Folktales and legends are short story subgenres that appeal to many teenage readers who appreciate the fantasy genre. “The Silver Pool” by Ella Young is a legendary tall tale focusing on the quest of an Irish folk hero, Fionn MacCumhail, who aspires to become a leader. This multiple choice quiz covering “The Silver Pool” helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Elements of legends Fionn’s desire to become a strong man The Salmon of Knowledge The King’s Poet Ireland’s art, etiquette, and heroes Discovered treasure The consequence of a significant action A sudden realization The fulfillment of a prophecy Situational irony (or irony of result)

This is a 10-slide introductory PowerPoint covering various functions of journalists, including the political function, the economic function, the sentry function, the record-keeping function, the entertainment function, the social function, the marketplace function, and the agenda-setting function.

This editable assessment measures general comprehension and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Crow.” Delivered in Word Document format, this quiz includes an answer key. Learning targets addressed include: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate definition of fable. Students will demonstrate basic comprehension of the text. Students will demonstrate knowledge of literary terminology by applying the concept to the text. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the text’s theme by paraphrasing a logical message they discern.

This 8-slide PowerPoint is designed to provide students a brief introduction to the concepts of roots and formatives. This presentation addresses how learning about prefixes expands one's vocabulary, as well as how prefixes influence the meanings of words (e.g., reversing a verb's meaning, creating negative meaning, showing time and order, indicating location and degree, and expressing support or opposition).

This 25-question quiz has students match the meaning to an underlined root. A corresponding answer key is included.

This media project complements broadcast journalism courses or feature writing units. The primary objective of this project is for students to produce a feature segment on an extracurricular club of their choice, which may then be used by the school for promotional purposes. This project reinforces the principles of quality interviewing skills, as well as organization and prioritization of details using the inverted pyramid technique. Further, it promotes the conventions of broadcast writing. This .zip file contains all the materials I use for this project. The items are .docx files for easy editing. Included are: 1. A project description. 2. Brainstorming materials designed to maximize student learning about their chosen club (functionally speaking, a KWL). 3. A document on which students jot down open-ended questions to ask an interviewee, plus a reflective piece to ensure students have written quality questions. 4. A prewriting document designed to help students discern vital information from lesser information, aligned to the inverted pyramid concept. 5. An exemplar script modeling the conventions of writing for broadcast, plus instructions for how to write for broadcast. 6. An evaluation rubric.

For many high school readers, horror and supernatural fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “Before I Wake” by Jim Cort features elements consistent with both genres: psychological deterioration, heightened emotions, grim imagery, a suspicious death, and more. This multiple choice quiz covering “Before I Wake” helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. An answer key is included, but since the short story is not in the public domain, purchasers are responsible for acquiring their own copy of the text. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following key details: Leonard Zanelli’s profession Events preceding David Conklin’s arrest A fear of falling asleep Details of Conklin’s terrifying dreams Physical effects of the dream Factors contributing to Conklin’s suicide The medical examiner’s report Details of Zanelli’s personal letter

For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Robot Dreams” by Isaac Asimov is a cautionary short story involving humanity’s commitment to developing artificial intelligence. This plot-based quiz covering the short story helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Susan Calvin’s disposition Linda Rash’s profession The nature of the relationship between the two professionals The name of the robot Linda’s efforts to improve the robot’s brain The reason Linda kept her work private The means by which the robot re-awakens The duration of the robot’s dreams The First, Second, and Third Laws of Robotics Alarming details of the robot’s dreams Susan’s motive for destroying the robot

Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet on writing numerals. Delivered in printable Word Document format, as well as in PDF format, this resource conveniently offers the option to edit. An answer key is provided. By completing this activity, students will demonstrate an ability to: Spell out single-digit whole numbers Use numerals for whole numbers larger than nine Spell out simple fractions and use hyphens Express mixed fractions in figures unless they begin a sentence Navigate the various acceptable ways to express decades and dates Distinguish between when it is most appropriate to spell out the time of day in text versus using numerals Hyphenate compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine Write out a number when it begins a sentence under all circumstances And more

This end-of-unit test covers the entirety of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. An answer key is included. With this assessment, which is delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, high school English Language Arts teachers will be able to evaluate students’ abilities to do the following: Accurately recall details associated with characters, setting, and plot Demonstrate awareness of historically relevant events Apply knowledge of various literary devices such as symbolism, oxymoron, personification, hyperbole, simile, metaphor, allusion, dynamic character, and more Analyze the greater significance of given quotes or details Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet covering 30 common word usage errors in high school writing and speech. Delivered in printable Word Document format, as well as in PDF format, this resource conveniently offers the option to edit. An answer key is provided. Usage principles covered include the following: accept vs. except advice vs. advise affect vs. effect all ready vs. already all right vs. alright all together vs. altogether allusion vs. illusion among vs. between amount vs. number anyway vs. anyways being as/that vs. since beside vs. besides could/would/should have vs. could/would/should of couldn’t care less vs. could care less each other vs. one another enthusiastic vs. enthused farther vs. fewer fewer vs. less good vs. well imply vs. infer in vs. into its vs. it’s lay vs. lie lose vs. loose principal vs. principle regardless vs. irregardless supposedly vs. supposably than vs. then who vs. whom whose vs. who’s

Support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this worksheet composed of challenging questions to complement “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this resource helps teachers save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key is included, as well as a copy of the public domain short story. By completing this activity, students will do the following: Locate evidence in support of the claim that Rainsford lacks critical thinking abilities in the story’s exposition Locate evidence in support of the claim that Rainsford shows blatant disregard for potential threats in the story’s exposition Evaluate whether Rainsford believes he is better or worse off after encountering the anguished screams of a creature he cannot identify Articulate the irony in Rainsford’s inability to classify the aforementioned anguished screams, and how this detail allows readers make predictions about the plot Locate evidence in support of the claim that Rainsford and Zaroff share common traits Apply knowledge of verbal irony and articulate what makes the statement verbally ironic Apply knowledge of foreshadowing and articulate what an incident foreshadows

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. This rigorous worksheet on “In the Vault” helps English teachers support the development of close reading analysis skills and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, secondary 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 students, supernatural fiction is a genre that maximizes engagement with literature. “The Moon Bog” by H.P. Lovecraft features strange beings, mind manipulations, and even implied social criticism of humanity’s greed and treatment of the environment. This rigorous worksheet on “The Moon Bog” helps English teachers support the development of close reading analysis skills and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly Analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character mindsets and motivations Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing, situational irony, and dramatic irony Define complex words as they are used in the text by taking into consideration denotative and connotative meanings Support responses with relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Support the development of close reading skills with this worksheet composed of challenging questions designed to help high school students analyze chapter 24 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is provided. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, these instructional materials save teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. This resource 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 will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking. Copyright restrictions prohibit the inclusion of the complete chapter, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with access to the novel. By engaging in this exercise, students will: Apply knowledge of literary devices (situational irony and simile) to the text Discern the meaning of complex vocabulary and phrases in context, taking into consideration both denotative definitions and connotative associations Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Analyze Scout’s characterization to draw a logical inference in context Analyze a passage to discern its significance toward advancing the plot Isolate factual statements from false statements Analyze Grace Merriweather’s characterization to draw a logical inference in context Analyze a passage to discern its tone

Support the development of close reading skills for middle and high school with this set of comprehension and analysis questions on “The Godfather,” a short story by the Brothers Grimm. The variety of question types will also help prepare students for standardized testing scenarios; emphasis is placed on how the Brothers Grimm use direct description to create a complex narrative with a surreal tone. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story (estimated Lexile measure of 700-800) are provided. This resource is most suitable for a short story unit at the middle school level, and it may also be useful for struggling readers in a high school setting. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. This resource 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. Questions pertain to the following: Identifying what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Demonstrating understanding of the narrative’s surreal tone, identifying several pieces of textual evidence that advances the tone Exploring character motivations, whether explicitly stated in the text or implied through character actions, and articulating responses clearly Analyzing character interactions to discern character intent Responding clearly, concisely, and accurately to analytical questioning Analyzing textual details to draw inferences and support rational arguments Applying knowledge of literary devices to the text, articulating how the title is ironic Exploring cause-and-effect relationships Writing with clarity and precision

For many high school readers, age-appropriate fantasy and fairy tale fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. With this worksheet composed of rigorous questions on “Hansel and Gretel” by the Brothers Grimm, English teachers will help students extend beyond reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative (estimated Lexile Range 810-1000) are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Analyze dialogue to discern how a character uses manipulative tactics to achieve a goal Analyze characterization to discern and articulate a dominant internal conflict in the text Apply knowledge of alliteration to the text Analyze the authors’ word choices to discern and articulate how these choices create the literary device of paradox Identify several examples of simile in the text Apply knowledge of dramatic irony to the text, discerning and articulating how it manifests Apply knowledge of situational irony to the text, discerning and articulating how it manifests Apply knowledge of foreshadowing to the text, explaining what is foreshadowed and how Write with clarity and precision

For many high school readers, age-appropriate fantasy and fairy tale fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. With this worksheet composed of rigorous questions on “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen, English teachers will help students extend beyond reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative (estimated Lexile Range 810-1000) are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Identify textual evidence in support of claims Write with clarity and precision Identify examples of various literary devices including alliteration, consonance, sibilance, situational irony, dramatic irony, metaphor, personification, inversion, and hyperbole Discern author’s intent Analyze the author’s incorporation of multiple similes to discern and explain what they have in common and what purpose(s) they serve Discern tone in context Identify and explain an example of situational irony in a given passage Articulate why mermaids suffer sadness more strongly than humans Articulate why there is a merry atmosphere aboard the prince’s ship Identify and explain an example of dramatic irony in a given passage Analyze the mermaid’s character to discern how she is naïve Articulate factors that contribute to the little mermaid’s strife Analyze how the little mermaid undergoes dynamic transformation Isolate a factual statement about plot from falsehoods Articulate the obstacles facing the little mermaid, according to her grandmother Make logical inferences about the mermaid’s psychological state given her statements, thoughts, and actions Infer why the little mermaid is most disturbed by the discovery of a mermaid’s skeleton in the sea-witch’s home Analyze the character of the sea-witch to discern how she is portrayed as an antagonist Define words and phrases in the context of a passage Verify interpretations of language using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus Articulate the personal sacrifices the little mermaid will make in order to have a chance at gaining love and an immortal soul Explain what makes a given scenario ironic Analyze the relationship between the little mermaid and the prince to discern and articulate how it is unhealthy Articulate the significance of a given detail or details Analyze the little mermaid’s actions the night before the prince’s wedding to determine which virtues she exhibits Articulate an internal conflict facing the little mermaid Identify what the Daughters of the Air say about the effect of heat on human psychology Explain the irony of the story’s resolution