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 vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the classic fairy tale “Tom Thumb” by the Brothers Grimm. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: affliction, byre, contrive, dusk, fodder, granary, haste, imp, larder, merry, midden, nimble, reckon, rein, scythe, subterranean, vexation, and wayside.
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 “The Open Window” by Saki. 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: briskly, bustle, endeavor, habitation, hoarse, imminent, infirmity, mope, pariah, rectory, scarcity, treacherous, and unduly.
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 science fiction short story “The Star Beast” by Nicholas Stuart Gray. 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: acquisition, coffer, collate, cower, disused, draggled, dreary, graceful, inflammable, mutter, prod, refuge, shamble, and wary.
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 classic fairy tale “Snow White and Rose Red” by the Brothers Grimm. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: ashen, bleat, bough, coarse, feeble, felled, ingratitude, merrily, mishap, morsel, obliged, odious, precipice, shrill, uncouth, vain, and wooer.
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 the classic fairy tale “Snow White and Rose Red” by the Brothers Grimm. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet 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:
Distinguishing characteristics of the protagonists
The nature of the relationship between Snow White and Rose Red
Peculiar encounters in the woods
The general characterization of the bear
The complications facing a dwarf
The sisters’ reaction to the dwarf’s struggles
A surprising revelation near the story’s end
And more
Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this multiple choice quiz on the short story “Geraldine Moore the Poet” by Toni Cade Bambara. An answer key is included. All materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Mr. Watson’s dog
Geraldine’s lunchtime habits
The eviction
Geraldine’s mother
The reason for Anita’s return home
Geraldine’s personal and emotional struggles during classes
Geraldine’s response to her English teacher’s assignment
Mrs. Scott’s reaction to Geraldine
A surprising realization
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz on Truman Capote’s holiday-themed short story “A Christmas Memory.” The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with coming-of-age fiction. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Point of view
The characterization of the protagonist’s best friend
The protagonist’s personal interests
The protagonist’s goals
Bonding activities between the protagonist and his friend
The characterization of Mr. Haha
Christmas gifts
The significance of this particular Christmas
The resolution
Help high school students go beyond basic comprehension, practice critical thinking skills, and explore literary elements with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 11 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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 do the following:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Draw personal connections to Jem
Argue whether Jem feels guilty for his treatment of Scout
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on situational irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of two plot-based quizzes covering chapters 8 and 9 of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The assessments may double as guided reading worksheets or review handouts. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements:
Scout’s reaction to the weather
The snowman/mudman
The house catching fire
Miss Maudie’s peculiar reaction to the house fire
The blanket wrapped around Scout
Scout’s reaction upon a disturbing discovery
Beating up Cecil Jacobs
Christmas gifts
Scout’s punishment
Atticus discussing the trial with Uncle Jack
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 Chaser” by John Collier. 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: apprehensively, bountifully, effect, fervently, giddy, indifferently, laxative, oblige, obscurely, phial, rapture, scorn, and solitude.
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
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 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
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
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
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
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