The Reading and Writing Nook

Hands-On Reading & Writing Resources

Welcome! I’m Sonam, a passionate middle grades educator who believes learning sticks best when students are up, moving, and engaged. Over the years, I’ve taught middle school English Language Arts in both the U.S. and abroad, primarily in independent schools, and I’ve seen firsthand how hands-on, movement-based instruction can transform a classroom.

As a former board member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), I’ve been fortunate to help shape the broader conversation around literacy education. With a B.S. in Education from The University of Texas at Austin and an M.Ed. from Johns Hopkins University, I now use my background and expertise to design creative, standards-aligned resources that bring energy, clarity, and joy into ELA classrooms everywhere.

In middle school, engagement is the key to effective learning. When students are moving, they are thinking. That is why I developed the Four Corners Game Bundle: a series of 7 classroom-tested games designed specifically for grades 6, 7, and 8.

Whether you are looking for a back-to-school icebreaker, a holiday-themed lesson, or a rigorous end-of-year review, these interactive games get students out of their seats and excited about Common Core ELA standards.

How the Four Corners Games Work

These games are designed to be low-prep. Here’s the process:

  1. Display: Project the multiple-choice questions for the class.
  2. Move: Students choose their answer (A, B, C, or D) by walking to the corresponding corner of the room. (Labels are included)
  3. Discuss: Once students have chosen their corners, reveal the correct answer and lead a short discussion to reinforce the concept.
  4. Extend: Every game concludes with a creative writing challenge where students apply the skill, such as figurative language or making inferences, to their own original writing.

What’s Included in the Bundle

This bundle is built to cover essential reading comprehension, writing, and grammar standards throughout the entire school year. You will receive:

  • 7 Themed Games: Including Back to School, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Winter, February, Spring, and a Comprehensive Grammar Review.
  • Standards-Aligned Questions: All content is tailored to Common Core standards for grades 6–8.
  • Creative Writing Extensions: Unique tasks like writing “Letters of Advice” for Spring or “Student Writing Imitation” for Grammar review.

If you are looking for a way to make your ELA instruction more active while maintaining a focus on deep understanding and application, this bundle is the perfect addition to your classroom.

Check it out here!

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