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.
Help students go beyond basic comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 10 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The nature and variety of question types also facilitate preparation for standardized testing scenarios. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed
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 various literary devices including euphemism, metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, situational irony, 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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz on chapter 8 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Jack’s calling of an assembly
Information Jack shares with the group
Simon’s suggestion to seek the beast
Piggy’s suggestion to improve their odds of rescue
Ralph’s reaction to Piggy’s suggestion
Boys’ abandonment of Ralph’s faction
Piggy’s reaction to the boys’ abandonment of Ralph’s faction
The savage behavior of Jack’s faction
Jack’s invitation
Simon’s peculiar encounter in the jungle
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz on chapter 10 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Piggy’s explanation of Simon’s death
Ralph’s sense of personal accountability
Jack’s explanation for the physical appearance of the beast
Roger’s status within Jack’s tribe
The conflicted feelings of several of Jack’s followers
Jack’s warnings to his followers
Jack’s plan to steal fire
Sam and Eric’s emotional and psychological state
The fate of Piggy’s eyeglasses
Evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability with this plot-based quiz on chapter 9 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Simon’s disturbing experience
Ralph and Piggy’s socialization
Piggy’s suggestion to join Jack’s faction
How Piggy is injured
How Ralph and Piggy express disobedience
Ralph’s curiosity about the hunters’ lack of storm preparations
Participants in the ritualistic dance
Simon’s warnings
The reaction to Simon’s sudden appearance
The fate of the pilot’s corpse
Measure reading comprehension and support analysis of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger (chapters 5-6) with this bundle, which features a plot-based quiz and close reading exercises. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
Copyright restrictions prohibit the inclusion of complete literary works, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with access to the novel.
By engaging in these exercises, students will:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explain the significance of a given detail
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Analyze Holden to discern his motivations for inviting Ackley to the movies and for not chucking the snowball at snow-covered objects
Analyze the author’s craft to discern what the placement of a particular sentence reflects about Holden’s mindset
Identify details that support the claim that Allie is a nonconformist, both by choice and chance
Apply knowledge of hyperbole
Demonstrate knowledge of Holden’s superstitious tendencies
Articulate the reason Holden did not break the windows of the station wagon
Articulate the unintended consequence of an action
Analyze what makes a particular paragraph emotionally impactful
Articulate how Holden’s traumas have affected him
Explain why it is unfair for Stradlater to be so mad at Holden over the composition
Articulate why Stradlater’s criticism of Holden is hypocritical
Articulate why Holden is offended by a particular remark
Identify what provokes a physical altercation
Analyze how Holden interprets Stradlater’s rejection of the composition
Articulate the implied motivation for Holden to visit Ackley
Measure reading comprehension and support analysis of Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger (chapters 1-2) with this bundle, which features a plot-based quiz and close reading exercises. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for small-group discussions. Through these discussions, students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development, demonstrating an ability to analyze how complex characters transform and advance the plot and themes by applying logic and citing compelling, meaningful textual evidence. They will also evaluate their peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to advance claims, clarifying or challenging unclear ideas. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
Copyright restrictions prohibit the inclusion of complete literary works, so the purchaser is responsible for providing students with access to the novel.
By engaging in these exercises, students will:
Articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explain the significance of a given detail
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Analyze the author’s craft to discern how language contributes to the narrator’s psychological state
Explore character motivations
Analyze the author’s craft to discern how Holden attempts to control the readers’ impressions of him
Analyze the significance of Holden’s allusion to David Copperfield in terms of how it establishes his character
Analyze Holden’s use of figurative language to discern meaning
Identify the factors that contribute to Holden’s perceptions of Selma
Consider plot developments from Holden’s point of view, articulating why it is not a big deal that he has been expelled from school
Identify several examples of colloquial language
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and overstatement
Identify textual details that convey Holden’s sense of isolation
Identify context clues that suggest Holden’s family is wealthy
Articulate what makes Holden’s visit to see Mr. Spencer unsettling
Explore how Holden’s interactions with adults contribute to his self-worth
Interpret idiomatic expressions in context
Analyze Mr. Spencer’s motivations
Analyze Holden’s curiosities about ducks and what they reveal about his moral compass
Identify and explain an example of situational irony
Infer how Holden feels about the idea of getting older
Analyze the phrase “good luck” from Holden’s perspective
Articulate a primary function of chapter two
For many high school students, the horror genre promotes more active engagement with literature. “The Terrible Old Man” by H.P. Lovecraft is a concise horror story featuring plot elements such as robbery, a character who dabbles in the occult, and mutilated corpses—making the narrative a particularly compelling read during the Halloween season. This multiple choice quiz on “The Terrible Old Man” helps English teachers promote homework accountability, evaluate reading comprehension, and save time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
Rumors circulating about the Terrible Old Man
Details that suggest something sinister about the Terrible Old Man
What curious people see when they look into the Terrible Old Man’s window
A peculiar habit of the Terrible Old Man
The means by which three men in the story make their living
An alarming physical characteristic of the Terrible Old Man
A disturbing discovery
An implied hobby of the Terrible Old Man
The background of the Terrible Old Man
Looking for a high school horror story resource for the Halloween season? Looking for a text to pair with “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe or a similar narrative? Use this plot-based quiz to evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities. The quiz may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate student engagement with the short story. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
What the protagonists do with the artifacts they collect
The conditions under which the protagonists prefer to do their work
Setting
Surprising discoveries inside a coffin
A physical description of the amulet
The effect the amulet seems to have on the protagonists
The manner of St. John’s death
Details of an assault against the narrator
The narrator’s epiphany
An ironic turn of events
The disturbing visual of the corpse inside the coffin
The fate of the narrator
Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Sonnet X, also known as “Death be Not Proud,” by metaphysical poet John Donne. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
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 with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal and interpretive comprehension
Apply knowledge of setting, characterization, conflict, and literary devices
Be better prepared to engage in collaborative discussions about poetry
Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Gary Soto’s short story “The No-Guitar Blues.” A detailed answer key is provided. 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 and implicitly
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 dramatic irony, metaphor, and simile
Consider themes in context
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 general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Chinua Achebe’s short story “Dead Men’s Path.” 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 both explicitly and implicitly
Determine the narrative’s dominant conflict
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Explore character motivations
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and situational irony
Determine the function of a particular passage
Make an inference about the author’s point of view
Articulate the intended effect of the author’s diction in context
Cite textual evidence in support of claims
Write with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities for teaching the short story “The No-Guitar Blues” by Gary Soto. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, 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:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
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 dramatic irony, metaphor, and simile
Consider themes in context
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 George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about the Party’s influence on relationship development from Book 2, chapter 3, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of sound and literary devices including sibilance and dramatic 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
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 George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984. Featuring a brief passage about Winston’s evolving feelings toward Julia from Book 2, chapter 4, this activity may be assigned as independent homework or as a collaborative classroom exercise. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading worksheet, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques
Determine the tone of a given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dynamic character and 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
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter six of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The year-to-year comparison of the harvest
A newly instituted policy
Squealer’s method of convincing animals the new policy is acceptable
The pigs’ collective lifestyle
Napoleon’s big announcement
Revisions to existing commandments
Muriel’s skill
Benjamin’s general characterization
The fate of the windmill
Napoleon’s response to the windmill’s fate
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter eight of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Further modifications to existing commandments
The reason Squealer presents the animals with statistics
The fate of three hens
Napoleon’s announcements
Frederick’s forgeries
Details about the attack on Animal Farm
A discovery made by the pigs
Squealer’s newest allegations against Snowball
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter ten of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Working conditions and general quality of life
The elimination of once common aspects of Animal Farm
A new slogan at Animal Farm
Physical changes to the pigs
The farm’s name change
The reason humans return to the farm
The single remaining commandment
The nature of the interaction between pigs and humans
A conflict between Napoleon and Pilkington
The working animals’ observation of the interaction between pigs and humans
Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 1 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the function of a given passage
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and verisimilitude
Conduct brief research on the beliefs of German philosopher Karl Marx
Articulate whether Major’s speech reflects a belief in Marxist ideology
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 2 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the function of a given passage
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate the significance of the animals’ decision to rename the farm
Explore themes in context
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 students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 5 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Reflect on the theme of forbidden pleasures in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and situational 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 literature