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, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty.” A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a craft analysis exercise, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in printable 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 engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Articulate conventions of the fairy tale genre
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 anthropomorphism, symbolism, foreshadowing, and more
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
Promote active engagement with fiction, support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of resources for teaching the Gothic short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe. Included are the following: a plot-based quiz, a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading questions, a craft analysis activity, the public domain narrative, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will perform the following tasks:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze the nature of character relationships and interactions
Examine grammatically correct structure
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Identify the best evidence of foreshadowing in a given passage
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including verbal irony
Make logical inferences about the protagonist’s mindset and motivations
Identify relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities for teaching the short story “The Outsider” by H.P. Lovecraft. A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a craft analysis exercise, 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:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Determine the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Determine the function of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, hyperbole, personification, situational irony, symbolism, and more
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 reading comprehension, encourage critical thinking, prepare for unexpected absences, and eliminate take-home assessment planning with this bundle of materials for teaching the Gothic short story “The Oval Portrait” by Edgar Allan Poe. Included are the following: a plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a craft analysis activity, a vocabulary application exercise, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain narrative, and answer keys. 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
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words
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 stylistic choices
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters
Conduct brief research into Poe’s personal life to explain autobiographical parallels between the author and the plot of the text
Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration, assonance, metaphor, simile, and more
Support claims and inferences with sound logic and relevant evidence
Write about Gothic fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and save valuable time with this printable quiz on the Gothic short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
An accurate descriptor for the narrator’s state of mind
Understanding what it means to “punish with impunity”
Fortunato’s fondness for wine
What Amontillado is
Montresor’s premeditated scheme to lure Fortunato
The cause of Fortunato’s coughing fits
Montresor’s efforts to appear friendly despite his intent
What can be found inside the catacombs
The significance of a hand gesture
The apprehension of Fortunato
Fortunato’s disturbing fate
Engage students with a dark Grimm’s fairy tale and evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering “The Juniper Tree.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with the short story. An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the narrative, which is especially fitting for the Halloween season. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The cause of death of the boy’s biological mother
The reason for the stepmother’s hate for her stepson
The antagonist’s deception of her own daughter
The stepmother’s plan to conceal her deed
The antagonist’s explanation to the boy’s father regarding his absence
The characterization of Marlinchen
A collection of objects
The bird’s repeated song
The cause of the stepmother’s death
The father’s reaction to the death of his wife
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
Gothic fiction is a genre that maximizes many high school students’ engagement with literature. “The Beast in the Cave” by H.P. Lovecraft is a Gothic short story featuring an ominous setting, a protagonist with a deteriorating psychological state, a mysterious being, and a twist ending. This multiple choice quiz on “The Beast in the Cave” 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:
Setting
The allegedly health-restoring benefits of the setting
The narrator’s characterization as conveyed in the exposition
The reason for the narrator’s sudden terror
The narrator’s method of self-defense
A complication the narrator faces
An incident that reflects a change in the narrator’s fortunes
The physical attributes of the injured creature
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Outsider.” The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate more purposeful engagement with fiction. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes for an excellent addition to a Halloween-themed short story unit for grades 9 through 12. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The narrator’s previous experiences
Conditions of the setting
The narrator’s acquisition of his education
The narrator’s desire for light
A discovery beyond a trap door
A violation of the narrator’s expectations
The cause of mass panic
The effect of the mirror in terms of plot development
The resolution
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the Gothic short story “The Oval Portrait” by Edgar Allan Poe. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
The narrator’s physical condition
Pedro’s role
A discovery on the narrator’s pillow
Noteworthy qualities about the titular portrait
The characterization of the painter’s wife
How the painter’s passion for art influences his relationship
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a craft analysis exercise, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, 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 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 word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, pleonasm, dramatic irony, and more
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 and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “Hop Frog.” Included are the following: a plot-based quiz, a set of rigorous close reading questions, a craft analysis activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain narrative, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable 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 engaging with these activities, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Explore nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s language and narrative techniques
Consider the greater significance of given details
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, and symbolism
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about literature 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 classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Frog King” (also called “Iron Heinrich” and “Iron Henry”). A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a craft analysis handout, vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, 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
Explore the conventions of fairy tale literature
Determine the narrative’s inciting incident
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, onomatopoeia, personification, dramatic irony, and situational irony
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, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Cinderella” (Lexile Measure estimate of 1000-1100). A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a craft analysis exercise, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, emergency substitute lesson plans and supporting materials, 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 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 word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the tone of a particular passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, juxtaposition, symbolism, dramatic irony, and more
Conduct research online in order to answer questions related to culture and history
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
Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the fairy tale “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by the Brothers Grimm. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. All materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The cause of the queen’s distress
Characteristics of the looking-glass
The evil characterization of the queen
The dwarfs’ profession
The nature of Snow White’s first interaction with the dwarfs
The queen’s plans after discovering Snow White remains alive
The reason the dwarfs cannot bury Snow White
The prince’s reaction to the sight of Snow White
The incident that precedes Snow White’s revival
The death of the queen
Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the Gothic short story “Hop Frog” by Edgar Allan Poe. 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 activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Articulate the origin of the nickname Hop Frog
Explain the irony associated with the nickname Hop Frog
Explore characters’ collective behavior to make an inference about their morality
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the narrative
Determine the significance of Trippetta’s physical description
Analyze the nature of character interactions
Explore nuances in words with similar meanings
Address the concept of defying expectations in the context of the plot
Identify and explain how dramatic irony applies to the story
Explain the symbolism of chains and fire in the context of the narrative
Make a logical inference about the king and his minsters based on the narrator’s phrasing (“basal beasts”)
Write with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Justify claims and ideas with logic and relevant textual evidence
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and save valuable time with this printable quiz on the Gothic short story “Hop Frog” by Edgar Allan Poe. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The talents of Hop-Frog
The talents of Trippetta
The king’s fondness for practical jokes
The similarities between Hop-Frog and Trippetta
The abusive conduct of the king
Hop-Frog’s motivation for revenge against the king
Details about the masquerade
Hop-Frog’s plans for revenge
The means by which the king dies
Hop-Frog’s declaration
The resolution
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 a classic Grimm’s fairy tale titled “The Frog King” (also called “Iron Heinrich” and “Iron Henry”). An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques
Determine the narrative’s inciting incident
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, onomatopoeia, personification, dramatic irony, and situational irony
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 classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Frog King.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the short story. An answer key and copy of the text are provided. All materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The cause of the princess’ sadness
The frog’s negotiations with the princess
The princess’ betrayal of the frog
The princess’ reaction to the frog’s sudden appearance
The king’s response to his daughter’s explanation of events
The frog’s conduct in the castle
The princess’ reaction to the frog’s conduct
The reason for the prince’s transformation into a frog
The personal wellness of Faithful Henry
The cause of cracking noises
This resource extends beyond text comprehension, helping high school students analyze the formal elements of fiction and respond thoughtfully in writing to questions about literature. The featured short story is “Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm. Included are the following: the public domain fairy tale, which has an estimated Lexile measure of 1000-1100; a related bell ringer activity; a set of rigorous close reading questions in both Word Doc and PDF formats; an answer key; and editable emergency substitute teaching plans.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, juxtaposition, anthropomorphism, symbolism, and more
Identify the story’s inciting incident
Discern the intended meaning of figurative language
Discern the function of a given excerpt
Analyze the author’s craft
Explore relationships between complex characters
Articulate character motivations
Cite textual evidence in support of inferences and claims
Write with clarity and precision
