Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching Daphne du Maurier’s short story “The Birds,” which features compelling elements consistent with the horror and psychological fiction genres: an isolated setting, killings without clear motivations, the suggestion of humanity’s inevitable extinction, and more. A plot-based quiz, close reading analysis worksheet, vocabulary application activity, crossword puzzle, word search game, and answer keys are provided in this bundle. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable 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 engaging with these exercises, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Examine how elements of setting contribute to the development of suspense Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Determine the functions of characters Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, amplification, onomatopoeia, simile, epiphany, foreshadowing, and more Conduct online research to answer a question about historical context Reflect on humanity’s relationship with Nature Consider relevant themes Discern the significance of the protagonist’s final actions Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Fairy tales are not just for elementary readers; even middle and high school students may use fairy tales as tools for extending beyond reading comprehension and practicing close reading analysis skills. “The Girl Without Hands” by the Brothers Grimm, also known as “The Maiden Without Hands” and “The Armless Maiden,” is a short story about the plight of a maiden whose poor father makes a bargain that results in her disfigurement and confinement. Included are the following: an editable, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; the public domain short story; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Isolate a factual statement from falsehoods in the context of the miller’s characterization Explain how situational irony and dramatic irony are applied Discern the significance of the maiden’s decision to draw a circle around her Explore cause-and-effect relationships (how losing her hands affects the maiden physically, psychologically, and interpersonally) Analyze the silver hands for symbolic value Define complex words in context Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration and foreshadowing Cite textual evidence to support claims and ideas Write with clarity and precision

For many middle and high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. This bundle focuses on three representative short stories by Toni Cade Bambara: “Raymond’s Run,” “Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird,” and “Geraldine Moore the Poet.” English Language Arts teachers may use this bundle as a tool for evaluating general reading comprehension, supporting the development of close reading analysis skills, and promoting homework accountability. Included are the following: editable, plot-based quizzes for each narrative; close reading analysis activities for each narrative; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.

For many high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird” by Toni Cade Bambara is a short story focusing on a Black family whose ways of life are being infringed upon by opportunistic, politically motivated filmmakers. With this bundle of high school resources covering “Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird,” English Language Arts teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension and support the continued development of close reading analysis skills. Included are the following: an editable, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Infer character motivations Articulate the function of a specific character (Cathy) Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, idiom, and onomatopoeia Isolate an example of figurative language from among several options Choose an opinion with which Granny would most likely agree based on an anecdote she shares with her family Determine which character or characters are represented in the character of Goldilocks Identify several ways in which the filmmakers dehumanize Granny and members of her family Draw parallels between the American folk hero John Henry and the character of Granddaddy Cain Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Geraldine Moore the Poet” by Toni Cade Bambara is a short story focusing on a girl with unfavorable life circumstances who is on the verge of an important self-discovery: that she has a natural talent for expressing herself poetically. With this bundle of high school resources covering “Geraldine Moore the Poet,” English Language Arts teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension and support the continued development of close reading analysis skills. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable, editable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing, idiom, and ambiguity Articulate the function of a given detail Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Demonstrate awareness of the narrative’s inciting incident Articulate the symbolism associated with Geraldine’s being offered tomato soup Choose an opinion with which Geraldine is most likely to agree Evaluate the qualities that make Geraldine’s poem “the most poetic thing” Argue whether Geraldine or Mrs. Scott experiences the greatest epiphany Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Morley Callaghan’s “All the Years of Her Life,” a short story focusing on how a young son’s behavior influences the psychological state of his loving mother. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Consult reference materials 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 narrative techniques Determine the point of view of the narrative Discern the tone of a particular passage Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast characters Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and epiphany Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the tall tale “The Devil and Daniel Webster” by Stephen Vincent Benet. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a craft analysis exercise, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable 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 engaging with these activities, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Discern 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 allusion, hyperbole, foreshadowing, metaphor, onomatopoeia, and simile Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about coming-of-age fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching Jack London’s short story “To Build a Fire.” A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a craft analysis exercise, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in a zip file as Word Documents and PDFs. 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 engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques such as the increasing frequency of shorter, choppier sentences as the narrative reaches its climax Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and simile Support claims and inferences with relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literature

For many high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst is a story about overcoming obstacles, family pressures, the unintended consequences of one’s actions, and more. With this bundle of high school resources covering “The Scarlet Ibis,” English teachers will save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Discern the function of a particular paragraph Apply knowledge of various literary devices including oxymoron, idiom, personification, dramatic irony, hubris, and more Determine the tone of a particular excerpt Conduct brief research online to make sense of setting and an allusion Interpret the intended effect of a given passage on the audience List several similarities between Doodle and the scarlet ibis Infer Doodle’s attitude toward mortality based on his treatment of the dead bird Examine a passage to identify several narrative techniques used to intensify suspense Explore the traditional symbolism associated with rain in order to make sense of the phrase “heresy of rain” as it is used in the story Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision