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.
Engage middle and high school students with a classic example of adventure fiction, “To Build a Fire” by Jack London, and use this set of rigorous questions to promote close reading analysis skills. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, examining how word choices influence a reader’s interpretations, applying knowledge of literary devices, and articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Explore the author’s narrative techniques such as increasing the frequency of shorter, choppier sentences as the narrative reaches its climax
Determine author’s intent in writing that the protagonist’s limitation is that he is without imagination
Identify the protagonist’s motivation in continuing despite extremely harsh conditions
Draw logical inferences based on the fact that the dog “knew it was no time for traveling” and “its instinct told it a truer tale than was told to the man by the man’s judgment”
Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and simile
Locate textual evidence in support of claims associated with the protagonist’s self-awareness
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high schoolers go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Richard Connell’s short story “The Most Dangerous Game.” An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will do the following:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given detail
Discern tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast two characters (Zaroff and Rainsford)
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on allusion, euphemism, personification, situational irony, verbal irony, and more
Make a rational prediction about the protagonist’s future behavior given the full context of the narrative
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
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 2, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Annotate text to show active engagement
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Choose the best textual evidence in support of a claim
Apply knowledge of personification, dramatic irony, and simile
Choose a theme that is best reinforced in a given passage
Support inferences or claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
Engage high school students with a dark fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm: “The Juniper Tree.” With this close reading worksheet, students will go beyond basic reading comprehension and practice their critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills. An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes a fitting addition to a short story unit for grades 9 through 12, especially during the Halloween season. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings
Infer the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including allusion, black humor, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, onomatopoeia, personification, and more
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
Help middle and high schoolers go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering a classic Grimm’s fairy tale titled “Donkey Cabbages.” An answer key and copy of the short story are 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
Infer the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, and juxtaposition
Isolate an example of figurative language from among several options
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
Help high schoolers go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado.” An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Examine grammatically correct structure
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Discern tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and verbal irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help learners go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Discern the tone of a given excerpt
Support ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare
With this bundle of plot-based, multiple choice quizzes covering The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, high school English teachers will be able to evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and eliminate assessment planning. Answer keys are provided, as are short answer options, and all materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following key details:
Nick’s personal background
Nick’s self perception
Nick’s perception of Gatsby
The setting
Nick’s career
The contrast between West Egg and East Egg
Nick’s academic background
A character description of Daisy
A character description of Tom
A character description of Jordan
The green light in the distance
Conditions of daily life in the valley
The enormous advertisement overlooking the valley
A character description of George Wilson
A character description of Myrtle
A trip to the Morningside Heights apartments
Speculation concerning Gatsby’s background
The behavior of the party-goers (and Nick’s reaction to it)
Tom’s gift to Myrtle
Myrtle’s behavior and why it unsettles Tom
How Tom takes his anger out on Myrtle
The flamboyant nature of Gatsby’s parties
The enduring mystery of Gatsby’s background
Sensationalized rumors surrounding Gatsby
Owl Eyes’ surprising realization about Gatsby’s books
Nick and Gatsby’s shared past
Nick’s characterization of Gatsby’s smile
Gatsby’s manner of speaking to others
Gatsby’s general behavior at his own party
Gatsby’s request to see Jordan
The drunken incident involving Owl Eyes
Nick’s characterization of Jordan
The purpose of Nick’s list
The apparent inconsistencies in Gatsby’s autobiography
Gatsby’s proof to assuage Nick’s skepticism
Gatsby’s interaction with a police officer
Meyer Wolfshiem’s questionable background
Nick’s new assumption concerning Gatsby’s wealth
Gatsby’s motive to move into his West Egg mansion
A revelation concerning the green light across the water
A request Gatsby makes of Jordan
Gatsby’s efforts to convince Nick to arrange a reunion
Gatsby’s gratitude to Nick for agreeing
Daisy’s humorous response to Nick’s request that Tom not join
Examples of Gatsby’s self-conscious and nervous behavior
Daisy’s being brought to tears
Gatsby’s long nights outside staring at the green light
Klipspringer
A characterization of Gatsby’s mansion
Gatsby’s biography
Gatsby’s college experience
Gatsby’s job to pay for college
Gatsby meeting Dan Cody
Dan Cody’s influence on Gatsby
Tom’s presence in Gatsby’s house
Tom’s suspicions of Gatsby
Nick’s insight concerning Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship
The death of a dream
Gatsby’s rationale for ceasing the parties
Gatsby’s concerns that information about Daisy will be revealed
A luncheon at Tom and Daisy’s house
A revelation concerning Myrtle
Tom’s confrontation with Gatsby
Gatsby’s assured reaction to Tom’s confrontational behavior
A surprise shift in Daisy’s feelings
The death of Myrtle (what happened, who’s responsible, etc.)
Gatsby’s desire to protect Daisy from Tom
A broken promise
The gardener’s intention and Gatsby’s refusal
Nick’s judgment of Gatsby
Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes and Wilson’s interpretation of them
The death of Myrtle
Wilson’s beliefs concerning Myrtle’s death
A tragic, deadly incident
Underwhelming attendance at Gatsby’s funeral
An unexpected telegram
Henry Gatsby’s discovery of his son’s death
Young Gatsby’s self-improvement plan
A brief conversation with Klipspringer
Nick’s decision to move back to the Midwest
Nick and Jordan’s breakup
An encounter with Tom
Tom’s feelings concerning Gatsby’s death
Nick’s character assessment of Tom and Daisy
Nick’s analysis of people’s dreams
Evaluate general reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and eliminate take-home assessment planning with this bundle of instructional resources covering The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Included are formative quizzes, a summative test, and answer keys. All materials are delivered as both Word Documents and PDFs.
Help learners go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, verbal irony, situational irony, and metaphor
Support ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare
Help learners go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 4, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Support ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare
Help learners go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Support ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter six of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging in this exercise, students will:
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Explore how complex characters think, behave, and develop
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Draw reasoned inferences about characterization
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on imagery
Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements
Explore the motif of heroism
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims with relevant textual evidence
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter seven of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with this resource, students will:
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Draw reasoned inferences about characterization
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on metaphor
Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims with relevant textual evidence
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter five of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging in this exercise, students will…
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Draw reasoned inferences about characterization
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel with emphasis on dramatic irony and onomatopoeia
Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Fairy tales are not just for elementary students; even high school readers can use (and enjoy) fairy tales as a tool for practicing close reading analysis skills. This worksheet composed of rigorous questions covers “Sleeping Beauty” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1200-1300, the short story is suitable for both middle and high school students. The briefness of the narrative also makes it an appropriate time-filler for awkward gaps in teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly
Apply knowledge of literary devices including anthropomorphism, symbolism, foreshadowing, and more
Identify the story’s inciting incident
Analyze the author’s craft
Explore relationships between complex characters
Define complex words in context
Articulate conventions of the fairy tale genre
Cite textual evidence in support of inferences and claims
Write with clarity and precision
Help learners go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 4, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Support ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare
Extend reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school with this set of analysis questions covering chapter three of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. With this resource, students will focus on significant details in order to develop a deeper understanding of the novel and its craft, thus helping them contribute more meaningfully during class discussions. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging in this exercise, students will…
Analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
Determine tone in context
Define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
Draw reasoned inferences about character intent
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel
Read closely to isolate accurate statements from false statements
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help middle and high schoolers go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering chapter 12 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on imagery and figurative language
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
Help middle and high schoolers go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering chapter 13 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on dramatic irony, imagery, and symbolism
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