The resources that I post are, with a few exceptions, intended to be used in high school classes. My resources are aligned with the Common Core Standards, and I have I included accommodation/modifications with most of my lessons. In addition to being an English Language Arts teacher, I am also an ESL teacher, so many of my lessons include tips/accommodations for English Language Learners. My lessons are grounded in the whole language approach and foster critical thinking in students.
This resource pack for "The Gift of the Magi" is common core aligned. It includes a unit overview, a PowerPoint introduction to the story, a PowerPoint lesson over the parts of a story (with a writing prompt for a short story assignment), and a characterization identification activity. It also includes a copy of the short story with side notes and reading guide questions. This copy of the story has hyperlinks with pictures and background information that might be useful to some students (such as ESL students).