Promote active engagement with fiction, support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of resources for teaching the Gothic short story “The Beast in the Cave” by H.P. Lovecraft. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading questions; a craft analysis activity; the public domain narrative; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these resources, students will: Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly Use context clues to determine the state in which the story is set Isolate the statement that best describes the narrator among several options Apply knowledge of various literary devices including onomatopoeia, oxymoron, foreshadowing, Isolate a false statement about a particular passage from among several truths Make logical inferences about the narrator’s self-image Define complex words as they are used in the text Explore how the protagonist thinks, behaves, and interacts with others Discern the intended effect of the author’s diction (for example, why the author used a phrase like occult manner and why the author repeatedly uses variations of the word labyrinth) Examine the deeper meaning behind the narrator’s use of a euphemistic phrase Analyze sentence structures to determine how they contribute to the reader’s experience Explain how the narrator becomes a dynamic character Justify ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Promote active engagement with ironic fiction, support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of resources for teaching a collection of O. Henry’s short stories: “The Gift of the Magi,” “The Last Leaf,” “The Cop and the Anthem,” and “After Twenty Years.” Answer keys for every resource are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.

Gothic fiction and horror are genres that maximize many high school students’ engagement with literature. “In the Vault” by H.P. Lovecraft is one such short story. It features elements such as entrapment, mutilated corpses, and the avenging of wrongdoing—making the narrative a particularly chilling read during the Halloween season. With this bundle of high school resources for teaching “In the Vault,” English teachers will save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; an alternate, self-grading Easel Assessment; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading questions; the public domain narrative; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing, situational irony, allusion, and theme Analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about characterization/character motivations Define complex words as they are used in the text Identify relevant textual details in support of a claim Analyze the author’s craft to determine the his intent Discern the tone of a passage Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Geraldine Moore the Poet” by Toni Cade Bambara is a short story focusing on a girl with unfavorable life circumstances who is on the verge of an important self-discovery: that she has a natural talent for expressing herself poetically. With this bundle of high school resources covering “Geraldine Moore the Poet,” English Language Arts teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension and support the continued development of close reading analysis skills. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable, editable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing, idiom, and ambiguity Articulate the function of a given detail Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Demonstrate awareness of the narrative’s inciting incident Articulate the symbolism associated with Geraldine’s being offered tomato soup Choose an opinion with which Geraldine is most likely to agree Evaluate the qualities that make Geraldine’s poem “the most poetic thing” Argue whether Geraldine or Mrs. Scott experiences the greatest epiphany Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird” by Toni Cade Bambara is a short story focusing on a Black family whose ways of life are being infringed upon by opportunistic, politically motivated filmmakers. With this bundle of high school resources covering “Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird,” English Language Arts teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension and support the continued development of close reading analysis skills. Included are the following: an editable, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Infer character motivations Articulate the function of a specific character (Cathy) Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, idiom, and onomatopoeia Isolate an example of figurative language from among several options Choose an opinion with which Granny would most likely agree based on an anecdote she shares with her family Determine which character or characters are represented in the character of Goldilocks Identify several ways in which the filmmakers dehumanize Granny and members of her family Draw parallels between the American folk hero John Henry and the character of Granddaddy Cain Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and minimize take-home lesson planning with this set of instructional resources covering chapter two of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze character motivations Apply knowledge of various literary devices including alliteration, assonance, and simile Discern and articulate the greater significance of a given detail with emphasis on what is revealed about character modes of thinking Analyze how complex characters interact Make logical inferences about how Tom perceives Myrtle Demonstrate awareness of how social status influences behavior Compare Myrtle to the puppy she is gifted Discern a primary function of the chapter Write with clarity and precision

Evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and minimize take-home lesson planning with this set of instructional resources covering chapter four of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact Analyze the author’s craft to determine the effect diction has on the reader’s comprehension Apply knowledge of various literary devices including sibilance, invective, ambiguity, oxymoron, and imagery Articulate the cultural significance of the white chauffeur transporting people of color Discern what Nick finds astonishing about Wolfsheim’s behavior Identify the primary function of Wolfsheim’s character in the context of the plot Define complex words as they are used in the text Make logical inferences about Nick’s modes of thinking Articulate the technique Fitzgerald uses to spark a significant shift in tone Write with clarity and precision

Evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and minimize take-home lesson planning with this set of instructional resources covering chapter five of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact Articulate how Gatsby’s behavior is ironic from Nick’s perspective Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, simile, and hyperbole Identify textual evidence that best supports a claim Analyze the author’s use of language to discern his intent Explore the symbolism of an object or objects Clarify and elaborate on a concern Nick has for Gatsby in a given passage Write with clarity and precision

Evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and minimize take-home lesson planning with this set of instructional resources covering chapter six of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Make logical inferences about Gatsby’s decision making Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, situational irony, hyperbole, euphemism, allusion, and personification Analyze the author’s craft to determine the intended meaning of a lesser known phrase Analyze what character dialogue reveals about their psychological and emotional states Determine the significance of a given detail Explore dynamic character Identify a main function of the chapter

Evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and minimize take-home lesson planning with this set of instructional resources covering chapter seven of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact Make a logical inference about Daisy’s parenting style Identify the significance of given characterization details Apply knowledge of various literary devices including assonance, consonance, metaphor, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, imagery, euphemism, and catharsis Analyze word choices to determine which word most accurately conveys an idea Explore character motivations Explore Nick’s assessment of Gatsby’s behavior in the context of the chapter Analyze the author’s craft Write ideas with clarity and precision

Evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and minimize take-home lesson planning with this set of instructional resources covering chapter eight of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze how complex characters interact Explore character motivations Analyze how and why complex characters behave certain ways Make logical inferences based on characterization details and other narrative techniques Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, oxymoron, simile, onomatopoeia, assonance, and more Explore the meanings of complex words, taking into consideration both denotative and connotative associations Analyze a given passage to determine its tone Determine the primary function of a given detail Explore cause-and-effect relationships Make logical inferences about the author’s intent Analyze plot developments in the context of the chapter to discern and articulate social commentary Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims Analyze the symbolic importance of dust Write with clarity and precision

Measure reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills with this bundle of worksheets and assessments composed of both plot-based and inference questions designed to help high school students analyze The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A comprehension quiz and close reading analysis worksheet is provided for each individual chapter. A summative test culminates the unit. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.