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Gerald's Gems

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United States - Louisiana

4.9

800 votes

Raise your expectations and your students will rise to the occasion!

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How to Identify THEME & How to...

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MY FEATURED ITEMS

List of Mood / Tone Words - Reference Sheet...

$3.50

$3.00

190

Family Crest / Coat of Arms: Directions,...

$4.99

$3.00

LEAP 2025 / PARCC: Unpacking Essay Prompts -...

$6.00

$4.00

Student-Friendly Essay & Narrative RUBRICS...

$3.00

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List of Mood / Tone Words - Reference Sheet for Students - Handout

By Gerald's Gems

Handy and reusable reference sheet for students - perfect for close reading literature, end of year test prep, and creative writing.The list includes mood/tone words that are separated by category: positive, negative, and neutral.Also included is a

Subjects:

English Language Arts, Literature, Informational Text

Grades:

4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th

Types:

Handouts, Printables, Lesson

CCSS:

RL.5.7, RL.6.4, RL.7.4, RL.8.4, RL.9-10.4, RI.7.4, RI.8.4, RI.9-10.4

$3.50

$3.00

190

Digital Download PDF (0.10 MB)

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WISH LIST

Family Crest / Coat of Arms: Directions, Rubric, Templates, and Examples

By Gerald's Gems

Includes:* detailed directions for students* a list of heraldic symbols, animals, and colors* 5 different templates for their Coat of Arms* rubric for assessment with clear expectations* analysis sheet for student which to write an explanation of

Subjects:

Social Studies - History, Literature, For All Subjects

Grades:

4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th

Types:

Activities, Assessment, Graphic Organizers

$4.99

$3.00

Digital Download PDF (3.72 MB)

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WISH LIST

10 Types of HOOKS (leads/grabbers/intros) Handout / REFERENCE SHEET for students

By Gerald's Gems

Included:- single page REFERENCE SHEET for students with a list of 10 types of hooks and an example of each- FOUR different versions of this handout to pick from, in color copy (for beautiful posters) and black and white copy (for easy classroom

Subjects:

Creative Writing, Writing, Writing-Essays

Grades:

Not Grade Specific

Types:

Handouts, Posters, Lesson

CCSS:

W.5.1a, W.5.2a, CCRA.W.4, W.4.1a, W.4.2b

$2.50

Digital Download PDF (1.49 MB)

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Family Crest/Coat of Arms -- Directions, Rubric, Shield Templates

By Gerald's Gems

Includes:* Student Directions (half-sheet), which includes a list of heraldic symbols, animals, colors, and their MEANINGS.* Grading Rubric that has super clear expectations* Analysis Sheet for students to write out a description for their Coat of

Subjects:

Social Studies - History, For All Subject Areas, Literature

Grades:

Not Grade Specific

Types:

Activities, Handouts, Cultural Activities

$2.99

Digital Download PDF (0.40 MB)

ADD TO CART

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LEAP 2025 / PARCC: Unpacking Essay Prompts - How to Know EXACTLY How to Respond

By Gerald's Gems

This is a 1-2 week (approx.) unit that teaches:1) the three types of writing tasks AND2) how to "unpack" the prompt by restating the wordy prompts into simple questions (that students would answer in their essay)Note: This lesson is not meant to

Subjects:

ELA Test Prep, Writing-Essays, Informational Text

Grades:

Not Grade Specific

Types:

PowerPoint Presentations, Handouts, Assessment

$6.00

$4.00

Digital Download ZIP (2.19 MB)

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The Cask of Amontillado - TEACHER COPY with ANNOTATIONS and Vocab

By Gerald's Gems

THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO TEACH THE STORY. These notes have EVERYTHING!This is the full text (on 7 pages with wide margins for annotations) of Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Cask of Amontillado". It includes vocabulary words (highlighted in pink

Subjects:

Literature, Short Stories, Close Reading

Grades:

7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th

Types:

Teacher Manuals, Guided Reading Books, Scaffolded Notes

$4.99

$3.00

Digital Download PDF (0.48 MB)

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"And Then There Were None" Activity Bundle: Map, Chart, Fun Assignments!

By Gerald's Gems

INCLUDES: 1) Character Chart (with images of characters, traits, connection to death, fate)2) Map of Soldier Island: As you read, document landmarks and deaths.3) Tombstone Activity: Create a tombstone for dead characters.4) Modernize Ten Little

Subjects:

English Language Arts, Reading, Literature

Grades:

7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, 12^th

Types:

Handouts, Printables, Graphic Organizers

$5.50

$3.00

Digital Download ZIP (1.19 MB)

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"And Then There Were None" CHARACTER CHART for Students with Answer Key

By Gerald's Gems

Print chart with OR without page numbers for students to find the answers!INCLUDES ANSWER KEYCOLUMNS:1) Characters (the ten major character names are filled out)2) Description / Character Traits3) Reason for Going to Soldier Island4) Connection to a

Subjects:

English Language Arts, Reading, Literature

Grades:

7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, 12^th

Types:

Handouts, Printables, Graphic Organizers

CCSS:

CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.3

$4.50

$4.00

Digital Download PDF (8.05 MB)

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Test Prep LEAP2025 ELA: What to Expect & TIPS (SUPER Student Friendly!)

By Gerald's Gems

This brief student-friendly slideshow explains to students (and new teachers!) the basics of what our LEAP2025 ELA test for grades 4-10 looks like so they know what to expect. This will build confidence and eliminate confusion on test day.Slides

Subjects:

ELA Test Prep, Writing, Writing-Essays

Grades:

6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th

Types:

PowerPoint Presentations, Activities, Lesson

$4.99

Digital Download PDF (1.50 MB)

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Student-Friendly Essay & Narrative RUBRICS Aligned to LEAP2025

By Gerald's Gems

INCLUDED:- student-friendly essay rubric aligned to the LEAP2025 (19 points)- student-friendly narrative rubric aligned to the LEAP2025 (15 points)- BONUS: student-friendly essay rubric (25 points)- BONUS: student-friendly narrative rubric (25

Subjects:

ELA Test Prep, Writing, Writing-Essays

Grades:

Not Grade Specific

Types:

Assessment, Rubrics

$3.00

Digital Download PDF (2.03 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

LEAP 2025 & PARCC Essays: Practice Turning a Prompt Into an Intro Paragraph

By Gerald's Gems

INCLUDES A PDF AND A POWERPOINT VERSION FOR EASY EDITING.SUGGESTION: Read the assigned passages (included) as a class then allow students to practice working with the PARCC prompts on the slides by writing JUST an intro paragraph of the essay.This

Subjects:

ELA Test Prep, Writing-Essays, Informational Text

Grades:

6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th

Types:

PowerPoint Presentations, Assessment

$4.00

$3.00

Digital Download ZIP (37.61 MB)

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Group Work / Collaboration RUBRIC: blank template, several sample categories

By Gerald's Gems

*EDITABLE*This GROUP COLLABORATION RUBRIC has student-friendly language and is versatile because you can use it for ANY group work activity, including:- group discussion- making a product as a group- practicing for a presentation with a partner-

Subjects:

English Language Arts, For All Subject Areas, Classroom Management

Grades:

Not Grade Specific

Types:

Activities, Handouts, Assessment

$2.50

$2.00

Digital Download XLSX (0.05 MB)

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Literary GENRES and SUBGENRES - Powerpoint, Plenty of Examples, Handout, & Quiz!

By Gerald's Gems

You get: 1) a 22-slide PowerPoint lesson with diagrams, examples, and 10 practice passages 2) a handout for students to record definitions and examples 3) a quiz and key 4) PLENTY of examples for each subgenre

Subjects:

English Language Arts, Reading, Literature

Grades:

Not Grade Specific

Types:

PowerPoint Presentations, Handouts, Lesson

$3.00

Digital Download ZIP (0.41 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

How to Identify Themes in Literature - A Simple Three Step Process

By Gerald's Gems

A handout for students that lists three steps to identifying the theme of a piece of literature:Step 1: Identify the main idea of the text.Step 2: Identify the main topics of the text.Step 3: Identify the author’s message about those topics.

Subjects:

Reading, Literature, Reading Strategies

Grades:

6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, 12^th

Types:

Handouts, Lesson

CCSS:

RL.6.2, RL.8.2, RL.9-10.2, CCRA.R.2

$1.00

$0.75

Digital Download PDF (0.02 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

Book Talk / Oral Book Report Presentation RUBRIC

By Gerald's Gems

*See accompanying Book Talk products in my store. *Will work for NOVELS or SHORT STORIES *Students give a 2 min. class presentation about a story they've read with a visual aid Visual Aid Content Preparedness Presentation Skills Time (2 min. goal)

Subjects:

Reading, Literature, Oral Communication

Grades:

6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th

Types:

Activities, Assessment, Rubrics

$2.00

$1.00

Digital Download PDF (0.07 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

The Cask of Amontillado - Annotated STUDENT COPY with Vocab and Qs

By Gerald's Gems

This is the full text (on 7 pages with wide margins for annotations) of Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Cask of Amontillado". It includes vocabulary words (highlighted in pink and defined in the margins), pronunciations, and 10 higher order

Subjects:

Vocabulary, Literature, Close Reading

Grades:

6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th

Types:

Study Guides, Handouts

$2.00

$1.00

Digital Download PDF (0.32 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

Book Talk Oral Report Presentation BUNDLE: Instructions, Samples, Rubrics,&MORE!

By Gerald's Gems

Allow flexibility! Provide differentiation! Students pick their OWN novel or short story... Instead of creating a test for every single story, assess students in a FUN way with BOOK TALKS! First, students read their book/story. Then they complete

Subjects:

Reading, Literature, Close Reading

Grades:

Not Grade Specific

Types:

Unit Plans, Assessment

$4.99

Digital Download ZIP (7.43 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

Decode/Unpack LEAP Essay Prompts... and Know WHAT to Write!

By Gerald's Gems

Includes:* List of types of prompts and what they want you to do* 15 sample prompts (ideal for bell ringers), including a breakdown of what to write about* Practice / Assessment* Materials for a gameSick of confusing prompts? Are your students good

Subjects:

English Language Arts, ELA Test Prep, Writing-Essays

Grades:

6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th

Types:

PowerPoint Presentations, Assessment, Games

CCSS:

W.9-10.1c, W.9-10.2, W.9-10.4

$2.50

Digital Download ZIP (3.13 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

The Cask of Amontillado - Vocabulary Words, Comprehension Qs, QuickWrite Prompts

By Gerald's Gems

INCLUDED:- 15 vocabulary slides with visuals- 10 comprehension questions- 4 Quick Write PromptsThere are 15 words that students MUST have a strong understanding of in order to be able to read and understand the story.Check out my other products for

Subjects:

Reading, Vocabulary, Short Stories

Grades:

6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, 10^th

Types:

PowerPoint Presentations, Lesson

$2.00

Digital Download PDF (1.78 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

Ransom Letter Assignment (short story: "The Ransom of Red Chief")

By Gerald's Gems

Now your students can write a ransom letter, just like the one in "The Ransom of Red Chief"! Included in this 11 slide Powerpoint (+ 6 slides of student examples) is a list of expectations, an example, and a rubric. EASY to explain, EASY to grade,

Subjects:

Creative Writing, Other (ELA), Literature

Grades:

6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th

Types:

PowerPoint Presentations, Activities, Assessment

$3.00

$2.00

Digital Download PDF (3.67 MB)

ADD TO CART

WISH LIST

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TEACHING EXPERIENCE

8th Grade Reading 8th Grade English 10th Grade English 11th Grade English 10th Grade Test Remediation (Summer School)

MY TEACHING STYLE

If I'm having fun, they are having fun. I use sign language as a classroom management tool, which helps me avoid raising my voice or repeating myself. My idol is Ron Clark. I try to teach like him as much as possible!

HONORS/AWARDS/SHINING TEACHER MOMENT

2012-2013 District Teacher of the Year

MY OWN EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

Bachelors of Science from Utah State University (2002)

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

I come from a family of teachers. I married into another family of teachers. It's what I know. It's what I love!