Fulfill the Common Core – no research required!

(because I’ve done it for you)

To make sure I created a discussion guide that would be truly beneficial in a classroom setting, I enlisted the help of two classroom teachers I greatly admire and respect – Nancy Barth and Alyce McConaghy.

We came up with a guide tailored to fulfill the common core standards for reading literature while engaging your students’ interest, building their comprehension, and saving you time.

We crammed the guide with the richest vocabulary in my middle grade novel, Swept Up. We included extensive comprehension questions, thought-provoking discussion starters and entertaining activities. Then we took it a step further. We listed the specific standards each question, discussion and activity addresses. This added feature allows you to quickly select the most appropriate material for your class while also determining, at a glance, which of the standards your selections address.

We offered plenty of choices too, so you can customize the guide based on your particular needs and the particular needs of your students.

We opted for the PDF format so you can use Adobe Reader XI to easily highlight your chosen questions then remove the highlighting to re-use and customize the guide year after year. Adobe Reader XI also allows you to add your own comments, personalizing the guide even further. (You can get the latest version of Adobe Reader here.)

You can also use the guide as a model for discussion of other books. If you develop questions, discussions and activities based on the ones found in the guide, you’ll know which standards you’ve addressed. You could create countless common core guides for the price of one.

And we’ve made them free.

What’s included

• over 250 vocabulary words, including contextual clues and a special selection of highly connotative words
• over 400 comprehension questions, covering a wide range of understanding and every important plot point
• over 300 discussion starters to deepen your students’ understanding of the story’s themes, character motivations and events
• over 150 independent/small group activities to engage them even further

All are designed to fulfill the requirements of the specific standards addressed.

About the Book

Swept Up is a light fantasy/adventure for ages 8-12. The story is based on Junior Achievement’s BizTown, an interactive, simulated town that allows students to apply business and political concepts they learn in school. Usually. For the sixth-grade students in Swept Up,  a touch of fantasy creates a world of misfortune and mystery instead.

Download your discussion guide

4^th Grade Teacher/Discussion Guide 
Includes:
272 vocabulary words
406 comprehension questions
317 discussion starters
199 independent/small group activities
*Common Core State Standards for Reading: Literature, Grade 4

5^th Grade Teacher/Discussion Guide
Includes:
272 vocabulary words
406 comprehension questions
415 discussion starters
185 independent/small group activities
*Common Core State Standards for Reading: Literature, Grade 5

6^th Grade Teacher/Discussion Guide
Includes:
272 vocabulary words
406 comprehension questions
447 discussion starters
177 independent/small group activities
*Common Core State Standards for Reading: Literature, Grade 6

and obtain your copy of Swept Up

paperback edition – $7.99
ebook edition – $2.99

One More Additional Gift 

In honor of the time you’ve invested to reach the bottom of this page, I’m offering you a 33% discount on the ebook edition of Swept Up. Simply enter this coupon code: UP52K upon checkout to receive your ebook for $1.99 (includes multiple formats).

*The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers are the sole owners and developers of the Common Core State Standards. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.