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Featured Resources and Activities For the Spring of 2026:
Click on the resources below to access them in my TPT store and see the full product description and reviews. Happy Shopping 😉
Ah, spring. That magical time of year when the world thaws, the sun returns, and every teacher suddenly remembers what fresh air feels like. It’s the season of hope, renewal, and students asking if class can be held outside (spoiler: no, because the wind will eat your papers alive). The perfect texts capture rebirth and renewal, transformation, and unpredictable chaos: sunshine at 9 AM, thunderstorms at 11, and a full pollen attack by lunch. Is it warm? cold? both? neither? Who knows. So naturally, it’s the perfect time to bring in texts that match this “I’m thriving but also sneezing” energy. As always, consider pairing these full reads below with 100 short stories and poems. Let’s get reading 🙂
100 Short Stories and Poems: Activities and Answer Keys for All
Looking to build a bank of activities for short stories and poetry? Need some supplemental assignments, paired texts, materials for literature circles, enhancement activities, or substitute assignments to have on hand? I’ve got you!
(A list of all stories and poems covered in this product can be found on the description in my TPT store)
The Secret Garden Novel Study & Answer Key
Complete novel study for The Secret Garden, including: Pre reading questions, Vocabulary for the entire book, Chapter questions with figurative language and literary device practice, and current application to 21st century living, Review sections for each part of the story, which includes writing assignments, grammar practice, summary practice, historical perspective, and bonus activities, Final thoughts and activities section, & Answer Key
Hidden Pictures: Lord of the Flies- A Search and Find Activity
Tired of the same old activities? Me Too! So, one day I put the pen to paper and started to draw something a little more exciting for my kiddos. This product is the “Where’s Waldo” of the literary world. Instead of simply answering 20 questions about Lord of the Flies, students look at the search and find picture and have to find the answers first within the image.
Looking for the novel study to pair with this? Just check it out in my TPT store.
A Thousand Splendid Suns Novel Study & Answer Key
Complete novel study for A Thousand Splendid Suns, including: Pre reading questions, Vocabulary for the entire book, Chapter questions with figurative language and literary device practice, and current application to 21st century living, Review sections for each part of the story, which includes writing assignments, grammar practice, summary practice, historical perspective, and bonus activities, Final thoughts and activities section, & Answer Key
Meet the Creator
My name is Susan Williamson, and I have been in education for 16 years. When I was in high school, I really wanted to become an automotive engineer. I love to build and design, and I enjoyed working on cars with my dad. But after some not so hot grades in pre-calculus, I had an epiphany, realized my math wasn’t mathing, and I needed to find something in a different field that would allow me to be creative, but not work with trigonometry. I may not be a top-notch mathematician, but I did find my superpower in being able to read texts and help others to understand them. Not only that, but designing products for those texts helps channel the creative outlet I so badly need. Enter, education!
After obtaining my Bachelors in English, Masters in Curriculum and Instructional Technology, and Endorsement in Art k-12, I spent eight years teaching grades 6-8, and eight more-years teaching grades 9-12. Through working with a variety of students in the secondary level, I have had a ton of practice figuring out the activities and assignments that engage students.
Now I balance my time between my two kids and being a full-time content creator: Equal parts caffeinated chaos and creative brilliance. Both gigs keep my busy, on my toes, and most importantly, bring me so much joy. My kids teach me new things every day, and I am growing as an educator and designer because of them.
Creating these products also helps me to help others, which is another passion of mine. I absolutely love being able to save you time and help you spend less. So, whether you are a public or private school educator, a stay-at-home mama and/or homeschooler, or anyone just looking to really understand what happens in some of these hard to read classics, I got you. I see you. I can help.
My Full TPT store site can be accessed here
Not seeing what you need there? No worries. Email me at sleclair14@yahoo.com, and I will work to create the product you need.
What people are saying
This is THE BEST thing I’ve ever purchased on TpT….EVER! Thank you so much for such an inclusive and detailed item! I am so grateful that you just made my year turn from totally stressed out to extremely excited!!! Now I’ll have more time to focus on the students rather than on lesson planning!! Hugs to you!!!!!!!!!
– Mrs- Dyslexia
Where do I start? This resource is invaluable as a first time senior teacher. So many thought out activities and lessons. I’m especially excited to start using the vocabulary resource.
-Diane M.
These are great to use especially since I serve multiple schools. I can pull these out and use them any time anywhere.
-Mixed Bag of Tricks
What is happening this season @ The Lit Fairy:
I spent what feels like 27 years reading Little Women thoroughly. While it was slow rolling, it was rewarding.
Classroom Reads I’m Tackling Next in No Particular Order:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks: science, ethics, and the story everyone needs to know
We Are Displaced: powerful, global, and guaranteed to make students think
Great Expectations: Pip, Miss Havisham, and enough drama to fuel a telenovela
The Giver: dystopia, memory, and the original “what if society was… not great?”
Basically: if it’s iconic, emotional, or likely to spark a classroom debate, it’s on my list.
And because I believe in balance, your girl is also reading for fun- shocking, I know.
My friend Jordan Weir just wrote his first novel, The Fallout Kids, and I am making my way through that masterpiece now. Check it out and tell me what you think.
