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.
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 “Sweat” 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
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
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 “The Challenge” by Gary Soto, a coming-of-age short story highlighting the importance of authenticity and unconditional acceptance of others for who they are. 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.
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 engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Choose 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
Determine the tone of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, metaphor, slang, situational irony, and more
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 students better understand the historical context of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah and facilitate the process of researching topics related to Sierra Leone with this low-prep, standards-based resource. Students will choose from thirty relevant subjects—the deposing of Siaka Stevens’ government, the Revolutionary United Front, illegal diamond mining, the West Side Boys, and All People’s Congress to name a few—and navigate credible sources with the goal of teaching others about their topic. 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 text
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 support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, three close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Materials in this bundle may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the function of a given detail
Discern the function of a given scene
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare characters (Beatrice and Benedick; Don John and Benedick)
Discern tone in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, pun, hyperbole, juxtaposition, allusion, metaphor, dramatic irony, and more
Explore the symbolism associated with a given detail
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, three close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Materials in this bundle may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Explore the symbolism of an oyster in the context of Benedick’s mindset
Contrast two characters (Beatrice and Hero)
Contrast aspects of scene one with aspects of scene two
Determine the function of an interaction between characters (Don John and Claudio)
Discern tone in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, oxymoron, invective, pun, metaphor, situational irony, dramatic irony, and more
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 1, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern a function of the scene
Explore the symbolism of lapwings and haggards in the context of the scene
Examine nuances in words and phrases with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters (Beatrice and Benedick)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, pun, hyperbole, and more
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 2, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate the greater significance of Benedick’s appearance in the context of the scene
Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, allusion, metaphor, simile, and more
Discern a function of the scene
Conduct brief research on the four humors of classical Greek medicine to facilitate an evaluation of Benedick’s condition
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 3, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Determine the intended effect of narrative techniques
Explore the symbolism of an oyster in the context of Benedick’s mindset
Discern the tone of Balthasar’s song
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, oxymoron, dramatic irony, situational irony, and more
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 2, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the tone of a particular remark
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Contrast aspects of this scene with aspects of the previous scene
Make inferences about the author’s intent
Apply knowledge of literary devices including invective, pun, and more
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 3, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, malapropism, paradox, and more
Discern the intended effect of literary devices in context
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
This summative assessment complements a Grimms’ fairy tales unit with emphasis on application of literary devices, examination of character motivations, and synthesis of textual details to perform thematic analysis.
In addition to 50 objective questions, the test includes a writing prompt requiring students to select three texts from which to draw textual evidence in support of analytical thinking. The core objective of the essay is to demonstrate an ability to identify a common theme among three texts and synthesize textual details with clarity and precision to elaborate upon the shared theme. A Common Core-aligned rubric for evaluating student writing is included in addition to the objective portion’s answer key.
Fourteen short stories are covered, and copies of each are included (listed in order of estimated Lexile Measure):
“The Dog and the Sparrow” (700-800)
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (800-900)
“Clever Gretel” (900-1000)
“The Twelve Dancing Princesses” (900-1000)
“Cinderella” (1000-1100)
“Rumpelstiltskin” (1000-1100)
“The Elves and the Shoemaker” (1000-1100)
“The Four Clever Brothers” (1000-1100)
“The Seven Ravens” (1000-1100)
“Donkey Cabbages” (1100-1200)
“The Frog King” (1100-1200)
“The Juniper Tree” (1100-1200)
“The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage” (1100-1200)
“Sleeping Beauty” (1200-1300)
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 5, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern the intended effect of narrative techniques
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony, simile, invective, and more
Articulate how Shakespeare established a tense atmosphere in the scene
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, five 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
Discern the functions of scenes
Determine tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters (Beatrice and Benedick)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, personification, malapropism, paradox, allusion, metaphor, simile, pun, hyperbole, foreshadowing, innuendo, situational irony, dramatic irony, and more
Discern the intended effects of literary devices in context
Explore the symbolism of lapwings and haggards in the context of scene one
Articulate the greater significance of Benedick’s appearance in the context of scene two
Conduct brief research on the four humors of classical Greek medicine to facilitate an evaluation of Benedick’s condition
Articulate how Shakespeare established a tense atmosphere in scenes four and five
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
With this synonym activity covering chapters 1 through 3 of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, students will examine the author’s diction and explore nuances in words with similar meanings. Specifically, this worksheet requires students to define challenging words as they are used in the novel and choose the most suitable synonyms to replace those words without changing the author’s intended meaning. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. The following vocabulary terms are addressed:
diminutive
disapprobation
eccentric
erratic
imprudent
mystify
profound
taciturn
vapid
vexations
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 4, scene 2, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern the tone of dialogue in context
Explore how the setting of the scene contributes to the plot
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Contrast two characters (Borachio and Conrade)
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on malapropism
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 5, scene 1, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in the text
Consider how Shakespeare’s narrative techniques achieve both humorous and tension-relieving effects
Determine the tone of dialogue in context
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Evaluate whether Claudio is a sympathetic and accountable character
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on simile, verbal irony, and dramatic irony
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 5, scene 3, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the overall tone of the scene
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast this scene to the previous scene
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on paradox, personification, allusion, oxymoron, repetition, metaphor, and more
Discern the intended effects of figurative language as it is used in the text
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 5, scene 4, of Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of figurative language as it is used in the text
Define complex words and phrases in context
Verify the meanings of words and phrases using reference materials as needed
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on invective and callback
Articulate an unanswered question related to the plot
Make rational predictions about future events using context clues
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, two close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Materials in this bundle may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern the tone of dialogue in context
Discern the intended effect of narrative techniques
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate the internal conflicts of two characters (Beatrice and Benedick)
Contrast two characters (Borachio and Conrade)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including pun, hyperbole, oxymoron, allusion, metaphor, malapropism, imagery, and more
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Help high school students develop close reading and poetry analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 146. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet eliminates assessment planning responsibilities without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
More specifically, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of figurative language
Explore the narrator’s mindset
Discern the overall tone of the sonnet
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on metaphor, paradox, and personification
