Prepare students to go beyond general reading comprehension and develop critical thinking skills for high school with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a chapter 5 passage from Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. This resource may serve as the basis for 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the purpose of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters in context (Alex and Bri) Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia and oxymoron 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

Prepare students to go beyond general reading comprehension and develop critical thinking skills for high school with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a chapter 2 passage from Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. This resource may serve as the basis for 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the purpose of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, metaphor, personification, and symbolism 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

Prepare students to go beyond general reading comprehension and develop critical thinking skills for high school with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a chapter 9 passage from Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. This resource may serve as the basis for 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Determine the purpose of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast two characters (Alex and Harvey) Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism and simile 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

Prepare students to go beyond general reading comprehension and develop critical thinking skills for high school with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a chapter 13 passage from Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. This resource may serve as the basis for 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the purpose of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, metaphor, 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

Prepare students to go beyond general reading comprehension and develop critical thinking skills for high school with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a chapter 8 passage from Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. This resource may serve as the basis for 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 exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Determine the purpose of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Discern the function of a particular character (Kevin) in context Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, metaphor, and situational irony Conduct research on a relevant topic (Yellowstone Caldera) 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Good Deed” by Pearl S. Buck. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abashed, barbarous, beckon, bestow, chide, coax, denounce, exclaim, folly, gallantly, grieve, habitually, heartily, idleness, indignantly, millet, retort, revere, scarcely, sternly, tentative, till, totter, unfilial, uppish, wharf, and withered. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Engage middle and high school students with a classic example of horror and supernatural fiction, “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs, and use this multiple choice 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: Weather conditions Interactions among family members The visitor’s background Herbert’s initial reaction to the object Strange observations in a dying fire The effects of a strange object The reason Mr. White is reluctant to make subsequent wishes Ominous sounds Conflicting motivations of characters The resolution

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: corbeille, disquieting, espousal, exacting, imperious, layette, listlessly, muslin, peignoir, portly, suffuse, sumptuous, toddle, and unwonted. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz on Washington Irving’s short story “The Devil and Tom Walker.” 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 provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The backstory of Kidd Setting Ominous discoveries The nickname of the devil Physical characteristics of the devil Tom’s observation about the trees around him The devil’s parting act The wife’s reaction to Tom’s interaction with the devil What the wife takes with her out of the house Negotiations between the devil and Tom Tom’s agreement with the devil Tom’s living conditions How Tom changes as he ages An important possession Rumors about Tom Tom’s seemingly fatal mistake The public’s reaction to Tom’s apparent fate

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words, consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings, and discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: askance avarice balk clamor confound dingy dolefully dreary earnest exalt extort foreclose fortitude hoarse immense impregnable melancholy miserly notorious oblige obstinate parsimony piety propitiate quagmire refuge saunter scarcely scowl shrewd strenuous sulky superfluous termagant thriftless trifle vain wayfarer

Help high school readers explore how Edith Wharton used literary devices such as direct description, characterization, figurative language, foreshadowing, and symbolism to develop a complex short story: “A Journey.” This craft analysis activity helps students go beyond general reading comprehension by making them reflect on the motivations behind the author’s word choices and narrative techniques. Delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats, this resource also helps prepare students for more meaningful classroom discussions. Through these 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.

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “A Journey” by Edith Wharton. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: allusion, berth, buoyant, clamorously, disheveled, dreary, euphuism, furtively, hastily, hoarse, idle, imperturbably, importunity, inexorable, leniently, lucidity, maternal, monotonous, murmur, obscurity, pang, petulance, proffer, punctual, rebuff, recede, shudder, temperament, throng, treachery, vague, vainly, and waylay. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The following are included: a crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abashed anathema benignantly catechism fervid homage irrepressible irreverently lamentation melancholy mirth murmur pious scruples serpentine smote solemnly solitude stupefy venerable withered zenith

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. 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 Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The reason for the narrator’s visit to the country estate John’s relation to the narrator John’s deception Jennie’s relation to the narrator A recent life-changing event The narrator’s hobby and her husband’s reaction to it The effect of the wallpaper on the narrator’s psychological state The reason for family visitation The nature of Jennie’s support Weir Mitchell’s profession The narrator’s assessment of her husband’s intentions The resolution

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: basely, bulbous, chintz, congenial, conspicuous, convolution, derision, earnest, fatuity, felicity, florid, impertinence, interminable, lurid piazza, querulous, reproachful, scoff, symmetry, temperament, undulate, and whim. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Help high school readers explore how Nathaniel Hawthorne used literary devices such as direct description, characterization, figurative language, foreshadowing, and symbolism to develop a complex short story: “Young Goodman Brown.” This craft analysis activity helps students go beyond general reading comprehension by making them reflect on the motivations behind the author’s word choices and narrative techniques. Delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats, this resource also helps prepare students for more meaningful classroom discussions. Through these 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.

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Wives of the Dead” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: bereavement, comely, confederate, deluge, feeble, felicity, frugal, hasten, hinder, lamentation, middling, monotonous, morsel, pall, pang, piety, principal, repose, repress, scarcely, skirmish, successive, summons, tempestuous, wooer, and yearn. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet covering 30 common word usage errors in high school writing and speech. Delivered in printable Word Document format, as well as in PDF format, this resource conveniently offers the option to edit. An answer key is provided. Usage principles covered include the following: accept vs. except advice vs. advise affect vs. effect all ready vs. already all right vs. alright all together vs. altogether allusion vs. illusion among vs. between amount vs. number anyway vs. anyways being as/that vs. since beside vs. besides could/would/should have vs. could/would/should of couldn’t care less vs. could care less each other vs. one another enthusiastic vs. enthused farther vs. fewer fewer vs. less good vs. well imply vs. infer in vs. into its vs. it’s lay vs. lie lose vs. loose principal vs. principle regardless vs. irregardless supposedly vs. supposably than vs. then who vs. whom whose vs. who’s

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: conspicuous, enigmatically, lanky, marquee, mournfully, murmur, pacify, rapturous, relish, shudder, sordid, strenuous, tactless, and weary. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Mona Gardner’s short story “The Dinner Party.” An answer key is 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany, metaphor, simile, and situational irony Conduct research online in order to answer questions related to plot 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