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Grade 8

TEKS ELA Standard: 8.5.E

make connections to personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society

Chaos Makes Sense (Later)
Chaos Makes Sense (Later)
In the moment, a chaotic event makes no sense. But later, that same event can feel like it was part of a larger story.
Gr 2-8
Order to Chaos: Dominoes or Dam?
Order to Chaos: Dominoes or Dam?
Sometimes outside forces turn order into chaos. But sometimes chaos comes from within.
Gr 2-8
Power and Traditions
Power and Traditions
We compare the power of traditions shared by millions with smaller traditions shared by perhaps just one family.
Gr 1-8
Notice, Wonder: Brooklyn
Notice, Wonder: Brooklyn
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
A System Similar to a Cell
A System Similar to a Cell
Which parts of a cell serve a similar job to the parts of a cruise ship, human body, computer, or other system?
Gr 1-8
Compare and Create New Year’s Traditions
Compare and Create New Year’s Traditions
Hey! Our New Year traditions have a lot in common.
Gr 2-8
Introducing Universal Theme of Change
Introducing Universal Theme of Change
Everything changes. But how does it change? Students brainstorm dozens of examples and boil them down to one big idea.
Gr 2-8
Introducing Universal Theme of Systems
Introducing Universal Theme of Systems
So what could you do with a Universal Theme of Systems? Well, here’s an introduction that will get your students’ brains sweating.
Gr 2-8
Introducing Universal Theme of Power
Introducing Universal Theme of Power
So what could you do with a Universal Theme of Power? Well, here’s an introduction that will get your students’ brains sweating.
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Bloom
Notice, Wonder: Bloom
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Think Like A Historian
Think Like A Historian
Here’s how effects be causes and causes can be effects!
Gr 2-8
Analyze Characters Using Philosophy
Analyze Characters Using Philosophy
What is the Brick Pig’s philosophy? How would he apply it to the characters in Harry Potter?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Green Circles
Notice, Wonder: Green Circles
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 2-8
Characters Dressed as Other Characters for Halloween
Characters Dressed as Other Characters for Halloween
What if one character dressed up as another for Halloween? Would the Cat in the Hat pick Captain Jack Sparrow, because they’re both chaotic yet good-natured people? Would Elsa dress up as The Ice King since they are both lonely?
Gr 2-8
Generalization: Change Leads to More Change
Generalization: Change Leads to More Change
Can you think of a time in your life when “Change lead to more change?”
Gr 1-8
Generalization: Problems Lead to New Rules, Which Lead to New Problems
Generalization: Problems Lead to New Rules, Which Lead to New Problems
Problems create rules. Rules create new problems. Can you trace the cycle in history, stories, and your own life?
Gr 1-8
Generalization: Systems Are Made up of Other Systems
Generalization: Systems Are Made up of Other Systems
A clock is a system. So is a rainforest. So is your school. Once you see systems inside systems, you can’t unsee it.
Gr 1-8
Create A Civilization: The River
Create A Civilization: The River
The Nile, the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Seine, the Thames, and now… your river!
Gr 2-8
Depth and Complexity: ⚖️ Ethics
Depth and Complexity: ⚖️ Ethics
Want to add drama to any topic? Use the Ethics prompt!
Gr 3-8
Depth and Complexity: 📚 Across Disciplines
Depth and Complexity: 📚 Across Disciplines
No topic is an island! With the 📚 Across Disciplines prompt, students note connections within and across multiple fields.
Gr 1-8
Characters’ Talents and Multiple Intelligences
Characters’ Talents and Multiple Intelligences
How do characters from novels line up with Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences?
Gr 3-5
Asynchrony: Developing At Different Rates (For Students)
Asynchrony: Developing At Different Rates (For Students)
For students! In some areas, a student may be shockingly advanced, while in others… surprisingly average. This is asynchrony in action.
Gr 3-8
Think Like An Economist
Think Like An Economist
How would an economist read Goldilocks? How would they see a rainforest? How would they study the American Revolution?
Gr 2-8