Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a reading guide, a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, five close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. (Alternatively, a Google Drive bundle option is available.) By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Discern the overall purpose of a given soliloquy Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Argue whether Friar Laurence’s decision to assist Juliet is consistent or inconsistent with his moral and religious duty Reflect on a previous scene to articulate how an aspect of Friar Laurence’s plan was foreshadowed Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, metaphor, situational irony, and more Support claims or inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Promote active engagement with ironic fiction, support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of resources for teaching a collection of O. Henry’s short stories: “The Gift of the Magi,” “The Last Leaf,” “The Cop and the Anthem,” and “After Twenty Years.” Answer keys for every resource are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, five close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Read for literal comprehension Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic 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 stylistic choices and dramatic techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, oxymoron, allusion, personification, euphemism, dramatic irony, and situational irony Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A plot-based quiz, five close reading worksheets (one per scene), 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: Read for literal comprehension Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic 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 stylistic choices and dramatic techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast two characters (Antonio and Shylock; Portia and Antonio) Apply knowledge of many literary devices with emphasis on metaphor, oxymoron, onomatopoeia, allusion, personification, symbolism, invective, and euphemism Consider themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Evaluate reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and support the development of critical thinking skills with this bundle of resources for teaching The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12). Two plot-based quizzes, four close reading analysis worksheets, two vocabulary application activities, two crossword puzzles, two word search games, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define words and phrases as they are used in the text Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Discern the intended effects of the author’s diction and narrative techniques Describe the tone of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on alliteration, callback, simile, symbolism, and situational irony. Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction

Measure high school reading comprehension and support analysis of Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet (Act 4) with this bundle that features a plot-based quiz and rigorous close reading activities. By engaging with these resources, students will identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly, apply knowledge of literary devices, interpret figurative expressions, make engagement with text visible, and more. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Define complex words and phrases in context Verify interpretations of words and phrases using reference materials such as a dictionary and thesaurus Identify an example of figurative language and explain its effect Apply knowledge of verbal irony, sibilance, personification, consonance, and inversion to the text Isolate a factual statement about plot development from falsehoods Analyze character actions and dialogue to discern character motivations Analyze a character’s dialogue to discern what it suggests about their psychological state Identify and explain Claudius’s dominant internal conflict Analyze Hamlet’s dialogue to discern and articulate how he portrays Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as less than human Cite textual evidence in support of the claim that Hamlet shows disrespect toward the king Analyze the author’s craft to discern what effect is created by presenting several consecutive brief scenes Isolate a factual statement about plot development from falsehoods Identify why it is important for Claudius to give the illusion of careful consideration when banishing Hamlet Identify Hamlet’s justification for calling Claudius his mother Make a logical inference about Hamlet’s thinking based on dialogue Compare and contrast Hamlet and Ophelia Compare and contrast Hamlet and Laertes Determine the primary purpose of Hamlet’s letter to Horatio Discern the tone of a given passage Cite textual evidence in support of claims and ideas

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s King Lear with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a quiz on characters and plot, seven close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will do the following: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s narrative techniques and figurative language Define words/phrases as they are used in context Verify interpretations of language using reference materials Describe tone in context Consider the greater significance of given details Determine the primary function of given excerpts/scenes Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters in the play (Edgar and Edmund) Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance, hyperbole, personification, paradox, metaphor, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony, and apheresis Conduct brief research on pelicans to better understand their symbolic value in context (“pelican daughters”) Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s King Lear with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a quiz on characters and plot, seven close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Materials in this bundle may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly. By engaging with these activities, students will do the following: 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 Determine the functions of given scenes Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Evaluate whether Lear is better off or worse off as a result of plot developments Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, simile, symbolism, and more Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote accountability for homework completion with this bundle of eight plot-based quizzes covering Matilda by Roald Dahl. These assessments may also double as guided reading worksheets to facilitate active engagement with the novel. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. More than 100 questions are provided, and materials are organized as follows: Chapters 1 and 2 Chapters 3, 4, and 5 Chapters 6 and 7 Chapters 8, 9, and 10 Chapters 11, 12, and 13 Chapters 14, 15, and 16 Chapters 17, 18, and 19 Chapters 20 and 21

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of plot-based quizzes covering the entirety of Dracula by Bram Stoker. Each assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in both 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 An agreement agreed to by the entire group Mina’s hypnosis Van Helsing’s theories about Dracula’s manipulation Seward’s concern for others’ traveling efforts Van Helsing’s mode of protecting Mina and himself from danger The return of the three sisters Dracula’s defeat The nature of Jonathan’s injuries The death of Morris Morris’s dying thoughts

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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A plot-based quiz, seven close reading worksheets (one per scene), and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will: Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s diction Analyze language and articulate its intended effect Discern tone in context Determine the function of a given excerpt Define complex and archaic words as they are used in the text Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance, simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, foreshadowing, paradox, allusion, situational irony, verbal irony, and more Identify the best textual evidence in support of claims and inferences Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help high school students navigate William Shakespeare’s language with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of The Tempest. 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: abide, abstemious, abysm, acquaint, adder, affliction, ague, alack, allay, amends, anon, aspersion, auspicious, austerely, barren, baseness, beseech, besiege, bestow, brine, certes, chastise, chirurgeonly, coragio, cur, deboshed, desolate, diligent, direful, discase, discord, dismay, drollery, ebb, enmity, entreat, expeditious, extirpate, fain, filbert, foison, frail, frippery, furlong, gaberdine, gale, hearken, hither, idle, impertinent, incense, indignation, industrious, infirmity, insolent, invulnerable, jocund, knave, liege, loathly, lusty, mar, marmoset, mischance, murrain, mutineer, mutinous, nimble, oracle, paragon, paunch, penitent, perdition, perpetual, pertly, pickle, pox, prate, prattle, prescience, prithee, promontory, quarrel, rabble, rapt, ratify, reign, repose, requite, rite, sanctimonious, sans, scurvy, shun, sicklemen, sirrah, sloth, sot, spendthrift, supplant, tawny, thence, thrice, totter, treacherous, trice, tricksy, trumpery, vain, valiant, verdure, vexation, viands, vigilance, wanton, wearily, withal, and yarely. 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 navigate William Shakespeare’s language with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of As You Like It. 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 126 words are addressed: abominable, abruptly, acquit, allottery, amble, anon, array, base, bastinado, bequeath, bestow, boast, boisterous, boorish, bough, caparison, capricious, carlot, chanticleer, chaste, chide, churlish, cicatrice, clamorous, comely, commend, compact, conjure, contrive, counsel, countenance, descend, desolation, discord, dissuade, ditty, dowry, dulcet, effect, elegy, entreat, erewhile, exult, fain, feign, flout, forbear, gallant, gilded, heartily, hoarse, hornmaker, husbandry, idle, irk, jointure, knavery, lament, languish, leer, lief, lo, lusty, malice, mar, melancholy, mirth, miser, moonish, murmur, mutton, nimble, nuptial, obscure, odious, osier, pains, pard, parlous, peevish, penury, perpend, pilgrimage, politic, pompous, prate, prithee, purgation, purlieus, quarrel, rascally, reign, relish, resolute, rudiments, rumination, salutation, sans, sententious, servitude, shrewd, simper, sinewy, sirrah, slander, smirch, stern, sullen, sunder, swift, swoon, synod, tedious, thrice, treacherous, umber, uncouth, unkept, valiant, vehemence, venerable, waspish, weary, wherefore, whither, and woo. 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