate Runagate" and "Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind". In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this history through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this speech through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this story through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

The story Raymond's Run is told through the eyes of Hazel Squeaky Parker, who is the fastest runner in her Harlem neighborhood. She spends the majority of her time practicing for upcoming races and taking care of her brother, Raymond, who is mentally challenged and to whom she is very devoted. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this story through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

“The Real Story of a Cowboy’s Life” describes a cattle drive from the perspective of real cowboys who rode on one. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this history through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

The main character, Esperanza, desperately wants to eat in the lunchroom at school, with the other boys and girls who do not go home for lunch break. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this story through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

A mongoose, Rikki-tikki-tavi, comes to live with an English family in their bungalow in colonial India. Two cobras—Nag and Nagaina—live in the garden surrounding the bungalow and threaten the lives of Rikki-tikki’s human family. Through a series of battles, Rikki-tikki-tavi kills Nag and Nagaina, protecting his human family and winning their trust and affection. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this story through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

The speaker reflects on the risks and responsibilities of making choices and deciding which road to take. In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this poem through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.

In this CCSS lesson, students will explore this play through text dependent questions, academic vocabulary, and writing assignments.