Hero image

Inquiring Mind of the English Teacher Kind

Average Rating3.44
(based on 23 reviews)

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.

2k+Uploads

482k+Views

78k+Downloads

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.
House on Mango Street Close Reading - "My Name"
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

House on Mango Street Close Reading - "My Name"

(0)
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the vignette titled “My Name.” An answer key is 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. 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 Discern the intended effect of the author’s diction Explore cause-and-effect relationships Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and situational irony Analyze the symbolic meaning of a window in the context of this chapter Explore relevant themes Articulate the greater significance of a given detail Support claims with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
"The New Dress" by Virginia Woolf Close Reading Analysis Worksheet with Answer Key
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

"The New Dress" by Virginia Woolf Close Reading Analysis Worksheet with Answer Key

(0)
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Virginia Woolf’s short story “The New Dress.” An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Discern the functions of various passages and excerpts Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Articulate the hypocritical nature of the protagonist’s behavior Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and metaphor 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
"The No-Guitar Blues" by Gary Soto Close Reading Analysis Worksheet
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

"The No-Guitar Blues" by Gary Soto Close Reading Analysis Worksheet

(0)
Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Gary Soto’s short story “The No-Guitar Blues.” A detailed answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Infer 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 dramatic irony, metaphor, and simile 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
"The Frog King" by the Brothers Grimm Close Reading Analysis Worksheet
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

"The Frog King" by the Brothers Grimm Close Reading Analysis Worksheet

(0)
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
"The Lurking Fear" by H.P. Lovecraft Quiz and Answer Key
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

"The Lurking Fear" by H.P. Lovecraft Quiz and Answer Key

(0)
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering “The Lurking Fear” by H.P. Lovecraft, a short story with elements of horror and supernatural fiction: ghosts, unsolved murders, secret investigations, and bizarre creatures. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate engagement with the text. 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: General description of the narrator Setting A gruesome inciting incident Preparations for an emergency escape Secondary characters and their fates Natural disasters that transpire The distinguishing physical characteristic of an antagonist The narrator’s peculiar observations Complications facing the narrator A new demonic attack A physical description of monstrous beings The beings’ horrifying behavior The resolution
“Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm Close Reading Worksheet
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

“Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm Close Reading Worksheet

(0)
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
"The Birds" by Daphne du Maurier Close Reading Analysis Questions
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

"The Birds" by Daphne du Maurier Close Reading Analysis Questions

(0)
For many high school readers, horror and psychological fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Birds” by Daphne du Maurier features elements consistent with both genres: an isolated setting, killings without clear motivations, the suggestion of humanity’s imminent extinction, and more. With this challenging worksheet composed of high-order questions, English Language Arts teachers will help students extend beyond basic reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality and rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze the author’s choice of title in order to articulate its intended effect on readers 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 Infer character motivations Make logical inferences about the author’s intent 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 Paraphrase the author’s words (“You had to endure something yourself before it touched you”) Examine what a given passage implies about humanity’s relationship with Nature Identify narrative techniques used in a given passage to convey an unsettling mood Articulate the irony associated with imagery in a given passage Explore relevant themes Discern the significance of the protagonist’s final actions Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
"The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen Close Reading Questions
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

"The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen Close Reading Questions

(0)
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 Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen is a representative short story that promotes active engagement with fiction. English Language Arts teachers may assign this set of rigorous questions to complement the story and evaluate students’ high-order skills. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Identify examples of various literary devices including onomatopoeia, assonance, consonance, foreshadowing, simile, personification, and symbolism Discern author’s intent Discern tone in context Explain an example of foreshadowing in a given passage Isolate a falsehood about plot among factual statements Define words and phrases in the context of a passage Verify interpretations of language using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus Articulate the significance of a given detail or details Identify which descriptor best applies to the mother duck Articulate why the mother duck rarely receives visitors Discern and articulate a lesson the mother duck tries to instill in her babies Analyze plot to generate a relevant theme about motherhood Argue whether the mother duck is a sympathetic character Support the claim that the tom cat and the hen do not appreciate the ugly duckling’s unique qualities Articulate how the duckling comes into the possession of a peasant Write with clarity and precision
Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Reading Guide and Answer Key
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Reading Guide and Answer Key

(0)
Help students achieve more purposeful reading experiences and sharpen their note-taking skills with this reading guide covering Act 3 of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. In addition, this resource aims to facilitate review and future recall of plot. Students will identify what the text states explicitly, track character and plot development, articulate the context and significance of given quotations, and more. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. The following details are addressed: Tybalt’s verbal attack on Romeo Dramatic irony Mercutio’s decision to fight Tybalt Romeo’s abrupt character change Defying the prince’s orders Lady Capulet’s demand Romeo’s punishment The Nurse’s news and ensuing confusion Juliet’s immediate reaction to learning the truth Juliet’s defense of her husband The Nurse’s motivation to seek out Romeo Romeo’s feelings toward his punishment Friar Laurence’s strong words for Romeo Romeo’s potential suicide attempt Friar Laurence’s optimistic plan Lord Capulet’s arrangement with Paris Whether Romeo believes he will see his wife once more Foreshadowing Lady Capulet’s plan for Romeo after exile The Nurse’s advice to Juliet Juliet’s desire to seek Friar Laurence’s help And more
Romeo and Juliet Act 4 Reading Guide and Answer Key
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

Romeo and Juliet Act 4 Reading Guide and Answer Key

(0)
Help students achieve more purposeful reading experiences and sharpen their note-taking skills with this reading guide covering Act 4 of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. In addition, this resource aims to facilitate review and future recall of plot. Students will identify what the text states explicitly, track character and plot development, articulate the context and significance of given quotations, and more. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. The following details are addressed: Lord Capulet’s rush to marry off Juliet Lord Capulet’s threat to Juliet Juliet’s morbid confession to Friar Laurence The purpose of the vial Juliet’s request for forgiveness from her father Lord Capulet’s praise for Friar Laurence Juliet’s paranoia in regard to Friar Laurence’s motives The burial vault The Nurse’s terrible discovery Cancellation of the wedding And more
House on Mango Street Close Reading Worksheet ("Geraldo No Last Name")
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

House on Mango Street Close Reading Worksheet ("Geraldo No Last Name")

(0)
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the twenty-fifth vignette titled “Geraldo No Last Name.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Connect the phrase “Nothing in his pockets” to the vignette’s title Articulate the significance of the phrase “Nothing in his pockets” Discern the intended effect of the author’s stylistic choices (with emphasis on the incorporation of fragments and colloquialisms) Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including verbal irony and dramatic irony Explore the concept of systematic prejudice, or institutional bias, in the text Support claims with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
House on Mango Street Close Reading Worksheet ("Born Bad")
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

House on Mango Street Close Reading Worksheet ("Born Bad")

(0)
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the twenty-third vignette titled “Born Bad.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, 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 such as a dictionary or thesaurus Explore cause-and-effect relationships Discern the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Articulate the power of photographs, as well as their limitations Conduct brief research on Our Lady of Guadalupe in order to explain why the name Guadalupe suits the character Support claims with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
House on Mango Street Close Reading Worksheet ("Four Skinny Trees")
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

House on Mango Street Close Reading Worksheet ("Four Skinny Trees")

(0)
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the twenty-ninth vignette titled “Four Skinny Trees.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of the author’s diction Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and sibilance Support claims with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
House on Mango Street Close Reading - "Edna's Ruthie"
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

House on Mango Street Close Reading - "Edna's Ruthie"

(0)
Support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the vignette titled “Edna’s Ruthie.” The variety of question types also helps students prepare for standardized testing scenarios: main idea questions, detail questions, author’s craft questions, and more. An answer key is included. 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. 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 Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision Analyze how the author uses direct and indirect description to develop a sympathetic character in Ruthie Make logical inferences about the relationships between characters Determine the tone of a given passage Analyze the author’s language to discern and articulate the intended effect Analyze what a character’s actions reveal about their psychological state Articulate the significance of reading and writing in Esperanza’s life Articulate the significance of the fact that Ruthie no longer reads and writes Compare characters from two texts to articulate what they share in common, using Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Nightingale” for reference
House on Mango Street Close Reading of Alicia Who Sees Mice
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

House on Mango Street Close Reading of Alicia Who Sees Mice

(0)
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the vignette titled “Alicia Who Sees Mice.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Alternatively, a Google Drive option is available. 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. 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 Define complex words or phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials including a dictionary and thesaurus Explore cause-and-effect relationships Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor Articulate the significance of given details Explore the symbolism of mice in the context of a passage Support claims with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
House on Mango Street Close Reading Worksheet ("The First Job")
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

House on Mango Street Close Reading Worksheet ("The First Job")

(0)
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the twenty-first vignette titled “The First Job.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Evaluate Esperanza’s work ethic Discern the nature of the relationship between Esperanza and Tito Determine whether Esperanza’s anxiety is a rational emotional response Apply knowledge of literary devices such as situational irony Support claims with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
House on Mango Street Close Reading - "Hairs"
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

House on Mango Street Close Reading - "Hairs"

(0)
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the vignette titled “My Name.” An answer key is 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. 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 Discern the intended effect of the author’s diction Explore cause-and-effect relationships Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and situational irony Analyze the symbolic meaning of a window in the context of this chapter Explore relevant themes Articulate the greater significance of a given detail Support claims with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
House on Mango Street Close Reading - "Minerva Writes Poems"
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

House on Mango Street Close Reading - "Minerva Writes Poems"

(0)
Prepare students in the classroom and in distance learning contexts to critically analyze texts at the high school level with this close reading of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros (the vignette titled “Minerva Writes Poems”). This assessment promotes high-order thinking that is consistent with high school English Language Arts standards. The variety of question types will also help prepare students for standardized testing scenarios: main idea questions, detail questions, author’s craft questions, and more. Copyright restrictions do not allow for the novel’s content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text. The resource will be 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 and implicitly Cite textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony and oxymoron Apply basic knowledge of Roman mythology to the character of Minerva to discern and explain the irony of the character’s name Articulate the significance of the pancake dinner detail, taking into consideration Minerva’s financial distress Analyze what Minerva’s behavior reveals about her psychological state Make logical inferences about characterization in context Analyze the author’s craft, articulating the intended effect of figurative language Identify and explain an example of double denotation in the text Discern the tone of a given excerpt Analyze how Minerva influences Esperanza’s outlook on her future
"The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst Close Reading Analysis Worksheet
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

"The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst Close Reading Analysis Worksheet

(0)
Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Discern the function of a particular paragraph Describe the tone of a particular excerpt Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop List several similarities between Doodle and the scarlet ibis Conduct brief research to make sense of setting and an allusion Apply knowledge of various literary devices including oxymoron, idiom, personification, dramatic irony, hubris, and more 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 inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
"All the Years of Her Life" by Morley Callaghan Close Reading Worksheet
inquiringmind44inquiringmind44

"All the Years of Her Life" by Morley Callaghan Close Reading Worksheet

(0)
Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet 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. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly 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