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.
For many high school students, humorous fiction, tall tales, and satire are types of literature that maximize interest and engagement. “The Devil and Daniel Webster” by Stephen Vincent Benet is a representative short story with great literary and academic merit. With this set of rigorous questions to complement the reading of “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” English Language Arts teachers will help students exercise close reading analysis skills. 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 exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, metaphor, simile, allusion, and onomatopoeia
Discern the intended effect of the author’s word choices
Analyze a given detail to discern what it foreshadows
Identify several textual details in support of the claim that the stranger is the devil
Explain the complication that threatens to derail the trial for both Daniel Webster and Jabez Stone
Articulate how Daniel Webster overcomes the aforementioned complication
Identify several details that convey Daniel Webster’s personal strength.
Write with clarity and precision
Fairy tales are not just for elementary students; even high school readers can use (and enjoy) fairy tales as a tool for measuring general reading comprehension. This multiple choice quiz 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 assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
A frog’s prophecy
The reason for a feast
The reason for inviting the Wise Women
The reason one of the Wise Women was not invited
An angry proclamation
A princess’ discovery in the tower
Supernatural events affecting people and animals in the vicinity of the castle
Supernatural events affecting the castle itself
The efforts of princes to locate Briar Rose
The resolution
Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how the Brothers Grimm used characterization, description, and various literary devices including hubris and symbolism to establish a mood in “Sleeping Beauty” that is consistent with the conventions of fairy tale writing. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included.
Engage middle and high school students with a classic example of adventure fiction, “To Build a Fire” by Jack London, and use this assessment to promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension. An answer key is included, as well as a copy of the public domain short story. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and 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
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter three of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The horses’ skills
Boxer’s slogan
The characterization of Benjamin
An object of great significance
The interaction between the cat and the sparrow
The contentious nature of the relationship between Napoleon and Snowball
Snowball’s decision regarding the seven commandments
Napoleon’s perspective on education
The pigs’ justification for inequity benefitting them
Intimidation tactics
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter one of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
The consequences of Mr. Jones’ alcoholism
Old Major’s species
The reason for Old Major’s oration
Old Major’s assessment of England’s climate
The “only real enemy” Old Major believes animals have
An essential claim made by Old Major
An issue on which animals vote
Old Major’s commandments
“Beasts of England”
Mr. Jones’ reaction to thinking there is a fox on his property
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter two of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The animal who was absent from Old Major’s speech
The fate of Old Major
The significance of Napoleon and Snowball
The Commandments of Animalism
Moses’ statements on what happens after an animal dies
Why Moses is disliked by the other animals
Mollie’s conflict
The most loyal disciples of Animalism
The cause of Mr. Jones’ worsening emotional state
Details about the Revolution
The passing of a resolution
Snowball’s instructions to the animals at the end of the chapter
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter four of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The important role of the pigeons
The characterization of Pilkington and Frederick
The nature of the relationship between Pilkington and Frederick
A rumor circulating around Animal Farm
Snowball’s research
Injured animals
Boxer’s terrible concern
An animal who goes missing
The name of the battle that transpired
The identity of an animal killed in battle
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter five of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Mollie’s life-changing decision
Napoleon’s strategies for disrupting Snowball’s speeches
The growing rift between Snowball and Napoleon
Napoleon’s priorities
Napoleon’s treatment of Snowball’s drawn-up plans
A dangerous incident that precedes Snowball’s departure
Napoleon’s big decision about community meetings
Intimidation tactics
Squealer’s accusations
Boxer’s new motto
Details concerning Sunday ceremonies
Napoleon’s surprise announcement
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter seven of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The humans’ belief about the fate of the windmill
Napoleon’s dynamic character
The deaths of nine hens
Squealer’s allegations
Napoleon’s lies
Immoral tactics used against the animals
Boxer’s reaction to the animal-on-animal violence
Clover’s reaction to the animal-on-animal violence
The decision related to the anthem “Beasts of England”
Promote homework accountability, measure reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and encourage deeper analysis of fiction with this bundle of teaching resources covering chapter 7 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. A set of close reading questions and a plot-based quiz are provided, along with answer keys. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats. Students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Make logical inferences about characters’ intentions, motivations, and beliefs
Apply knowledge of sonic devices including assonance, sibilance, onomatopoeia, and cacophony
Explain how Napoleon is a dynamic character
Identify an example of foreshadowing in the chapter
Conduct brief research on Joseph Stalin’s regime
Identify historical parallels between Stalin’s leadership and Napoleon’s
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Justify written responses with reasoning and/or textual evidence
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of 10 plot-based quizzes covering each individual chapter of Animal Farm by George Orwell. These quizzes may otherwise serve as guided reading worksheets to facilitate focused engagement with fiction. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter ten of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and 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
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter nine of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Boxer’s medical condition
The raising of Napoleon’s children
Details concerning spontaneous demonstrations
Animal Farm’s classification
Napoleon’s official title
New allegations against Snowball
The re-appearance of a character
The effect the re-appearance has on the community
The collapsing of an overworked animal
Benjamin’s distressing belief
Squealer’s newest misinformation campaign
Promote homework accountability, measure reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and encourage deeper analysis of fiction with this bundle of teaching resources covering chapter 9 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. A set of close reading questions and a plot-based quiz are provided, along with answer keys. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats. Students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Make logical inferences about characters’ intentions and motivations
Analyze character relationships
Analyze a particular detail to infer the author’s intent
Articulate the irony associated with the word republic
Explore the motif of hypocrisy
Articulate how the pigs demonstrate contradictory thinking and actions
Write about literature with clarity and precision
Justify written responses with reasoning and/or textual evidence
“A Strange Story” by O. Henry is a narrative packed with situational irony, yet it is short enough to compensate for awkward gaps in teaching schedules. With this plot-based quiz covering the short story, teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. Additionally, the brevity of the narrative helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule. An answer key is provided, as well as a copy of the public domain text. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
The family’s last name
A character’s medical condition
The reason for a character’s departure
The effects of a character’s disappearance
Similarities between characters
Ironic coincidences
The resolution
This summative test covers William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It and includes an answer key, as well as a standards-based rubric for scoring essays. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Demonstrate knowledge significant characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events throughout the play
Identify the context of meaningful quotations in the play
Apply knowledge of a variety of literary devices applied in the play including hyperbole, metaphor, oxymoron, allusion, personification, and more
Respond to an essay prompt requiring students to explore the theme of bravery and its effects on a character in the play
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this bundle of assessments covering chapters 14 and 15 of Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Included are the following: a plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, and answer keys. These activities eliminate the need for take-home assessment planning without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern the greater significance and intended effects of given details
Make logical inferences about the author’s thinking in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Consider the symbolism associated with Mazer Rackham
Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on situational irony
Explore themes in context
With this summative test covering the entirety of the science fiction novel Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, English teachers will evaluate students’ reading comprehension, essay writing skills, and ability to analyze key aspects of plot. Included are the following: an answer key, standards-based rubric, and test prep study guide. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Demonstrate knowledge of primary and secondary characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events that take place throughout the novel
Evaluate substantive excerpts for deeper meaning
Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, anaphora, dramatic irony, euphemism, foreshadowing, hubris, hyperbole, imagery, invective, metaphor, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, and verbal irony
Respond to an essay prompt about the protagonist’s isolation, arguing whether he is better or worse off for having been isolated
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
Support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous activities covering the science fiction novel Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Each worksheet eliminates the need for take-home assessment planning without sacrificing academic rigor. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define challenging words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern the greater significance and intended effects of given details
Consider historical context when answering questions about plot
Make logical inferences about the author’s thinking in context
Discern the tone of given excerpts
Determine the function of a given chapter
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast characters (Ender and Peter)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism, personification, simile, metaphor, epiphany, pun, foreshadowing, invective, euphemism, allusion, paradox, ambiguity, anaphora, rhetorical questioning, situational irony, verbal irony, and dramatic irony
Explore themes in context
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
