Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the classic fairy tale “Snow White and Rose Red” by the Brothers Grimm. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: ashen, bleat, bough, coarse, feeble, felled, ingratitude, merrily, mishap, morsel, obliged, odious, precipice, shrill, uncouth, vain, and wooer. 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 the short story “The Portable Phonograph” by Walter van Tilburg Clark. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: chary, daub, dissonance, doddering, farthest, imply, laboriously, lament, magnanimity, obscure, peat, plaintive, resonant, reverent, smoldering, and undulation. 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 Anton Chekhov’s short story “The Lady with the Dog.” 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: ascend, avidity, capricious, coiffure, coxcomb, droshky, elusive, gait, gubernia, heed, implore, inordinate, lanky, lorgnette, melancholy, monotonous, mournfully, philologist, pier, promenade, scarcely, servility, toque, transitory, vexation, wander, and wistful. 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 Anton Chekhov’s short story “The Lady with the Dog.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting Gurov’s occupation Gurov’s initial impressions of Anna Gurov’s unfaithfulness How Gurov tries to appeal to Anna Anna’s self-image Gurov’s reaction to Anna’s vulnerability Gurov’s philosophy on life A letter Anna receives What surprises Gurov when he returns to Moscow A reunion between Gurov and Anna Anna’s assessment of her relationship with Gurov The resolution

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Anton Chekhov’s short story “The Lady with the Dog.” An answer key and a copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable 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. 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 Describe the tone of a given passage Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Discern the functions of a given character and a given passage Apply knowledge of literary devices including auditory imagery, invective, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification, simile, 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 high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Anton Chekhov’s short story “The Kiss.” An answer key and a copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable 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. 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 Choose the most applicable aphorism in the context of a given passage Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Make logical inferences about the author’s interests based on a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Discern the function of a given character Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration, dynamic character, epiphany, foreshadowing, imagery, invective, personification, and more Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning with this plot-based quiz covering Pearl Buck’s short story “The Good Deed,” a piece of realistic fiction that highlights different cultural perspectives on marriage and family dynamics. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting Old Mrs. Pan’s abrupt relocation Old Mrs. Pan’s emotional response to her new home The cultural disparity between Old Mrs. Pan and her younger relatives Young Mrs. Pan’s characterization Arrangements with Lili Yang The cultural values of Old Mrs. Pan Old Mrs. Pan’s newfound zest for life Lili’s age Arranged marriage The resolution

For many high school readers, realistic and multicultural fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “The Good Deed” by Pearl S. Buck is a realistic short story that exposes high school readers to different cultural perspectives on marriage and family dynamics. 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 Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, aposiopesis, antonomasia, and more Analyze how complex characters think, behave, and interact Make logical inferences based on characterization details provided by the author Articulate the symbolic value of a particular object Evaluate whether young Mr. Pan exhibits rational or irrational behaviors when handling emotionally intense situations Identify examples of old Mrs. Pan’s culture shock Choose the best synonym to replace a word as it is used in the story Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings Explore the intended effect of the author’s phrasing Articulate Lili’s internal conflict Discern the greater significance of a seemingly insignificant detail Choose a statement with which a character is most likely to agree Isolate details that suggest a favorable outcome Examine old Mrs. Pan’s transformation into a dynamic character Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Good Deed” by Pearl S. Buck. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abashed, barbarous, beckon, bestow, chide, coax, denounce, exclaim, folly, gallantly, grieve, habitually, heartily, idleness, indignantly, millet, retort, revere, scarcely, sternly, tentative, till, totter, unfilial, uppish, wharf, and withered. 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 the short story “The Wives of the Dead” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. 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: bereavement, comely, confederate, deluge, feeble, felicity, frugal, hasten, hinder, lamentation, middling, monotonous, morsel, pall, pang, piety, principal, repose, repress, scarcely, skirmish, successive, summons, tempestuous, wooer, and yearn. 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 Willa Cather’s short story titled 'The Sentimentality of William Tavener." The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Character descriptions with emphasis on personality types The type of business the couple runs and its effect on their marriage Interactions between complex characters Details of the couple’s past How sharing memories brings about meaningful change Dynamic character

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Sherwood Anderson’s short story titled “Stolen Day.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Point of view The narrator’s comparison of children to actors The narrator’s feelings toward Walter General details about a variety of characters including Sarah Suggett and Mr. Fenn The narrator’s emotional state The narrator’s relationship with his family The workings of the narrator’s imagination The narrator’s extracurricular activities How the father learns of the narrator’s truancy

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Stephen Vincent Benet’s short story titled “By the Waters of Babylon.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The protagonist’s community Societal expectations The destruction of the Place of the Gods A valuable resource Restrictions on who may access the valuable resource A sign that indicates to the protagonist that she should travel The protagonist’s personal motivations The protagonist’s philosophy on life Setting The former inhabitants of the Place of the Gods Theme

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Larry Woiwode’s short story “The Beginning of Grief,” a narrative exploring themes of personal loss and the importance of openness and communication in terms of processing death. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will perform the following tasks: Read for literal and interpretive comprehension Apply knowledge of setting, characterization, and conflict Be better prepared to engage in collaborative discussions about literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Maurice Walsh’s short story titled “The Quiet Man.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Significance of the title Point of view Setting The protagonist’s motivations The antagonist’s motivations Ellen’s relation to Liam How character relationships change Ellen’s feelings toward Liam Ellen’s motivations A revelation concerning the protagonist The resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Sylvia Townsend Warner’s short story “The Phoenix,” a piece focusing on the theme of humanity’s exploitation of Nature for profit. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will perform the following tasks: Read for literal and interpretive comprehension Apply knowledge of setting, characterization, and conflict Be better prepared to engage in collaborative discussions about literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Gina Berriault’s short story “The Stone Boy.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The age of the protagonist Eugie’s relation to Arnold Arnold’s intentions The cause of a significant complication The nature of Eugie’s death Arnold’s immediate response to Eugie’s death Arnold’s response to a question about not contacting authorities The sheriff’s beliefs The identity of a family member who agrees with the sheriff The effect of a conversation among neighbors on Arnold The root of Arnold’s concern in the resolution