With a decade of teaching experience, I specialize in developing student-centered ELA activities and unit plans that foster creativity and critical thinking. My resources have been tried and tested in more than 74,000 classrooms worldwide since 2013.
With a decade of teaching experience, I specialize in developing student-centered ELA activities and unit plans that foster creativity and critical thinking. My resources have been tried and tested in more than 74,000 classrooms worldwide since 2013.
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Little Mermaid.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain fairy tale, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: beckon, betrothal, bough, dowager, drab, earnestly, ethereal, hasten, heartily, idle, indifferent, melodious, mournfully, procure, timid, and trifle.
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
Maximize student engagement with fiction by integrating Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Little Mermaid” into the ELA classroom, and use this plot-based quiz to evaluate reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. The assessment may otherwise double as a guided reading worksheet. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following plot elements:
An object cherished by the little mermaid
The significance of the little mermaid’s fifteenth birthday
The reason a mermaid’s sadness is more intense than a human’s
The function of the oysters worn by the little mermaid
The cause of the little mermaid’s frustration
The little mermaid’s longing to experience life as a human
The means by which the little mermaid could obtain an immortal soul
The sea-witch’s residence
The transaction between the sea-witch and the little mermaid
The little mermaid’s emotional reaction to seeing her sisters
The reason for the prince’s visit to a nearby kingdom
A physical change in the little mermaid’s sisters
The transaction between the little mermaid’s sisters and the sea-witch
The resolution
Challenge middle and high school students to go beyond basic comprehension with this close reading inference worksheet covering Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Butterfly.” The brevity of the narrative helps fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the rigor of the activity ensures quality instruction is not sacrificed. 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
Consult reference materials as needed to learn and verify word meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Evaluate whether the protagonist is fair in his process of selecting a potential wife
Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration, foreshadowing, and situational irony
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Promote high school reading comprehension and textual analysis in classroom and distance learning contexts with close readings of “The Little Mermaid,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Red Shoes,” “The Old Tombstone,” “The Buckwheat,” “The Butterfly,” and “The Leaping Match,” all written by Hans Christian Andersen. A variety of question types are included to help prepare for standardized testing scenarios: vocabulary-in-context questions, main idea questions, detail questions, author’s craft questions, and more. Copies of all short stories are included since they are in the public domain. Word Document and PDF versions of these resources will be delivered.
By completing these exercises, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Identify textual evidence in support of claims
Write with clarity and precision
Identify examples of various literary devices including onomatopoeia, assonance, consonance, foreshadowing, simile, metaphor, inversion, personification, situational irony, dramatic irony, symbolism, and more
Discern author’s intent
Discern tone in context
Isolate factual statements about plot from falsehoods
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Analyze character interactions and motivations
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus
Articulate the significance of a given detail or details
Use the Internet to conduct brief research on the life of Hans Christian Andersen
Articulate autobiographical parallels between the author and a specific story
Discern the primary function of a given passage
Challenge middle and high school students to go beyond basic comprehension with this close reading inference worksheet covering Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Leap Frog,” also known as “The Leaping Match.” The brevity of the narrative helps fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the rigor of the activity ensures quality instruction is not sacrificed. 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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters (the frog and the king)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, double denotation, and inversion
Consider themes in context
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Challenge middle and high school students to go beyond basic comprehension with this close reading inference worksheet covering Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Red Shoes,” which focuses on a girl whose obsession with her footwear leads to supernatural events, seemingly divine punishment, and eventual redemption. A detailed 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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Discern the function of a given paragraph
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including dramatic irony, personification, symbolism, and more
Connect the text to relevant concepts in modern society, such as social mobility
Conduct research to answer questions about autobiographical parallel
Consider themes in context
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
For many high school readers, fairy tales and fantasy fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. This bundle focuses on five short stories by Hans Christian Andersen: “The Little Mermaid,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” and “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Red Shoes,” and “The Buckwheat.” English teachers may use these resources as tools for evaluating general reading comprehension, supporting the development of close reading analysis skills, and promoting homework accountability.
Included are the following: multiple choice, plot-based quizzes for each narrative; close reading analysis activities for each narrative; answer keys; and copies of each public domain short story. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
Evaluate general reading comprehension and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching Hans Christian Andersen’s classic short story “The Red Shoes.” A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, the public domain narrative, 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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Discern the function of a given paragraph
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including dramatic irony, personification, symbolism, and more
Connect the text to relevant concepts in modern society, such as social mobility
Conduct research to answer questions about autobiographical parallel
Consider themes in context
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Help middle and high school students explore literary craft with this activity covering Ursula K. Le Guin’s short story “The Wife’s Story.” With this worksheet, students will isolate and reflect upon textual details that are consistent with the conventions of supernatural and fantasy fiction. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes for an excellent addition to a short story unit for grades 6 through 12. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this literary craft analysis activity, students will:
Explore the author’s use of grammatically awkward phrases
Isolate specific details that contribute to the story’s sorrowful tone
Isolate characterization details that elicit emotional responses from readers
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on foreshadowing, redundancy, simile, and situational irony
Convey information through speech and writing in a coherent manner
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Challenge middle and high school students to think critically and support analysis of characters, plot, and literary craft with this close reading inference worksheet covering “The Wife’s Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin. A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. This close reading activity will prompt students to do the following:
Read for literal comprehension
Use context clues to find meaning in unfamiliar phrases
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the function of a given paragraph
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including anaphora, foreshadowing, personification, simile, and more
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help middle and high school students practice close reading and critical thinking with this rigorous inference worksheet covering Jack London’s short story “To Build a Fire.” From analyzing character motivations to applying knowledge of literary devices, this worksheet challenges readers to move beyond a surface-level understanding of the narrative while saving teachers valuable time in terms of lesson planning. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. An answer key is included. 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
Engage students with a classic example of adventure fiction, “To Build a Fire” by Jack London, and use this plot-based quiz to evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate purposeful reading experiences. An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the public domain short story. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The protagonist’s arrogance
The old timer’s disregarded advice
The protagonist’s husky companion
The lack of understanding of the severe climate
The omnipresent dangers of the setting
The building of the fires
The protagonist’s lack of imagination and its consequences
The protagonist’s alarming thought concerning the husky
The protagonist���s realization before his demise
Help middle and high school students explore literary craft with this activity covering Jack London’s short story “To Build a Fire.” With this worksheet, students will isolate and reflect upon textual details that are consistent with the conventions of adventure fiction and stories of setting. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes for an excellent addition to a short story unit for grades 6 through 12. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this literary craft analysis activity, students will:
Isolate examples of compelling sensory description
Isolate characterization details that elicit emotional responses from readers
Apply knowledge of figurative language
Convey information through speech and writing in a coherent manner
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
For many middle and high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Thank You, Ma’am” by Langston Hughes is a short story involving socioeconomic struggles, social pressures, the importance of second chances, and the power of empathy and forgiveness. This multiple choice quiz covering “Thank You, Ma’am” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
An attempt to steal something
The intended victim’s reaction
“Turned loose”
The washing of a character’s face
Roger’s question
Mrs. Jones’s kind offer
A reason for the act
Roger’s desire for Mrs. Jones to trust him
The resolution
Help middle and high school students explore literary craft with this activity covering Langston Hughes’ short story “Thank You, Ma’am.” With this worksheet, students will isolate and reflect upon textual details that are consistent with the conventions of realistic and young adult fiction. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the narrative, which makes for an excellent addition to a short story unit for grades 6 through 12. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this literary craft analysis activity, students will:
Isolate characterization details that elicit emotional responses from readers
Isolate examples of dialect
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, situational irony, and dramatic irony
Convey information through speech and writing in a coherent manner
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
For many middle and high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “Thank You, Ma’am” by Langston Hughes is a short story involving socioeconomic struggles, social pressures, the importance of second chances, and the power of empathy and forgiveness. With this challenging worksheet composed of high-order questions, English teachers will help students extend beyond basic reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality and rigor in the classroom. A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Discern what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly
Articulate character motivations
Analyze how a character’s behaviors reveal their life principles
Apply knowledge of metaphor to the text
Analyze the author’s choice of words conveys subtle meaning
Analyze how complex characters interact
Explore Roger’s emotional and psychological state
Cite textual evidence in support of inferences and claims
Write with clarity and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate analysis of characters and plot, and explore Langston Hughes’ use of literary elements with these worksheets and assessments for the short story “Thank You, Ma’am.” A plot-based quiz, a close reading inference worksheet, a literary craft analysis activity, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, middle and high school students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, metaphor, situational irony, and dramatic irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, support analysis of characters and plot, and help high school students explore Jack London’s use of literary elements with these worksheets and assessments for the short story “To Build a Fire.” A plot-based quiz, a vocabulary application handout, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, a close reading inference worksheet, a literary craft analysis activity, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Documents and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Discern the intended effects of the author’s narrative techniques such as the increasing frequency of shorter, choppier sentences as the narrative reaches its climax
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and simile
Support claims and inferences with relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literature
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “To Build a Fire” by Jack London. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: apathetically, appeasingly, chide, conflagration, conjectural, ensue, flotsam, intangible, mincing, poignant, reiterate, smite, subtle, temperament, and undulation.
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
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and support analysis of characters and plot with these worksheets and assessments for the short story “The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving. A plot-based quiz, a vocabulary application handout, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, a close reading inference worksheet, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
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
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on situational irony
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
