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 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
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 Two Minutes Hate from Book 1, 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:
Determine and analyze the development of key ideas and themes, including the effects of mob mentality
Analyze how the author’s word choices add to the text’s complexity
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply and articulate knowledge of literary devices and techniques including consonance, simile, and situational irony
Activate background knowledge on Nazi Germany’s treatment of the Jews and articulating historical parallels to the Two Minutes Hate
Write about literature with accuracy, clarity, and precision
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 2, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. 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
Compare two characters (Antonio and Sebastian)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including 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 dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. 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
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole
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 dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. 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
Contrast two characters (Miranda and Ferdinand)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, 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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The quiz may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the play. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Ferdinand’s status at the start of the Act
Ferdinand’s perspective on doing hard labor
The interactions between Ferdinand and Miranda
The effect of said interactions on Prospero
Caliban’s resentment of Trinculo
Stephano’s visions of the future
Ariel’s eavesdropping on Stephano, Trinculo, and Caliban
A strange occurrence
Ariel’s warnings to King Alonso and his attendants
Prospero’s observations
King Alonso’s psychological state
Gonzalo’s concerns about his cohorts
For many middle and high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Thank You, Ma’am” by Langston Hughes is a short story involving socioeconomic struggles, social pressures, the importance of second chances, and the power of empathy and forgiveness. This multiple choice quiz covering “Thank You, Ma’am” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
An attempt to steal something
The intended victim’s reaction
“Turned loose”
The washing of a character’s face
Roger’s question
Mrs. Jones’s kind offer
A reason for the act
Roger’s desire for Mrs. Jones to trust him
The resolution
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the vignette titled “Alicia and I Talking on Edna’s Steps.” 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.
Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the greater significance of a given detail (“I like Alicia because once she gave me a little leather purse with the word GUADALAJARA stitched on it”)
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare two characters in the novel (Esperanza and Alicia)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and paradox
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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this set of two quizzes covering Book 1, chapter 1, of George Orwell’s 1984. A multiple choice quiz and short answer option are included. Use one for post-reading comprehension checks, and use the other as a guided reading worksheet or re-assessment opportunity. Answer keys are also provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The setting
The nature of the propaganda disseminated by way of the telescreen
Winston’s professional responsibilities
The ironic role of the Ministry of Peace
The significance of Emmanuel Goldstein
The general characterization of proles
How Winston rebels against the government
The Party’s treatment of enemies of the state
And more
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 2, of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. 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
Determine the primary function of the scene
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including 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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The quiz may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the play. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Gonzalo’s interactions with King Alonso
Sebastian’s interactions with King Alonso
The reason for King Alonso’s emotional distress
Ariel’s effect on the shipwrecked crew
Antonio’s planned betrayal of King Alonso
Caliban’s feelings toward Prospero
The role of Trinculo
Trinculo’s reaction to Caliban
The characterization of Stephano
Caliban’s assumption about Trinculo and Caliban
Caliban’s decision to serve Stephano
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this quiz covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The quiz may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the play. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The purpose of King Alonso’s travels
The calmest character in the midst of a terrible storm
Prospero’s former title
The relationship between Prospero and Miranda
Prospero’s intentions
Prospero’s studies
The relationship between Prospero and Antonio
Ariel’s function
Ferdinand’s sadness
The characterization of Sycorax
Interactions between Prospero and Ariel
The first interaction between Ferdinand and Miranda
Prospero’s feelings toward Ferdinand
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 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. 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
Consider tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany and figurative language
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 middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapters 3 and 4 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding the need for 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 challenging words and phrases as they are used in the text
Explore nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern the greater significance of given details
Determine the intended effect of the author’s stylistic choices
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Discern the tone of a given excerpt
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on slang, personification, metaphor, and simile
Explore themes in context
Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapters 14 and 15 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding the need for 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 greater significance and intended effects of given details
Make logical inferences about the author’s thinking in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Consider the symbolism associated with Mazer Rackham
Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on situational irony
Explore themes in context
Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapters 9 and 10 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding the need for 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 greater significance of given details
Make logical inferences about the author’s thinking in context
Consider historical context when answering questions about plot
Discern the intended effects of given details
Determine the function of a given detail
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany, dramatic irony, situational irony, and more
Explore themes in context
Help middle and high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering chapters 11 through 13 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. This worksheet is delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, and it eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning while upholding the need for 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 greater significance of given details
Make logical inferences about the author’s thinking in context
Consider historical context when answering questions about plot
Discern the intended effects of given details
Determine the function of a given character or chapter
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism, pun, ambiguity, foreshadowing, rhetorical question, dramatic irony, and verbal irony,
Explore themes in context
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Othello. Focusing on Act 3, scene 3, this resource may serve as the basis for 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. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By completing this exercise, students will:
Analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context
Analyze how complex characters interact
Explore character motivations
Demonstrate knowledge of multiple literary devices including dramatic irony, verbal irony, situational irony, and metaphor
Make logical inferences in context
Discern the tone of a given excerpt
Support claims with relevant textual evidence and valid reasoning
Write with clarity and precision