This low-prep bundle covering The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare contains all the formative and summative assessments teachers need to assess general reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and greatly reduce take-home grading responsibilities. Included are six multiple choice quizzes; twelve close reading worksheets, each covering a single scene; an end-of-unit test; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will have opportunities to perform the following tasks: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words as they are used in the text Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Determine the tone of given passages Discern the functions of given passages Examine the greater significance of a given detail Consider how the effect of humor is achieved in context Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, hyperbole, sibilance, onomatopoeia, assonance, metaphor, simile, situational irony, verbal irony, dramatic irony, and more Conduct brief research on the Roman goddess Diana and articulate the similarities between her and Katharina Conduct brief research on the four humours and articulate the findings Evaluate behavior to determine which character is most committed to their role in the charade Isolate details that represent the best textual evidence in support of claims Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Challenge high school students to go beyond basic reading comprehension and exercise close reading analysis skills while engaging with Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Each close reading activity is rigorous enough for students to find deeper meaning in the text, yet convenient enough for teachers to efficiently gather data on their students’ textual analysis skills. Included are seventeen close reading worksheets, each addressing an individual scene, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By the end of the play, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Define complex words as they are used in the text Examine nuances in words with similar meanings Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context Delve into the methods by which Shakespeare achieved narrative effects such as tension and comic relief Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact Compare and contrast several characters Conduct brief research on the four humors of classical Greek medicine to facilitate an evaluation of Benedick’s condition midway through the play Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, allusion, malapropism, personification, paradox, invective, oxymoron, symbolism, dramatic irony, situational irony, verbal irony, and more Determine the tone of given passages Discern the functions of given passages Compare elements of one scene with those of another Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s comedy The Tempest. A plot-based quiz, two close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, 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 Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic 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 Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques Describe tone in context Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters (Antonio and Sebastian) Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony 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

Measure high school reading comprehension and support analysis of Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet (Act 5) with this bundle that features a plot-based quiz and a rigorous close reading activity. By engaging with these resources, students will identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly, apply knowledge of literary devices, interpret figurative expressions, make engagement with text visible, and more. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will: Articulate what the text says explicitly and implicitly Consider author’s intent and articulate why Shakespeare may have chosen to begin this scene in a graveyard Analyze characterization to discern the gravedigger’s primary function(s) Discern the tone of a given excerpt Consider how aristocratic class privileges influence plot development Describe Hamlet’s reaction to the gravedigger’s singing, as well as the reason for his reaction Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, allusion, alliteration, dramatic irony, situational irony, and more Characterize Hamlet’s relationship with Yorick Articulate how Hamlet’s lack of emotional or psychological control is manifested physically Make logical inferences from the point of view of Hamlet Demonstrate knowledge of Claudius’s mindset Write with clarity and precision

Measure high school reading comprehension and support analysis of Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet (Act 1) with this bundle that features a plot-based quiz and rigorous close reading activities. By engaging with these resources, students will identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly, apply knowledge of literary devices, interpret figurative expressions, make engagement with text visible, and more. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Define complex words and phrases in context Verify interpretations of words and phrases using reference materials such as a dictionary and thesaurus Discern the tone of a given passage Isolate a falsehood about plot development among factual statements Analyze character actions and dialogue to discern character motivations Cite textual evidence in support of claims and ideas Discern the most adequate characterization of Horatio Analyze plot from a historical context Analyze character dialogue to discern and articulate what is implied Apply knowledge of dynamic character to the text Apply knowledge of foreshadowing to the text Identify context clues that suggest Horatio’s opinion on supernatural occurrences is correct Explain how Denmark gained authority over Norwegian lands Make an inference about author’s intent, analyzing plot to determine what is suggested about the universe and its relationship to humankind Conduct brief research to answer a question connecting Greek mythology to the drama

Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this complete bundle of worksheets composed of inference questions covering every individual scene in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. These resources will encourage students to analyze how complex characters develop, explore character motivations, interpret figurative expressions, apply knowledge of literary devices, develop greater confidence in decoding Shakespearean language, and much more. Answer keys are included. All materials are delivered in a zip file containing printable Word Document and PDF versions. Use these resources for independent or small group engagement with the text; they may lead to thoughtful discussions that contribute meaningfully to a culture of active learning in high school English classrooms. With these instructional materials, students will demonstrate the following: An ability to define complex vocabulary in context An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, theme, symbolism, dynamic character, and more An ability to identify the function of a particular passage An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim An ability to analyze context clues to discern and articulate the significance of a given detail An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly An ability to write with clarity and precision