Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 22 through 24 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. The assessment may otherwise 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:
The lie about Renfield’s death
The group’s decision to stop hiding information from Mina
Mina’s concern that she specifically is endangering the men in her group
Mina’s bodily reaction to the Communion wafer
The process of neutralizing Dracula’s wooden boxes
The purpose of Mina’s telegram
Dracula’s unsuccessful attack against the men
Van Helsing’s logic
Mina’s hypnosis
Dracula’s mode of travel
Mina’s fear of jeopardizing the group’s success
Jonathan’s will
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 18 through 21 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. The assessment may otherwise 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:
Renfield’s previous behaviors
The purpose of a group meeting
Van Helsing’s assessment of Dracula’s brain
Dracula’s limitations
The general consensus that Renfield may be ready for release from the asylum
The emergence of hundreds of rats
Signs of Mina’s decline
Jonathan’s relief over keeping Mina out of the loop
The plan to enter Dracula’s Piccadilly residence
Dracula’s feeding on Mina
Renfield’s death
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 14 through 17 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. The assessment may otherwise 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:
Van Helsing’s appreciation for Mina’s contributions
Reasons for Mina’s sense of guilt
Renfield’s surprising sanity
Seward’s cautious belief in the occult
A rash of child abductions
Seward’s rationalization of an empty casket
Van Helsing and Seward’s desire not to get personally involved with police
The process of releasing Lucy’s soul
Arthur’s reluctance to accept the plan
How the group intends to keep Lucy from accessing the interior of her casket
Mina’s responsibilities on behalf of the group
Jonathan’s intentions
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 11 through 13 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. The assessment may otherwise 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:
How Mrs. Westenra compromises Lucy’s wellness
Van Helsing’s efforts to protect Lucy
Lucy’s claims of a bat striking against her window
The content of a featured newspaper article
The nature of Seward’s injuries
Mrs. Westenra’s cause of death
Lucy’s memo
The relationship between Hawkins and Jonathan
Renfield’s observations
Van Helsing’s refusal to let Arthur kiss Lucy
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 8 through 10 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. The assessment may otherwise 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:
Lucy’s sleepwalking tendencies
The appearance of pinpricks on Lucy’s neck
Renfield’s behavior
Jonathan’s illness
Jonathan’s journal
Jonathan and Mina’s wedding
Dr. Seward’s decision to release Renfield
The effect of a bat’s appearance of Renfield
Van Helsing’s profession
Lucy’s medical needs
Van Helsing’s recommendations to help Lucy
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 5 through 7 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. The assessment may otherwise 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:
Mina’s letters to Lucy
Lucy’s marriage proposals
Dr. Seward’s work
The reason for Dr. Seward’s sadness
The characterization of Renfield
Mina’s anxiety relating to Lucy
The content of a newspaper article
Lucy’s city of residence
Dracula’s supernatural capabilities
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 1 through 4 of Dracula by Bram Stoker. The assessment may otherwise 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:
Jonathan’s reason for his travels
Count Dracula’s letter
The gift of a rosary
The howling of wolves in the distance
The nature of Jonathan’s formal introduction to Dracula
Omens of dangerous events to come
Jonathan’s shaving accident
Dracula’s demands of Jonathan
The attempted seduction of Jonathan by three strange women
Jonathan’s encounter with gypsies
Dracula’s stealing of Jonathan’s identity
Jonathan’s stunning discoveries
Quickly and efficiently measure general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this digital quiz bundle for Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Each assessment is delivered as a Word Document. Answer keys are provided. By completing these quizzes, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Victor’s childhood upbringing
The adoption of Elizabeth
The reason Victor’s parents give up their wandering ways
Henry Clerval’s role in Victor’s life
Victor’s interest in science
Caroline’s dying wish
Victor’s pursuit of an education
The nature of Krempe’s interaction with Victor
Waldman’s role in Victor’s life
Victor’s investigation of death and decomposition
The unintended consequences of Victor’s ambitiousness
The moment Victor is overcome by dread
Victor’s decision not to tell Henry about his work
Victor’s stated belief that ambitiousness should be regulated
Behaviors that reflect Victor’s mental breakdown
Henry’s role as a caretaker
Elizabeth’s assessment of the Frankenstein family
Justine’s relationship with the Frankenstein family
Justine’s personal background
The intent of the letter Victor’s father writes
Victor’s sighting of the creature scaling the mountains
The framing of Justine
The Frankenstein family’s opinion of Justine
Circumstantial evidence that jeopardizes Justine
The interaction between Justine and a priest
Victor’s reason for remaining silent
Victor’s terrible guilt after the verdict is reached
The effect of the trial on Elizabeth’s world outlook
The effect of Nature on Victor
Victor’s reaction to the creature’s appearance
The creature’s expectations of Victor
The creature’s request for compassion
Victor’s dynamic character
The villagers’ treatment of the creature
The creature’s selflessness toward the rustic family
The creature’s observations about the rustic family
The creature’s commitment to stop stealing food
The creature’s first experiencing seeing himself
The effect of the rustic family’s kindness on the creature
The creature’s vocabulary development
The effects of education on the creature
Felix’s background
Setting
Accusations against Safie’s father
Factors contributing to the severity of a legal judgment
Safie’s desire for independence
The creature’s discovery in the woods
The creature’s decision to approach the De Laceys
Biblical allusions
The creature’s reaction to rejection
The De Lacey family’s reaction to the creature’s presence
The creature’s expression of anger toward the De Lacey family
How the creature’s genuine goodness manifests
The effect of Nature on the creature
The creature’s request of Victor
The conditions by which Victor will agree to the creature’s request
The creature’s method of compelling Victor to agree to his request
Victor’s psychological state after the agreement is reached
Victor’s father’s recommendation to raise his son’s spirits
Henry’s effect on Victor
The reason for delays in Victor’s work
Victor’s perception of Henry
The purpose of a letter received by Henry and Victor
Victor’s “blasted tree” metaphor
Victor’s decision to work in isolation
Victor’s concern for the global consequences of his actions
Victor’s betrayal of the creature
Victor’s effort to dispose of his materials
Accusations leveled against victor
Henry’s cause of death
Kirwin’s gradually increasing compassion toward Victor
Variables that contribute toward Victor’s release from prison
Setting
Victor’s struggles with socialization
The content of Elizabeth’s letter
Victor’s paranoia
The cause of Alphonse’s death
Victor’s solitary confinement
Victor’s reaction to the discovery of Elizabeth’s corpse
Victor’s decision to disclose information to law enforcement
Victor’s desire to retaliate
The effect of Victor’s dreams on his psychological state
Victor’s death
The creature’s remorse
Promote high school reading comprehension and textual analysis in classroom and distance learning contexts with close readings of “The Little Mermaid,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Red Shoes,” “The Old Tombstone,” “The Buckwheat,” “The Butterfly,” and “The Leaping Match,” all written by Hans Christian Andersen. A variety of question types are included to help prepare for standardized testing scenarios: vocabulary-in-context questions, main idea questions, detail questions, author’s craft questions, and more. Copies of all short stories are included since they are in the public domain. Word Document and PDF versions of these resources will be delivered.
By completing these exercises, 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 onomatopoeia, assonance, consonance, foreshadowing, simile, metaphor, inversion, personification, situational irony, dramatic irony, symbolism, and more
Discern author’s intent
Discern tone in context
Isolate factual statements about plot from falsehoods
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Analyze character interactions and motivations
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus
Articulate the significance of a given detail or details
Use the Internet to conduct brief research on the life of Hans Christian Andersen
Articulate autobiographical parallels between the author and a specific story
Discern the primary function of a given passage
Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading worksheet covering Washington Irving’s short story “The Devil and Tom Walker.” An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. 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 engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials to navigate nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on situational irony
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 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.
Support the development of high school close reading skills with this assessment on the short story “Slave on the Block” by Langston Hughes. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character interactions, articulating the significance of objects and events, citing relevant and compelling textual evidence to support claims, and more. An answer key is provided. 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.
By engaging in this exercise, students will…
Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly
Identify point of view and setting
Analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Write with clarity and precision
Articulate the significance of Luther’s posing
Draw parallels between the character of Luther and the roses he carries
Explore character motivations and intentions
Examine cause-and-effect relationships
Discern meaning in unfamiliar words and phrases
Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and situational irony
Articulate how the story’s title relates to the Carraways’ treatment of Luther
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and minimize assessment planning responsibilities with this close reading analysis worksheet covering George Orwell’s essay titled “Shooting an Elephant.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Articulate the dominant internal conflict
Determine the function of a given anecdote
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony
Infer the message that the narrator’s inaction would have sent to the community
Consider how the author achieves specific effects with emphasis on how the resolution provides a sense of relief
Investigate autobiographical parallels, conducting brief research on the author’s life
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help 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 Virginia Woolf’s short story “The New Dress.” An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. 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
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the functions of various passages and excerpts
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate the hypocritical nature of the protagonist’s behavior
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and metaphor
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
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure general reading comprehension with this assessment on chapters 22 through 24 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
Victor’s struggles with socialization
The content of Elizabeth’s letter
Victor’s paranoia
The cause of Alphonse’s death
Victor’s solitary confinement
Victor’s reaction to the discovery of Elizabeth’s corpse
Victor’s decision to disclose information to law enforcement
Victor’s desire to retaliate
The effect of Victor’s dreams on his psychological state
Victor’s death
The creature’s remorse
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure general reading comprehension with this assessment on chapters 19 through 21 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Victor’s perception of Henry
The purpose of a letter received by Henry and Victor
Victor’s “blasted tree” metaphor
Victor’s decision to work in isolation
Victor’s concern for the global consequences of his actions
Victor’s betrayal of the creature
Victor’s effort to dispose of his materials
Accusations leveled against victor
Henry’s cause of death
Kirwin’s gradually increasing compassion toward Victor
Variables that contribute toward Victor’s release from prison
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure general reading comprehension with this assessment on chapters 16 through 18 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The De Lacey family’s reaction to the creature’s presence
The creature’s expression of anger toward the De Lacey family
How the creature’s genuine goodness manifests
The effect of Nature on the creature
The creature’s request of Victor
The conditions by which Victor will agree to the creature’s request
The creature’s method of compelling Victor to agree to his request
Victor’s psychological state after the agreement is reached
Victor’s father’s recommendation to raise his son’s spirits
Henry’s effect on Victor
The reason for delays in Victor’s work
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure general reading comprehension with this assessment on chapters 13 through 15 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The creature’s vocabulary development
The effects of education on the creature
Felix’s background
Setting
Accusations against Safie’s father
Factors contributing to the severity of a legal judgment
Safie’s desire for independence
The creature’s discovery in the woods
The creature’s decision to approach the De Laceys
Biblical allusions
The creature’s reaction to rejection
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure general reading comprehension with this assessment on chapters 10 through 12 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Victor’s reaction to the creature’s appearance
The creature’s expectations of Victor
The creature’s request for compassion
Victor’s dynamic character
The villagers’ treatment of the creature
The creature’s selflessness toward the rustic family
The creature’s observations about the rustic family
The creature’s commitment to stop stealing food
The creature’s first experiencing seeing himself
The effect of the rustic family’s kindness on the creature
Reduce teacher workload, promote homework accountability, and measure general reading comprehension with this assessment on chapters 7 through 9 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The intent of the letter Victor’s father writes
Victor’s sighting of the creature scaling the mountains
The framing of Justine
The Frankenstein family’s opinion of Justine
Circumstantial evidence that jeopardizes Justine
The interaction between Justine and a priest
Victor’s reason for remaining silent
Victor’s terrible guilt after the verdict is reached
The effect of the trial on Elizabeth’s world outlook
The effect of Nature on Victor