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.
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Focusing on Act 1, scene 2, this resource is delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. An answer key is included. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Determine the function of a particular excerpt
Conduct brief research on classical mythology — more specifically the tale of Arion and the dolphin — and draw parallels between the mythological figure and Sebastian
Consider the text’s allusion to Elysium to infer greater meaning
Discern the tone of a character’s dialogue
Come to class/depart class better prepared to discuss literary material
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Focusing on Act 1, scene 1, this resource is delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. An answer key is included. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast two characters (Orsino and Olivia)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, hyperbole, and sibilance
Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Define complex vocabulary in the context of a passage
Examine nuances in words with similar denotations
Determine the function of a particular excerpt
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 5 of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Antonio’s attempts to calm Leonato
Leonato’s decision to seek revenge
Leonato’s change of heart
Claudio’s feelings about dueling against Benedick
Don John’s decision to flee
Claudio’s rekindled affection toward Hero
Leonato’s demands of Don Pedro and Claudio
Ursula’s news
Benedick’s request of Friar Francis
News that disrupts the wedding
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 4 of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Claudio’s behavior at the wedding
Hero’s reaction to Claudio’s insults
Don John’s statements on the significance of Hero’s reaction
Leonato’s feelings toward his daughter
Friar Francis’ feelings toward Hero
Friar Francis’ suggested course of action
Beatrice’s dramatic request of Benedick
Dogberry’s terrible interrogation
Sexton’s task
Conrade’s insults toward Dogberry
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 3 of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Hero and Margaret’s trickery
The effect of Hero and Margaret’s trickery
Hero and Margaret’s criticism of Beatrice
Benedick’s character transformation
Benedick’s request to speak to Leonato privately
Don Pedro and Claudio’s agreement should Hero be proven unfaithful
Claudio’s comparison of Benedick and Beatrice to two bears
The identity of the magistrate
The characterization of the magistrate
Borachio’s drunken bragging
The identities of two arrested characters
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 2 of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Why Leonato teases Beatrice
Beatrice’s dance partner
Beatrice’s treatment of her dance partner
Borachio and Don John’s deception
Benedick’s self-reflection
Don Pedro’s promise to find Beatrice a husband
Hero’s chambermaid
The nature of Borachio’s interaction with Margaret
A plan to misrepresent Hero
Benedick’s assumptions about his future
Balthasar’s actions
The deception of Benedick
Benedick’s promise to love Beatrice
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning responsibilities with this multiple choice quiz covering Act 1 of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The news Leonato receives
Beatrice’s relation to Leonato
Claudio’s romantic interest
Don Pedro’s offer to Claudio
Hero’s relation to Leonato
Don John’s relation to Don Pedro
Conrade’s interactions with Don John
The quality Don John values most
Borachio’s discovery and the method by which he made it
The cause of Don John’s bitterness toward Don Pedro
Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Othello. With a focus on Act 2, scene 2, this resource saves teachers valuable time without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable PDFs and Word Documents.
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, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Make logical inferences in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text including alliteration and situational irony
Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context
Identify textual evidence in support of a claim
Write with clarity and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of plot-based quizzes covering each Act of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The assessments may double as guided reading worksheets to facilitate active engagement with Shakespearean drama. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Antonio’s lack of awareness in terms of the cause of his sadness
Why Salerio and Solanio think Antonio is unsettled
Salerio’s stated belief concerning human emotions
Gratiano’s thoughts on sad men
Bassanio’s motive for needing money
Antonio’s generosity
Why Portia is sad, according to Nerissa
The condition under which Portia is allowed to marry
Nerissa’s role in Portia’s life
Shylock’s profession
The quality that most distinguishes Shylock
The reason for Shylock’s resentment toward Antonio
Shylock’s deal with Antonio
Morocco’s wooing of Portia
The consequences facing any man who fails to solve a riddle
Launcelot’s feelings toward Shylock
Old Gobbo’s condition
Launcelot’s crass behavior
Bassanio’s generosity toward Launcelot
Gratiano’s reputation
Jessica’s promise to Lorenzo
Launcelot’s service to Lorenzo and Jessica
Jessica’s willingness to behave criminally
Jessica’s discomfort with her appearance
A sign that the “right” casket is chosen
Aragon’s intent
The identity of a young visitor
Salerio and Solanio’s reaction to the news about Antonio
Why Shylock is angry at Salerio and Solanio
How Shylock justifies his behavior
Tubal’s role
Jessica’s behavior
Interactions between Portia and Bassanio
Bassanio’s participation in the riddle-solving contest
The relationship between Gratiano and Nerissa
A letter from Antonio
Shylock’s self-image
Portia’s reaction to news about Antonio
Balthazar’s role
Jessica’s perception of Portia
The Duke’s interactions with Shylock
Antonio’s reaction to his circumstances
Shylock’s self-image
Bassanio’s efforts to save Antonio
The Duke’s indecision
What Antonio wants Bassanio to do for him
Nerissa’s disguise
Portia’s disguise
Why Shylock won’t receive his pound of flesh
Shylock’s crimes and consequences
Bassanio’s ring
How Lorenzo and Jessica perceive themselves
Lorenzo’s talking about the calming music of the stars
Stephano’s message
Portia’s insistence that everyone keep a secret from her husband
How Portia and Nerissa deceive their husbands
Antonio’s relationship with Bassanio
News of Antonio’s ships
News from Nerissa
Gratiano’s crude humor
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
How Lorenzo and Jessica perceive themselves
Lorenzo’s talking about the calming music of the stars
Stephano’s message
Portia’s insistence that everyone keep a secret from her husband
How Portia and Nerissa deceive their husbands
Antonio’s relationship with Bassanio
News of Antonio’s ships
News from Nerissa
Gratiano’s crude humor
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The Duke’s interactions with Shylock
Antonio’s reaction to his circumstances
Shylock’s self-image
Bassanio’s efforts to save Antonio
The Duke’s indecision
What Antonio wants Bassanio to do for him
Nerissa’s disguise
Portia’s disguise
Why Shylock won’t receive his pound of flesh
Shylock’s crimes and consequences
Bassanio’s ring
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Salerio and Solanio’s reaction to the news about Antonio
Why Shylock is angry at Salerio and Solanio
How Shylock justifies his behavior
Tubal’s role
Jessica’s behavior
Interactions between Portia and Bassanio
Bassanio’s participation in the riddle-solving contest
The relationship between Gratiano and Nerissa
A letter from Antonio
Shylock’s self-image
Portia’s reaction to news about Antonio
Balthazar’s role
Jessica’s perception of Portia
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Morocco’s wooing of Portia
The consequences facing any man who fails to solve a riddle
Launcelot’s feelings toward Shylock
Old Gobbo’s condition
Launcelot’s crass behavior
Bassanio’s generosity toward Launcelot
Gratiano’s reputation
Jessica’s promise to Lorenzo
Launcelot’s service to Lorenzo and Jessica
Jessica’s willingness to behave criminally
Jessica’s discomfort with her appearance
A sign that the “right” casket is chosen
Aragon’s intent
The identity of a young visitor
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Antonio’s lack of awareness in terms of the cause of his sadness
Why Salerio and Solanio think Antonio is unsettled
Salerio’s stated belief concerning human emotions
Gratiano’s thoughts on sad men
Bassanio’s motive for needing money
Antonio’s generosity
Why Portia is sad, according to Nerissa
The condition under which Portia is allowed to marry
Nerissa’s role in Portia’s life
Shylock’s profession
The quality that most distinguishes Shylock
The reason for Shylock’s resentment toward Antonio
Shylock’s deal with Antonio
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of plot-based quizzes covering each Act of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Answer keys are included.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
The motivation of a crowd
Marullus’s perception of Caesar
A coinciding event
Flavius’s perception of Caesar
Cassius’s fear
The actions of a Soothsayer
Cassius’s efforts to diminish Caesar
Caesar’s medical condition
Cassius’s plan to manipulate Brutus
Casca’s fear
Cinna’s role in a conspiracy
The role of Lucius
How Brutus rationalizes murdering Caesar
How Brutus feels about his men taking an oath
Individuals not permitted into the group
The nature of Antony’s relationship with Caesar
Portia’s concern for her husband
How Brutus’s secrecy affects Portia
Ligarius’s loyalty
Calpurnia’s nightmares
Ominous occurrences that foreshadow tragic events
Decius’s influence on Caesar
The purpose of Artemidorus’s letter
Information from the Soothsayer
Portia’s grievances
Caesar’s decision involving Artemidorus’s letter
Why Cassius fears the conspiracy has fallen apart before Caesar speaks
Cassius’s extreme reaction to his fear
Brutus’s motivation for kissing Caesar’s hand
Caesar’s self image
Brutus’s motivation for having Antony brought to him
Antony’s apology to Caesar’s corpse
Antony’s ominous prediction for the region
The basis on which Brutus asks the public to trust him
How Antony manipulates the public into distrusting Brutus
The reading of Caesar’s will
The nature of Antony’s conversation with Octavius and Lepidus
What Antony intends to do with Caesar’s will
Antony’s intentions for Lepidus
The changing nature of Brutus and Cassius’s relationship
Brutus’s observations about Cassius’s behavior
Information provided to Brutus by Lucilius
Why Brutus punished Lucius
Brutus’s accusations against Cassius
Cassius’s self-image
Cassius’s emotionally charged offer to Brutus
An unexpected visitor to the tent
A supernatural encounter
Antony’s assumption about Brutus and Cassius’s motives
Conflict between Antony and Octavius
Brutus and Cassius’s denigrating assessment of Antony
Cassius’s opinion on superstitions
Messala’s role in the battle
The death of Cassius’s flag-bearer
Titinius’s scrutiny of Brutus’s battlefield decision-making
The cause of Cassius’s death
Lucilius’s persona
Antony’s motives with regard to his treatment of Lucilius
The cause of Brutus’s death
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Antony’s assumption about Brutus and Cassius’s motives
Conflict between Antony and Octavius
Brutus and Cassius’s denigrating assessment of Antony
Cassius’s opinion on superstitions
Messala’s role in the battle
The death of Cassius’s flag-bearer
Titinius’s scrutiny of Brutus’s battlefield decision-making
The cause of Cassius’s death
Lucilius’s persona
Antony’s motives with regard to his treatment of Lucilius
The cause of Brutus’s death
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The nature of Antony’s conversation with Octavius and Lepidus
What Antony intends to do with Caesar’s will
Antony’s intentions for Lepidus
The changing nature of Brutus and Cassius’s relationship
Brutus’s observations about Cassius’s behavior
Information provided to Brutus by Lucilius
Why Brutus punished Lucius
Brutus’s accusations against Cassius
Cassius’s self-image
Cassius’s emotionally charged offer to Brutus
An unexpected visitor to the tent
A supernatural encounter
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Caesar’s decision involving Artemidorus’s letter
Why Cassius fears the conspiracy has fallen apart before Caesar speaks
Cassius’s extreme reaction to his fear
Brutus’s motivation for kissing Caesar’s hand
Caesar’s self image
Brutus’s motivation for having Antony brought to him
Antony’s apology to Caesar’s corpse
Antony’s ominous prediction for the region
The basis on which Brutus asks the public to trust him
How Antony manipulates the public into distrusting Brutus
The reading of Caesar’s will
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The role of Lucius
How Brutus rationalizes murdering Caesar
How Brutus feels about his men taking an oath
Individuals not permitted into the group
The nature of Antony’s relationship with Caesar
Portia’s concern for her husband
How Brutus’s secrecy affects Portia
Ligarius’s loyalty
Calpurnia’s nightmares
Ominous occurrences that foreshadow tragic events
Decius’s influence on Caesar
The purpose of Artemidorus’s letter
Information from the Soothsayer
Portia’s grievances
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
The motivation of a crowd
Marullus’s perception of Caesar
A coinciding event
Flavius’s perception of Caesar
Cassius’s fear
The actions of a Soothsayer
Cassius’s efforts to diminish Caesar
Caesar’s medical condition
Cassius’s plan to manipulate Brutus
Casca’s fear
Cinna’s role in a conspiracy