Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this bundle of close reading activities covering each scene of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the functions of given excerpts Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Consider the motif of the guest-host relationship and argue whether Portia conforms to the expectations of a good host, or whether she fails to meet expectations and represents a bad host Compare and contrast characters (Antonio and Shylock; Portia and Antonio; Jessica and Portia) Apply knowledge of many literary devices with emphasis on metaphor, oxymoron, onomatopoeia, allusion, personification, symbolism, invective, euphemism, juxtaposition, hyperbole situational irony, and dramatic irony Conduct brief online research (if necessary) to determine the symbolic value of a particular object Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

This bundle includes 6 three-week, standards-based unit plans and all instructional materials for supporting high school Creative Writing students as they generate original works of fiction. Not only does this bundle provide everything a teacher needs to carry out the curriculum to fidelity, but it substantially reduces prep work so teachers may invest more time developing positive relationships with students and offering personalized support as they work to achieve learning targets. All materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. A variety of literary genres is covered with this bundle: Gothic, fantasy, fairy tales, science fiction, realistic fiction, and adventure fiction. At the conclusion of the six units, students will have have done the following: Developed greater understanding of the conventions of each genre. Analyzed how professionally published authors used characterization, description, and literary devices that are consistent with the conventions of each genre Conducted research to facilitate idea development Organized initial ideas in a coherent manner. Engaged the reader with compelling exposition that established setting and tone. Used many appropriate narrative techniques (dialogue, dialect, description, pacing, etc.) to enhance plot. Drafted coherent, cohesive, and appropriate narratives that build toward a particular tone and outcome (a sense of mystery, suspense, etc.). Used precise words and phrases, active verbs, and sensory language to convey compelling stories. Drafted unrushed conclusions that resolve conflicts and convey themes. Showed mastery of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.