Help high school students navigate William Shakespeare’s language with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of The Merchant of Venice. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the play during unexpected teacher absences. Included are 5 vocabulary application activities, 5 crossword puzzles, 5 word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. A total of 118 words are addressed: abate, abode, accoutred, allay, aloof, alter, amity, amorous, argosy, barbarous, base, bechance, beseech, beset, beshrew, besmear, bestow, bleared, cackle, carrion, cherubin, clamber, commend, confiscate, conjure, contrive, counsel, cozen, cuckold, cudgel, cunning, cur, decree, deed, ducat, entreat, estimable, feign, foppery, forbear, fourscore, fray, gaberdine, gaoler, gaudy, gormandise, grandsire, gratis, hark, haste, heartily, hymn, immortal, immure, infidel, infinitely, jot, keen, knave, malice, mar, melancholy, mirth, misconstrue, mitigate, mutton, ostent, paltry, peevish, peize, penance, perchance, perjury, posy, prate, precedent, predicament, presage, prey, principal, prodigal, prolixity, proverb, quarrel, quire, recant, renowned, repent, reproach, requite, reverence, rheum, salvation, shrive, shudder, signior, sirrah, spurn, stern, summon, sunder, superfluity, tarry, tedious, temporal, tender, thine, thrice, unthrift, usance, valiant, vehement, vesture, wherefore, whom, wont, wooer, and zeal. 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, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Golden Goose.” A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two groups of characters Apply knowledge of literary devices including sibilance and situational irony Generate a relevant theme 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

Incorporate narrative nonfiction into the classroom, evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching George Orwell’s essay titled “Shooting an Elephant.” A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences 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