STAAR Review Saga: Inferencing & Author's Purpose (MC + SCR)

Test prep · Grades 9–10 · Slides + worksheet · $5 or included with All-Access

This is Lesson 3 of my STAAR Review Saga: 'Lies, Betrayal, and Tough Choices.' I wrote three short stories about high school drama because my English II kids will read anything with a plot twist, and that buy-in makes test practice go a lot smoother.

Class opens with a 3-5 sentence notebook warm-up about broken trust and some discussion questions. Then a Forgiveness vs. Consequences debate, where Group A argues trust can be rebuilt and Group B argues it can't. Students read 'Text Message,' 'The Mystery of Tyler's Death' and 'The Secret Keeper,' answer 7 STAAR-style questions on each, and finish with an SCR on how betrayal shapes one character's decisions.

The questions cover inference, indirect characterization, theme, word meaning and sentence revision.

What's included

• Lesson slides: warm-up, discussion questions, debate activity, SCR prompt and all three stories
• Three original short stories
• Worksheet with 21 multiple-choice questions (7 per story)
• Answer key
• 1 SCR prompt

How teachers use it

• One or two class periods during STAAR review
• The debate works as a hook before reading
• Use one story at a time for warm-ups or small groups
• SCR practice with the text right there