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.
Challenge high school students to go beyond general reading comprehension and sharpen their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with seven close reading inference activities covering Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. Each worksheet addresses meaningful passages from each iteration of the novel: chapter 4 (“New York”), chapter 10 (“Hammond”), chapter 20 (“Control”), chapter 32 (“Nedry”), chapter 46 (“Tyrannosaur”), chapter 48 (“Return”), and chapter 52 (“Destroying the World”). Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these close reading activities, students will do the following:
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, sentence structures, and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, foreshadowing, hyperbole, metaphor, personification, simile, situational irony, symbolism, and more
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Introduce college readiness vocabulary, evaluate general reading comprehension, and challenge students to sharpen their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities and assessments covering the seventh iteration of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. 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 as needed
Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices, sentence structures, and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, personification, and more
Consider themes in context
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Introduce college readiness vocabulary, evaluate general reading comprehension, and challenge students to sharpen their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities and assessments covering the sixth iteration of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. 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 as needed
Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices, sentence structures, and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and simile
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Introduce college readiness vocabulary, evaluate general reading comprehension, and challenge students to sharpen their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities and assessments covering the fifth iteration of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. 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 as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Choose the most appropriate word replacement without altering the author’s intended meaning
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, hyperbole, sibilance, situational irony, and more
Consider themes in context
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Introduce college readiness vocabulary, evaluate general reading comprehension, and challenge students to sharpen their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities and assessments covering the fourth iteration of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. 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 as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices, sentence structures, and narrative techniques
Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, onomatopoeia, and symbolism
Consider themes in context
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Introduce college readiness vocabulary, evaluate general reading comprehension, and challenge students to sharpen their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities and assessments covering the third iteration of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. 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 as needed
Choose 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
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism, metaphor, and situational irony
Consider themes in context
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Introduce college readiness vocabulary, evaluate general reading comprehension, and challenge students to sharpen their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities and assessments covering the second iteration of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. 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 as needed
Choose 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
Describe tone in context
Discern the main purpose of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hubris, symbolism, and understatement
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Introduce college readiness vocabulary, evaluate general reading comprehension, and challenge students to sharpen their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities and assessments covering the first iteration of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, two vocabulary application activities, two crossword puzzles, two word search games, and answer keys are included. 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 as needed
Choose 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
Discern the main purpose of a given chapter
Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, simile, and situational irony
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Challenge high school students to move beyond surface-level comprehension with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a passage from chapter 52 of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park (“Destroying the World”). From applying knowledge of literary devices to making inferences about the author’s intentions, readers will be supported by a set of rigorous questions complementing the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. The close reading activity will prompt students to do the following:
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 and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, personification, and more
Consider themes in context
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Challenge high school students to move beyond surface-level comprehension with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a passage from chapter 48 of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park (“Return”). From applying knowledge of literary devices to making inferences about the author’s intentions, readers will be supported by a set of rigorous questions complementing the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. The close reading activity will prompt students to do the following:
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, sentence structures, and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and simile
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Challenge high school students to move beyond surface-level comprehension with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a passage from chapter 46 of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park (“Tyrannosaur”). From applying knowledge of literary devices to making inferences about the author’s intentions, readers will be supported by a set of rigorous questions complementing the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. The close reading activity will prompt students to do the following:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Choose the most appropriate word replacement without altering the author’s intended meaning
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, hyperbole, sibilance, situational irony, and more
Consider themes in context
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Challenge high school students to move beyond surface-level comprehension with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a passage from chapter 32 of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park (“Nedry”). From applying knowledge of literary devices to making inferences about the author’s intentions, readers will be supported by a set of rigorous questions complementing the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. The close reading activity will prompt students to do the following:
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, sentence structures, and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, onomatopoeia, and symbolism
Consider themes in context
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Challenge high school students to move beyond surface-level comprehension with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a passage from chapter 20 of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park (“Control”). From applying knowledge of literary devices to making inferences about the author’s intentions, readers will be supported by a set of rigorous questions complementing the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. The close reading activity will prompt students to do the following:
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
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including euphemism, metaphor, and situational irony
Consider themes in context
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Challenge high school students to move beyond surface-level comprehension with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a passage from chapter 10 of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park (“Hammond”). From applying knowledge of literary devices to making inferences about the author’s intentions, readers will be supported by a set of rigorous questions complementing the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. The close reading activity will prompt students to do the following:
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
Describe tone in context
Discern the main purpose of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hubris, symbolism, and understatement
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Challenge high school students to move beyond surface-level comprehension with this close reading analysis worksheet covering chapter 4 of Michael Crichton’s science fiction novel Jurassic Park (“New York”). From applying knowledge of literary devices to making inferences about the author’s intentions, readers will be supported by a set of rigorous questions complementing the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. The close reading activity will prompt students to do the following:
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
Discern the main purpose of the chapter
Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, simile, and situational irony
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, sharpen critical thinking skills, and maximize interest in works of fiction with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Poor Boy in the Grave,” a cautionary tale reminding readers to be compassionate, for not all people come from nurturing environments. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a 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:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Choose 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 allusion, foreshadowing, invective, situational irony, 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
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, sharpen critical thinking skills, and maximize interest in works of fiction with this bundle of materials for teaching the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Old Woman in the Wood,” which addresses themes such as the virtues and benefits of discipline and kindness. A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a 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:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Choose 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
Articulate the story’s inciting incident
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, 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 for high school and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the Grimm’s fairy tale “The Poor Boy in the Grave,” a cautionary tale reminding readers to be compassionate, for not all people come from nurturing environments. At just over two pages long, the story may help fill gaps in the teaching schedule or prove useful in reading intervention scenarios. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable 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, and choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed:
affluent
arduous
austere
avaricious
bough
chaff
errand
fracas
haste
incensed
iniquitous
misery
pang
penury
prudent
purloin
vexed
Help prepare middle school students for the critical thinking and literary analysis skills required in high school with this close reading inference worksheet covering a Grimm’s fairy tale titled “The Poor Boy in the Grave,” a cautionary tale reminding readers to be compassionate, for not all people come from nurturing environments. This worksheet is also applicable to high school students who struggle with reading comprehension and higher-order thinking. An answer key and copy of the short story are 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 allusion, foreshadowing, invective, situational irony, 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