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 and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
“Sweet are the uses of adversity”
Jaques’ stated reason for not hunting
The fundamental goodness of Adam
Oliver’s homicidal intentions
Comparing Rosalind and Orlando’s plights
Corin’s efforts to console a lovesick Silvius
Celia and Rosalind’s big purchase
Jaques’ combativeness and its effect on others
Jaques’ motivations for becoming a jester
An assumption that turns out to be ill-informed
The metaphorical language of Duke Senior
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Discern apparent contradictions in dialogue
Define complex words and phrases in context
Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Applying knowledge of literary devices including situational irony
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Touchstone’s comments about a young forest-dweller
The nature of the conversation between Touchstone and the forest-dweller
Oliver’s intentions as he moves forward in life
Orlando’s feelings about the abruptness of Celia and Oliver’s engagement
Ganymede’s promise to Orlando
Phebe’s assessment of Ganymede’s behavior
Audrey’s excitement about marriage
Touchstone’s driving motive for marrying Audrey
Jaques’ allusion to Noah’s Ark
A conversation between Jaques and Touchstone
Hymen’s attendance
The most dynamic character in Act 5
Duke Frederick’s intentions as he moves forward in life
Duke Senior’s intentions as he moves forward in life
Jaques’ assessment of the marriage between Touchstone and Audrey
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 7, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Discern tone in context
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s language and narrative techniques
Define complex and archaic words as they are used in the text
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as hyperbole and dramatic irony
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context
Discern tone in context
Define challenging words as they are used in the text
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Consider the symbolic meaning of sleep in context
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including hyperbole and simile
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Duke Frederick’s newest command of Oliver
Orlando’s love poem
Touchstone’s mockery
Touchstone and Corin’s debate over what constitutes a moral person
Corin’s lack of education
Rosalind’s concern about Orlando finding her attractive
Rosalind’s offer to help cure Orlando of love
Touchstone’s flirtatiousness with Audrey
Celia’s criticism of Orlando
Silvius’ feelings toward Phebe
The characterization of Phebe
The reason for Rosalind’s agitation
Phebe’s romantic feelings toward Rosalind
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The interaction between Jaques and Rosalind
Jaques’ assertions about his mental state
Jaques’ character motivations
Orlando’s tardiness
Rosalind’s artificial anger
Rosalind and Orlando’s role playing lesson
“Men have died from time to time and worms have eaten them, but not for love.”
A fake wedding ceremony
Silvius’ continued affection for Phebe
The content of a letter Phebe sends Ganymede
Rosalind’s comments on how Phebe can prove her love
Oliver’s unexpected appearance and character transformation
Orlando’s heroism
Help middle and high schoolers go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering chapter 16 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
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
Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on 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
This bundled close reading resource promotes thoughtful, critical analysis of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, helping students focus on significant details to develop improved reading proficiency and contribute more meaningfully to class discussion. Each close reading assessment includes an answer key with detailed explanations for correct options. You will receive two versions of each individual worksheet: a Word Document version and a PDF version. Featuring more than 125 high-order questions, this bundle gives students clearer purposes for reading such as the following:
To analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
To determine tone in context
To define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
To draw reasoned inferences about characterization
To apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel
To isolate accurate statements from false statements
To write about literature such that the reader will follow the student’s reasoning
To support claims with relevant textual evidence
And more
Gothic fantasy and horror are genres that maximize many high school students’ engagement with literature. “The Cats of Ulthar” by H.P. Lovecraft is a macabre short story featuring savage neighbors, an avenging curse, and flesh-eating felines—making it an especially chilling choice for the Halloween season. This rigorous worksheet on “The Cats of Ulthar” helps English teachers support the development of close reading analysis skills and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Discern a key purpose of the mythological allusions delivered in the exposition
Draw parallels between the author’s choices and knowledge of cat-related proverbs
Explore the antagonistic characterization of the community’s old couple
Examine the narrator’s feelings toward the people of Ulthar
Explore the greater significance of imagery from a mythological perspective
Investigate the author’s decision to name a key character after an Egyptian figure
Discern the functions of several paragraphs
Apply knowledge of a variety of literary devices including personification, irony, inversion, and onomatopoeia
Make logical inferences about the author’s decision to include two seemingly insignificant details
Identify and explain a significant example of foreshadowing in the story
Argue whether the people of Ulthar are better or worse off for having gone through their experiences
Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
This bundled close reading resource promotes thoughtful, critical analysis of several classic Grimms’ fairy tales, helping students focus on significant details to develop improved reading proficiency and contribute more meaningfully to class discussion. Each close reading assessment includes an answer key with detailed explanations for correct options. You will receive two versions of each individual item: a Word Document version and a PDF version.
These resources 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, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
Make reading more purposeful with these close reading activities to support students in their efforts to demonstrate the following:
An ability to define complex vocabulary in context
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships
An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, theme, symbolism, dynamic character, and more
An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim
An ability to analyze context clues to discern and articulate the significance of a given detail
An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly
An ability to write with clarity and precision
Help high schoolers go beyond basic comprehension and sharpen their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet on H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “From Beyond,” a piece featuring numerous compelling elements for high school students: alien life, advanced technology, parallel realities, and more. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings
Infer the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, situational irony, 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
Challenge high school students to push beyond basic reading comprehension and exercise close reading analysis skills while engaging with Othello by William Shakespeare. Given the objective nature of the multiple choice questions, each close reading activity is rigorous enough for students to find deeper meaning in the text, yet convenient enough for teachers to quickly and efficiently gather data on their students’ textual analysis skills. Included are fifteen close reading worksheets, each addressing an individual scene, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By the end of the play, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Analyze the author’s craft, discerning how Shakespeare’s language influences the audience’s perception of Iago
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, allusion, epiphany, foreshadowing, personification, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony, and more
Explore themes in the play
Discern the tone of given passages
Determine the functions of given scenes
Articulate the significance of given details
Articulate how dialogue contributes to the development of suspense
Articulate how the setting contributes to a sense of uncertainty
Consider how the imagery of a willow tree is relevant to the content of Desdemona’s song
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Cite specific, relevant textual evidence in support of a claim or idea
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this rigorous worksheet covering the short story “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” by Nathaniel Hawthorne (estimated Lexile Measure range of 1300-1400). Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are included. By completing this activity, high school students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast characters
Infer the intended effect of the author’s phrasing (“liquor of youth”)
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing and symbolism
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Articulate the significance of a given detail
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials
Support claims and ideas with relevant evidence and valid reasoning
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the primary function of an excerpt
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate flaws in a character’s logic
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, and situational 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 Shakespearean drama
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the primary function of a given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including figurative language and situational 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
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast Caesar and Calpurnia
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, symbolism, 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 Shakespearean drama
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “The Owl” by the Brothers Grimm, a cautionary tale about how fear affects human behavior. The brevity of the narrative and the nature of the learning targets help teachers fill awkward gaps in schedules without sacrificing academic rigor. An answer key and copy of the fairy tale are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare the actions of the owl with those of the humans
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, onomatopoeia, 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 go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices with emphasis on situational irony and pun
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
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about the social obstacles facing Winston from Book 2, chapter 1, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will:
Identify what the text says both explicitly and implicitly
Discern meaning from figurative expressions
Use context as a clue to the meaning of words and phrases
Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations
Analyze and articulate how the author’s word choices contribute to Winston’s characterization
Demonstrate knowledge of onomatopoeia
Analyze the passage to discern its primary function
Analyze and articulate Winston’s internal conflict as illustrated in the passage
Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature