Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a reading guide, a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, six close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. 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 in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, imagery, personification, and more Choose an applicable theme in the context of a scene Support claims or inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a reading guide, a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, six close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text Discern the significance of a given detail Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Draw logical inferences about the author’s stylistic choices Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, allusion, metaphor, simile, situational irony, and onomatopoeia Analyze the author’s paradoxical language to discern a theme related to love Isolate examples of punning language Explore cause-and-effect relationships Identify the best textual evidence in support of a claim

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 support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A plot-based quiz, nine close reading worksheets (one per scene), 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: Read for literal comprehension Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words Consult reference materials in order 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 dramatic techniques Describe tone in context Determine the functions of various passages Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast two characters (Jessica and Portia) Consider the motif of the guest-host relationship and argue whether Portia conforms to the expectations of a good host, or whether she fails to meet expectations and represents a bad host Apply knowledge of many literary devices with emphasis on allusion, hyperbole, dramatic irony, situational irony, personification, symbolism, invective, juxtaposition, and metaphor Conduct brief online research (if necessary) to determine the symbolic value of a particular object Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A plot-based quiz, five close reading worksheets (one per scene), 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: Read for literal comprehension Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words Consult reference materials in order 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 dramatic techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast two characters (Antonio and Shylock; Portia and Antonio) Apply knowledge of many literary devices with emphasis on metaphor, oxymoron, onomatopoeia, allusion, personification, symbolism, invective, and euphemism Consider themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A plot-based quiz, three close reading worksheets (one per scene), 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: Read for literal comprehension Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words Consult reference materials in order 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 dramatic techniques Describe tone in context Determine the functions of various passages Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast two characters Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and situational irony Conduct brief research as needed to answer a question about a biblical allusion Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Gothic fiction, fantasy, and horror are genres that appeal to many high school readers, and H.P. Lovecraft checks all the boxes. Promote active literary engagement with this bundle of reading comprehension quizzes and close reading analysis activities covering a variety of Lovecraft’s short stories: “The Outsider,” “The Beast in the Cave,” “The Tomb,” “The Cats of Ulthar,” “The Hound,” and “The Moon Bog.” Answer keys and copies of public domain narratives are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.

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 “The Outsider” by H.P. Lovecraft. A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a craft analysis exercise, 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: Read for literal comprehension 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 Describe tone in context Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, hyperbole, personification, situational irony, symbolism, and more Consider themes in context 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

Help high school students navigate William Shakespeare’s language with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of As You Like It. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the play during unexpected teacher absences. Included are 5 vocabulary application activities, 5 crossword puzzles, 5 word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. A total of 126 words are addressed: abominable, abruptly, acquit, allottery, amble, anon, array, base, bastinado, bequeath, bestow, boast, boisterous, boorish, bough, caparison, capricious, carlot, chanticleer, chaste, chide, churlish, cicatrice, clamorous, comely, commend, compact, conjure, contrive, counsel, countenance, descend, desolation, discord, dissuade, ditty, dowry, dulcet, effect, elegy, entreat, erewhile, exult, fain, feign, flout, forbear, gallant, gilded, heartily, hoarse, hornmaker, husbandry, idle, irk, jointure, knavery, lament, languish, leer, lief, lo, lusty, malice, mar, melancholy, mirth, miser, moonish, murmur, mutton, nimble, nuptial, obscure, odious, osier, pains, pard, parlous, peevish, penury, perpend, pilgrimage, politic, pompous, prate, prithee, purgation, purlieus, quarrel, rascally, reign, relish, resolute, rudiments, rumination, salutation, sans, sententious, servitude, shrewd, simper, sinewy, sirrah, slander, smirch, stern, sullen, sunder, swift, swoon, synod, tedious, thrice, treacherous, umber, uncouth, unkept, valiant, vehemence, venerable, waspish, weary, wherefore, whither, and woo. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, seven close reading worksheets (one per scene), 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: Read for literal comprehension Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words Consult reference materials in order 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 dramatic techniques Determine the function of a given scene Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices such as personification, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, allusion, paradox, situational irony, and more Consider themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, three close reading worksheets (one per scene), 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: Read for literal comprehension Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic words Consult reference materials in order 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 dramatic techniques Determine the function of a given scene Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text including foreshadowing, situational irony, and dramatic irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works