With a decade of teaching experience, I specialize in developing student-centered ELA activities and unit plans that foster creativity and critical thinking. My resources have been tried and tested in more than 74,000 classrooms worldwide since 2013.
With a decade of teaching experience, I specialize in developing student-centered ELA activities and unit plans that foster creativity and critical thinking. My resources have been tried and tested in more than 74,000 classrooms worldwide since 2013.
Help students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering a portion of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin: the prologue through chapter 3 (“The Lotus Eaters”). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Select the best synonym for a word as it is used in the text
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
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 with emphasis on foreshadowing
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz covering a portion of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin: the prologue through chapter 3 (“The Lotus Eaters”). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate student engagement with the novel. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
A bribe (inciting incident)
An oath agreed to by Helen’s suitors
The Trojan War
The wooden horse
An attack on the Island of the Ciconians
Ulysses’ efforts to save his men from subsequent attack
The tossing away of treasures
Morpheus
A characterization of the Lotus Eaters
Ulysses’ efforts to remove his men from the influence of Lotusland
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz covering chapter 7 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“Circe”). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate student engagement with the novel. An answer key is provided, as well as a bonus short answer option. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
A surprising discovery on the island
Circe’s background
Circe’s powers
Ulysses’ unexpected help from a Greek god
Ulysses and Circe’s arrangement
The men’s general feelings toward remaining on the island
Circe’s offer to Ulysses, which is refused
A revelation concerning the Land of the Dead
Ulysses’ decision to leave the island
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz covering a portion of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin: chapters 4 through 6 (“The Cyclops’ Cave” through “Cannibal Beach”). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate student engagement with the novel. An answer key is provided, as well as a bonus short answer option. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
The dangers of Polyphemus
Ulysses efforts to save himself and his men
The eventual escape
A flaw in Ulysses’ character
Polyphemus’s plea to his father
Aeolus and a gift
Another mistake Ulysses makes before arriving home
Aeolus’s response to Ulysses’ mistake
Incidents on Cannibal Beach
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz covering a portion of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin: chapters 8 through 11 (“The Land of the Dead” through “Scylla and Charybdis”). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate student engagement with the novel. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
The death of Elpenor
The importance of the white bird
The sacrificing of goats
The appearance of ghosts
Ulysses’ new-found knowledge of what has transpired at home
Strategies Ulysses must employ to successfully return home
Protection against the Sirens
Scylla and Charybdis
The Isle of the Sun Titan
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz covering a portion of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin: chapters 12 and 13 (“Cattle of the Sun” and “Calypso”). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate student engagement with the novel. An answer key is provided, as well as a short answer quiz option. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
A warning not to harm the golden cattle
30 days and nights of wind
Efforts to scrounge for food
Eurylochus and his lie to Ulysses
Ulysses means of survival
Calypso’s magic
Calypso’s comments about Penelope
Penelope’s weaving and her attempts to delay a major decision
Hermes’ arrival and its foreshadowing
Calypso’s sadness
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz covering chapter 16 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“The Return”). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate student engagement with the novel. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
Ulysses’ return to Ithaca
Eumaeus’ loyalty
Ulysses’ new-found knowledge upon returning home
The suitors vs. Telemachus
The concealing of an identity
Argo’s reaction to Ulysses’ return
The antagonistic nature of Eurymachus
An archery contest
Penelope’s agreement to marry the victor
Bloody conflict
The resolution
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz covering a portion of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin: chapters 14 and 15 (“Ino’s Veil” and “Nausicaa”). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate student engagement with the novel. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
Calypso’s help
Poseidon’s anger at Ulysses
The characterization of Ino
The characterization of Nausicaa
Nausicaa’s dream
Nausicaa’s encounter with Ulysses
The oracle’s warning
The men’s conspiracy against Ulysses
Nausicaa’s trick
King Alcinous’s generosity
Help middle and high school students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering a passage from chapter 8 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“The Land of the Dead”). An answer key is included. 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 as needed
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 sibilance
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Help students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering a passage from chapter 13 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“Calypso”). An answer key is included. 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 as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance and understatement
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Help middle and high school students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering a portion of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin: chapters 4, 5, and 6 (“The Cyclops’ Cave,” “Keeper of the Winds,” and “Cannibal Beach”). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Select the best synonym for a word as it is used in the text
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Locate relevant textual details in support of the claim that Ulysses was the only crew member with the ability to think critically in the face of danger
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, dramatic irony, and simile
Apply knowledge of sound devices including sibilance
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help middle and high school students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering a passage from chapter 7 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“Circe”). An answer key is included. 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 as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Reflect on the relationship between setting and Ulysses’ psychological state
Discern the greater significance of a white deer’s appearance in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on personification
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Help students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering a passage from chapter 15 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“Nausicaa”). An answer key is included. 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 as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Identify the tone of dialogue in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Analyze the symbolism of snakes in the context of Nausicaa’s dream
Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Help students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering a passage from chapter 16 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“The Return”). An answer key is included. 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 as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters (Athene and Ulysses)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany
Consider themes that are reinforced in a given passage
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“The Land of the Dead” through “Scylla and Charybdis”). A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a 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:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
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
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 irony and sibilance
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching chapters 12 and 13 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“Cattle of the Sun” and “Calypso”). A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a 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:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance and understatement
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching chapters 14 and 15 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“Ino’s Veil” and “Nausicaa”). A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a 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:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
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
Determine the greater purpose of a particular paragraph
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Consider tone in context
Analyze the symbolism of snakes in the context of Nausicaa’s dream
Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching chapter 16 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“The Return”). A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a 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:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters (Athene and Ulysses)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany
Explore themes that are reinforced in a given passage
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching chapters 4, 5, and 6 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“The Cyclops’ Cave,” “Keeper of the Winds,” and “Cannibal Beach”). A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a 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:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
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
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 foreshadowing, dramatic irony, and simile
Apply knowledge of sound devices including sibilance
Locate relevant textual details in support of the claim that Ulysses was the only crew member with the ability to think critically in the face of danger
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching chapter 7 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“Circe”). A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a 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:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
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
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 internal conflict and personification
