Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities for teaching the short story “Spunk” by Zora Neale Hurston. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Determine the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including hubris, juxtaposition, foil, metaphor, epiphany, and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching “An Hour with Abuelo” by Judith Ortiz Cofer, a coming-of-age short story about a teen whose youthful determination and stubbornness keep him from learning a lesson about controlling one’s destiny - that is, until an hour-long meeting with his grandfather. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques, such as how the first-person narration affects the readers’ perception of Arturo’s mother Determine the function of the opening paragraph Discern the greater significance of a given excerpt Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast two characters (Arturo and Abuelo) Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, euphemism, verbal irony, and more Explore themes in context Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

“Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros is a coming-of-age short story involving a girl who, for the first time, experiences public marginalization and must learn to navigate an unjust world. This bundle of assessments helps English teachers evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and promote homework accountability. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in teaching schedules. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. With these resources, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Isolate the story’s inciting incident Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Identify the narrative’s antagonist Evaluate the significance of the teacher’s last name (Price) given the context of the plot Argue in support of the claim that the protagonist is smarter and wiser than a typical eleven-year-old Predict how Rachel will be affected by her embarrassing classroom experience Explore the symbolic meaning behind the phrases “big red mountain” and “runaway balloon” Discern the tone of a given excerpt Explore theme Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Sea Hare” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about characters who defy expectations in order to achieve personal goals. This bundle of assessments helps English teachers evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and promote homework accountability—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Evaluate whether the relationship between the princess and the young suitor is healthy or unhealthy Explore aspects of the princess’ characterization that make her sympathetic to the audience Define complex words as they are used in the text Compare and contrast characters (the young suitor and the previous 99) Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, symbolism, foreshadowing, and dramatic irony Explore cause-and-effect relationships Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary material

For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut is a satirical, cautionary short story about governmental efforts to enforce equality on all citizens. This bundle of assessments helps English teachers evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and promote homework accountability—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. 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 and implicitly Discern the narrative’s point of view Isolate an example of figurative language from among several options Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Define complex words as they are used in the text Use context clues to infer the author’s intent Explore cause-and-effect relationships Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, paradox, oxymoron, simile, onomatopoeia, situational irony, and dramatic irony Explore theme Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Queen Bee” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about the importance of protecting the vulnerable and the positive effects of performing good deeds for others. This bundle of assessments helps English teachers evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and promote homework accountability—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. 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 and implicitly Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Explore how a particular passage contributes to character development Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on situational irony, foreshadowing, and assonance Articulate a relevant theme Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary material

Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Old Rinkrank.” A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Evaluate the protagonist’s positive attributes and how they benefit her as the plot develops Compare and contrast two characters (Old Rinkrank and the king) Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on situational irony Consider themes in context Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary material

For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Robot Dreams” by Isaac Asimov is a cautionary short story involving humanity’s commitment to developing artificial intelligence. This bundle of assessments helps English teachers evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and promote homework accountability—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. 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 and implicitly Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Explore cause-and-effect relationships Define complex words as they are used in the text Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, pun, and personification Analyze sentence structures with emphasis on the use of an appositive phrase Analyze the author’s stylistic choice to capitalize common noun phrases Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of quizzes covering each Act of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.