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 general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a reading guide, a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, six close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, imagery, personification, and more
Choose an applicable theme in the context of a scene
Support claims or 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 support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a reading guide, a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, six close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the significance of a given detail
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Draw logical inferences about the author’s stylistic choices
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, allusion, metaphor, simile, situational irony, and onomatopoeia
Analyze the author’s paradoxical language to discern a theme related to love
Isolate examples of punning language
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Identify the best textual evidence in support of a claim
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of plot-based quizzes covering each Act of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The assessments may double as guided reading worksheets to facilitate active engagement with Shakespearean drama. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Antonio’s lack of awareness in terms of the cause of his sadness
Why Salerio and Solanio think Antonio is unsettled
Salerio’s stated belief concerning human emotions
Gratiano’s thoughts on sad men
Bassanio’s motive for needing money
Antonio’s generosity
Why Portia is sad, according to Nerissa
The condition under which Portia is allowed to marry
Nerissa’s role in Portia’s life
Shylock’s profession
The quality that most distinguishes Shylock
The reason for Shylock’s resentment toward Antonio
Shylock’s deal with Antonio
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
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
The Duke’s interactions with Shylock
Antonio’s reaction to his circumstances
Shylock’s self-image
Bassanio’s efforts to save Antonio
The Duke’s indecision
What Antonio wants Bassanio to do for him
Nerissa’s disguise
Portia’s disguise
Why Shylock won’t receive his pound of flesh
Shylock’s crimes and consequences
Bassanio’s ring
How Lorenzo and Jessica perceive themselves
Lorenzo’s talking about the calming music of the stars
Stephano’s message
Portia’s insistence that everyone keep a secret from her husband
How Portia and Nerissa deceive their husbands
Antonio’s relationship with Bassanio
News of Antonio’s ships
News from Nerissa
Gratiano’s crude humor
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A plot-based quiz, nine close reading worksheets (one per scene), 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:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic 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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Describe tone in context
Determine the functions of various passages
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast two characters (Jessica and Portia)
Consider the motif of the guest-host relationship and argue whether Portia conforms to the expectations of a good host, or whether she fails to meet expectations and represents a bad host
Apply knowledge of many literary devices with emphasis on allusion, hyperbole, dramatic irony, situational irony, personification, symbolism, invective, juxtaposition, and metaphor
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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A plot-based quiz, five close reading worksheets (one per scene), 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:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic 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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast two characters (Antonio and Shylock; Portia and Antonio)
Apply knowledge of many literary devices with emphasis on metaphor, oxymoron, onomatopoeia, allusion, personification, symbolism, invective, and euphemism
Consider themes in context
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 support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A plot-based quiz, three close reading worksheets (one per scene), 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:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic 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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Describe tone in context
Determine the functions of various passages
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast two characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and situational irony
Conduct brief research as needed to answer a question about a biblical allusion
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
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement H.P. Lovecraft’s short story “The Outsider.” The following are included: a crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. 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
Gothic fiction, fantasy, and horror are genres that appeal to many high school readers, and H.P. Lovecraft checks all the boxes. Promote active literary engagement with this bundle of reading comprehension quizzes and close reading analysis activities covering a variety of Lovecraft’s short stories: “The Outsider,” “The Beast in the Cave,” “The Tomb,” “The Cats of Ulthar,” “The Hound,” and “The Moon Bog.” Answer keys and copies of public domain narratives are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
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 Outsider” by H.P. Lovecraft. A plot-based quiz, a close reading worksheet, a craft analysis exercise, 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:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Determine 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
Describe tone in context
Determine the function of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, hyperbole, personification, situational irony, symbolism, 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
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 As You Like It. 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
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 the scene
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor and personification
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 navigate William Shakespeare’s language with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of As You Like It. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the play during unexpected teacher absences. Included are 5 vocabulary application activities, 5 crossword puzzles, 5 word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
A total of 126 words are addressed: abominable, abruptly, acquit, allottery, amble, anon, array, base, bastinado, bequeath, bestow, boast, boisterous, boorish, bough, caparison, capricious, carlot, chanticleer, chaste, chide, churlish, cicatrice, clamorous, comely, commend, compact, conjure, contrive, counsel, countenance, descend, desolation, discord, dissuade, ditty, dowry, dulcet, effect, elegy, entreat, erewhile, exult, fain, feign, flout, forbear, gallant, gilded, heartily, hoarse, hornmaker, husbandry, idle, irk, jointure, knavery, lament, languish, leer, lief, lo, lusty, malice, mar, melancholy, mirth, miser, moonish, murmur, mutton, nimble, nuptial, obscure, odious, osier, pains, pard, parlous, peevish, penury, perpend, pilgrimage, politic, pompous, prate, prithee, purgation, purlieus, quarrel, rascally, reign, relish, resolute, rudiments, rumination, salutation, sans, sententious, servitude, shrewd, simper, sinewy, sirrah, slander, smirch, stern, sullen, sunder, swift, swoon, synod, tedious, thrice, treacherous, umber, uncouth, unkept, valiant, vehemence, venerable, waspish, weary, wherefore, whither, and woo.
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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, seven close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic 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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Determine the function of a given scene
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as personification, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, allusion, paradox, situational irony, and more
Consider themes in context
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 support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It. A plot-based quiz, three close reading worksheets (one per scene), a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Determine the meanings of unfamiliar and archaic 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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and dramatic techniques
Determine the function of a given scene
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text including foreshadowing, situational irony, and dramatic irony
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 7, of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. 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
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 literary devices including simile, personification, and situational irony
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 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. 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
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 literary devices including idiom
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 3, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. 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
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 the scene
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion and situational irony
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 3, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. 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
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
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 As You Like It. 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:
Duke Frederick’s newest command of Oliver
Orlando’s love poem
Touchstone’s mockery
Touchstone and Corin’s debate over what constitutes a moral person
Corin’s lack of education
Rosalind’s concern about Orlando finding her attractive
Rosalind’s offer to help cure Orlando of love
Touchstone’s flirtatiousness with Audrey
Celia’s criticism of Orlando
Silvius’ feelings toward Phebe
The characterization of Phebe
The reason for Rosalind’s agitation
Phebe’s romantic feelings toward Rosalind
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 4, of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. 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
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 literary devices including dramatic irony, personification, and oxymoron
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 3, scene 5, of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. 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
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 literary devices including hyperbole, metaphor, simile, situational irony, and euphemism
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