Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapters 12, 13, 14, and 15 of Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian young adult fiction novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: compensate, contemptuously, dependent, desertion, garner, hermanita, optimistic, persist, plead, sanctuary, sleet, spitfire, stationery, stern, subside, and weary. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapters 9, 10, and 11 of Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian young adult fiction novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: cardiologist, contrition, famine, gamely, humility, malice, meek, missal, nostalgia, penance, postulant, rabid, ransack, retch, scowl, and sparse. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapters 6, 7, and 8 of Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian young adult fiction novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: accost, anarchy, cholera, cynical, dormant, implausible, infirm, onerous, righteous, saunter, seminary, smugly, sulky, and wane. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapters 16, 17, 18, and 19 of Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian young adult fiction novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: errand, foolhardy, galvanize, glint, immaculate, immunity, merciful, parched, regiment, rigorously, scurry, trudge, vague, and wander. 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 extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Edith Wharton’s short story titled “A Journey.” An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the functions of given details Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare characters in the story Apply knowledge of literary devices including ambiguity, metaphor, personification, red herring, simile, and oxymoron 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 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Call of Cthulhu” by H.P. Lovecraft. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: acrid, allude, archaic, befoul, brood, clamber, concede, conspicuous, corroborate, crude, cryptic, din, eccentricity, elicit, enigmatical, evoke, impertinence, imply, incessant, interminably, keenly, loathsome, noisome, perfunctory, placid, portentous, precipitous, redolent, scarcely, shudder, tangible, transient, vain, and weariness. 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 extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short story “The Heavenly Christmas Tree,” otherwise known as “The Beggar Boy at Christ’s Christmas Tree.” An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, foreshadowing, onomatopoeia, situational irony, and more Conduct research online in order to answer questions related to culture and history Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about coming-of-age fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Willa Cather’s short story “The Burglar’s Christmas.” An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a given excerpt Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, epiphany, foreshadowing, internal conflict, metaphor, paradox, personification, simile, and situational irony Argue whether the author wants the audience to empathize with the protagonist Consider themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about coming-of-age fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Truman Capote’s holiday-themed short story “A Christmas Memory.” An answer key is provided. 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Consider historical context in relation to the plot Isolate examples of figurative language used in the text Discern the intended effect of the author’s narrative techniques Describe and examine tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Determine the functions of given details and excerpts Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, epiphany, foreshadowing, hubris, metaphor, onomatopoeia, simile, situational irony, and unreliable narrator Reflect on significant themes Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about coming-of-age fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Anton Chekhov’s short story “At Christmas Time.” An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Consider nuances in words with similar meanings Reflect on the author’s choice of title and its intended effect Evaluate the author’s means of emotionally influencing readers Make logical inferences about the author’s philosophies on life Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare the lives of Vasilisa and Pyotr with the life of Yefimya Apply knowledge of literary devices including ambiguity, euphemism, metaphor, onomatopoeia, and more Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about coming-of-age fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Book 1 of George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Two crossword puzzles, two word search activities, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: atrocity, bough, clamor, conspicuous, contempt, dingy, dissemble, feeble, furtively, genially, heretical, incredulous, inscrutable, interminable, murmur, nebulous, obsolete, odious, procure, reproach, strident, subtlety, tedious, treachery, and tremulous. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Book 2 of George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Two crossword puzzles, two word search activities, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: apathetic, assent, avaricious, barren, beseech, clamber, continually, denounce, eccentricity, extricate, fleeting, indefatigably, indignation, ineffectual, luminous, melancholy, mournful, mutter, palpable, remonstrance, reverence, solitude, spurious, subdued, and vague. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Book 3 of George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Two crossword puzzles, two word search activities, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abashed, aberrations, allusion, coarse, disquieting, doleful, eminent, exult, intently, keen, omnipotent, persecute, prevaricate, recede, reconciliation, relinquish, shrill, shudder, superfluous, surly, tentative, torpid, vehemently, weariness, and whimper. 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 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