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.
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions on the short story “The Sparrow and His Four Children” by the Brothers Grimm. The narrative has an estimated Lexile measure of 1200-1300, making it an appropriate addition to a fairy tale or fantasy fiction unit at the high school level, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Articulate the means by which the four children are saved
Articulate the father sparrow’s primary internal conflict
Conduct brief research to address a question that pertains to the plot
Define complex words in context
Make logical inferences from the perspective of the father sparrow
Demonstrate comprehension of figurative language
Analyze the authors’ craft to discern and explain how double-denotation influences meaning
Analyze the authors’ craft to discern how assonance is employed
Analyze the narrative’s biblical allusion and paraphrase how it applies to the story
Explain the situational irony of the youngest bird’s remarks late in the story
Cite textual evidence to support claims and ideas
Write with clarity and precision
For many high school readers, supernatural fiction and fantasy are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “Beyond the Wall of Sleep” by H.P. Lovecraft is a compelling short story that features elements consistent with both genres: dreamy aberrations, astral projection, the possession of a human body, and more. This rigorous worksheet covering “Beyond the Wall of Sleep” helps English teachers extend student learning beyond reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Analyze nuance in words with similar meanings
Examine the narrator’s attitude toward Freud
Determine the function of a given paragraph
Discern the tone of a particular passage
Examine the author’s choices to infer his intent
Explore character motivations
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Identify and explain an example of situational irony
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Defend claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Measure reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school and college with this set of analysis questions on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “Hypnos.” A variety of reading question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. With an estimated Lexile Measure of 1300-1400, this text and its corresponding active reading worksheet are appropriate additions to short story, Halloween, or horror units, especially at the 11th and 12th grade levels. A detailed answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
By completing this activity, secondary students will demonstrate the following:
An ability to analyze a paragraph in the text in order to discern its primary function.
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships
An ability to define complex words and phrases in context
An ability to analyze the text to discern the tone of an excerpt
An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as situational irony
An ability to analyze the author’s craft and articulate the significance of sensory descriptions in the context of a specific excerpt
An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim
An ability to read closely to isolate a correct statement about the text.
An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly
An ability to write with clarity and precision
Measure comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school and college with this set of rigorous questions on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “He.” With an estimated Lexile Measure of 1500-1600, this text and its corresponding active reading worksheet are appropriate additions to a high school short story unit, especially at the 12th grade level or in advanced literature classes. A detailed answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
By completing this activity, students will demonstrate the following:
An ability to define complex vocabulary in context
An ability to navigate specialized reference materials to clarify a word’s precise meaning(s)
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships
An ability to analyze context clues to identify and articulate author’s intent
An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as situational irony and foreshadowing
An ability to analyze cause-and-effect relationships
An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim
An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly
An ability to write with clarity, logic, and precision
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Who Am I This Time?” by Kurt Vonnegut. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The North Crawford Mask and Wig Club
The avoidance of social gatherings
The narrator’s wish for Harry Nash
The narrator’s invitation to an auditioning woman
The town’s reaction to Harry’s acting
The narrator’s first impression of Helene’s acting
Efforts to improve Helene’s acting
Helene’s fantasy when viewing movies in the past
Helene’s difficulty in establishing relationships
Lydia’s impressions on who will direct
Lydia’s prediction for Helene
A gift from Harry
“The luckiest girl in town”
For many high school students, supernatural fiction is a genre that maximizes engagement with literature. “The Moon Bog” by H.P. Lovecraft features strange beings, mind manipulations, and even implied social criticism of humanity’s greed and treatment of the environment. This multiple choice quiz on “The Moon Bog” 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. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
The purpose of the narrator’s visit
Denys Barry’s intentions for the bog
Denys Barry’s disregard for the supernatural
The legend of the bog
Eerie happenings
The locals’ collective reaction to Denys Barry’s decisions
The narrator’s dreams
The narrator’s observations of the bog
The fate of Denys Barry
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “The Godfather,” a short story by the Brothers Grimm. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and a copy of the public domain narrative are provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The cause of the poor man’s poverty
The reason the protagonist approaches a stranger
The stranger’s gift to the protagonist
The protagonist’s new ability
The appearance of a particular mythical figure
The reason the protagonist decides to visit the stranger
Strange encounters at the stranger’s residence
Physical traits of the stranger
The nature of the conversation between the protagonist and the stranger
The resolution
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Old Woman Magoun,” a short story by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
The social significance of the grocery store
Magoun’s reputation
The construction of a bridge
Lily’s relation to Magoun
Lily’s general characterization
Sally Jinks’ suggestion
The purpose of Barry’s visit to Magoun
Barry’s feelings toward Magoun
Mason’s profession
A request Magoun makes of Mason
The cause of Lily’s illness
Magoun’s intentional inaction
Magoun’s attempts to comfort her dying granddaughter
The significance of an object
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Astronomer’s Wife,” a short story by Kay Boyle. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Point of view
The general behavior of Mrs. Ames in the exposition
Mrs. Ames’ evaluation of her marriage
Mr. Ames’ general attitude toward his wife
Mr. Ames’ personal and professional interests
The nature of the interaction between Mrs. Ames and a plumber
The aspects of the plumber to which Mrs. Ames pays much attention
The nature of the plumber’s dialogue
Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this set of printable quizzes on “Gwilan’s Harp,” a short story by Ursula K. Le Guin. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, these assessments make it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. Multiple choice and short answer versions are included, as well as answer keys.
By engaging with these materials, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The acquisition of the harp and Gwilan’s talent for playing it
The harp’s personal significance to Gwilan
Tom and Gwilan’s travels
Damage to the harp
What made it possible for Gwilan to play the harp again
Gwilan’s physical condition and the consequences
A new instrument to be utilized
The reason for Gwilan’s decision to use this instrument
Maximize literary engagement among middle and high school students by assigning a classic fairy tale: “Donkey Cabbages” by the Brothers Grimm. English Language Arts teachers may use this complementary, multiple choice quiz to evaluate general reading comprehension. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The protagonist’s hobby
An old crone’s instructions
The reward of following the old crone’s directions
A major life change
The young witch’s motivations
The location where the protagonist is abandoned
The dangerous inhabitants of the aforementioned location
The purpose of the spell cast upon the protagonist
The means by which the protagonist enters a cabbage patch
The magical properties of the cabbages
The protagonist’s disguise
The fate of the old witch
The protagonist’s change of heart
The resolution
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “A Hunger Artist,” a short story by Franz Kafka. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Point of view
The length of time the artist is known to fast
The location of the artist’s performances
The task of the local butchers
The artist’s self-criticism
The artist’s feelings toward the public
The waning popularity of the artist’s work
The most important quality of the artist’s work from his perspective
A humiliating turn of events for the artist
The reason the artist finds it easy to fast
The artist’s replacement following his death
For many high school readers, supernatural fiction and fantasy are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “Beyond the Wall of Sleep” by H.P. Lovecraft is a compelling short story that features elements consistent with both genres: dreamy aberrations, astral projection, the possession of a human body, and more. This multiple choice quiz on “Beyond the Wall of Sleep” 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:
The narrator’s career
The narrator’s beliefs concerning dreams
Setting
The general characterization of Joe Slater
The effects of Joe Slater’s dreams
How aging affects Joe Slater’s dreams
The fate of Joe Slater’s neighbor
The narrator’s personal feelings toward Joe Slater
A technological achievement
What the narrator shares in common with Joe Slater
The narrator’s primary motivation
Dr. Fenton’s evaluation of the narrator’s psychological state
Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Souvenir,” a short story by Jayne Anne Phillips. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Point of view
An upcoming holiday
Kate’s personal history
Kate’s oversight
Mom’s medical conditions
Robert’s personal history
Robert’s suggestion regarding the sharing of medical information
Kate’s opinion of Robert’s suggestion
Mom’s sentimental collection of items
Where Kate takes her mother
Mom’s confession to Kate
Stanley Kunitz’s environmental poem “The War Against the Trees” creatively explores the issue of prioritizing corporate interests and commercial progress over Nature and is a suitable option to incorporate into the high school ELA classroom. This printable assessment measures general reading comprehension and holds students accountable for their academic responsibilities. Resources are delivered in Word document and PDF formats. An answer key is included.
By engaging with this resource, students will perform the following tasks:
Read for literal and interpretive comprehension
Apply knowledge of setting, characterization, and conflict
Be better prepared to engage in collaborative discussions about poetry
Develop improved reading stamina
Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on the short story titled “The Duke’s Children” by Frank O’Connor. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
General details
Character hopes and motivations
How complex characters interact
Theme
Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on Yasunari Kawabata’s “The Jay,” a sentimental Japanese short story. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The reason for a jay’s singing
Yoshiko’s personal history
A misinterpreted sign of good luck
Characters’ shared traits
The effect of the father’s second marriage on his family
How Yoshiko and her brother came to live with their grandmother
The grandmother’s medical condition
The father’s arrangement for Yoshiko
An important meeting
Yoshiko’s discovery
Save time, support improved reading stamina, and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on the fairy tale “Foundling Bird” by the Brothers Grimm, also known as “Fundevogel.” Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key is provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The cause of a forester’s alarm
A surprising discovery
General characterization details
Old Sanna’s intentions
The nature of the relationship between Lina and Fundevogel
The many transformations of Lina and Fundevogel
The fate of old Sanna*
Support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. With emphasis on a chapter 17 journal entry dated December 19, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Explore character motivations
Isolate an example of figurative language
Identify relevant themes
Determine the function of the entire entry
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as symbolism
Evaluate whether Miranda’s assumptions are reasonable and accurate
Justify claims with valid reasoning
Write about literature with clarity and precision
The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery is a great memoir to feature in a nonfiction unit or an independent book study unit, especially for those who appreciate the importance and influence of an animal on human lives. This resource covers chapters six through nine, promotes homework accountability, and measures general reading comprehension. It may serve as a reading check quiz or as a guided reading handout to create more purposeful reading experiences and facilitate recall. An answer key is provided, and all materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs. Questions pertain to the following:
The ritual of pig spa
Jane and Kate’s habit of saving leftovers for Christopher
A trip to George and Mary’s farm
The characteristics of a pig’s skin and its similarities to human skin
Kelly Felger’s condition and relationship with Christopher
Sy’s research on tiger behaviors
The sharpness of Christopher’s tusks
The characteristics of a pig’s emotional state and it similarities to human emotions
A holiday tradition
Christopher’s increasing fame
Why Sy is more attracted to the concept of Eden than Heaven