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.
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this bundle of resources covering chapters 12 and 13 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“Cattle of the Sun” and “Calypso”). Included are the following: a plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 12 and 13; an alternate short answer quiz option; a set of close reading analysis questions pertaining to a significant passage from chapter 13; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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 resource, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance and understatement
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this bundle of resources covering chapters 4 through 6 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“The Cyclops’ Cave,” “Keeper of the Winds,” and “Cannibal Beach”). Included are the following: a plot-based, multiple choice quiz; an alternate short answer quiz option; a set of close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with this resource, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words as they are used in a given passage
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, dramatic irony, and simile
Apply knowledge of sound devices including sibilance
Locate relevant textual details in support of the claim that Ulysses was the only crew member with the ability to think critically in the face of danger
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact with one another
Select the most appropriate synonym for a word as it is used in the novel
Isolate a true statement about plot from a set of false statements
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this bundle of resources covering chapter 16 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“The Return”). Included are the following: a plot-based, multiple choice quiz; a set of close reading analysis questions pertaining to a significant passage; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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 resource, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the statement that best reflects Eumaeus’s feelings toward the beggar
Define complex words in context
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials
Discern what Eumaeus’s comments about the suitors imply about them
Compare two complex characters (Athene and Ulysses)
Analyze the author’s craft
Discern the author’s intent
Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany
Explore themes that are reinforced in the given passage
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this bundle of resources covering the prologue through chapter 3 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin. A multiple choice, plot-based quiz is included along with a set of rigorous, high-order questions. Answer keys are also provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Examine the author’s phrasing in order to make logical inferences about character motivations
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact with one another
Discern the nature of character relationships
Select the best synonym for a given word as it is used in the text
Apply knowledge of foreshadowing
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this bundle of resources covering chapters 8 through 11 of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“The Land of the Dead” through “Scylla and Charybdis”). Included are the following: a plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering chapters 8 through 11; a set of close reading analysis questions pertaining to a significant passage from chapter 8; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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 resource, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Explore how the author establishes a supernatural atmosphere
Apply knowledge of literary devices including irony and sibilance
Discern the most logical interpretation of the author’s intent
Explore character motivations and modes of thinking
Discern the most logical inference regarding Ulysses’ feelings toward the gods
Analyze the author’s word choices to better understand how they influence meaning
Isolate a false statement about plot from correct statements
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this bundle of resources covering chapter seven of The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin (“Circe”). Included are the following: a plot-based, multiple choice quiz; an alternate short answer quiz option; a set of close reading analysis questions pertaining to a significant passage; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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 resource, students will:
Discern the reason for Ulysses’ reluctance in terms of advancing toward the castle
Apply knowledge of literary concepts including internal conflict and personification
Discern the significance of the white deer’s appearance
Define complex words and phrases in the context of a passage
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials
Determine which given adjective is most suitable to Ulysses in context
Explore the setting’s influence on Ulysses’ psychological state
Discern a logical inference in context
Isolate a false statement about plot from correct statements
For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Robot Dreams” by Isaac Asimov is a cautionary short story involving humanity’s commitment to developing artificial intelligence. This bundle of assessments helps English teachers evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and promote homework accountability—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. 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
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Define complex words as they are used in the text
Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, pun, and personification
Analyze sentence structures with emphasis on the use of an appositive phrase
Analyze the author’s stylistic choice to capitalize common noun phrases
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials
Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this bundle of resources for teaching Lord of the Flies by William Golding (chapter 11). A multiple choice, plot-based quiz is included along with a set of rigorous, high-order questions. Answer keys are also provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices (personification)
Discern the greater significance of a given detail
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language
Make logical inferences about character behavior
Analyze character intentions and motivations
Define complex words and phrases in context
Identify textual evidence in support of a claim
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this bundle of resources for teaching Lord of the Flies by William Golding (chapter 10). A multiple choice, plot-based quiz is included along with a set of rigorous, high-order questions. Answer keys are also provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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 resource, students will:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices (metaphor, simile, personification, imagery, situational irony, and syncope)
Make logical inferences about Ralph’s psychological state in the context of a passage
Explore character motivations
Discern the greater significance of a given detail
Explain how a given phrase is a euphemism and why the author chose to employ this device
Articulate the purpose of Wilfred’s brutal punishment in terms of plot development
Identify textual evidence in support of a claim
Write with clarity and precision
Evaluate reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this bundle of resources for teaching Lord of the Flies by William Golding (chapter 12). A multiple choice, plot-based quiz is included along with a set of rigorous, high-order questions. Answer keys are also provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with this resource, students will:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices (personification, aposiopesis, sibilance, and situational irony)
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language
Make logical inferences about character behavior
Analyze character intentions and motivations
Analyze the author’s craft to articulate how the incorporation of frequent em-dashes contributes to storytelling
Articulate the significance of a given detail
Conduct brief research on the author and identify examples of autobiographical parallel
Identify textual evidence in support of a claim
Write with clarity and precision
Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Queen Bee” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about the importance of protecting the vulnerable and the positive effects of performing good deeds for others. This bundle of assessments helps English teachers evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and promote homework accountability—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. 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
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Explore how a particular passage contributes to character development
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on situational irony, foreshadowing, and assonance
Articulate a relevant theme
Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary material
For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut is a satirical, cautionary short story about governmental efforts to enforce equality on all citizens. This bundle of assessments helps English teachers evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and promote homework accountability—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. 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
Discern the narrative’s point of view
Isolate an example of figurative language from among several options
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Define complex words as they are used in the text
Use context clues to infer the author’s intent
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, paradox, oxymoron, simile, onomatopoeia, situational irony, and dramatic irony
Explore theme
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials
Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Engage a variety of middle and high school students with the incorporation of Grimm’s fairy tales into the classroom. “The Sea Hare” by the Brothers Grimm is a short story about characters who defy expectations in order to achieve personal goals. This bundle of assessments helps English teachers evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and promote homework accountability—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Evaluate whether the relationship between the princess and the young suitor is healthy or unhealthy
Explore aspects of the princess’ characterization that make her sympathetic to the audience
Define complex words as they are used in the text
Compare and contrast characters (the young suitor and the previous 99)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, symbolism, foreshadowing, and dramatic irony
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Defend claims and ideas with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary material
“Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros is a coming-of-age short story involving a girl who, for the first time, experiences public marginalization and must learn to navigate an unjust world. This bundle of assessments helps English teachers evaluate reading comprehension, support the development of close reading skills, and promote homework accountability. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in teaching schedules. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. With these resources, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Isolate the story’s inciting incident
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Identify the narrative’s antagonist
Evaluate the significance of the teacher’s last name (Price) given the context of the plot
Argue in support of the claim that the protagonist is smarter and wiser than a typical eleven-year-old
Predict how Rachel will be affected by her embarrassing classroom experience
Explore the symbolic meaning behind the phrases “big red mountain” and “runaway balloon”
Discern the tone of a given excerpt
Explore theme
Defend claims with valid reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class/leave class better prepared to discuss literary materials
Conclude a unit on Shakespeare’s Othello with this summative test and answer key. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate general knowledge of character actions, dialogue, and motivations. In addition, they will explore the significance of selected passages and apply knowledge of literary devices such as situational irony and dramatic irony. Finally, students will write with clarity, accuracy, and precision in response to a prompt requiring them to analyze Iago and support the claim that he is a weak villain. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
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 Tomb” by H.P. Lovecraft, a short story with elements of Gothic fantasy that evokes the works of Edgar Allan Poe. A detailed answer key and copy of the public domain narrative, which is especially fitting for the Halloween season, are provided. 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
Make logical inferences about the author’s inspiration
Examine how the protagonist is introduced
Explore the functions of given paragraphs
Examine cause-and-effect relationships
Discern the intended effect of the author’s diction
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Examine the connotative significance of words or phrases
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification and onomatopoeia
Draw parallels between the narrator and the mythical figure Theseus
Articulate how a particular paragraph contributes to character development
Explore the symbolic importance of incidents and objects including the extinguishing of light and a lightning bolt
Examine the nature of the relationship between the narrator and his family
Explain an example of situational irony in the context of a given paragraph
Consider the role of an unreliable narrator in the context of the plot
Justify responses with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence
Write ideas 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 Lurking Fear” by H.P. Lovecraft, a short story with elements of horror and supernatural fiction: ghosts, unsolved murders, secret investigations, and bizarre creatures. 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 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
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance and sibilance
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 literaturetly and implicitly
Write with clarity, logic, and precision
Help high school students improve fluency, stamina, text comprehension, and close reading analysis of the formal elements of fiction with this resource for teaching “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett. Additional materials are included to facilitate planning for unexpected teacher absences. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Included are the following:
Public domain short story. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1200 to 1300, the narrative is a suitable selection for high school English Language Arts classes.
Close reading analysis worksheet. By engaging with this exercise, students will articulate what is stated explicitly and implicitly; provide a description of the narrative’s setting; analyze how complex characters think, interact, and behave; explore the dynamic transformation of a character; discern the tone of a given passage; explore cause-and-effect relationships; compare and contrast characters; apply knowledge of literary devices including simile and anthropomorphism; explore how the author achieves effects such as conveying a sense of awe; conduct brief online research; cite textual evidence in support of claims; and write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision. Questions are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Close reading analysis worksheet answer key.
Low-prep lesson plan for unexpected absences. This comes pre-filled with learning targets and agenda items. Space is also designated for classroom teachers to identify the name(s) of their class(es), the hour(s) of their class(es), student leaders, and upcoming homework assignments and assessments.
Bell ringer activity. Help a substitute teacher engage students (and find time to take attendance) with a thematically linked writing prompt.
Miscellaneous performance task handouts. Extend student thinking and learning in the event of unexpected absences with this item outlining creative tasks pertaining to the short story. For example, students may write poetry or journal entries from the perspective of a character; write a brief retelling of the narrative from a different character’s perspective; explore the thematic significance of stories; review the overall quality of the narrative with objectivity and supporting evidence; and more.
For many high school readers, age-appropriate fantasy and fairy tale fiction are genres that maximize engagement with literature. With this worksheet composed of rigorous questions on “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen, English teachers will help students extend beyond reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative (estimated Lexile Range 810-1000) are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, 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 alliteration, consonance, sibilance, situational irony, dramatic irony, metaphor, personification, inversion, and hyperbole
Discern author’s intent
Analyze the author’s incorporation of multiple similes to discern and explain what they have in common and what purpose(s) they serve
Discern tone in context
Identify and explain an example of situational irony in a given passage
Articulate why mermaids suffer sadness more strongly than humans
Articulate why there is a merry atmosphere aboard the prince’s ship
Identify and explain an example of dramatic irony in a given passage
Analyze the mermaid’s character to discern how she is naïve
Articulate factors that contribute to the little mermaid’s strife
Analyze how the little mermaid undergoes dynamic transformation
Isolate a factual statement about plot from falsehoods
Articulate the obstacles facing the little mermaid, according to her grandmother
Make logical inferences about the mermaid’s psychological state given her statements, thoughts, and actions
Infer why the little mermaid is most disturbed by the discovery of a mermaid’s skeleton in the sea-witch’s home
Analyze the character of the sea-witch to discern how she is portrayed as an antagonist
Define words and phrases in the context of a passage
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials such as a dictionary or thesaurus
Articulate the personal sacrifices the little mermaid will make in order to have a chance at gaining love and an immortal soul
Explain what makes a given scenario ironic
Analyze the relationship between the little mermaid and the prince to discern and articulate how it is unhealthy
Articulate the significance of a given detail or details
Analyze the little mermaid’s actions the night before the prince’s wedding to determine which virtues she exhibits
Articulate an internal conflict facing the little mermaid
Identify what the Daughters of the Air say about the effect of heat on human psychology
Explain the irony of the story’s resolution
With this printable bundle of high school resources for teaching “The Man to Send Rain Clouds” by Leslie Marmon Silko, educators will measure reading comprehension with a multiple choice quiz on character and plot and support high-order thinking with a set of close reading analysis questions. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in 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, ultimately, will present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly, concisely, and appropriately, thereby helping their peers comprehend their thinking.
By completing these exercises, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern and articulate Leon’s motivation to keep Teofilo’s death a secret
Analyze Louise’s actions to discern and articulate what they reveal about her mindset
Analyze how character interactions contribute to the development of internal conflict
Locate textual evidence in support of the claim that the priest is not very familiar with his community
Articulate a reason for Leon to feel content
Make a claim about character beliefs in the context of the entire narrative
Apply knowledge of symbolism, choosing an object that represents an abstract and significant idea
Write with clarity, logic, and precision