Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” (also called “Little Red Cap”). Alternatively, the assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: How people generally perceive Little Red Cap Grandmother’s expressions of affection The items Little Red Cap is instructed to bring Grandmother The reason for the delivery of items Mother’s advice to Little Red Cap Little Red Cap’s initial reaction to meeting the wolf The wolf’s methods of manipulating Little Red Cap Signs of danger at Grandmother’s house The reason the huntsman does not shoot the wolf The rescuing of Little Red Cap and her grandmother How Little Red Cap gets justice The huntsman’s reward for his efforts Information provided in the epilogue

Help middle and 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 the satirical short story “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Explore nuances in words with similar meanings in order to choose the most appropriate synonym for a given term Consider how the story conforms to conventions of fairy tale literature Discern the function of a given passage Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony and situational irony Explore implied themes about society Make a claim about which human vice is most scrutinized in the story 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 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 “Rumpelstiltskin,” a classic Grimm’s fairy tale. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will: Consult reference materials as needed to verify word meanings Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Apply knowledge of various literary devices including dramatic irony, foreshadowing, hubris, inciting incident, metaphor, and situational irony Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop 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

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 “The Flying Machine” by Ray Bradbury, a short story dealing with humanity’s fear of attack from the skies. The brevity of the narrative helps fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the objectives of the activity maintain academic rigor. An 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 as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings 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 foreshadowing, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, simile, situational irony, and more Consider themes in context Conduct research as needed to answer questions about historical 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

This 30-slide PowerPoint presentation complements a unit on memory devices and study skills for high school freshmen. The following concepts are covered in a visually pleasing manner: Memory (includes 3 brief memory exercises requiring students to attempt to remember 13 items; this always lends itself to great follow-up discussion on memory devices students used to meet their goal) Aspects of Short-term and Long-term Memory Stages of Memory Numbers and Why They Tend to Frustrate the Brain Ebbinghaus’s Memory Curve (a.k.a. “Forgetting Curve”) Contributing Factors that Influence Retention of Information Flashbulb Memory The Importance of Reviewing Information Over Time Memory Devices Mnemonics Acronyms Chunking Grouping Repetition Flashcards Imagery & Visualization

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl. 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: congeal, dazed, exasperated, luxuriate, mutter, parcel, placid, punctually, spanner, translucent, trifle, and weary. 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 go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Kate Chopin’s short story “A Pair of Silk Stockings.” An answer key and a copy of the public domain narrative are provided. 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 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 Describe the overall tone of the narrative Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques with emphasis on the decision not to give the protagonist a first name Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, and situational irony 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering “The Lurking Fear” by H.P. Lovecraft, a short story with elements of horror and supernatural fiction: ghosts, unsolved murders, secret investigations, and bizarre creatures. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate engagement with the text. 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: General description of the narrator Setting A gruesome inciting incident Preparations for an emergency escape Secondary characters and their fates Natural disasters that transpire The distinguishing physical characteristic of an antagonist The narrator’s peculiar observations Complications facing the narrator A new demonic attack A physical description of monstrous beings The beings’ horrifying behavior The resolution

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 “Dagon” by H.P. Lovecraft, a short story with elements of horror and supernatural fiction: a psychologically fragile protagonist, isolation in the middle of the ocean, the discovery of a newly risen island, and a humanoid creature. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are 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 as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques with emphasis on how the author creates and sustains an atmosphere of dread Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including consonance and foreshadowing 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 minimize assessment planning responsibilities with this close reading analysis worksheet covering George Orwell’s essay titled “Shooting an Elephant.” 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 Articulate the dominant internal conflict Determine the function of a given anecdote Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony Infer the message that the narrator’s inaction would have sent to the community Consider how the author achieves specific effects with emphasis on how the resolution provides a sense of relief Investigate autobiographical parallels, conducting brief research on the author’s life Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision

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 3, scene 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 Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices including euphemism and allusion Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Salerio and Solanio’s reaction to the news about Antonio Why Shylock is angry at Salerio and Solanio How Shylock justifies his behavior Tubal’s role Jessica’s behavior Interactions between Portia and Bassanio Bassanio’s participation in the riddle-solving contest The relationship between Gratiano and Nerissa A letter from Antonio Shylock’s self-image Portia’s reaction to news about Antonio Balthazar’s role Jessica’s perception of Portia

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 3, scene 1, 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 Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare the characters of Antonio and Shylock Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, personification, and more 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 3, 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 Compare and contrast two characters (Jessica and Portia) 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespeare’s drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Morocco’s wooing of Portia The consequences facing any man who fails to solve a riddle Launcelot’s feelings toward Shylock Old Gobbo’s condition Launcelot’s crass behavior Bassanio’s generosity toward Launcelot Gratiano’s reputation Jessica’s promise to Lorenzo Launcelot’s service to Lorenzo and Jessica Jessica’s willingness to behave criminally Jessica’s discomfort with her appearance A sign that the “right” casket is chosen Aragon’s intent The identity of a young visitor

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 9, 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 Determine the function of a given passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, allusion, and more Conduct brief online research (if necessary) to determine the symbolic value of a particular object 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 6, 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 various literary devices including situational irony, allusion, hyperbole, personification, oxymoron, and more 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