"Grandmother" by Hans Christian Andersen Close Reading Worksheet

Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “Grandmother,” a narrative centering on themes of appreciating the elderly and the fleeting nature of physical life. The brevity of the narrative helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the supporting activity maintains rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the text (estimated Lexile range of 1000-1100) are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.

This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.

By completing this close reading activity, students will:

• Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
• Determine the function of a given excerpt
• Describe the tone of the complete text
• Discern the intended effects of figurative language and other narrative techniques
• Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
• Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration, sibilance, irony, symbolism, imagery, metaphor, and more
• Explore themes in context
• Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
• Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision