Promote student choice and facilitate the process of researching relevant topics from beginning to end with this low-prep activity to conclude a unit on The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. Students will choose from thirty research topics—addressing ideas such as real-life UFO sightings (the 1947 Roswell incident, the 1997 Phoenix Lights incident, the 2006 O’Hare International Airport incident, etc.), UFO programs and organizations (Project Blue Book, Mutual UFO Network, SETI Institute, etc.), and famous figures in ufology (J. Allen Hynek, John Mack, George Adamski, etc.)—and navigate academically appropriate sources with the goal of teaching their peers about their topics. A detailed scoring rubric is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Ultimately, students will perform the following tasks: Articulate connections between a research topic and the assigned novel Conduct research using available resources Collect and classify reliable sources Develop successful methods of recording information Evaluate the credibility of nonfiction texts, taking into consideration readability, date, relevance, expertise, and bias Apply conventions of MLA formatting Correctly site resources to avoid plagiarism Organize information in a cohesive manner, using a note-taking system that includes summary, paraphrasing, and quoted material Analyze, synthesize, and integrate information, generating a thoughtfully comprehensive report, free of generalities and redundancies Present information in a formal, coherent manner

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (chapters 15 through 18). This assessment may also serve as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: John’s behavior prior to his arrest John’s confession to Mustapha Mond The Controller’s comments about censorship Mustapha Mond’s philosophy on an ideal society Mustapha Mond’s personal history The cause of Bernard’s emotional breakdown The contents of the Controller’s safe The most important right from John’s perspective Where John will be isolated John’s fate And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (chapters 12 through 14). This assessment may also serve as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Why partygoers are upset with Bernard How the partygoers express their dissatisfaction Helmholtz Watson’s personal history Helmholtz Watson’s comments about Shakespeare Mustapha Mond’s motivations John’s confession to Lenina Lenina’s reaction to the topic of marriage John’s erratic behavior The reason for John’s visit to the hospital And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (chapters 9 through 11). This assessment may also serve as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Lingering effects of the ceremony on Lenina Bernard’s travels Bernard’s motivations John’s nosy behavior The Director’s insults toward Bernard John’s reaction to meeting the Director The crowd’s reaction to watching the interaction between John and the Director A doctor’s grim prognosis John’s reaction to his tour John’s appreciation of Shakespearean drama And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (chapters 1 and 2). This assessment may also serve as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting The World State motto How conformity is perpetuated Philosophies on maintaining a stable society The caste system The distinguishing characteristic of “freemartins” The objective of sleep teaching Techniques used to stunt intellectual development And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (chapters 6 through 8). This assessment may also serve as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Interactions between Lenina and Bernard The Director’s travelling to New Mexico Lenina’s reaction to the ceremony she witnesses How Linda is perceived by others Interactions between John and Pope John’s personal motivations Bernard’s personal motivations And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (chapters 3 through 5). This assessment may also serve as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Mustapha Mond Bernard Marx The friendship between Lenina and Fanny The name of an emotion-regulating drug Helmholtz Watson “Big Henry” The Solidarity Service And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering the short story “A Journey” by Edith Wharton. A short answer option is also provided for re-assessment purposes. Alternatively, these resources may serve as guided reading handouts to foster active reading habits. Answer keys are included. All materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The protagonist’s former occupation The effect marriage had on the protagonist’s life perspective The husband’s deteriorating health A doctor’s recommendation for treating the husband’s condition The reason for the protagonist’s strong dislike of Colorado The protagonists regrets, worries, and resentments The passengers’ reactions to the husband’s illness The protagonist’s reaction to her husband’s death The protagonist’s dream The definition of psychological fiction Interpreting metaphorical language

This Creative Writing project for high school facilitates the process of drafting a first-person short story in the fantasy genre featuring personified dinosaurs who experience conflicts that are relatable to a human audience while incorporating details that hearken back to prehistoric times. An important aspect to this activity is the creation of a distinct voice that is consistent with what is known about whichever species of dinosaur is represented by the protagonist. Included are detailed, visually pleasing directions; a dinosaur research activity; a comprehensive outline for student planning; peer- and self-editing documents; and a thorough rubric for evaluating final drafts. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing both Word Document and PDF versions. By engaging with these materials, students will do the following: Conduct brief, informal research on any three of the following dinosaurs: Alamosaurus, Megalosaurus, Allosaurus, Diplodocus, Deinonychus, Indosuchus, Saltasaurus, Archaeopteryx, Coelophusis, Protoceratops, Albertosaurus, Carnotaurus, Styracosaurus, Borogovia, Ceratosaurus, Edmontosaurus, Dryptosaurus, Noasaurus, Dilophosaurus, Albertaceratops, Saltopus, Iguanodon, Utahraptor, Sinovenator, Gasosaurus, Nemegtosaurus, Gorgosaurus, Segisaurus, Bambiraptor, Ankylosaurus, Giganotosaurus, Camptosaurus, Microraptor, Suchomimus, Hesperosaurus, and more Apply knowledge of the aforementioned dinosaurs to the process of developing distinct, well-rounded characters Organize initial ideas in a coherent manner Engage the reader with a compelling exposition that establishes a prehistoric setting, characters, and conflicts Use many appropriate narrative techniques (dialogue, dialect, description, pacing, etc.) to enhance a science-fiction plot Draft a coherent, cohesive, and appropriate narrative that builds toward a particular tone and outcome (a sense of mystery, suspense, etc.) Use precise words and phrases, active verbs, and sensory language to convey a compelling story Draft a reasonable and unrushed conclusion that resolves conflicts and conveys a theme Show mastery of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 1, chapters 6 through 10). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing both Word Document and PDF versions. By engaging with this material, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Effects of the heat ray The narrator’s interactions with his wife The reason many news agencies report that Martians are not a true threat The arrival of a second cylinder Factors that contribute to the aliens’ formidability The item rented by the narrator The narrator’s intentions The weather conditions The means by which Martians travel on Earth A complication that faces the narrator

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 1, chapters 1 through 5). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing both Word Document and PDF versions. By engaging with this material, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting Strange sightings on Mars The Martians’ intentions First impressions of the Martians’ ship General characterization of the narrator The narrator’s assumptions about the cylinder The identity of a journalist Physical description of the alien beings An apparent complication for the extraterrestrials Acts of violence

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 2, chapters 6 through 10). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing both Word Document and PDF versions. By engaging with this material, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: A reunion with the artilleryman Characters’ specific fears An unappealing suggestion for humanity’s survival The narrator’s judgments about the artilleryman A theory concerning the aliens’ cause of death The narrator’s psychological state Beliefs concerning an alternative location for colonization Discoveries made at the narrator’s home The invasion’s effect on humanity in general

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 2, chapters 1 through 5). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing both Word Document and PDF versions. By engaging with this material, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The narrator’s stated intentions The narrator’s main motivations The eerie strangeness of London The reason for the narrator and minister’s entry into a house The reason the narrator and the minister get stuck in the house The narrator’s observations of the aliens The conclusions the narrator draws about the extraterrestrials The means by which the minister dies What happens to the minister’s body The length of the narrator’s confinement

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 1, chapters 11 through 17). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing both Word Document and PDF versions. By engaging with this material, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting How the narrator survives the heat ray New threats facing the narrator General characterization of the narrator’s brother The reason news of the invasion has not spread farther The fixation of the minister How the narrator’s brother escapes the aliens Details concerning “Thunder Child” Ominous observations by the narrator’s brother

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and practice close reading analysis skills with this rigorous worksheet covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 1, chapter 1). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony and simile Identify the best textual evidence in support of a claim or idea Determine the most relevant theme among a set of choices Make logical inferences about the author’s intentions

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and practice close reading analysis skills with this rigorous worksheet covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 1, chapters 2 through 5). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. By completing the close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Analyze nuances in words with similar definitions and connotations Discern the intended effects of given details Explore how characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, verisimilitude, and imagery Explore the symbolism of waving a white flag Support claims and inferences with reasoned thinking and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision