Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Say hello to a platform dedicated to industrious, yet overtasked teachers like you. Say goodbye to countless hours spent developing relevant and engaging ELA lessons. Whether you are teaching the fundamentals of grammar, creative writing skills, classic literature, or contemporary fiction, you will find thousands of activities and assessments to help you achieve a healthier work-life balance without sacrificing academic rigor.
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions about Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Focusing on Act 1, scene 2, this resource is delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. An answer key is included. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Determine the function of a particular excerpt
Conduct brief research on classical mythology — more specifically the tale of Arion and the dolphin — and draw parallels between the mythological figure and Sebastian
Consider the text’s allusion to Elysium to infer greater meaning
Discern the tone of a character’s dialogue
Come to class/depart class better prepared to discuss literary material
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 3, of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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.
With this close reading activity, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Consider nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Describe the nature of the relationship between Antonio and Sebastian
Apply knowledge of literary devices including paradox and hyperbole
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 3, scene 4, of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
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 engaging in this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of an oxymoronic phrase
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including oxymoron, situational irony, dramatic irony, ambiguity, and alliteration
Explore the text for thematic significance
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. 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 in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’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 allusion, personification, and symbolic imagery
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 2, scene 4, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. 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 in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Use this set of rigorous questions to help high school learners extend beyond general reading comprehension and develop close reading analysis skills while engaging with The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. This resource specifically covers Act 1, scene 3. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Articulate and analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices
Articulate how a biblical story applies to the plot of the play
Discern the primary function of a particular excerpt
Articulate what Antonio’s behavior reflects about his mindset
Analyze Shylock’s characterization to articulate the complicated relationship the audience has with his character
Identify the most relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Write with clarity and precision
Conveniently measure general reading comprehension and hold students accountable for the entirety of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing with this bundle of five quizzes. Answer keys are included. All assessments are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The news Leonato receives
Beatrice’s relation to Leonato
Claudio’s romantic interest
Don Pedro’s offer to Claudio
Hero’s relation to Leonato
Don John’s relation to Don Pedro
Conrade’s interactions with Don John
The quality Don John values most
Borachio’s discovery and the method by which he made it
The cause of Don John’s bitterness toward Don Pedro
Why Leonato teases Beatrice
Beatrice’s dance partner
Beatrice’s treatment of her dance partner
Borachio and Don John’s deception
Benedick’s self-reflection
Don Pedro’s promise to find Beatrice a husband
Hero’s chambermaid
The nature of Borachio’s interaction with Margaret
A plan to misrepresent Hero
Benedick’s assumptions about his future
Balthasar’s actions
The deception of Benedick
Benedick’s promise to love Beatrice
Hero and Margaret’s trickery
The effect of Hero and Margaret’s trickery
Hero and Margaret’s criticism of Beatrice
Benedick’s character transformation
Benedick’s request to speak to Leonato privately
Don Pedro and Claudio’s agreement should Hero be proven unfaithful
Claudio’s comparison of Benedick and Beatrice to two bears
The identity of the magistrate
The characterization of the magistrate
Borachio’s drunken bragging
The identities of two arrested characters
Claudio’s behavior at the wedding
Hero’s reaction to Claudio’s insults
Don John’s statements on the significance of Hero’s reaction
Leonato’s feelings toward his daughter
Friar Francis’ feelings toward Hero
Friar Francis’ suggested course of action
Beatrice’s dramatic request of Benedick
Dogberry’s terrible interrogation
Sexton’s task
Conrade’s insults toward Dogberry
Antonio’s attempts to calm Leonato
Leonato’s decision to seek revenge
Leonato’s change of heart
Claudio’s feelings about dueling against Benedick
Don John’s decision to flee
Claudio’s rekindled affection toward Hero
Leonato’s demands of Don Pedro and Claudio
Ursula’s news
Benedick’s request of Friar Francis
News that disrupts the wedding
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 5, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. More specifically, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Connect previous plot details to current developments
Discern tone in context
Determine the greater significance of a given detail
Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including aposiopesis and metaphor
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Infer the intended effect of Shakespeare’s figurative language
Discern tone in context
Define complex and archaic words as they are used in the text
Examine cause-and-effect relationships
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including sibilance, verbal irony, and allusion
Identify the best textual evidence in support of claims and inferences
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: anon, broil, chastise, cherubin, clamor, compunctious, dun, ere, fantastical, haste, hie, hurlyburly, implore, metaphysical, mettle, pain, pine, prithee, quarrel, quoth, rapt, scarcely, spongy, and swift.
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 Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: benison, brainsickly, consort, entreat, gild, gout, groom, husbandry, incarnadine, infirm, largess, malice, multitudinous, obscure, palpable, posset, repose, stealthy, stern, suborn, summon, thither, thriftless, timely, and woeful.
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 Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abide, affliction, avaunt, avouch, barren, beldam, bent, bestow, buffet, commend, dispatch, fitful, glare, liege, marrowless, muse, parricide, pious, rebuke, rue, saucy, sirrah, sleight, and treachery.
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 Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: assail, athwart, beseech, boisterous, counsel, fair, heavy, idle, languish, lusty, moved, obscure, parlous, pernicious, portentous, princox, quarrel, sirrah, soft, sup, tetchy, vain, vexed, and woo.
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 Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abjure, appease, avaricious, blaspheme, boast, bodement, concord, deftly, desolate, doff, firstling, foison, fry, homely, impress, mortal, naught, perchance, pernicious, reign, relish, stanchless, toil, and verity.
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 Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: arbitrate, aweary, bait, bane, bough, fain, false, harbinger, hew, holily, industrious, intrenchant, kern, lily-livered, loon, mortified, perilous, prowess, purgative, rabble, raze, shadow, tarry, and unrough.
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 Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: absolve, affray, amerce, baggage, bedeck, beguiled, corse, decree, descend, fain, fond, forbear, garish, lamentation, lenity, naught, plead, runagate, slander, smatter, sullen, tedious, weraday, and wot.
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 Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: anon, baleful, beshrew, chide, discourse, doff, enmity, gyves, hap, haste, henceforth, hie, hoarse, light, loathsome, pains, perverse, pox, procure, prorogued, rash, reign, repose, and wherefore.
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 navigate William Shakespeare’s language with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of Romeo and Juliet. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the book during unexpected teacher absences. Included are 5 vocabulary application activities, 5 crossword puzzles, 5 word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
A total of 120 words are addressed: absolve, affray, alack, aloof, ambiguity, amerce, anon, apothecary, assail, athwart, baggage, baleful, bedeck, beguiled, behoveful, beseech, beshrew, boisterous, chapless, charnel, chide, churl, conceit, corse, counsel, decree, descend, descent, detestable, discern, discourse, disperse, doff, doleful, ducat, enmity, entreat, fain, fair, fond, forbear, garish, gleek, gyves, hap, haply, haste, haughty, heavy, henceforth, hie, hoarse, idle, immoderately, inauspicious, inexorable, inundation, lamentation, languish, lenity, liege, light, loathsome, lusty, meager, mouse-hunt, moved, muffle, naught, needful, obscure, obsequy, orison, pains, parlous, pennyworth, pensive, penury, pernicious, perverse, pine, plead, portentous, pox, presage, princox, privy, procure, prorogued, provision, quarrel, rash, reeky, reign, repent, repose, runagate, scourge, sirrah, slander, slug-a-bed, smatter, soft, solace, strew, sullen, sup, tedious, tetchy, treacherous, tush, vain, vexed, wail, wander, wanny, weraday, wherefore, woo, and wot.
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 Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: afflict, anon, beshrew, brevity, ducat, entreat, fain, gyve, hither, malefactions, melancholy, ominous, paragon, perchance, perpend, pigeon-livered, prithee, quarrel, rebuke, scullion, strumpet, tedious, thrice, and wherefore.
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 Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. A vocabulary application worksheet, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: aloof, ambiguity, apothecary, churl, descent, discern, disperse, ducat, haply, haughty, inauspicious, inexorable, liege, meager, muffle, obsequy, penury, pine, presage, privy, scourge, strew, tush, 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