Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the satirical science fiction short story titled “Lose Now, Pay Later” by Carol Farley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Examine a figurative expression (“used like a flock of sheep”) for meaning Select expository character details that support the claim that the protagonist should be more capable of exercising discipline Apply knowledge of literary devices including portmanteau and personification Analyze the author’s diction to discern the intended effect of a particular word (staggered) Visualize a particular scene to make a logical inference about the author’s intent Explore the author’s description of the slimmer to make a logical inference about the safety of the contraption Read a passage to determine its tone Evaluate nuances in word meanings and use reference materials as needed Articulate how satire is present throughout the story, indicating aspects of modern society that are being critically targeted Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning Exercise rational thought Cite textual evidence in support of claims

Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the science fiction short story “Backward Step” by Paul Jennings. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Analyze the author’s decision to have the narrator directly address the reader in the exposition Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism and onomatopoeia Discern the intended effect of a given detail (“People from the university wanted to study me”) Make logical inferences about what a given excerpt reflects about the human condition (“Fortune-tellers and mystics claimed they had moved me in time. I was on television all over the world.”) Articulate similarities between the five-year-old protagonist and his grandmother Determine the function of a given excerpt (“I was lying on a seat on the other side of the road. An old man sitting next to me looked as if a ghost had just appeared in front of him. He screamed and ran off as fast as he could go.”) Identify techniques used to convey the narrator’s childlike voice Conduct brief research into the Grandfather Paradox Determine a theme that is reinforced by the story’s resolution Write clearly, concisely, and accurately in response to analytical questioning Exercise rational thought Cite textual evidence in support of claims

For many high school readers, supernatural fiction and fantasy are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Tree” by H.P. Lovecraft features plot elements consistent with the aforementioned genres: allusions to Greek mythology, inexplicable vanishings, the personification of inanimate objects, and more. This multiple choice quiz covering “The Tree” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The role of the beekeeper The protagonists’ jobs The nature of the relationship between the protagonists The artistic inspirations of each individual protagonist The Tyrant of Syracuse’s motivations The goddess whom the Tyrant wishes to honor Kalos’ reaction to his grave illness The request Kalos makes of his friend upon his death The promise Musides makes to Kalos prior to his death The length of time it takes Musides to complete his assigned task Peculiar characteristics of the tree The fate of Musides and his work

For many high school readers, realistic fiction is a genre that maximizes relatability and engagement with literature. “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker is a story about self-image, generational clashes, cultural conflicts, and more. With this challenging worksheet composed of high-order questions, English teachers will help students extend beyond basic reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality and rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key is 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 Analyze the narrator’s sense of self-image Explore the author’s use of language to convey a sense of realism Apply knowledge of various literary devices including but not limited to dialect, syncope, and malapropism Contrast how two characters perceive the concept of heritage Analyze why the narrator takes offense to another character’s actions and evaluate whether her reaction is justified Examine how point of view shapes the readers’ understanding of Dee’s character Apply objectivity in order to infer a character’s true motivations Articulate the greater significance of a given detail (Maggie’s smile) Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

For many high school readers, realistic, historical, 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 challenging worksheet composed of high-order questions, English Language Arts teachers will help students extend beyond basic reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality and rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key is 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 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 general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this set of quiz questions on Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (chapters 1 through 3). An answer key is provided. The materials are delivered in a zip file as both Word Documents and PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: How Huck came into possession of money The current arrangement for managing Huck’s money Huck’s dissatisfaction with living under others’ rules Tom’s behavior in contrast to Huck’s The location of the gang’s initiation meeting The pledge each gang member makes to guarantee secrecy The illness that afflicts Huck’s father The situational irony related to the gang’s decision not to meet on Sundays Huck’s scrutiny of prayer The speculation surrounding a corpse in the river Huck’s feelings about the possibility that his father is dead The influence of literature on Tom’s thinking Huck’s scrutiny of Tom’s imagination

Incorporate narrative nonfiction into the English Language Arts classroom and measure general reading comprehension with this editable quiz on “Not Poor, Just Broke” by Dick Gregory. This autobiographical account addresses the author’s formative years with emphasis on the transformational incident that caused him to feel personal shame for the first time. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The mother’s perspective on life The mother’s job and how it complicates life for the family How the narrator demonstrates anger at his mother’s treatment An item hidden in the family closet The reason for hiding the item The importance of Helene Tucker Why the narrator gathers ice from the grocery store How the teacher treats the narrator The narrator’s motivations Why the mother called her son, the narrator, a “little rat” A terrible incident at the diner and its effect on the narrator The narrator’s reaction to a visitor Why the narrator throws a brick through the grocery store window

For many high school readers, fairy tales and fantasy fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. “The Red Shoes” by Hans Christian Andersen is about a peasant girl whose obsession with her footwear leads to supernatural events, seemingly divine punishment, and eventual redemption. With this editable quiz on “The Red Shoes,” English teachers will promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. 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: How the protagonist demonstrates his obsession with clothes The motivations of the visitors The visitors’ outlandish claims The protagonist’s motivations The protagonist’s internal conflict Means by which the visitors deceive the community The emperor’s participation in the procession The resolution

Reinforce the standard conventions of academic writing and perform a quick check of students’ knowledge with this grammar worksheet on misplaced and dangling modifiers. With this multiple choice resource, teachers will be able to expedite the grading process. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will demonstrate an ability to: Identify and avoid misplaced adjectives Identify and avoid misplaced adverbs Identify and avoid misplaced phrases Identify and avoid misplaced clauses Identify and avoid dangling gerund phrases Identify and avoid dangling participle phrases Identify and avoid dangling infinitive phrases Identify and avoid dangling elliptical phrases Make corrections to poorly phrased sentences to resolve issues of clarity and logic

For many middle and high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are high-interest genres that maximize engagement with literature. “A Red Dress” by Alice Munro is a coming-of-age short story told from the perspective of a teen girl who strives and struggles to achieve ordinary happiness. With this editable quiz on “A Red Dress,” English teachers will promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. 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: Details concerning the dress The narrator’s attitude toward a school dance The reason for the narrator’s dissatisfaction at school The narrator’s attitude toward her mother Details concerning secondary characters Embarrassing complications The narrator’s emotional reaction to conflict Mary Fortune’s criticisms The nature of the narrator’s interaction with her mother in the resolution

Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Queen Bee” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about the importance of protecting the vulnerable and the positive effects of performing good deeds for others. With this plot-based quiz, teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. The brevity of the narrative also helps teachers fill awkward gaps in their teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The reason two older brothers left home A distinguishing characteristic of the two older brothers The physical appearance of the youngest brother The nature of the youngest brother’s interactions with his older siblings How the older brothers react to the sight of an ant hill An observation at the lake Strange observations outside the castle The importance of three tablets The reason the brothers venture into the woods The identities of those who help the youngest brother complete his chores The fate of the brothers

“Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros is a coming-of-age short story involving a girl who, for the first time, experiences public marginalization and must learn to navigate an unjust world. This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking. While the close reading activity upholds academic rigor and eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning, the brevity of the narrative helps teachers fill awkward gaps in their teaching schedules. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing the close reading activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Isolate the story’s inciting incident Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Identify the narrative’s antagonist Evaluate the significance of the teacher’s last name (Price) given the context of the plot Argue in support of the claim that the protagonist is smarter and wiser than a typical eleven-year-old Predict how Rachel will be affected by her embarrassing classroom experience Explore the symbolic meaning behind the phrases “big red mountain” and “runaway balloon” Discern the tone of a given excerpt Explore theme Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

“An Hour with Abuelo” by Judith Ortiz Cofer is a coming-of-age short story involving an intelligent teenager whose youthful determination and stubbornness keep him from learning an important lesson about controlling one’s destiny—that is, until an hour-long meeting with his grandfather. 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: A reason Arturo is reluctant to visit Abuelo What Abuelo is doing when Arturo enters his suite Abuelo’s life during World War II Abuelo’s various jobs Why Abuelo chose his final job Mother’s feelings about Abuelo’s final career change Arturo’s youthful determination Abuelo’s love of literature The end of Arturo’s meeting with Abuelo The reason Arturo laughs in the resolution

“An Hour with Abuelo” by Judith Ortiz Cofer is a coming-of-age short story involving an intelligent teenager whose youthful determination and stubbornness keep him from learning an important lesson about controlling one’s destiny—that is, until an hour-long meeting with his grandfather. This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking. While the close reading activity upholds academic rigor, the brevity of the narrative helps to fill awkward gaps in teaching schedules. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing the close reading activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Determine the function of the opening paragraph Discern the greater significance of a given excerpt Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast two characters (Arturo and Abuelo) Explore how the first-person narration affects the readers’ perception of Arturo’s mother Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, euphemism, verbal irony, and more Explore theme Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

With this plot-based quiz covering the first part of Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, high school English teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. In addition to the answer key, a copy of the first part of Mrs. Dalloway is provided. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing Word Document and PDF versions. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Clarissa’s plans The setting Peter Walsh Clarissa’s reaction to Peter’s letters Hugh Whitbread An article of clothing on which Clarissa focuses Clarissa’s self-image Clarissa’s feelings toward Doris Kilman Elizabeth’s relation to Clarissa Mrs. Pym’s profession An alarming sound

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

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 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