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 extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapter 5 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze the nature of relationships between and among characters
Explain the symbolism behind Mollie’s disappearance
Make logical inferences about the author’s intent
Explore the motif of forbidden pleasures
Discern the greater significance of the windmill debate
Make logical inferences about character motivations
Isolate an example of figurative language
Articulate how Napoleon demonstrates disdain for free speech
Identify and explain an example of situational irony in the context of the chapter
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Justify written responses with reasoning and/or textual evidence
Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapter 6 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore character motivations
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as onomatopoeia
Define complex words and phrases in context
Analyze nuances in word meanings
Compare and contrast characters
Isolate a true statement about plot from a set of falsehoods
Discern the function of the chapter
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Identify several examples of complication in the context of the chapter
Analyze the role language plays in the world of Animal Farm
Articulate the intended effect of scapegoating Snowball
Justify written responses with reasoning and/or textual evidence
Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapter 7 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. This worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Make logical inferences about characters’ intentions, motivations, and beliefs
Apply knowledge of sonic devices including assonance, sibilance, onomatopoeia, and cacophony
Explain how Napoleon is a dynamic character
Identify an example of foreshadowing in the chapter
Conduct brief research on Joseph Stalin’s regime
Identify historical parallels between Stalin’s leadership and Napoleon’s
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Justify written responses with reasoning and/or textual evidence
Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapter 8 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Make logical inferences about characters’ intentions and motivations
Analyze a particular detail to infer the author’s intent
Explore how Boxer is becoming a dynamic character
Isolate a true statement about plot from a set of falsehoods
Contrast the Battle of the Windmill with the Battle of the Cowshed
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as hubris
Evaluate the role propaganda plays in the world of Animal Farm
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Justify written responses with reasoning and/or textual evidence
Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapter 9 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Make logical inferences about characters’ intentions and motivations
Analyze character relationships
Analyze a particular detail to infer the author’s intent
Articulate the irony associated with the word republic
Explore the motif of hypocrisy
Articulate how the pigs demonstrate contradictory thinking and actions
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Justify written responses with reasoning and/or textual evidence
Promote homework accountability, measure and extend reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and encourage deeper analysis of fiction with this bundle of teaching resources covering the entirety of Animal Farm by George Orwell. With this product, high school English Language Arts teachers may save valuable time outside the classroom without sacrificing rigor inside the classroom. Ten resources are provided, one for each chapter in the novel. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats.
Help high school students extend beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapter 10 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. This worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Make logical inferences about characters’ intentions and motivations
Analyze character relationships
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the novel
Determine the intended effect of a word as it is used in the novel
Explore the greater significance of Animal Farm’s name change
Apply knowledge of figurative language
Analyze a particular detail to infer the author’s intent
Defend the claim that the animals are collectively worse off than before Napoleon’s rule
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Justify written responses with reasoning and/or textual evidence
This low-prep, end-of-unit creative writing project is an engaging alternative to a traditional summative test on Animal Farm by George Orwell. Students will write ten journal entries from Benjamin’s point of view, exploring the character’s internal state throughout the course of the novel. This assessment requires more than basic plot summary; it encourages students to analyze a character’s relationships, emotions, fears, motivations, and more. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Included are the following:
Detailed directions, which include a rationale for the project, a rundown of student expectations, and a list of learning standards emphasized
A thorough, standards-based rubric for grading student writing, which aligns evaluative criteria to Common Core standards and includes a section for written teacher feedback
A set of prewriting documents, which may be completed while or after reading each chapter, to facilitate planning for the end-of-unit project
An “Important Quotations” document to help students explore style and tone
Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells (book 1, chapters 6 through 10). An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the featured chapters, which are in the public domain. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing the close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Explore character development and motivations
Analyze what character actions reveal about their mindset
Analyze how characters interact
Explain the irony of a given detail
Explore how themes are reinforced
Discern the function of a given excerpt
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, metaphor, simile, sibilance, hubris, and more
Identify an example of juxtaposition and articulate its effect
Identify an example of foreshadowing
Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells (book 1, chapters 11 through 17). An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the featured chapters, which are in the public domain. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing the close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Explore character development and motivations
Explore the symbolism of given objects or circumstances
Make logical inferences about the author’s intent
Explain the irony of a given detail
Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia
Discern the function of a given character in the context of a particular chapter
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Compare and contrast characters
Explore the influence of mass media on the public
Consider historical context in relation to the author’s intentions
Discern the function of a given chapter
Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells (book 2, chapters 1 through 5). An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the featured chapters, which are in the public domain. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing the close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Explore character development and motivations
Analyze how complex characters interact
Articulate the greater significance of a given detail
Explore the symbolism of given objects or circumstances
Make logical inferences about the author’s point of view on religion in the context of disastrous survival situations
Discern a relevant theme in the context of a given chapter
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification
Discern the function of a given chapter
Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells (book 2, chapters 6 through 10). An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the featured chapters, which are in the public domain. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing the close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Explore character development and motivations
Analyze how complex characters interact
Explore techniques the author uses to convey a sense of defeatism
Identify and explain an example of situational irony
Identify an example of epiphany and articulate the effect it has on a character
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including aposiopesis and paradox
Articulate the greater significance of a given detail
Explore the relevance of a given chapter title (“Wreckage”)
Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, and text comprehension with a brief, engaging fairy tale titled “The Singing Bone” by the Brothers Grimm. A plot-based quiz is provided to measure reading comprehension, along with an answer key. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The cause of great terror in the kingdom
The king’s promise to anyone who solves the kingdom’s problem
General character descriptions
The king’s instructions to a pair of brothers
A gift given to one of the brothers
A shepherd’s discovery
The fate of both brothers
Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this bundle of resources for teaching “The Singing Bone” by the Brothers Grimm. Included are the following: a self-grading, plot based quiz; a worksheet composed of high-order questions; a copy of the public domain short story (estimated Lexile Measure of 1100-1200); and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing the close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Define complex words and phrases in context, with emphasis on archaic usage
Analyze nuances in word meanings
Choose the most appropriate synonym to replace a word
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text with emphasis on lesser known concepts: metonymy, epizeuxis, polysyndeton, and anastrophe
Apply knowledge of more basic literary devices to the text: consonance, assonance, alliteration, personification, and situational irony
Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, and text comprehension with a brief, engaging fairy tale titled “The Hare and the Hedgehog” by the Brothers Grimm. A plot-based quiz is provided to measure reading comprehension, along with an answer key and copy of the public domain narrative (estimated Lexile Measure of 1000-1100). Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Point of view
Setting
Character actions and descriptions
The hedgehog’s insecurity
The wager between the hare and the hedgehog
The wife’s role in the hedgehog’s plan
The fate of the hare
Theme
Help middle and high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this bundle of resources for teaching “The Hare and the Hedgehog” by the Brothers Grimm. Included are the following: a self-grading, plot based quiz; a worksheet composed of high-order questions; a copy of the public domain short story (estimated Lexile Measure of 1000-1100); and answer keys. Students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Discern the target audience of the narrative
Apply knowledge of alliteration, assonance, sibilance, simile, and dramatic irony to the text
Discern the meaning of complex phrases in context
Discern the tone of a particular excerpt
Discern the most accurate characterization of the hedgehog
Articulate the consequence of the hare’s stubbornness
Compare and contrast the hare and the hedgehog
Cite textual evidence to support claims and ideas
Write with clarity and precision
Conclude a unit on The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells with this printable summative assessment. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this test includes 46 multiple choice questions. In addition to objective questions on character, plot, literary devices, and quote/passage analysis, an essay section is featured, requiring high school students to explore how the author incorporated verisimilitude into the plot. An answer key and standards-based essay scoring rubric are provided. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate an ability to:
Correctly identify characters based on given details and descriptions
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, dramatic irony, imagery, personification, and more
Analyze passages to determine which ones support a given claim or idea
Write a brief essay in which students convey ideas with relevant textual evidence and adhere to the standard conventions of written English
Help high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the short story titled “Dark They Were and Golden Eyed” by Ray Bradbury. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Identify the narrative’s inciting incident
Identify the narrative’s dominant conflict
Explore the functions of a particular character
Explore character development and motivations
Analyze figurative language to infer the author’s intent
Make logical interpretations of metaphorical expressions
Explain the intended effect of repetition as it appears in a given excerpt
Analyze passages to discern their greater significance
Explore themes in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, and more
Analyze the author’s descriptive language as it relates to setting to infer its purpose
Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
For many high school readers, science fiction, supernatural fiction, and horror are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “From Beyond” by H.P. Lovecraft is a compelling short story that features elements consistent with those genres: advanced technology, parallel realities, alien life, and more. This multiple choice quiz on “From Beyond” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Crawford Tillinghast’s beliefs
The purpose of an advanced machine
The narrator’s connection to Tillinghast
The narrator’s advice for Tillinghast
The physical transformation of Tillinghast
The location of Tillinghast’s lab
The effects of the machine on the narrator
The narrator’s emotional reaction to his supernatural experiences
Tillinghast’s advice for staying safe
The collective fate of Tillinghast’s servants
Peculiar creatures surrounding the characters
The fate of the machine
Tillinghast’s apparent cause of death
The police officers’ assumptions about the narrator
Fairy tales are not just for elementary students; even high school readers can use (and enjoy) fairy tales as a tool for measuring general reading comprehension. This multiple choice quiz covers “The Fox and the Horse” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1100-1200, the short story is especially suitable for middle and high school students. The briefness of the narrative also makes it an appropriate time-filler for awkward gaps in teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
How age has affected the protagonist
The seemingly insurmountable challenge the protagonist faces
The protagonist’s emotional state
The role of the fox in terms of assisting the horse
The execution of a plan to resolve the protagonist’s conflict
The resolution