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 the short story “The Landlady” by Roald Dahl. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
The protagonist’s age
A porter’s recommendation
The protagonist’s immediate reaction to the building
The landlady’s personality
How the protagonist learns of previous visitors
Similarities among the guests
The landlady’s eccentricities
A sign of danger
And more
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Broken Chain” by Gary Soto. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The protagonist’s self-image
The protagonist’s request of his mother
The protagonist’s helpful nature
The name of the protagonist’s love interest
Relationships between characters
Reasons for conflict
Character transformations
And more
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Virginia Woolf’s short story “The New Dress.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: altar, annul, botany, chastise, clamor, decrepit, dingy, etymology, feeble, fructify, gesticulate, miserly, odious, paltry, pertly, peter, principle, relentlessly, satirical, scanty, simper, sordid, squint, and vacillate.
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, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities for teaching the short story “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain narrative, 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
Discern the functions of various passages and excerpts
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast two characters (Aylmer and Aminadab)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, imagery, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, 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 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 Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Birthmark.” An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative 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
Discern the functions of various passages and excerpts
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast two characters (Aylmer and Aminadab)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, imagery, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, 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
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Birthmark.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abortive, affinity, ardent, assent, competent, countenance, credulity, detrimental, dingy, eminent, ephemeral, exuberance, fastidious, fervid, finite, folio, hastily, indistinct, inexorably, interminably, invariably, laborious, mar, melancholy, mien, nostrum, optical, placid, principle, quaff, recondite, relinquish, remonstrance, sanguine, sneer, tremulous, uncouth, unobtrusive, and verdure.
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 eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Aylmer’s love
Georgiana’s self-image
Aylmer’s feelings toward the birthmark
The shape, color, and location of the birthmark
The details of Georgiana’s nightmare
The role of Aminadab
The contents of Aylmer’s journals
The means by which Georgiana plans to transform
How the transformation process is first demonstrated
The outcome of the procedure
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 “Amigo Brothers” by Piri Thomas. 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
Discern 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
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast the story’s protagonists
Apply knowledge of literary devices including eye dialect, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification 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
Help middle and 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 Piri Thomas’ coming-of-age short story “Amigo Brothers.” An answer key is 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 and contrast the story’s protagonists
Apply knowledge of literary devices including eye dialect, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification 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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Amigo Brothers” by Piri Thomas. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
The ages of the protagonists
The protagonists’ shared goals and philosophies
Physical descriptions of the protagonists
How the protagonists decide to handle conflict
The reaction of the public
The story’s resolution
And more
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Piri Thomas’ coming-of-age short story “Amigo Brothers.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: affect, barrage, bilingual, bout, briskly, corazón, dispel, evade, fitful, frenzied, hermano, improvise, lanky, nimble, peer, pensively, squint, tenement, torrent, and unbridled.
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 eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering a short story by the Brothers Grimm: “The Three Brothers.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the Grimm’s fairy tale. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The brothers’ common objective
The nature of the father’s relationship with his sons
The brothers’ distinct interests
Secondary characters who cross paths with primary characters
The resolution
And more
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering a short story by the Brothers Grimm: “The Singing, Springing Lark.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the Grimm’s fairy tale. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The daughters’ requests of their father
The father’s favorite daughter
Threats from a predator
The father’s fear upon returning home
Peculiar traits of the prince
The reason for the youngest daughter’s return home
The reason for the prince’s reluctance to attend a celebratory event
How the prince is persuaded to attend
The prince’s seven-year promise
The princess’ pursuit of information and resources
The resolution
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering a cautionary fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm: “The Wolf and the Man.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The fox’s perspective on what makes for the best self-defense
The wolf’s impulsive nature
The fox’s role in the wolf’s downfall
The various humans the wolf observes
The fox’s actions in contrast to the wolf’s
The wolf’s lack of knowledge about the ways of man
The fox’s concluding remarks
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering a short story by the Brothers Grimm: “The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the fairy tale. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The reason for the mother goat’s departure
Distinguishing characteristics of the wolf
The mother’s emotional state as she departs
Means by which the wolf tries to trick the little goats
The number of eaten goats
The location of the uneaten goat(s)
Means by which the eaten goats are rescued
The wolf’s cause of death
The goats’ collective reaction to the wolf’s death
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering a short story by the Brothers Grimm: “The Donkey.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the fairy tale. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
A queen’s self-image
The donkey’s relation to the king and queen
The queen’s treatment of the donkey
The donkey’s love of music
Factors that contribute to the donkey’s sadness
A king’s kindness
A servant’s secret order
The donkey’s transformation
The resolution
And more
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering a short story by the Brothers Grimm: “Gossip Wolf and the Fox.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Gossip Wolf’s general disposition
Gossip Wolf’s request of the fox
The fox’s general disposition
Acts of deception
The humans’ treatment of Gossip Wolf
The resolution
And more
With this test covering the entirety of the science fiction novel Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, English teachers will evaluate students’ knowledge of characters, plot, and vocabulary. In addition, students will demonstrate character analysis skills by drafting a five-paragraph essay in which they argue whether John Hammond is a sympathetic or unsympathetic figure. A test preparation guide, standards-based writing rubric, and answer key are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Demonstrate knowledge of primary and secondary characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events that take place throughout the novel
Respond to an essay prompt about John Hammond’s characterization
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (seventh iteration and epilogue). A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: awestruck, bemused, benign, curtly, deduce, evoke, hasten, impetuous, ineffectually, laconically, matriarchal, narcotic, paradigm, rebuke, reeking, shirk, skitter, and spatial.
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
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (sixth iteration). A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: agitation, cascade, dismay, empirical, euphoria, giddy, impregnable, incurious, interminable, menacingly, phosphorescent, protrude, revocation, squint, striation, taunt, and tinny.
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
