Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Saki’s short story titled “The Storyteller.” 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: Setting Weather conditions Details about the aunt’s story The moral of the aunt’s story The children’s reaction to the aunt’s story The identity of the person who travels alongside the aunt and kids A description of Bertha Bertha’s meaningful objects Where Bertha visits The danger facing Bertha The aunt’s reaction to the bachelor’s story

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Fritz Leiber’s science fiction short story titled “Mariana.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet 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: Mariana’s feelings toward the tall pine trees around her house Jonathan’s comments on the origin of the pine trees Jonathan’s condescension toward Mariana Mariana’s decision to switch off the trees and her observations about the landscape Mariana’s attempt to cheer herself up The breaking of a switch The consequences of Mariana’s decision to switch the house off Jonathan’s extreme reaction to Mariana’s decision Where Mariana finds herself near the story’s resolution The revelation of a sixth (and final) switch and its significance.

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Arthur C. Clarke’s science fiction short story “History Lesson.” A short answer quiz option is also provided for re-assessment purposes. 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 tribe’s fears Hope for survival A reason for the Ice Age The Ice Age’s effect on Venus Shann’s sons and their efforts to save items for future generations The discovery of the preserved items Human accomplishments vs. those of the Venusians Studying the film record Dramatic irony

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz on Marvin Kaye’s satirical short story “Ms. Lipshutz and the Goblin.” 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: Daphne’s Quest for the Perfect Mate The story’s setting Daphne’s professional life Daphne’s first impression of Klotsch Klotsch’s poor behavior Klotsch’s previous employer The reason Daphne misses the bus Daphne and Klotsch’s post-marriage lives

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Open Window” by Saki. 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: briskly, bustle, endeavor, habitation, hoarse, imminent, infirmity, mope, pariah, rectory, scarcity, treacherous, and unduly. 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

Help high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this resource for teaching “The Open Window” by Saki. Additional materials are included to facilitate planning for unexpected teacher absences. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Included are the following: Public domain short story. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1000 to 1100, the narrative is a suitable selection for middle and high school English Language Arts classes. Close reading analysis worksheet. By engaging with this exercise, students will articulate what is stated explicitly and implicitly; identify the point of view and setting details; analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave; discern the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases; examine cause-and-effect relationships; apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony; cite textual evidence in support of claims; and write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision. Questions are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Close reading analysis worksheet answer key. Low-prep lesson plan for unexpected absences. This comes pre-filled with learning targets and agenda items. Space is also designated for classroom teachers to identify the name(s) of their class(es), the hour(s) of their class(es), student leaders, and upcoming homework assignments and assessments. Bell ringer activity. Help a substitute teacher engage students (and find time to take attendance) with a thematically linked writing prompt. Miscellaneous performance tasks handout. Extend student thinking and learning in the event of unexpected absences with this item outlining creative tasks pertaining to the short story. For example, students may write poetry or journal entries from the perspective of a character; write a brief retelling of the narrative from a different character’s perspective; explore the thematic significance of stories; review the overall quality of the narrative with objectivity and supporting evidence; and more.

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Saki’s short story “The Open Window.” The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The reason for Framton’s visit to the country The concern of Framton’s sister The nature of the relationship between Framton and Mrs. Sappleton Vera’s relation to Mrs. Sappleton The details of Vera’s fanciful story Mrs. Sappleton’s general disposition toward Framton The reason for Framton’s aprupt departure Vera’s storytelling to conclude the narrative

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills for high school with this close reading analysis worksheet covering the science fiction short story “The Star Beast” by Nicholas Stuart Gray. A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques with emphasis on how the author helps the audience empathize with a non-human protagonist Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including hubris and situational irony Consider themes in context Articulate how the narrative conforms to standard conventions of science fiction 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the science fiction short story “The Star Beast” by Nicholas Stuart Gray. 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: acquisition, coffer, collate, cower, disused, draggled, dreary, graceful, inflammable, mutter, prod, refuge, shamble, and wary. 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 the science fiction short story “The Star Beast” by Nicholas Stuart Gray. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Where the creature first encounters humans What drives the creature to approach humans The physical characteristics of the creature The older couple’s emotional reaction to the creature Where the city experts keep the creature detained The knowledge of the creature The collective reaction to the creature after examination and interrogation How humans mock the creature The creature’s definition of a man How the proceeds of the creature’s sale are invested The new location of the creature after being sold The creature’s prominent fear The resolution

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the science fiction short story “The Star” by H.G. Wells. A detailed answer key is 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 and implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern 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 Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration, personification, simile, and more Generate a relevant theme and support how it is developed 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the science fiction short story “The Star” by H.G. Wells. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting A discovery about the planet Neptune The cause of a disastrous fireball Scientists’ initial findings about the fireball A mathematician’s discovery The reaction of the general public The effects of the fireball’s approach on Earth The reason Earth is saved from complete annihilation The future of surviving humans A revelation in the resolution

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement H.G. Wells’ short story “The Star.” 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: agape, apparition, astir, engender, erratic, feign, flare, habitual, imminent, impalpable, incandescence, incessantly, jestingly, minaret, obdurate, pallid, pitiless, recede, rudderless, scant, scarcely, seething, sentinel, serene, trudge, tumult, turbid, and zenith. 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 Bet.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Point of view The context of the lawyer and banker’s encounter The lawyer and banker’s respective views on capital punishment The general tone of the conversation The terms of the bet The lawyer’s motivations Items the lawyer is allowed to possess The banker’s carelessness The banker’s willingness to commit a crime The lawyer’s revelation News from the night watchman The resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket” by Jack Finney. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting The protagonist’s career The wife’s location The reason the protagonist does not go with his wife Complications facing the protagonist The protagonist’s efforts to gain attention The psychological state of the protagonist The resolution Situational irony Theme

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Jack Finney’s short story “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket.” An answer key is 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 Isolate an example of figurative language Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques with an emphasis on the incorporation of em-dashes and imagery Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany, onomatopoeia, personification, simile, and situational irony 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Jack Finney’s short story “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket.” 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: convoluted, deftness, exhalation, flare, interminable, mutter, ornate, pane, precede, revel, scrabble, shudder, sill, taut, and totter. 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