Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Help high school students go beyond basic comprehension, explore literary devices, and improve critical thinking skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering the soliloquy in Act 2, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Consider using this resource as an in-class group activity; it may facilitate deeper conversations about characters, plot developments, and literary craft.
By engaging with this close reading analysis activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Discern tone in context
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic comprehension, explore literary devices, and improve critical thinking skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Act 3, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Consider using this resource as an in-class group activity; it may facilitate deeper conversations about characters, plot developments, and literary craft. By engaging with this close reading analysis activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consider the greater significance of given details
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the intended effect of Shakespearean language in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on dramatic irony, simile, and metaphor
Determine the tone of a given passage
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Consider using this resource as an in-class group activity; it may facilitate deeper conversations about characters, plot developments, and literary craft. More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the intended effect of Shakespearean language in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Discern the tone of a given passage
Apply knowledge of literary devices including verbal irony, sibilance, personification, consonance, and inversion
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic comprehension, explore literary devices, and improve critical thinking skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Act 4, scene 7, of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Consider using this resource as an in-class group activity; it may facilitate deeper conversations about characters, plot developments, and literary craft. By engaging with this close reading analysis activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the function of a given passage
Determine the tone of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hubris, personification, metaphor, and irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s Othello. The plot-based assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Cassio’s verbal exchange with Desdemona
Iago encouraging Othello’s suspicions toward Desdemona
Desdemona’s requests for Othello to forgive Cassio
Othello’s insistence that Iago tell him everything he knows
Iago’s underhanded behaviors and statements
Othello’s statements on marital trust and jealousy
The retrieval of Desdemona’s handkerchief
Othello’s mounting suspicions
Othello’s ultimatum to Iago
Desdemona’s frustrations
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s Othello. The plot-based assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Othello’s rage-fueled trance
Iago’s conspiracy to make Othello think Cassio loves Desdemona
Iago’s barbarous suggestion regarding Desdemona’s fate
The letter from Venice
Lodovico’s witnessing Othello’s abusive behavior
Emilia’s verbal exchange with Othello
Othello’s confrontation with Desdemona
Desdemona turning to Iago for help
Roderigo’s frustration with Iago
The arrangement Iago makes for Roderigo
Desdemona’s foreshadowing fear
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s Othello. The plot-based assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Additionally, a short answer worksheet is provided for re-assessment purposes. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Iago’s concern that Roderigo could expose him
Iago’s irrational jealousy of Cassio
Cassio’s injury
Fatal wounds
The arrest of Bianca
Othello’s verbal exchange with Desdemona
The subsequent killing
Emilia’s news
The brief revival of a character
The ensuing stabbings, one fatal
Othello’s subsequent perception of himself
The fatal flaw of the hero
Help students achieve more purposeful reading experiences and sharpen their note-taking skills with this reading guide covering Act 2 of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. In addition, this resource aims to facilitate review and future recall of plot. Students will identify what the text states explicitly, track character and plot development, articulate the context and significance of given quotations, and more. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. The following details are addressed:
Dramatic irony
The rejection of names
Romeo’s fear of rejection
Juliet’s concern over acting hastily
Juliet’s desire for Romeo to send her a message
Friar Laurence’s beliefs on good and evil
Friar Laurence’s concerns for Romeo
Romeo’s request of Friar Laurence
Friar Laurence’s optimistic view of the union of Romeo and Juliet
The Nurse’s private conversation with Romeo
The plan to marry Juliet
The Nurse’s comic relief
And more
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Annotate text to show active engagement
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, paradox, and foreshadowing
Choose the best textual evidence in support of a claim
Discern the tone of Friar Laurence’s soliloquy
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Argue whether Friar Laurence’s decision to assist Juliet is consistent or inconsistent with his moral and religious duty
Reflect on a previous scene to articulate how an aspect of Friar Laurence’s plan was foreshadowed
Support claims or inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as dramatic irony and oxymoronic language
Conduct brief research on a variety of subjects including allusions to obscure mythological creatures
Support claims or inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 5, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Compare aspects of this scene with aspects of a previous scene (Act 3.5)
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the tone of the scene
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, metaphor, personification, and situational irony
Support claims or inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help learners go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 5, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Argue whether Romeo’s behavior in the scene is consistent with his characterization throughout the play
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing
Support claims or inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this set of plot-based quizzes covering the entirety of William Shakespeare’s Othello. These assessments may double as guided reading handouts to facilitate active reading experiences. Answer keys are provided. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Roderigo’s affections for Desdemona
Iago’s fury toward Othello
Brabantio
The Turks’ plan to attack Cyprus
Othello and Desdemona’s relationship
Desdemona’s internal conflict
Othello’s departure
Desdemona’s arrangement to stay with Iago
Brabantio’s warning to Othello
Iago’s manipulation of Roderigo
The end of the war with the Turks
Iago’s emphasis on Cassio’s friendliness toward Desdemona
Cassio’s weakness
Iago’s taking advantage of Cassio’s weakness
The consequences of Cassio’s actions
Othello’s ironic perspective on Iago’s character
Cassio seeking advice from one he considers his closest friend
Iago’s next manipulative move involving Desdemona
Cassio’s verbal exchange with Desdemona
Iago encouraging Othello’s suspicions toward Desdemona
Desdemona’s requests for Othello to forgive Cassio
Othello’s insistence that Iago tell him everything he knows
Iago’s underhanded behaviors and statements
Othello’s statements on marital trust and jealousy
The retrieval of Desdemona’s handkerchief
Othello’s mounting suspicions
Othello’s ultimatum to Iago
Desdemona’s frustrations
Othello’s rage-fueled trance
Iago’s conspiracy to make Othello think Cassio loves Desdemona
Iago’s barbarous suggestion regarding Desdemona’s fate
The letter from Venice
Lodovico’s witnessing Othello’s abusive behavior
Emilia’s verbal exchange with Othello
Othello’s confrontation with Desdemona
Desdemona turning to Iago for help
Roderigo’s frustration with Iago
The arrangement Iago makes for Roderigo
Desdemona’s foreshadowing fear
Iago’s concern that Roderigo could expose him
Iago’s irrational jealousy of Cassio
Cassio’s injury
Fatal wounds
The arrest of Bianca
Othello’s verbal exchange with Desdemona
The subsequent killing
Emilia’s news
The brief revival of a character
The ensuing stabbings, one fatal
Othello’s subsequent perception of himself
The fatal flaw of the hero
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 4, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Determine the function of a given passage
Define challenging words as they are used in the text
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on dramatic irony
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast two characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Consider the motif of the guest-host relationship and argue whether Portia conforms to the expectations of a good host, or whether she fails to meet expectations and represents a bad host
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on allusion and hyperbole
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 5, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Determine the function of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school readers go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Isolate the best textual evidence in support of a claim
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
