Hello! I am a passionate teacher and writer that loves to create lessons that are interactive, student-centered, original, and truly help teachers & students. I make custom lesson plans and materials that engage students and help them take ownership of their learning. I have 10 years of teaching experience in upper grades across all subjects (including teaching abroad in Costa Rica!). I have published three books, The Little Book of Big Quotes Vol. I , The Poems Vol. I, and Got the Flow: The Hip
Hello! I am a passionate teacher and writer that loves to create lessons that are interactive, student-centered, original, and truly help teachers & students. I make custom lesson plans and materials that engage students and help them take ownership of their learning. I have 10 years of teaching experience in upper grades across all subjects (including teaching abroad in Costa Rica!). I have published three books, The Little Book of Big Quotes Vol. I , The Poems Vol. I, and Got the Flow: The Hip
A step by step guide on teaching how to write a persuasive/argumentative essay. Includes topic ideas, suggested assessments, and helpful internet links for support and other materials. Includes a link for a free PowerPoint download guiding students on writing their essay.
This lesson is student-centered meaning:
--it allows you to become a facilitator
--happier teachers
--happier students
--happier administrators
This complete lesson plan comes with PowerPoint review game and reading comprehension test. The test has multiple-choice reading comprehension questions on "The Speckled Band", a story usually read in 6th and 7th grade. it has an application question for connotation using the words "skinny" and "scrawny". The last 2 questions are short answer. 20 questions total. Answer key included. Includes links to movie, jeopardy review game, and student annotation guide. Comes in zip folder with editable Word document and PowerPoint Presentation!
This lesson is student-centered meaning:
--it allows you to become a facilitator
--happier teachers!
--happier students!
--happier administrators!
A collection of short stories (fables, flash fiction, etc.) by Carlos Salinas. Heartwarming, feel-good stories for all ages about love and hope. Some are good for philosophical and personal reflection. Also great messages for discussion. Please check back for another excerpt from the book or the whole book! Any feedback would be great!
Thanks!
This lesson is aimed to help comprehension and analysis of “The Physician’s Tale” from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. The quiz has fifteen multiple-choice questions as well as two open-ended essay questions that will require students to analyze the tale at higher levels of cognition. The questions are purposely ordered to begin at the lower levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy and progressively work up the levels with each successive question. Includes link to printable PDF version of the tale. Answer key included and feedback is welcomed!
This lesson plan is a collection of short reading passages from the upcoming book Through the Night: A Zombie Novel Book One by Carlos Salinas. This is only the first reading passage and many more will be added to my store as I write the book and create them (so follow me for updates ) Its high-interest story of young teens surviving a zombie apocalypse is aimed at young adult, teen, and new adult readers. Themes include: survival, honor, love, bullying, friendship, kindness, and triumph of the human spirit. It aims at engaging students in a gripping story while helping them improve their reading comprehension and use of reading strategies. This reading passage has six multiple-choice questions, twelve pages total, with answer key included. The questions range from the lower levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy to its higher levels. Questions include topics of story events as well as literary devices. These reading passages are ideal as homework, independent practice, warm-ups and do-nows. Feedback is welcome so please feel free to leave a comment on this lesson or send me a message! Thank you in advance.
This lesson is aimed to help comprehension and analysis of “The Summoner’s Tale” from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. The quiz has seventeen multiple-choice questions that will require students to analyze the tales at higher levels of cognition. The questions are purposely ordered to begin at the lower levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy and progressively work up the levels with each successive question. More quizzes and tests will be added at my store as they are written. The answer key is included and this word document is editable!
This 15-question multiple-choice reading test/quiz has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students literal and interpretive understanding of the story, summarization, making inferences, vocabulary, and literary devices. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests). Linked to free PDF of story and answer key included. Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
This 16-question multiple-choice reading analysis/comprehension test/quiz on “The Tiger Who Would Be King” by James Thurber has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection, plot development, characterization, point of view, making inferences, and vocabulary. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Includes link to free file of the text so each student can get their own copy to annotate. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
Objectives/US Standards (SUGGESTED) (From Corestandards.com):
Students are expected to:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years!
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
This 40-question multiple-choice reading analysis/comprehension test/quiz on “Jeremiah’s Song” by Walter Dean Myers has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection, plot development, characterization, author’s purpose, point of view, making inferences, vocabulary, literary devices, and figurative language. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Includes link to free file of the text so each student can get their own copy to annotate. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
Objectives/US Standards (SUGGESTED) (From Corestandards.com):
Students are expected to:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years!
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
This 27-question multiple-choice reading analysis/comprehension test/quiz on the short story “The Fun They Had” by Isaac Asimov has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection, plot development, characterization, author’s purpose, point of view, making inferences, vocabulary, literary devices, and figurative language. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Includes link to free file of the text so each student can get their own copy to annotate. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
Objectives/US Standards (SUGGESTED) (From Corestandards.com):
Students are expected to:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years!
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
This 25-question multiple-choice reading analysis/comprehension test on the short story “Papa’s Parrot” by Cynthia Rylant has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection, plot development, characterization, author’s purpose, point of view, making inferences, vocabulary, literary devices, and figurative language. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Includes link to free file of the text so each student can get their own copy to annotate. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
Objectives/US Standards (SUGGESTED) (From Corestandards.com):
Students are expected to:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years!
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
This 39-question multiple-choice reading analysis/comprehension test on the short story “mk” by Jean Fritz has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection, plot development, characterization, author’s purpose, point of view, making inferences, vocabulary, literary devices, and figurative language. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Includes link to free file of the text so each student can get their own copy to annotate. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
Objectives/US Standards (SUGGESTED) (From Corestandards.com):
Students are expected to:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years!
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
This 26-question multiple-choice reading analysis/comprehension test on this excerpt from An American Childhood by Annie Dillard has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). Summary of selection: Annie plays football and baseball with the local boys then they hit a car with snowballs and the driver chases her and another boy down and only says, “You stupid kids”. It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection, plot development, characterization, author’s purpose, point of view, making inferences, vocabulary, literary devices, and figurative language. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Includes link to free file of the text so each student can get their own copy to annotate. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
Objectives/US Standards (SUGGESTED) (From Corestandards.com):
Students are expected to:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years!
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
This 28-question multiple-choice reading analysis/comprehension test on the short story “The Luckiest Time of All” by Lucille Clifton has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection, plot development, characterization, author’s purpose, point of view, making inferences, vocabulary, literary devices, and figurative language. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Includes link to free file of the text so each student can get their own copy to annotate. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
Objectives/US Standards (SUGGESTED) (From Corestandards.com):
Students are expected to:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years!
This lesson is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
This 19-question multiple-choice reading comprehension and analysis test on the poem “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out” by Shel Silverstein has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection including: point of view, making inferences, vocabulary, literary devices, figurative language, and other elements of literature. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Teachers are encouraged to remove/add questions as they see fit for their students. Includes link to free file of the text so each student can get their own copy to annotate. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
Objectives/US Standards (SUGGESTED) (From Corestandards.com):
Students are expected to:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
This product is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
This 20-question multiple-choice reading comprehension and analysis test on the poem “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection including: author’s purpose, point of view, making inferences, vocabulary, literary devices, figurative language, analogies, and other elements of literature. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Teachers are encouraged to remove/add questions as they see fit for their students. Includes link to free file of the text so each student can get their own copy to annotate. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
Objectives/US Standards (SUGGESTED) (From Corestandards.com):
Students are expected to:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.1
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
This product is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!
This 26-question multiple-choice reading comprehension and analysis test on the autobiographical nonfiction piece “The Rights to the Streets of Memphis” by Richard Wright (from the textbook HOLT McDOUGAL LITERATURE, GRADE 9 ISBN-10: 0547115784) has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection including: plot development, characterization, author’s purpose, point of view, making inferences, vocabulary (including words from SAT/ACT exams), literary devices, figurative language, fact & opinion, analogies, summarization, and other elements of literature. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Teachers are encouraged to remove/add questions as they see fit for their students. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to copyright restrictions, this product does not contain the reading selection(s).
This 40-question multiple-choice reading comprehension and analysis test on the two-act teleplay “Sorry, Right Number” by Stephen King (from the textbook HOLT McDOUGAL LITERATURE, GRADE 9 ISBN-10: 0547115784) has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection including: plot development, characterization, author’s purpose, making inferences, vocabulary (including words from SAT/ACT exams), literary devices, figurative language, fact & opinion, analogies, main idea, summarization, and other elements of literature. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Teachers are encouraged to remove/add questions as they see fit for their students. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
*PLEASE NOTE: Due to copyright restrictions, this product does not contain the reading selection(s).
This 38-question multiple-choice reading comprehension and analysis test on a nonfiction excerpt from the autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (from the textbook HOLT McDOUGAL LITERATURE, GRADE 9 ISBN-10: 0547115784) has questions from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (revised). It will test students’ literal and interpretive understanding of the selection including: point of view, making inferences, vocabulary (including words from SAT/ACT exams), cause and effect, figurative language, literary devices, author’s purpose, main idea, summarization, fact and opinion, analogies, and other elements of literature. Questions are modeled after standardized tests (SAT, ACT, and state tests) to familiarize students with the structure and vocabulary of standardized test questions. Questions are spaced 1.5 lines apart for comfortable reading. The questions also encourage students to go back and re-read key parts of the selection, a crucial skill for comprehension and improving reading stamina. Teachers are encouraged to remove/add questions as they see fit for their students. Answer key included. Editable MS Word Doc. You can use this product for years and years! Feedback is always welcomed and appreciated!
*Teacher’s note: It is recommended that the reading selection’s paragraphs be numbered before copies are given to students. This helps students locate answers to questions with references to specific paragraphs of the text. This particular reading selection has approximately 7 pages (57 paragraphs) total. Summary of excerpt: Marguerite introduces and speaks of Mrs. Bertha Flowers, the aristocrat of Black Stamps. She delivers groceries to Mrs. Flowers’s home and she teaches Marguerite the importance of the human voice and lends her books. The excerpt begins with the paragraph beginning with the line: “For nearly a year, I sopped around the house, the Store, the school and the church …” and concludes with paragraph beginning with the line: “Childhood’s logic never asks to be proved (all conclusions are absolute).”
**PLEASE NOTE: Due to copyright restrictions, this product does not contain the reading selection(s).
This product is student-centered, meaning:
–it allows you to become a facilitator!
–happier teachers!
–happier students!
–happier administrators!