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 with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 6 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom.
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 this resource, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the greater significance of a given detail
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, dialect, and dramatic irony
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom.
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 this resource, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole
Isolate the best textual evidence in support of a claim
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 4 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom.
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 this resource, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Determine the greater significance of a given detail
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, personification, allusion, and situational irony
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 2 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom.
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 this resource, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the greater significance of a given detail
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Examine Miss Caroline’s relationship to the town of Maycomb
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 1 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom.
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 this resource, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context
Analyze how the author’s word choices create certain effects such as mystery or suspense
Determine the greater significance of a given detail
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter one of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging in this exercise, students will…
Analyze characterization
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements
Determine author’s intent
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel
Determine the significance of a given detail
Help middle and high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and develop close reading analysis skills while they engage with The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin. This set of rigorous questions covers the prologue through chapter three (“The Lotus Eaters”). An answer key is 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
Examine the author’s phrasing in order to make logical inferences about character motivations
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact with one another
Discern the nature of character relationships
Select the best synonym for a given word as it is used in the text
Apply knowledge of foreshadowing
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 20 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom.
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 this resource, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Clarify a character’s remarks
Consider historical context in relation to the plot
Consider cause-and-effect relationships
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet on verb tenses, which emphasizes irregular verbs. Two versions of this activity are provided, including a multiple choice option to expedite the grading process. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs.
Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet on commas, conjunctions, semicolons. Two versions of this activity are provided, including a multiple choice option to expedite take-home grading. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with this material, students will demonstrate an ability to:
Separate dependent clauses from independent clauses using semicolons or commas with conjunctions
Join two independent clauses with a comma and contextually appropriate conjunction
Separate items in a series using commas
Isolate non-essential elements (appositive phrases) in the middle of sentences using commas
Use commas to separate the elements of dates and places
Punctuate coordinating adjectives in a series
Format direct quotations
Isolate interrupters (however, nevertheless, etc.) in the middle of sentences using commas
Use semicolons before conjunctive adverbs that join independent clauses
Use semicolons to separate items in a series if they contain internal punctuation
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 set of rigorous questions to promote close reading analysis skills. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, examining how word choices influence a reader’s interpretations, applying knowledge of literary devices, and articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze the author’s word choices to gain deeper insight into setting and characterization
Explore the role of setting in terms of developing characterization
Make logical inferences about characters based on their actions
Find deeper meaning in a given allusion
Discern the tone of a character’s dialogue
Explore how complex characters think and interact
Determine the function of a given detail
Examine details that represent a shift in tone
Make logical inferences about the author’s intent
Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and euphemism
Analyze how Mr. and Mrs. White’s marriage is affected by grief
Identify specific details that contribute to the vampiric characterization of Mrs. White
Defend claims and support ideas with relevant textual details
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 30 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom.
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 prohibit the inclusion of the complete chapter, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with access to the novel.
By engaging in this exercise, students will:
Examine the context of a given passage
Analyze character dialogue to discern meaning and intent
Discern the meaning of complex vocabulary and phrases in context, taking into consideration both denotative definitions and connotative associations
Analyze an excerpt to discern its significance
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 38 through 40 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “The Monkey Garden,” “Red Clowns,” and “Linoleum Roses.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
A peculiar pet
The garden’s deterioration
Tito stealing Sally’s keys and trying to get her to kiss him
Esperanza’s desire to protect Esperanza, only to put herself in jeopardy
A trip to the carnival
Esperanza’s traumatizing experience
Esperanza’s anger at Sally and women
Sally’s marriage
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 34 through 37 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “Bums in the Attic,” “Beautiful and Cruel,” “A Smart Cookie,” and “What Sally Said.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Esperanza’s decision to stop going to look at dream houses and her reasoning
Esperanza’s decision to let bums live in the attic of her future house
Esperanza’s concern that she is not attractive enough
Esperanza’s decision not to surrender her power as a female and how it manifests
Esperanza’s mom and her past
Esperanza’s mom and her comments about being “a smart cookie”
Sally and the abuse she suffers from her father
The reason Sally’s father abuses her
Sally’s attempts to seek safety and Esperanza’s willingness to protect her
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 26 through 29 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “Edna’s Ruthie,” “The Earl of Tennessee,” “Sire,” and “Four Skinny Trees.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Ruthie’s friendship with Esperanza and her friends
Ruthie’s marriage
The characterization of Edna
Ruthie and Esperanza’s common interest in writing
The characterization of Earle
Sire, the boy Esperanza likes and her parents dislike
Esperanza’s feelings toward Lois
Esperanza’s sense of self
Esperanza’s comparison to trees
The reason behind the comparison
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 22 through 25 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “Papa Who Wakes Up Tired in the Dark,” “Born Bad,” “Elenita, Cards, Palm, Water,” and “Geraldo No Last Name.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Her father’s emotional breakdown and its cause
Esperanza’s responsibility to explain death to her siblings
Her father’s need to travel to Mexico unexpectedly
A game Esperanza and her friends play, which ultimately causes them strife
A character description of Aunt Lupe
Aunt Lupe’s encouragement of Esperanza’s writing
A visit to the fortune teller
Esperanza’s desire to know whether she will have her own house
Esperanza’s skepticism
The death of Geraldo
Marin’s connection
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 18 through 21 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “A Rice Sandwich,” “Chanclas,” “Hips,” and “The First Job.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Mom’s note
Esperanza’s desire not to eat lunch at home
The nun’s denial of Esperanza’s request
Esperanza’s deep-rooted feelings of shame
Her cousin’s baptism
Esperanza’s reluctance to dance
Overcoming reluctance
Esperanza’s observation while she dances
A discussion on hips
Esperanza’s similarity to Alicia in terms of a constant search for knowledge
Summer work
Flirting
A distressing kiss
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 14 through 17 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “Alicia Who Sees Mice,” “Darius and the Clouds,” “And Some More,” and “The Family of Little Feet.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Alicia’s commitment to her education
The mice who roam at night
Alicia’s at-home responsibilities, according to her father and Hispanic culture
The characterization of Darius
Darius’s intriguing assessment of a cloud
What incites an argument among Esperanza and her friends
A gift of high-heeled shoes
How the girls are treated by several men
The characterization of Esperanza and who she is similar to in terms of her goals and personal interests
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 10 through 13 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “Louie, His Cousin and His Other Cousin,” “Marin,” “Those Who Don’t,” and “There Was an Old Woman She Had So Many Children She Didn’t Know What to Do.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Louie and his car accident
Marin’s Puerto Rican boyfriend and her future relationship goal
Marin’s background
Esperanza’s lack of knowledge about other communities leading to fear of those communities
Rosa’s background and personal struggles
A description of the Vargas children
A death resulting from a horrible fall
The significance of the idea of flying, which repeats throughout the story
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering vignettes 5 through 9 of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: “Cathy Queen of Cats,” “Our Good Day,” “Laughter,” “Gil’s Furniture Bought and Sold,” and “Meme Ortiz.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Cathy’s claims
Cathy’s impending move and her alleged reason why her family is moving
The irony of Cathy’s claim
A purchase Esperanza makes with her friends Lucy and Rachel
How Esperanza accumulated enough funds to make the purchase
Esperanza’s realization about how well Nenny understands her
A visit to the junk store
A music box
How Meme broke both of his arms