For many high school readers, realistic and young adult fiction are genres that maximize relatability and engagement with literature. “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst is a story about overcoming obstacles, family pressures, the unintended consequences of one’s actions, and more. With this bundle of high school resources covering “The Scarlet Ibis,” English teachers will save valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. Included are the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a worksheet composed of rigorous close reading analysis questions; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. With these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Explore how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Discern the function of a particular paragraph Apply knowledge of various literary devices including oxymoron, idiom, personification, dramatic irony, hubris, and more Determine the tone of a particular excerpt Conduct brief research online to make sense of setting and an allusion Interpret the intended effect of a given passage on the audience List several similarities between Doodle and the scarlet ibis Infer Doodle’s attitude toward mortality based on his treatment of the dead bird Examine a passage to identify several narrative techniques used to intensify suspense Explore the traditional symbolism associated with rain in order to make sense of the phrase “heresy of rain” as it is used in the story Support claims and ideas with reasoned thinking and relevant textual evidence Write ideas 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 materials for teaching the satirical short story “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, 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: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques 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

Fairy tales are not just for elementary school students; even middle and high school students can use fairy tale literature as a tool for evaluating general reading comprehension and sharpening close reading analysis skills. This bundle of instructional resources covers “Rumpelstiltskin” by the Brothers Grimm and includes the following: a multiple choice, plot-based quiz; a set of rigorous close reading questions; the public domain short story; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Articulate the narrative’s inciting incident Locate and explain examples of dramatic irony Explore character motivations Examine how complex characters think, behave, and interact with others Support the claim that the hobgoblin is responsible for the maiden’s discovery Determine a relevant theme after reading the entire story Cite textual evidence in defense of claims and statements Write ideas 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 materials for teaching “Games at Twilight” by Anita Desai, a short story about a young boy whose youthful determination and immaturity lead to a difficult outcome he is not prepared to process emotionally or intellectually. 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 Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Discern the function of given detail Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, personification, foreshadowing, imagery, paradox, situational irony, dramatic irony, and more 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 support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Chinua Achebe’s short story “Dead Men’s Path.” 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 Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques Determine the function of a particular passage Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing 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