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 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 the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Wolf and the Fox,” a cautionary story about the consequences of impulsiveness. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the supporting activity upholds rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the short story 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
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Discern the intended effect of word choices in context
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast the two primary characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on situational irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about fairy tale fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Sandra Cisneros’ Christmas-themed short story titled “Three Wise Guys: Un Cuento de Navidad.” The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. 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 givers of a gift
The occasion for a gift
The active imaginations of a family and their neighbors
When the mother wants her family to open the box
The family’s socioeconomic conditions
The revelation of the gift
Ruben’s reaction to the gift
Facilitate research on thirty topics related to The House on Mango Street and its author, Sandra Cisneros, with this low-prep, standards-based activity. Students will navigate informational texts about historically significant women (Elvia Carillo Puerto, Adelina Zendejas, Lydia Cacho, and more), landmark events (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Equal Rights Amendment, and more), social justice organizations (American Civil Liberties Union, League of Women Voters, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and more), Chicana authors (Gloria Evangelina Anzaldúa, Denise Chávez, Michele Serros, and more), and opportunities for writers (Hispanic Scholarship Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, and more). After compiling relevant details, the process culminates in the delivery of a formal presentation. A detailed scoring rubric is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Ultimately, students will perform the following tasks:
Articulate connections between a research topic and the assigned text
Conduct research using available resources
Collect and classify reliable sources
Develop successful methods of recording information
Evaluate the credibility of nonfiction texts, taking into consideration readability, date, relevance, expertise, and bias
Apply conventions of MLA formatting
Correctly site resources to avoid plagiarism
Organize information in a cohesive manner, using a note-taking system that includes summary, paraphrasing, and quoted material
Analyze, synthesize, and integrate information, generating a thoughtfully comprehensive report, free of generalities and redundancies
Present information in a formal, coherent manner
Engage middle and high school students with a classic example of adventure fiction, “To Build a Fire” by Jack London, and use this set of rigorous questions to promote close reading analysis skills. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, examining how word choices influence a reader’s interpretations, applying knowledge of literary devices, and articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Explore the author’s narrative techniques such as increasing the frequency of shorter, choppier sentences as the narrative reaches its climax
Determine author’s intent in writing that the protagonist’s limitation is that he is without imagination
Identify the protagonist’s motivation in continuing despite extremely harsh conditions
Draw logical inferences based on the fact that the dog “knew it was no time for traveling” and “its instinct told it a truer tale than was told to the man by the man’s judgment”
Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and simile
Locate textual evidence in support of claims associated with the protagonist’s self-awareness
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
For many high school students, humorous fiction, tall tales, and satire are types of literature that maximize interest and engagement. “The Devil and Daniel Webster” by Stephen Vincent Benet is a representative short story with great literary and academic merit. With this multiple choice assessment, English Language Arts teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension and hold learners accountable for completing assigned work. 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 quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Daniel Webster’s background
Jabez Stone’s unfortunate circumstances
The stranger’s dubious intentions
Jabez Stone as a dynamic character
The stranger’s handkerchief
A compromise in the bargain
Trial representation
The make-up of the jury
The trial as a trap
Winning over the jury
The trial’s outcome
Resolution
Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how Stephen Vincent Benet used hyperbole, simile, metaphor, and other literary devices to convey an exaggerated narrative in “The Devil and Daniel Webster” that is consistent with the supernatural fiction and tall tales. Delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key is included.
Fairy tales are not just for elementary students; even high school readers can use (and enjoy) fairy tales as a tool for practicing close reading analysis skills. This worksheet composed of rigorous questions covers “Sleeping Beauty” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1200-1300, the short story is suitable for both 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. By completing this exercise, students will:
Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly
Apply knowledge of literary devices including anthropomorphism, symbolism, foreshadowing, and more
Identify the story’s inciting incident
Analyze the author’s craft
Explore relationships between complex characters
Define complex words in context
Articulate conventions of the fairy tale genre
Cite textual evidence in support of inferences and claims
Write with clarity and precision
For many high school students, humorous fiction, tall tales, and satire are types of literature that maximize interest and engagement. “The Devil and Daniel Webster” by Stephen Vincent Benet is a representative short story with great literary and academic merit. With this set of rigorous questions to complement the reading of “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” English Language Arts teachers will help students exercise close reading analysis skills. 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 exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, metaphor, simile, allusion, and onomatopoeia
Discern the intended effect of the author’s word choices
Analyze a given detail to discern what it foreshadows
Identify several textual details in support of the claim that the stranger is the devil
Explain the complication that threatens to derail the trial for both Daniel Webster and Jabez Stone
Articulate how Daniel Webster overcomes the aforementioned complication
Identify several details that convey Daniel Webster’s personal strength.
Write with clarity and precision
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 “Sleeping Beauty” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1200-1300, the short story is suitable for both 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. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
A frog’s prophecy
The reason for a feast
The reason for inviting the Wise Women
The reason one of the Wise Women was not invited
An angry proclamation
A princess’ discovery in the tower
Supernatural events affecting people and animals in the vicinity of the castle
Supernatural events affecting the castle itself
The efforts of princes to locate Briar Rose
The resolution
Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how the Brothers Grimm used characterization, description, and various literary devices including hubris and symbolism to establish a mood in “Sleeping Beauty” that is consistent with the conventions of fairy tale writing. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included.
Engage middle and high school students with a classic example of adventure fiction, “To Build a Fire” by Jack London, and use this assessment to promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension. An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the public domain short story. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The protagonist’s arrogance
The old timer’s disregarded advice
The protagonist’s husky companion
The lack of understanding of the severe climate
The omnipresent dangers of the setting
The building of the fires
The protagonist’s lack of imagination and its consequences
The protagonist’s alarming thought concerning the husky
The protagonist’s realization before his demise
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter three of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The horses’ skills
Boxer’s slogan
The characterization of Benjamin
An object of great significance
The interaction between the cat and the sparrow
The contentious nature of the relationship between Napoleon and Snowball
Snowball’s decision regarding the seven commandments
Napoleon’s perspective on education
The pigs’ justification for inequity benefitting them
Intimidation tactics
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter one of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
The consequences of Mr. Jones’ alcoholism
Old Major’s species
The reason for Old Major’s oration
Old Major’s assessment of England’s climate
The “only real enemy” Old Major believes animals have
An essential claim made by Old Major
An issue on which animals vote
Old Major’s commandments
“Beasts of England”
Mr. Jones’ reaction to thinking there is a fox on his property
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter two of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The animal who was absent from Old Major’s speech
The fate of Old Major
The significance of Napoleon and Snowball
The Commandments of Animalism
Moses’ statements on what happens after an animal dies
Why Moses is disliked by the other animals
Mollie’s conflict
The most loyal disciples of Animalism
The cause of Mr. Jones’ worsening emotional state
Details about the Revolution
The passing of a resolution
Snowball’s instructions to the animals at the end of the chapter
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter four of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The important role of the pigeons
The characterization of Pilkington and Frederick
The nature of the relationship between Pilkington and Frederick
A rumor circulating around Animal Farm
Snowball’s research
Injured animals
Boxer’s terrible concern
An animal who goes missing
The name of the battle that transpired
The identity of an animal killed in battle
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter five of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Mollie’s life-changing decision
Napoleon’s strategies for disrupting Snowball’s speeches
The growing rift between Snowball and Napoleon
Napoleon’s priorities
Napoleon’s treatment of Snowball’s drawn-up plans
A dangerous incident that precedes Snowball’s departure
Napoleon’s big decision about community meetings
Intimidation tactics
Squealer’s accusations
Boxer’s new motto
Details concerning Sunday ceremonies
Napoleon’s surprise announcement
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter seven of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The humans’ belief about the fate of the windmill
Napoleon’s dynamic character
The deaths of nine hens
Squealer’s allegations
Napoleon’s lies
Immoral tactics used against the animals
Boxer’s reaction to the animal-on-animal violence
Clover’s reaction to the animal-on-animal violence
The decision related to the anthem “Beasts of England”
Promote homework accountability, measure reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and encourage deeper analysis of fiction with this bundle of teaching resources covering chapter 7 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. A set of close reading questions and a plot-based quiz are provided, along with answer keys. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats. Students will do the following:
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
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of 10 plot-based quizzes covering each individual chapter of Animal Farm by George Orwell. These quizzes may otherwise serve as guided reading worksheets to facilitate focused engagement with fiction. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter ten of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Working conditions and general quality of life
The elimination of once common aspects of Animal Farm
A new slogan at Animal Farm
Physical changes to the pigs
The farm’s name change
The reason humans return to the farm
The single remaining commandment
The nature of the interaction between pigs and humans
A conflict between Napoleon and Pilkington
The working animals’ observation of the interaction between pigs and humans