The One That Got Away – Complete ELA Resource

A Story of Integrity, Inference, and Internal Conflict

Grades 6–8 | Common Core Aligned | ADHD-Friendly | Answer Keys Included

✨ Overview:

The One That Got Away is a complete middle school ELA experience wrapped around a high-interest short story about doing what’s right—even when no one’s watching. This resource is ideal for classroom teachers and homeschool parents who want to cover reading comprehension, grammar, writing, and emotional inference using just one powerful story.

It’s especially effective for reluctant readers and students with ADHD thanks to the short, engaging format and visual storytelling approach.

What’s Included:

✅ Original Short Story: The One That Got Away

• Realistic fiction centered on character, choices, and internal conflict

• Designed for upper elementary and middle school students

✅ Reading Comprehension Quiz

• 10 Common Core-aligned multiple-choice questions

• Covers theme, tone, conflict, characterization, plot structure, and vocabulary in context

✅ Revise & Edit Grammar Quiz

• 10 multiple-choice questions pulled directly from the story

• Focus on sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, and clarity

✅ Short Answer & Writing Prompt

• 2 short-response questions requiring textual evidence

• 1 argumentative writing prompt with real-world application

✅ Picture Summary Activity

• 10 illustrations (6 correct, 4 distractors)

• Students must select the 6 images that best summarize the story

• Includes cut-and-paste and writing components

✅ Visual Multiple-Choice Practice

• Uses a single illustration and four image-based questions to review theme, mood, characterization, and inference

• Great for testing visual literacy and interpretation

✅ “How Do They Feel?” Inferencing Set

• 10 black-and-white illustrations designed to show a full emotional arc

• Students analyze facial expressions, body language, and context

• Includes a detailed teacher answer key with model inferencing responses

✅ Full Answer Keys Included!

Each skill section comes with a complete answer key so parents and homeschool teachers can feel confident supporting students—without extra prep. Whether you’re new to teaching or need a no-stress solution for a busy week, everything you need is built in.

Skills Covered:

• Reading Comprehension (RL.6.1, RL.6.2, RL.6.3, RL.6.5, RL.6.6)

• Making Inferences & Drawing Conclusions

• Theme, Tone, and Character Analysis

• Grammar: Sentence Structure, Punctuation, and Word Choice

• Argumentative Writing with Textual Evidence

• Visual Summarizing and Emotional Analysis

• Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Integrity, Confidence, and Peer Pressure

❤️ Why Teachers & Parents Love It:

• ✅ No prep – just print or assign

• ✅ Perfect for reluctant readers or students with ADHD

• ✅ Combines ELA skills with emotional intelligence

• ✅ Supports visual learners with stunning artwork

• ✅ Works well for homeschool, small groups, test prep, or independent work

Real Teacher Feedback:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This is a great way to push my higher students! Thank you so much!” – Amie B., 5th–6th Grade ELA

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Very engaging! This is exactly what I was looking for.” – The Little Classroom Around the Corner (TPT Seller)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This was really helpful for my special education students!” – Abbie D.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This was great for my tier 1 readers. They loved the story and the material really helped dive into it.” – Myka K.

Format:

• Printable PDF

Best for:

• 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade ELA

• Homeschool Literature Study

• Reading Comprehension Intervention

• Mixed-ability Classrooms

• Writing & Grammar Test Prep

• Character Education through ELA

Bring together story, skill, and SEL with this powerful one-stop resource. Let your students experience a story where doing the right thing is the real win.

? Grab your copy today and Light Up Literature in your classroom or homeschool!