My Story and High School Reading Passages

You can skip the narrative and find the resource below.

How I became a Writer

Long ago, I worked on a memorable writing activity with my kids. I gave my students a partially written story in which they filled in the details. After deciding to complete the activity with them and enjoying it thoroughly, I became a writer.  Five novels, a writing course at The Institute for Children's Literature with April Lurie, and multiple writing conferences later, here I am. I've written many short stories and questions on TpT. 

Although none of my novels have been published, I'm a published author thanks to Paul Revere's Ride on Me, a short story which appeared in AppleSeeds Magazine, which was part of Carus, or the Cricket family. I'm still writing short stories or reading passages.

After writing my stories, mostly nonfiction or historical fiction, I grade level score them according to readability checkers and content. My writing tends to score in the middle to high school range, so here you have it! 

I write all of my stories myself and have NEVER used AI. After time and money spent developing my craft, I take offense to a computer doing what I do. It can't!

High School Reading Passages

Although I've written a plethora of reading passages and grouped them together in bundles, my best seller is my original High School Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions.

Make language arts class fun with these high school reading comprehension passages and questions with answers. This secondary resource contains classroom-ready nonfiction articles, discussion questions, writing prompts, and answer keys to develop your kids’ critical thinking skills. Plus, quick and easy setup and clear directions make these engaging activities perfect for centers or for emergency sub plans for high school English.

Inside this easy use, no prep, bundle, you'll find:

• 52 pages
• 7 Resources
  
• Reading Passages
• Discussion Questions
• Writing Prompts
• Printable Worksheets
• Link to Google Slides
• Easel Worksheets
• Answer Keys

This no prep bundle contains passages about:

• Martin Pistorius

• Alice & Freda

• Horror Movies / Ed Gein

• History of Impeachment

• Drugs and Alcohol

• Accountable Talk Story

• Covid and Teens

Read what teachers, like you, have said about this resource.

Wendy Kurtz

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  This is a very effective resource. So far we worked on the Impeachment articles. They were engaging and sparked deeper looks into further information. I had many opportunities to model active reading. I recommend this resource.

Helen W.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  My students have been fascinated by the passages they've had to read. The questions have always led to very engaging discussions. It's a great resource that I would recommend.

Jennifer D.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  I loved the topics of some of these passages. They were interesting to my high schoolers and encouraged them to participate! 

Jennifer F.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  I use this resource with a student that I tutor. He loves these stories and passages. Great questions.

Click here to find this resource on TpT.

Joyce

Catch My Products

😂 An Original Back to School Tip

What is it about dryers that makes items stick to other items, especially nylon material? One morning, I hurriedly dressed and headed off to multiple errands. Then I met my daughter for lunch and entered another place of business. I know, sounds kind of boring.

At night, I attended a Meet the New Clergy party with several friends and acquaintances. While visiting with others, something black fell off of the inside of my skirt and onto the floor. At first I thought it was a napkin but quickly realized it was a pair of my black undies. I snatched them off the floor and shoved them into my pocket. A couple of young people saw and had a good laugh.

The twenty-one-year-old told me she always worries about that.

"No need to worry." I chuckled. "I did it and survived," I said.

Moral of the story: Check yourself thoroughly before heading to school! You may survive, but getting your kids to stop laughing and focus on schoolwork is a little tougher.

Joyce

Catch My Products

Why the Dog Logo?

Whose That Dog on My Logo?

You may have wondered why my store and blog logos feature a dog and a dog paw. It started simple. I love dogs, and my granddog Ruby was cuter than me. We bought this fur ball for our son's 18th birthday, and she saw many years with him before passing around 2021. Ruby went to the College of Charleston, where she hung out with frat boys. She learned to burp and fart with the best of them.

She grew old with Daniel and helped ruin his proposal to his now wife (by rolling in something stinky as he was ready to pop the question), and became a big sister to their oldest son. Unfortunately, dogs don't live as long as we'd like them to. 😢

Dog Rescue

In the past few years, I've gotten into dog rescue and have hence grown into my logo. I spend most Wednesday afternoons at Memphis Animal Services attempting to get dogs adopted, fostered, or rescued. I take a lot of dog photos and videos, which get uploaded to social media.

I also spend money I earn on TpT to save dogs through donations. The more pledges a specific dog has, the better its chance of being taken under the wing of a rescue organization, especially dogs with heartworms or other medical needs.

With a pledge, I have promised to send the money to any rescue agency that takes the dog into their organization. The more pledges, the more likely a group will save a dog, so this is important. This is where I financially save most of my fur babies from resources you purchase: Critical Memphis Animals. If you feel inclined, pledge to a dog. If a rescue saves a dog, you will receive a notification about where to send money. If the dog is adopted or euthanized 😢, you will not pay.

So there you have it. If you are a dog lover like me, check out these dog resources. I also have a few more works in progress.