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.
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the parable are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
The subject of the minister’s sermon
The townspeople’s reaction to the veiled minister
Elizabeth’s relationship to the minister
An observation made during a funeral service
The reason for the minister’s fear at a wedding ceremony
The minister’s caretaker when he becomes elderly
Whether or not the minister ever permits his veil to be lifted
The nature of the minister’s dying remarks
And more
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Lullaby” by Leslie Marmon Silko. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The protagonist’s name
The fate of each of the protagonist’s children
Setting
The significance of the snow
Conflicts between the protagonist and her husband
Memories of the protagonist’s mother and grandmother
The reason for the husband’s firing
The husband’s irresponsible financial decisions
The context of the lullaby
And more
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Tuesday Siesta” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The characters’ means of transportation
The nature of the relationship between mother and daughter
The purpose of the characters’ trip
Carlos’ general characterization
The priest’s treatment of the mother
The object given to the mother by the priest
The mother’s disposition in the face of scrutiny
And more
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Californian’s Tale” by Mark Twain. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Point of view
The amount of time that has passed
The area’s reputation
The narrator’s assessment of those who live in log cabins
The narrator’s observations about the cabin
Why the narrator is encouraged to stay
The concerns of the narrator
How the host’s personality changes over the course of the story
How the host’s friends subdue him
The truth about the host’s life
The host’s apparent medical condition
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Point of view
Setting
The general characterizations of the men at sea
The correspondent’s assessment of Nature
The identity of the character who dies
How the surviving men perceive themselves following their shared experience
And more
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The White Umbrella” by Gish Jen. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The nature of the practice sessions
The narrator’s lies
The bickering between the narrator and her sister
The reason the narrator is reluctant to ask for a white umbrella
The interaction between the narrator and her teacher
A misunderstanding involving the white umbrella
The narrator’s awkward admission to her teacher
The reason for the mother’s delay
The mother’s sharing of a Chinese saying
A terrifying incident
The fate of the white umbrella
Help middle and high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “American History” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. An answer key is provided. 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 the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Consider how a change in point of view would affect the reader’s perception of Elena’s mother
Discern the main conflict of the narrative
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast two characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, personification, simile, and more
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “American History” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abrupt, altar, dilapidated, discreet, elation, enthralled, hierarchy, hija, hue, infatuated, resigned, solace, vigaroes, and wail.
By engaging with these activities, students will:
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “American History” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
Elena’s general demeanor
Elena’s likes and dislikes
Elena’s impression of Eugene
The dream of Elena’s parents
Elena’s personal goals
A major historical event
Elena’s observations as she heads home
Elena’s intentions in the hours following the historical event
The interaction between Elena and Eugene’s mom
Help middle and high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “Catch the Moon” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. An answer key is provided. 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 the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore the author’s use of punctuation in context
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Evaluate whether the protagonist’s father bears responsibility for his behavior
Activate knowledge of the fairy tale “Cinderella” and compare the titular character to Luis
Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany, hyperbole, symbolism, and more
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “Catch the Moon” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: ancient, barrio, cementerio, correspondence, decapitate, hijo, hubcap, juvenile, makeshift, metal, relic, and vulgar.
By engaging with these activities, students will:
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “And of Clay Are We Made” by Isabel Allende, as translated by Margaret Sayers Peden. An answer key is provided. 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 the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Determine the functions of given excerpts
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, metaphor, personification, situational irony, symbolism, and more
Reflect on what the story implies about the power of the media
Consider themes in context
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “And of Clay Are We Created” by Isabel Allende, as translated by Margaret Sayers Peden. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The nature of the natural disaster
The age of the trapped girl
The identity of the narrator
Rolf’s career
Means by which people try to help the trapped girl
Rolf’s reflections
Interactions between Rolf and the trapped girl
The narrator’s assessment of Rolf’s condition
And more
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, four close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Demonstrate knowledge of historical context
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, metaphor, simile, anaphora, allusion, hyperbole, situational irony, and more
Consider themes in context
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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, three close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Determine the function of a given scene
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare characters in the play
Apply knowledge of literary devices including double entendre, hyperbole, allusion, personification, metaphor, simile, and dramatic irony
Consider themes in context
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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, five close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, oxymoron, allusion, personification, euphemism, dramatic irony, and 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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, seven close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Determine the function of a given scene
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as personification, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, allusion, paradox, situational irony, and more
Consider themes in context
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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, three close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Determine the function of a given scene
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text including foreshadowing, situational irony, and dramatic 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 navigate William Shakespeare’s language with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of As You Like It. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the play during unexpected teacher absences. Included are 5 vocabulary application activities, 5 crossword puzzles, 5 word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
A total of 126 words are addressed: abominable, abruptly, acquit, allottery, amble, anon, array, base, bastinado, bequeath, bestow, boast, boisterous, boorish, bough, caparison, capricious, carlot, chanticleer, chaste, chide, churlish, cicatrice, clamorous, comely, commend, compact, conjure, contrive, counsel, countenance, descend, desolation, discord, dissuade, ditty, dowry, dulcet, effect, elegy, entreat, erewhile, exult, fain, feign, flout, forbear, gallant, gilded, heartily, hoarse, hornmaker, husbandry, idle, irk, jointure, knavery, lament, languish, leer, lief, lo, lusty, malice, mar, melancholy, mirth, miser, moonish, murmur, mutton, nimble, nuptial, obscure, odious, osier, pains, pard, parlous, peevish, penury, perpend, pilgrimage, politic, pompous, prate, prithee, purgation, purlieus, quarrel, rascally, reign, relish, resolute, rudiments, rumination, salutation, sans, sententious, servitude, shrewd, simper, sinewy, sirrah, slander, smirch, stern, sullen, sunder, swift, swoon, synod, tedious, thrice, treacherous, umber, uncouth, unkept, valiant, vehemence, venerable, waspish, weary, wherefore, whither, and woo.
By engaging with these activities, students will:
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: array, bastinado, bestow, boorish, compact, conjure, ditty, dulcet, flout, hoarse, idle, mirth, miser, nuptial, obscure, politic, pompous, quarrel, rudiments, salutation, sententious, shrewd, simper, swift, and weary.
By engaging with these activities, students will:
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
