STAAR Review Saga: Conflict, Theme & Inferring

Test prep · Grades 9–10 · Slides + worksheet · $3 or included with All-Access

This is Lesson 2 of my STAAR Review Saga, built around 'Emily & Sarah,' an original short story about a secret that ends a friendship. Short, dramatic texts keep my English II kids reading closely, and that's where inference practice actually sticks.

Students start with a 3-5 sentence warm-up about a tough decision, read the story, and talk through 4 discussion questions about guilt, secrets and trust. The worksheet has 5 multiple-choice questions on conflict, inference, theme and character. Part 2 has 10 vocabulary-in-context questions written around video games and retro consoles.

What's included

• Lesson slides: warm-up, story and discussion questions
• Original short story 'Emily & Sarah'
• 5 reading multiple-choice questions (conflict, inference, theme, character)
• 10 vocabulary-in-context questions with a gaming theme
• Answer key for both parts

How teachers use it

• One class period during STAAR review
• Use the vocab section as a warm-up or exit ticket
• Discussion questions work for small groups or a quick Socratic circle