Short Stories by Gary Soto - Quizzes, Close Readings, and Vocabulary Games (Bundle)

Facilitate vocabulary development, evaluate general reading comprehension, and support critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of materials for teaching three short stories by Gary Soto: “The Challenge,” “The No-Guitar Blues,” and “Broken Chain.” A quiz, close reading worksheet, vocabulary application activity, crossword puzzle, and word search game are provided for each narrative. Answer keys for everything are also included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will do the following:

• Identify what the texts state explicitly and implicitly
• Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and complex words
• Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
• Determine 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 dramatic irony, idiom, invective, simile, situational irony, symbolism, and more
• Reflect on the author’s choice of title (“Broken Chain”) and interpret it figuratively
• 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