Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “The Legend of the Christmas Rose” by Selma Lagerlöf. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony and symbolism Conduct brief research to articulate historical parallels Write about literature with clarity, precision, and accuracy Support claims and inferences with relevant evidence and sound reasoning Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Fairy tales are not just for elementary readers; even middle and high school students may use fairy tales as tools for extending beyond reading comprehension and practicing close reading analysis skills. “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen is a representative short story that promotes active engagement with fiction. English Language Arts teachers may assign this set of rigorous questions to complement the story and evaluate students’ high-order skills. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer 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 Argue whether the mother duck is a sympathetic character Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, assonance, consonance, foreshadowing, simile, personification, and symbolism Consider themes in context Write about literature with clarity, precision, and accuracy Support claims and inferences with relevant evidence and sound reasoning Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high schoolers go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Sphinx.” This piece of psychological horror features compelling plot elements including a cholera epidemic, social isolation, fear of death, and more. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Paraphrase information Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole and paradox Write about literature with clarity, precision, and accuracy Support claims and inferences with relevant evidence and sound reasoning Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Outsider.” The following are included: a crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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 go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Mary Shelley’s short story “The Mortal Immortal,” a narrative of special appeal to high school students interested in Halloween, supernatural fiction, and philosophical perspectives on eternal life. This piece also pairs well with Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein, particularly in terms of discussing the book’s ending. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and 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. Students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Consider the effects of the author’s language and narrative techniques Discern the function of a given excerpt Describe tone in context Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on metaphor, personification, catharsis, imagery, repetition, oxymoron, hyperbole, and more Explore themes in context Reflect on the oxymoronic title and what it reflects about the protagonist Conduct research as needed to answer questions about a feminist perspective on the plot and the deeper meanings of given allusions Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Gothic fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the vignette titled “Red Clowns.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and 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. Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Infer a reason the author named this vignette “Red Clowns” Consider the role of the setting in context Discern the greater significance of a given detail (Esperanza’s being labeled “Spanish girl”) Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context (“the moon that watched”) Consider tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the final vignette, “Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and 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. Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the greater significance of a given detail (“I am going to tell you a story about a girl who didn’t want to belong”) Discern the intended effect of the author’s syntax (“the house I belong but do not belong to”) Discern the intended effect of figurative language (“I put it down on paper and then the ghost does not ache so much”) Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Discern the tone of the vignette Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, anaphora, metaphor, dramatic irony, and more

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “The Outsider” by H.P. Lovecraft. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes for an excellent addition to a Halloween-themed short story unit for grades 9 through 12. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, foreshadowing, hyperbole, situational irony, symbolism, 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 students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the vignette titled “Those Who Don’t.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and 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. Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effects of a given details Discern the overall tone of the vignette Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Discern the function of given characters in context Apply knowledge of literary devices including anaphora Explore themes in context

Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the vignette titled “The Family of Little Feet.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and 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. Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effects of figurative language in context Connect aspects of plot to the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Cinderella” Discern the dominant conflict in the vignette Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, metaphor, simile, allusion, symbolism, and foreshadowing Explore themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of high school close reading skills with this set of analysis questions for The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros with emphasis on the vignette titled “The Three Sisters.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and 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. Copyright restrictions do not allow for novel content to be included, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with the text. By completing this exercise, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Activate prior knowledge of characters and plot Discern the intended effects of given details Consider tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare two characters in the novel Consider the symbolism associated with a circle Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, and foreshadowing Connect elements of the vignette to elements of a Shakespearean play

Engage high school students with a dark fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm: “The Juniper Tree.” With this close reading worksheet, students will go beyond basic reading comprehension and practice their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills. An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes a fitting addition to a short story unit for grades 9 through 12, especially during the Halloween season. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices including allusion, black humor, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, onomatopoeia, personification, and more 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

Engage middle and high school students with a classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm: “The Seven Ravens.” With this close reading worksheet, students will go beyond basic reading comprehension and practice their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills. An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the short story. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Evaluate whether the authors intended for the father to be considered a villain Apply knowledge of various literary devices including foreshadowing, personification, symbolism, 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

Engage middle and high school students with a classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm: “The Clever Brothers.” With this close reading worksheet, students will go beyond basic reading comprehension and practice their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills. An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the short story. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Infer the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Evaluate the characters’ levels of enthusiasm for the tasks at hand Apply knowledge of various literary devices including allusion, onomatopoeia, simile, situational irony, symbolism, 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

“The Challenge” by Gary Soto is a coming-of-age short story highlighting the importance of authenticity and unconditional acceptance of others for who they are. This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By completing the close reading activity, students will perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, metaphor, slang, situational irony, and more Determine the tone of a given passage Navigate nuances in words with similar meanings Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual details Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

“Sweat” by Zora Neale Hurston is a short story about a woman of color who must reconcile the resentment she feels toward her abusive husband with her faith—a task that threatens to compromise the integrity of her soul. This close reading analysis worksheet helps English teachers extend reading comprehension and support the process of critical thinking. 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 Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Choose the most suitable synonym to replace a word without changing fundamental meaning Analyze nuances in words with similar meanings Explore cause-and-effect relationships Determine the functions of given details Make inferences about historical context based on aspects of plot Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Make predictions about the protagonist’s future behavior based on context clues Analyze the author’s word choices to articulate how they contribute to character development Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism, oxymoron, personification, symbolism, situational irony, and more Discern the tone of a given passage Support claims with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials

Facilitate active participation in small-group discussions of science fiction literature with this set of literature circle materials for teaching Feed by M.T. Anderson. The following are included: a handout detailing student roles; documentation logs to hold students accountable for their tasks; and a standards-based rubric for scoring student performances. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging in these literature circle activities, students will do the following: Articulate key details from the story Generate open-ended questions related to the novel in order to carry out meaningful discussions with peers Respond thoughtfully to open-ended questions and others’ contributions to the discussion Document ways in which the novel is consistent with aspects of modern society Locate specific passages and/or quotations that relate to major themes and concepts—especially those relating to technology, consumerism, sociology, and the value of independent thinking Artistically convey important information from the assigned reading Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering the Gothic short story “The Oval Portrait” by Edgar Allan Poe. Additional materials are included to facilitate lesson planning for unexpected teacher absences. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Included are the following: Public domain short story. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1200 to 1300, the narrative is a suitable selection for high school English Language Arts classes. Close reading analysis worksheet. By engaging with this exercise, students will articulate what is stated explicitly and implicitly; analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave; compare two characters and explain what they share in common; analyze a given excerpt and explain how situational irony develops; discern the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases; analyze the author’s stylistic choices to discern and articulate the author’s purpose; examine cause-and-effect relationships; conduct brief research into Poe’s personal life to explain autobiographical parallels between the author and the plot of the text; 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.

Help students achieve more purposeful reading experiences and sharpen their note-taking skills with this reading guide covering Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. In addition, this resource aims to facilitate review and future recall of plot. Students will identify what the text states explicitly, track character and plot development, articulate the context and significance of given quotations, and more. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. The following details are addressed: Feuding in the streets The prince’s declaration of punishment Romeo’s despair at lost love Rosaline’s decision Juliet’s refusal to accept marriage Lord Capulet’s beliefs toward the prospect of marriage Romeo’s invite to Lord Capulet’s party Paris Mercutio’s harsh, sarcastic tone toward Romeo’s heartbreak Queen Mab Romeo’s foreshadowing prediction Tybalt’s reaction to Romeo’s presence (in contrast to Capulet’s) Romeo’s discovery of Juliet’s identity And more

A 34-slide PowerPoint on ethics in journalism. Concepts covered include: The Janet Cooke Incident Code of ethics Journalistic credibility Journalism and the Constitution Prior restraint Journalistic objectivity Sensationalism Overstatement Right of reply Attribution Fairness to all Plagiarism The Stephen Glass Incident Slander Libel Libel laws Examples of libel Defenses against libel Privacy lawsuits Limits on scholastic journalism In loco parentis The Tinker Decision of 1969 The Hazelwood Case of 1988