The Monkey's Paw by WW Jacobs - ELA activities for 6th-8th Grade

Step into the mysterious and suspenseful world of “The Monkey’s Paw” with this engaging middle school lesson bundle! These resources are designed to strengthen students’ literary analysis, critical thinking, and creative writing skills — all while diving deep into one of the most iconic short stories in literature. Perfect for ELA, reading comprehension, or literary elements lessons! 

📈 The Monkey’s Paw Plot Diagram (6th–8th Grade) 🗺️📚

Help your students break down the chilling twists of “The Monkey’s Paw” using this plot diagram activity.Students will identify key story elements — exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution — while visually mapping the story’s eerie progression.

✨ Why you’ll love it:

• Reinforces understanding of story structure
• Builds analytical and sequencing skills
• Works great for whole class, small group, or independent work

A perfect fit for literature units focusing on foreshadowing, conflict, and theme!

📝 Monkey’s Paw: Rewrite the Ending Activity 💡

Encourage your students to tap into their creativity with this rewrite-the-ending writing task!After reading “The Monkey’s Paw,” students reimagine the story’s final scenes, exploring new possibilities while maintaining the suspenseful tone.

✨ Benefits for students:

• Develops creative writing and literary analysis skills
• Strengthens understanding of narrative structure and character motivation
• Encourages deeper thinking about theme and moral consequences

You can even display their alternate endings on a classroom bulletin board for a spooky and inspiring showcase! 

🔍 Monkey’s Paw Versions Venn Diagram (6th–8th Grade) ⚖️

This compare-and-contrast activity invites students to analyze two different adaptations or versions of “The Monkey’s Paw.”Using a simple Venn diagram, learners identify similarities and differences in plot, tone, and theme — fostering critical discussion and comprehension.

✨ Why it’s engaging:

• Promotes critical thinking and text-to-text connections
• Encourages discussion about adaptation and interpretation
• Excellent for group work or paired analysis activities

Use this resource to tie into standards-based lessons on literary elements, text comparison, or media adaptations. Find more resources like this at https://www.twinkl.com/l/zkxo5!