My Brother Sam Is Dead Novel Study Unit - 137-Page Teacher Resource BUNDLE
$25.00
Teach My Brother Sam Is Dead with confidence using this complete, no-prep novel study unit from Simply Novel. This comprehensive teacher guide includes over 135 pages of ready-to-use lessons, activities, quizzes, tests, and graphic organizers—everything you need to teach the novel from start to finish.
Designed for middle school ELA classrooms, this resource builds reading comprehension, vocabulary, literary analysis, and writing skills while helping students explore themes of family loyalty, war, and moral conflict during the American Revolution.
This resource is provided as a printable PDF and can be adapted for digital use.
What's Included
This complete My Brother Sam Is Dead novel study includes:
Pre-Reading Materials & Background Building
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Author biographies with student questions
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Informational text article: “The Revolutionary War: Parson’s Encampment” with comprehension questions
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Informational text article: “The Connecticut Militia” with comprehension questions
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Pre-reading strategy activity: Story Impressions Note-Taking
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Pre-reading ideas and activities list
Reading Support for Every Chapter
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Chapter-by-chapter reading comprehension questions
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Chapter note-taking and summarizing charts
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Vocabulary lists (with and without definitions)
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Vocabulary activities and practice
Literary Analysis & Close Reading Activities
Students practice essential ELA skills with targeted activities on:
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Literary response and analysis
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Making inferences (“It Says – I Say – And So”)
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Understanding foreshadowing
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Point of view
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Uses of dialogue
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Plot structure (graphic organizer)
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Character analysis (character web)
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Setting analysis
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Theme development
Vocabulary & Grammar Skill Practice
Skill-building activities focused on:
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Action verbs (physical vs. mental)
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Multiple-meaning words
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Helping verbs and being verbs
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Vocabulary synonyms and derivations
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Simple verb tense
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Etymology
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Figurative language
Assessments & Evaluation Tools
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Chapter reading quizzes
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Vocabulary quizzes
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TWO different final exams
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Literary analysis writing assignments with model essays
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Essay prompts and writing ideas
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Project and response-to-literature rubrics
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Alternative assessment and extension activity ideas
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Complete answer key
Teacher Support Materials
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Teacher notes and implementation suggestions
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Post-reading project ideas
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Summary of the novel
Why Teachers Love This
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No-prep – just print and teach
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Structured to guide students through the novel step-by-step
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Includes differentiated activities for a wide range of learners
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Covers all major ELA skill areas in one organized unit
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Saves hours of planning time
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Aligned with middle school reading and writing standards
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Flexible enough for whole-class, small group, or independent work
Teachers consistently report that Simply Novel guides help them teach deeper, more meaningful units without the overwhelm of creating materials from scratch.
Perfect For:
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Middle school ELA classrooms (Grades 6–8)
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Whole-class novel studies
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Literature circles or small group instruction
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Independent reading assignments
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Homeschool literature units
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Emergency sub plans
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Test prep and review
Why It Works
This novel study guide combines rigorous academic content with practical classroom usability. Students don’t just answer basic questions—they practice higher-level thinking skills like analyzing theme, making inferences, and supporting claims with text evidence.
With a balance of comprehension, analysis, vocabulary, and writing, this unit helps students:
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Understand complex historical fiction
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Build critical reading skills
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Strengthen academic writing
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Engage deeply with the novel’s themes and conflicts
The result? More confident readers, stronger writers, and a smoother, more effective novel unit for you.
What Teachers Are Saying
“Another high-quality resource. You can't go wrong with Simply Novel resources.” – Amy J.
“This unit has it all! I was able to follow the lesson plans without any struggles and cover a lot of CCSS within one unit.” – Sarah S.
“A HUGE lifesaver for my unit with my seventh graders. This is my first year teaching this novel and this was a great resource.” – Heather D.
“I teach a wide range of students, and this resource helped both my struggling readers and my advanced students succeed.” – Jeremy G.
