This resource includes everything you need to teach one of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous short stories - “The Fall of the House of Usher”. One of the masters of the Gothic literature genre, Poe is often a staple in English literature courses. His short story “The Fall of the House of Usher” - a tale of an isolated family and a decaying house - is a perfect introduction to this genre. This resource can be used as a stand-alone lesson or as part of larger short stories and/or Gothic literature units. Don’t have time to cover everything? Use the handouts that align with the focus of your unit. Included in this resource: ❊ Suggested lesson plan ❊ Edgar Allan Poe introduction Prezi (including a link, offline version, and PDF version - for those inevitable days when technology doesn’t work) ❊ Prezi guided notes ❊ Vocabulary handouts: 3 different handouts that cover 10 words from the text → Context Clues: Students use context clues to determine the meaning of the words and then compare their definitions to the actual definitions → Exercises: Match the vocabulary words to their synonyms; complete the sentences using the correct vocabulary word; write a paragraph using the vocabulary words → Quiz: Match vocabulary words and definitions; choose the correct word for provided synonyms; write an original paragraph using the vocabulary words ❊ Five key focus handouts: →Plot: answer plot-based questions and complete a plot diagram → Symbolism: review six symbols and provide an explanation of the symbol. Then, write a short paragraph describing Poe’s use of symbolism. → Narrator Reliability: Review traits of reliable and unreliable then determine which the narrator of “The Fall of the House of Usher” is → Gothic Elements: Review elements of Gothic literature and find examples of each within the text → Topics and Themes: Examine how the text treats seven topics; create a thematic statement; complete a theme development paragraph (includes scaffolded and non-scaffolded versions) ❊ Writing Extensions ❊ Two grammar focus handouts: → Sentence Types: Review the four types of sentences; determine the type of sentence for ten excerpts from text; mark independent and dependent clauses. → Parallelism: Review parallelism and four types of parallelism problems. Identify parallelism in five excerpts. Rewrite three sentences without parallelism. ❊ Suggested answer key This resource includes both a print (PDF) and a digital copy of the materials. To access the digital versions, make a copy of the Google Slides presentation and the Google Forms vocabulary quiz. Then, share with your students or upload them to the LMS of your choice.

Looking for an engaging way to introduce Chaucer’s influential The Canterbury Tales? Look no further. The Canterbury Tales Virtual Field Trip to the rescue. If you’re tired of the same old introductory presentations where students sit passively taking notes, then this resource was designed for you. Students take a three-day virtual field trip ending in Canterbury. Along the way, they will read a biography on Chaucer, watch videos on the Middle Ages and the evolution of the English language, try their hand at translating some Middle English, and explore sites in Canterbury. Each stop features a text, video, and/or website to interact with. Students use the information gathered to complete their passports. Your The Canterbury Tales Virtual Field Trip includes: Itinerary and links (hosted on Google Sites) A digital passport (Google Slides compatible) A printable passport Note: In order to use the digital passport, students will need a Google account. Accounts are not required to access the site. Several YouTube videos are embedded in the site. Please ensure that your district does not block YouTube for students. Copyright Windows into Literature Terms of Use: This product is for individual single classroom use only. Copying, altering, redistributing, editing, or re-selling anything from this product is strictly forbidden. Use in multiple classrooms requires the purchase of additional licenses.

Adding “The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving to your short story unit or Gothic literature unit? This “The Devil and Tom Walker” lesson plan includes everything you need to teach this classic piece of American Gothic literature. What’s included: ↝ Background PowerPoint presentation. Review the elements of Gothic literature as well as a brief Washington Irving biography and “The Devil and Tom Walker” background. ↝ Student guided notes. Includes two versions - a visual notes version and a Cornell notes style version. ↝ Vocabulary. Includes two lists with twelve vocabulary words each. Each list includes a context clues handout, exercises (matching synonyms and completing sentences), and a quiz. Each list also includes three puzzles - crossword, word search, and cryptogram. ↝ Key Focus handouts. ★ Plot. Answer reading comprehension questions and complete a plot diagram. ★ Characterization. Includes a characterization chart for students to find examples of characterization about Tom Walker, Mrs. Walker, and the devil. Also includes two handouts with characterization examples already provided for Tom and Mrs. Walker. ★ Gothic elements. Examine the text for elements of Gothic literature and write a paragraph on the elements' effects on the text. ★ Topics and theme. Examine how the text treats 5 topics and provide textual evidence. Write a thematic statement. Then, chose one topic and write a theme development paragraph. Includes scaffolded and blank versions.

John Updike’s short story “A&P” revolves around a young cashier, three bathing-suit clad girls, and a hasty decision. A classic coming-of-age story, “A&P” examines the consequences of actions taken. This resource contains: ↝ Eight interactive slides focusing on reading comprehension, characterization, and theme ↝ Three blank theme slides to focus on a different or additional theme ↝ Fillable PDF that can be uploaded to Google Classroom™, Schoology™, or LMS of your choice or printed for students to complete by hand. Note: If choosing to have students complete the PDF electronically, they may need to download the PDF or use an extension such as Kami to “write” on the PDF ↝ Suggested answer key: both Google Slides™ and PDF form Use this resource as a stand-alone or as part of a larger short story unit. This resource is completely digital. Simply create a copy of the Google Slides™ presentation and upload it to your Google Classroom™, Schoology™, or LMS of your choice. Students type directly into the presentation and can download their responses as a PDF when finished.

Teaching Richard Connell’s famous story “The Most Dangerous Game”? Use this resource to review literary devices, focus on plot, characterization, and conflict, and more. This resource can be used as a stand-alone or part of a short stories unit. Included are: ✺ Suggested lesson plan for pre, during, and post-reading ✺ Vocabulary - using context clues and vocabulary exercises ✺ Literary Terms: Use the included PowerPoint to review six literary terms: mood; simile; metaphor; point of view; protagonist; and antagonist ✺ Key Focus: Plot - two pages of reading comprehension questions and a plot diagram ✺ Key Focus: Characterization - Determine if passages are examples of direct or indirect characterization as well as what they reveal about the character. ✺ Key Focus: Conflict - Review the four types of conflict and determine which is being used in each passage ✺ Figurative Language Scavenger Hunt - Identify examples of figurative language and search the text for examples of the terms given ✺ Extension Activities - Choose from three extension activities. Includes suggested rubrics ✺ Suggested answer key - Since many questions require students to provide textual evidence and their own analysis, these answers should be viewed as starting points.

Teaching “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe? Looking for a way to increase engagement? Then this “The Cask of Amontillado” Unit Plan is for you. A classic tale of revenge, Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado” has been a staple in secondary English classrooms for years. This four-day, low-prep lesson plan was designed to help students practice skills such as annotating, irony, suspense and tension, and more. This “The Cask of Amontillado” Unit Plan contains: Teacher notes for a four-day unit plan materials list CCSS standard(s) Links (if applicable) pre-reading suggestions Whole-class lesson plan independent practice exit ticket Edgar Allan Poe introduction Prezi presentation: includes a link to the presentation, PDF version, and student notes American Gothicism presentation & student visual notes (Note: This information is also available in the Poe Prezi. Use whichever you prefer) Vocabulary: Use context clues to determine the meaning of four words. Write a paragraph using the words. Full text with wide margins for annotating. Includes annotation instructions/key. Full text with guided reading questions for whole-class reading and discussion Eight key focus handouts: plot, characterization, suspense & tension, irony, narrator reliability, Gothic elements, and topics & themes Three versions of characterization, suspense, and irony handouts: Version A: Includes full quote from the text. Students identify the key focus and complete the exercise. Version B: Includes a longer excerpt from the text. Students identify the example of the key focus skill prior to completing the task. Version C: Students are provided with a summary of the skill and a chart. This requires students to return to the text to find evidence of the skill prior to completing the task. Visual character analysis pages for Montresor and Fortunato Visual summary of the text Theme development paragraph: includes scaffolded fill-in-the-blanks version and a blank version Multiple-choice quiz Answer key

Do your students struggle with identifying complex and compound-complex sentences? Looking for a quick review of these two foundational sentence structure types? Review and practice with the Complex, Compound-Complex Sentences Structure Unit. Designed to provide a quick review of simple and compound sentences, this resource covers definitions and allows for practice. **What’s included in the Complex, Compound-Complex Sentences Structure Unit: ** Pretest and Posttest PowerPoint presentation 3 versions of student visual notes Cornell Notes Practice worksheet Google Slides version of the presentation and all handouts Fillable PDF version for electronic completion **3 versions of student visual handouts: ** Version A: completed notes for students who struggle with note-taking Version B: partially completed notes for students who need some scaffolding Version C: blank notes for students who don’t require scaffolding **Presentation includes: ** Independent and dependent clauses Complex and compound-complex sentences Definitions Examples Practice sentences

Looking for a quick and easy way to incorporate language and editing tasks into your class? These CCSS aligned grammar task cards are the perfect solution. These 52 task cards have been created to align with the Common Core State Standards for 9-10 ELA. Skills covered include parallel structure; phrases and clauses; semicolons and colons; context clues; patterns of word changes; and figurative language. Included in this resource: ✷ Three versions Print: The PDF includes four task cards per sheet. Print and laminate for longer use. Ideal for stations. Google Slides: Interactive presentation with one task card per slide. Perfect for bell ringers or exit tickets. Self-grading Google Forms: Great for use as a pre-test or post-test. Make a copy of the form and track your class’ answers. ✷ Editable PowerPoint: Change the questions and/or the answer choices. Includes instructions for saving your PPT as a PDF. ✷ Answer key

Looking for a fun and engaging way to review Shakespeare’s The Tempest? Want to add some collaboration (and maybe some competition) to your classes? Then The Tempest Escape Room is for you! Escape rooms allow students to review texts without the boring study guides. Students will rely on their knowledge of the text and use logic to solve six tasks: Task 1: Plot -> Students decide which seven of the twelve plot points belong on a plot diagram and then put the cards in order. The correct order becomes the code for this task. Task 2: Character Crossword -> Students solve a crossword puzzle based on character descriptions. Unscramble the shaded letters to unlock the code. Task 3: Quote Match -> Match a quote to the character who said it. Unscramble the shaded letters to unlock the code. Task 4: Close Reading -> Read an excerpt from Act 3 and answer five multiple-choice questions. Unscramble the letters to unlock the code. Task 5: Jigsaw Puzzle -> Assemble a jigsaw puzzle to reveal a quote. Use the key on the answer sheet to unlock the code. Task 6: Cryptogram -> Use clues gathered throughout the other tasks to decipher an encrypted message. What’s included: Teacher instructions Printing checklist Task cards and instructions for each task Blank plot, quote, and OOPS! cards for teacher customization (fillable PDF) Crossword puzzle for task 2 Jigsaw puzzle for task 5 Student Answer Sheet Escape Room Reflection OOPS! Cards to add difficulty to the game Answer key

Teaching Shakespeare’s The Tempest? Looking for a way for students to practice annotating and close reading in Act I, scene i? If so, then this no prep resource is for you. This resource includes: ❊ Shakespeare’s Language handout: Review some key facts about Shakespeare’s language as well as commonly used terms found in Act I, scene i. ❊ Vocabulary: Students define seven vocabulary words from the scene, provide the connotation of the word, and explain their reasoning behind the connotation. ❊ AnnotationDirections: An annotation key is provided to help students differentiate between their markings and develop a clear focus for annotating. ❊ Full text with wide margins: Plenty of room is provided for students to annotate on both sides of the text. Use the left side of summaries and the right side for questions, literary devices, and more. ❊ Reading question: Nine short answer questions requiring students to make inferences, predictions, and provide textual evidence. ❊ Standards Alignment chart: Provides astandard for each of the reading questions. (Based on the CCSS standards) ❊Suggested Answer Key: Since annotation can be subjective, the annotations included are samples. Sample responses are also included for the short answer questions.

This resource allows contains three poems: “Sympathy” (Paul Laurence Dunbar); “‘Hope’ is a Thing with Feathers” (Emily Dickinson); and “Caged Bird” (Maya Angelou). Each of these poems, powerful in their own right, uses bird imagery to discuss hope amidst struggle. The pairing of these three poems allows students to examine how this topic is treated by authors of different backgrounds and time periods. Included: ◈ Short poet bios on Dunbar, Dickinson, and Angelou ◈ Handout for each poem: ➫ Annotate: on the left side, students summarize each stanza. On the right side, students respond with examples of literary devices, such as figurative language and diction, as well as their own reactions and thoughts. ➫ Questions ◈ Poetry Comparison Brainstorming: Students can complete one or both of these handouts ➫ Triple Venn Diagram ➫ Comparison Chart, focusing on figurative language, symbolism, diction, imagery, and thematic statements ◈ Comparison Writing Prompt

With this mini flipbook, students will analyze seven characters. Each character tab includes: ➥character background ➥ quote analysis: choose a quote that best represents the character ➥ how the character develops the theme ➥ indirect and direct characterization examples ➥ static, dynamic, round, or flat? Simply cut along the dotted lines and staple along the left side. Perfect for use with interactive notebooks.

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Teaching Eugenia Collier’s “Marigolds”? Practice close reading with these focused handouts. This “Marigolds” Close Reading resource includes seven student worksheets. No prep necessary - just print and go! Lead your students through several close reading focus handouts. Each handout zooms in on a specific literary device to help students hone their skills in each area. Every page can be used individually, allowing you to reinforce the specific skills you’re studying at the time. What’s included: Seven key focus handouts Fillable PDF - perfect for 1:1 classrooms and/or remote completion Suggested answer key Key Focus handouts include: Reading comprehension - literary terms, tone, mood, summary, and more! Character study - Lizbeth - Read four excerpts. Determine the type of characterization and what the excerpt reveals about Lizbeth. Figurative language - Identify the type of figurative language being used in five excerpts and explain how each contributes to the text. Symbolism - Examine three passages that reference marigolds. Determine the symbolism behind the flower. Conflict - Review the four types of conflict. Identify the type of conflict being used in four excerpts and how the conflict impacts the text. Theme - Analyze five excerpts, noting how Lizbeth’s actions change throughout the course of the text. Write a thematic statement. TEACHERS LIKE YOU SAID… 5 Stars: Samantha says, “I had my students annotate the text and used this to check how much they understood. The questions are varied and cover a good amount of literary elements.” 5 Stars: Katherine says, “Fantastic! Exactly what I’ve been looking for to freshen up my 9th grade curriculum!”

James Hurst’s poignant story “The Scarlet Ibis” has been a staple in English classrooms for years. Use this resource to review literary devices, focus on plot, characterization, and conflict, and more. This resource can be used as a stand-alone or part of a short stories unit. Included are: ✺ Suggested lesson plan for pre, during, and post-reading ✺ Vocabulary - using context clues and vocabulary exercises ✺ Seven Key Focus Handouts: ⇝ Plot - two pages of reading comprehension questions and a plot diagram ⇝ Characterization - Provide examples of direct and indirect characterization. Argue if the narrator is static or dynamic. ⇝ Conflict - Review the four types of conflict and determine which is being used in each passage as well as its impact on the text ⇝ Figurative Language: Examine similes, metaphors, and personification ⇝ Imagery ⇝ Language: Examine tone, mood, and diction ⇝ Symbolism ⇝ Quotes ✺ Suggested answer key - Since many questions require students to provide textual evidence and their own analysis, these answers should be viewed as starting points.

Looking for a fun and engaging way to review Shakespeare’s The Tempest? Want to add some collaboration (and maybe some competition) to your classes? Then The Tempest Digital Escape Room is for you! Escape rooms allow students to review texts without the boring study guides. Students will rely on their knowledge of the text and use logic to solve six tasks: Task 1: Plot -> Students decide which seven of the twelve plot points belong on a plot diagram and then put the cards in order. The correct order becomes the code for this task. Task 2: Character Crossword -> Students solve a crossword puzzle based on character descriptions. Unscramble the shaded letters to unlock the code. Digital version: links to an external site Task 3: Quote Match -> Match a quote to the character who said it. Unscramble the shaded letters to unlock the code. Task 4: Close Reading -> Read an excerpt from Act 3 and answer five multiple-choice questions. Unscramble the letters to unlock the code. Task 5: Jigsaw Puzzle -> Assemble a jigsaw puzzle to reveal a quote. Use the key on the answer sheet to unlock the code. Digital version: links to an external site Task 6: Cryptogram -> Use clues gathered throughout the other tasks to decipher an encrypted message. What’s included (printed version): Teacher instructions Printing checklist Task cards and instructions for each task Blank plot, quote, and OOPS! cards for teacher customization (fillable PDF) Crossword puzzle for task 2 Jigsaw puzzle for task 5 Student Answer Sheet Escape Room Reflection OOPS! Cards to add difficulty to the game Answer key link to the digital version Digital Version: Interactive ThingLink presentation - embedded Google Slides means no forced copies! Note: The digital version resource relies on two websites: ThingLink.com and Puzzel.org. Please make sure that your district does not block these two websites. Copyright Windows into Literature Terms of Use: This product is for individual single classroom use only. Copying, altering, redistributing, editing, or re-selling anything from this product is strictly forbidden. Use in multiple classrooms requires the purchase of additional licenses.

If your students are obsessed with their technology, then they need to read Ray Bradbury’s “The Veldt”. This dystopian short story addresses what happens when people get too attached to their devices. What’s included in “The Veldt” Lesson Plan: Daily Teacher Notes: notes for 5 days of lessons. Each day includes pre-reading, whole-class instruction, and independent practice suggestions as well as materials needed and standards addressed. Teacher Notes - Background: Summary of the story and breakdown of text complexity Anticipation Guide: Students respond to 8 questions and explain their answers to three of them. After reading, students revisit the anticipation guide and analyze one statement in light of the text. Pre-Reading Vocabulary Practice: Use context clues to define 4 words. Then, write a paragraph using the words. Annotations Directions & Key: Have students practice close reading skills by annotating as they read. Includes key for various annotations. Note: Due to copyright laws, the full text is not included in this resource. A link to a PDF version is provided. Plot: complete a plot diagram 2 ways to practice skills Text-dependent questions and quote analysis Key focus handouts 8 Key Focus handouts 1. Literary devices: review allusions, figurative language, and imagery 2. Conflict: Review the 4 types of conflict. Includes 2 versions of student handouts for differentiation 3. Characterization: Review 2 types of characterization. Includes 2 versions of student handouts for differentiation 4. Quote Analysis: Examine 4 quotes. Provide: speaker, context, and significance 5. Diction: Examine 5 excerpts. Highlight examples of strong diction. Provide connotation. 6. Topics and Themes: Analyze how six topics are addressed in the text. Then, choose one to write a theme development analysis paragraph. Includes scaffolded outline with sentence starters for struggling students 7. Argue Your Point: Students chose one of two prompts and write an argumentative paragraph Film Comparision Venn Diagram Multiple-choice quiz: characterization, inferences, vocabulary, point of view, and more 4 Optional Extensions: 2 videos and 2 articles. Include links, discussion questions, and extension tasks and/or debate topics Suggested answer key Fillable PDF for online completion Check out what other teachers are saying: ❤ “My kids love that they can fill in these worksheets digitally! I appreciate the visually-appealing, organized layout. Each literary device is clearly explained with opportunities to practice text analysis. The answer key is thorough and helpful. Thanks!” ❤ “This was a great resource for my students. My campus uses the HyFlex model, so we have in-person, blended, and online learners using the same resources. It was easy to use and the materials worked well in my Google Classroom.”

Looking for an engaging way to help students analyze Edgar Allan Poe’s famous short story “The Masque of the Red Death”? Want to go beyond basic reading comprehension questions? Then the “The Masque of the Red Death” Analysis, Symbolism, Allegory Flip Book is for you! Poe’s creepy story of a selfish monarch and a devastating plague, “The Masque of the Red Death” reminds readers of the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to escape it. What’s included in** “The Masque of the Red Death” Analysis, Symbolism, Allegory Flip Book: Five sections covering a variety of skills ** Sample answer key Easy assembly - simply cut and staple Fillable PDF for online completion Google Slides version Activities/Skills include: Symbolism: Determine and analyze the symbolic meaning behind the colors of the seven rooms as well as 3 other elements: the ebony clock, the castle, and the Red Death. Reading comprehension: Answer 6 questions Characterization: Analyze Prince Prospero to determine if he is a tragic hero. Provide examples of direct and indirect characterization to support the response. Shakespeare’s “The Seven Ages of Man” speech: Compare Jacques’ famous speech from Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It to Poe’s story The Seven Deadly Sins: Locate examples of each of the seven deadly sins and examine how the story is an allegory for these Literary devices: Examine irony, theme, imagery, tone, and mood

Teaching Hawthorne’s famous short story “The Minister’s Black Veil”? Use this resource as a stand-alone lesson or as part of a larger short stories unit. This dual resource includes: ✲ vocabulary exercises: ➥ context clues: use context clues to determine the meaning of eight vocabulary words ➥ complete the sentence, match the synonyms, and write a paragraph ✲ split slide: full text on the left and reading comprehension questions on the right (to be answered during reading) ✲ post-reading questions ✲ printable/fillable PDF and Google Slides™ version Simply create a copy and upload into Google Classroom or the LMS of your choice. Students type their answers directly into the slide. The digital nature makes this an ideal lesson for distance learning. Note: if using the PDF version for remote learning, students may need a PDF annotation extension such as Kami.

Teaching Hawthorne’s famous short story “The Minister’s Black Veil”? Use this resource as a stand-alone lesson or as part of a larger short stories unit. This resource includes: ✲ vocabulary exercises: ➥ context clues: use context clues to determine the meaning of eight vocabulary words ➥ complete the sentence, match the synonyms, and write a paragraph ✲ split slide: full text on the left and reading comprehension questions on the right (to be answered during reading) ✲ post-reading questions ✲ printable/fillable PDF Note: if using the PDF for remote learning, students may need a PDF annotation extension such as Kami.