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 the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Covering chapters 18 through 23, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore the author’s use of figurative language
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Articulate the irony associated with the relationship between Offred and her mother
Explore character motivations
Discern the function of a particular detail in context
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Analyze how theme is developed and reinforced
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Make a defend a claim about whether Offred is a reliable narrator
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. With questions covering chapters 6 through 11, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore character motivations
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Explore the significance of a given detail
Determine the most prevalent theme in a given chapter
Discern the function of a particular chapter
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as metaphor
Explore the author’s intent
Articulate the intended effect of a figurative expression
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions for The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Covering chapters 24 through 27, this worksheet saves teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explain the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in context
Isolate a false statement about plot among a set of true statements
Articulate the flaw in a character’s logic
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Explore character motivations
Discern the function of a given chapter
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, pun, and dramatic irony
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
This bundle covers chapters one through 17 of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and goes beyond surface level comprehension with close reading worksheets that challenge students to analyze complex literature and help high school English teachers save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A plot-based quiz is also included, along with answer keys for every resource. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
With these resources, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Explore the significance of a given detail
Discern the function of a particular chapter
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Explore the author’s intent
Articulate the contradictory nature of a given term as it is used in the text
Isolate an illogical statement from a set of logical statements
Explore character motivations
Determine the tone of a given quote
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as anaphora, metaphor, pun, situational irony, and more
Explore how language is used as a manipulative tool
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Cite evidence in support of claims
This bundle covers chapters 18 through 30 of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and goes beyond surface level comprehension with close reading worksheets that challenge students to analyze complex literature and help high school English teachers save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A plot-based, self-grading quiz is also included, along with answer keys for every resource. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
With these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore the author’s use of figurative language
Analyze how complex characters develop and interact
Articulate the irony associated with the relationship between Offred and her mother
Explore character motivations
Discern the function of a particular detail in context
Analyze differences and nuances in word meanings
Analyze how theme is developed and reinforced
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Make a defend a claim about whether Offred is a reliable narrator
The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery is a great memoir to feature in a nonfiction unit or an independent book study unit, especially for those who appreciate the importance and influence of an animal on human lives. This resource covers chapters six through nine, promotes homework accountability, and measures general reading comprehension. It may serve as a reading check quiz or as a guided reading handout to create more purposeful reading experiences and facilitate recall. An answer key is provided, and all materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs. Questions pertain to the following:
The ritual of pig spa
Jane and Kate’s habit of saving leftovers for Christopher
A trip to George and Mary’s farm
The characteristics of a pig’s skin and its similarities to human skin
Kelly Felger’s condition and relationship with Christopher
Sy’s research on tiger behaviors
The sharpness of Christopher’s tusks
The characteristics of a pig’s emotional state and it similarities to human emotions
A holiday tradition
Christopher’s increasing fame
Why Sy is more attracted to the concept of Eden than Heaven
The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery is a great memoir to feature in a nonfiction unit or an independent book study unit, especially for those who appreciate the importance and influence of an animal on human lives. This resource covers chapters one through five, promotes homework accountability, and measures general reading comprehension. It may serve as a reading check quiz or as a guided reading handout to create more purposeful reading experiences and facilitate recall. An answer key is provided, and all materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs. Questions pertain to the following:
A sow’s reaction to a squealing runt and why
Incidents leading to Sy and Howard’s acquisition of a pig
Contrasting the relationship Sy has with her mom and dad
The setting and why it was an ideal location for Sy to live
Why Sy’s marriage to Howard was met with disdain by Sy’s mom
The origin and meaning of the name Christopher Hogwood
Evidence to support the claim that pigs have exceptional intelligence
Christopher Hogwood as a “creature of his convictions”
The police chief’s method of luring Christopher Hogwood home
Donations to Christopher Hogwood
Evidence to support cultural reverence of pigs
Tess and her physical condition
The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery is a great memoir to feature in a nonfiction unit or an independent book study unit, especially for those who appreciate the importance and influence of an animal on human lives. This resource covers chapters 10 through 14, promotes homework accountability, and measures general reading comprehension. It may serve as a reading check quiz or as a guided reading handout to create more purposeful reading experiences and facilitate recall. An answer key is provided, and all materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs. Questions pertain to the following:
How Bobbie and Jarvis help Sy and Howard
The significance of St. Francis of Assisi to Sy and her work
Christopher’s sudden pickiness toward food
Signs of Christopher’s deteriorating physical condition
The cause of Christopher’s health problems
A touching moment between Sy and Christopher
Tess and Christopher’s shared medical issues
A remarkable secret concerning Sy’s father
George’s comment on Christopher’s incredible success
Bobbie’s past and how it made her appreciate Christopher’s life
Christopher as a “big Buddha master”
The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery is a great memoir to feature in a nonfiction unit or an independent book study unit, especially for those who appreciate the importance and influence of an animal on human lives. Each assessment in this bundle covers the entire book, promotes homework accountability, and measures general reading comprehension. They may serve as reading check quizzes or as guided reading handouts to create more purposeful reading experiences and facilitate recall. Answer keys are provided, and all materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure reading comprehension with this set of quizzes on chapters one through six of Bette Greene’s Summer of My German Soldier. A multiple choice version and short answer alternative are provided in addition to an answer key. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these resources, middle and high school students will demonstrate general knowledge of characters, setting, historical context, and plot.
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure reading comprehension with this set of quizzes on chapters seven through 12 of Bette Greene’s Summer of My German Soldier. A multiple choice version and short answer alternative are provided in addition to an answer key. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these resources, middle and high school students will demonstrate general knowledge of characters, setting, historical context, and plot.
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure reading comprehension with this bundle of printable quizzes covering the entirety of Bette Greene’s historical fiction novel Summer of My German Soldier. Multiple choice versions and short answer alternatives are provided in addition to answer keys. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats. With these resources, middle and high school students will demonstrate general knowledge of characters, setting, historical context, and plot.
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure reading comprehension with this set of quizzes on chapters 13 through 21 of Bette Greene’s Summer of My German Soldier. A multiple choice version and short answer alternative are provided in addition to an answer key. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these resources, middle and high school students will demonstrate general knowledge of characters, setting, historical context, and plot.
Conclude a unit on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with this summative assessment delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. An answer key with a Common Core-aligned rubric for evaluating essay writing is included. This assessment is divided into three sections and breaks down as follows.
In the first part of the exam, students will demonstrate comprehension of character development, setting, and general plot.
In the second part of the exam, students will apply knowledge of literary devices to a variety of excerpts from the novel: metaphor, simile, hyperbole, aposiopesis, antithesis, assonance, allusion, situational irony, and more.
In the final part of the exam, students will respond to a prompt thoroughly and thoughtfully, making reference to relevant textual details in support of claims. Included is a Common-Core aligned rubric for evaluating student writing in response to the following prompt:
Alienation from society is a subject Mary Shelley addresses in the novel Frankenstein. What textual details develop and maintain an alienated tone throughout the novel? Focus on the characters of Victor and his creation specifically, though other characters may be referenced. You may also consider how the author uses language to achieve tone.
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and save valuable time with this printable quiz on the science fiction short story titled “Who’s There?” by Arthur C. Clarke. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The reason the narrator leaves the space station
The name of the narrator’s work space
The significance of the acronym FORB
The name of the cat
The cost of a day’s delay in work
The greatest enemy in space
Qualities associated with the narrator’s spacesuit
The function of the internal lockers
General character description of Bernie Summers
The narrator’s fear-induced ponderings
The resolution
Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the satirical science fiction short story titled “Lose Now, Pay Later” by Carol Farley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Examine a figurative expression (“used like a flock of sheep”) for meaning
Select expository character details that support the claim that the protagonist should be more capable of exercising discipline
Apply knowledge of literary devices including portmanteau and personification
Analyze the author’s diction to discern the intended effect of a particular word (staggered)
Visualize a particular scene to make a logical inference about the author’s intent
Explore the author’s description of the slimmer to make a logical inference about the safety of the contraption
Read a passage to determine its tone
Evaluate nuances in word meanings and use reference materials as needed
Articulate how satire is present throughout the story, indicating aspects of modern society that are being critically targeted
Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning
Exercise rational thought
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the science fiction short story “Backward Step” by Paul Jennings. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Analyze the author’s decision to have the narrator directly address the reader in the exposition
Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism and onomatopoeia
Discern the intended effect of a given detail (“People from the university wanted to study me”)
Make logical inferences about what a given excerpt reflects about the human condition (“Fortune-tellers and mystics claimed they had moved me in time. I was on television all over the world.”)
Articulate similarities between the five-year-old protagonist and his grandmother
Determine the function of a given excerpt (“I was lying on a seat on the other side of the road. An old man sitting next to me looked as if a ghost had just appeared in front of him. He screamed and ran off as fast as he could go.”)
Identify techniques used to convey the narrator’s childlike voice
Conduct brief research into the Grandfather Paradox
Determine a theme that is reinforced by the story’s resolution
Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning
Exercise rational thought
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the ironic short story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, which is an especially suitable narrative during the Christmas and winter holiday seasons. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Infer the protagonist’s motivation to find the right gift for her husband
Explore nuances in words with similar meanings
Define complex words as they are used in the text
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including onomatopoeia, hyperbole, and eye dialect
Articulate the intended effect of repetition in the context of the exposition
Explain the significance of the color brown in the context of a given excerpt
Explore the significance of the number forty in the context of the story
Conduct brief online research in order to answer questions as needed
Make logical inferences about the author’s intent
Explore how third person limited point of view contributes to plot development
Examine the narrator’s tone in the context of a given excerpt
Explain how a particular phrase is an example of paradox (“repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love”)
Choose a relevant theme in the context of a given excerpt
Argue whether the author’s stylistic choice to capitalize a common noun (Combs) is acceptable
Identify and explain several examples of sexist stereotypes throughout the story
Identify and explain an example of foreshadowing
Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Promote active engagement with fiction, support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of resources for teaching the Gothic short story “The Beast in the Cave” by H.P. Lovecraft. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading questions; a craft analysis activity; the public domain narrative; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these resources, students will:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Use context clues to determine the state in which the story is set
Isolate the statement that best describes the narrator among several options
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including onomatopoeia, oxymoron, foreshadowing,
Isolate a false statement about a particular passage from among several truths
Make logical inferences about the narrator’s self-image
Define complex words as they are used in the text
Explore how the protagonist thinks, behaves, and interacts with others
Discern the intended effect of the author’s diction (for example, why the author used a phrase like occult manner and why the author repeatedly uses variations of the word labyrinth)
Examine the deeper meaning behind the narrator’s use of a euphemistic phrase
Analyze sentence structures to determine how they contribute to the reader’s experience
Explain how the narrator becomes a dynamic character
Justify ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Promote active engagement with ironic fiction, support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of resources for teaching a collection of O. Henry’s short stories: “The Gift of the Magi,” “The Last Leaf,” “The Cop and the Anthem,” and “After Twenty Years.” Answer keys for every resource are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.