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 eliminate take-home assessment planning with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 1 and 2 of Susan Beth Pfeffer’s dystopian sci-fi novel The Dead and the Gone, the sequel to Life As We Knew It. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The absence of Alex’s father
Alex’s brother, Carlos, and his Marine status
The setting of the novel
Why Mami is not home on the night of the meteor strike
Uncle Jimmy’s need for help at the bodega
The phone conversation between Alex and Carlos
Alex’s failed effort to visit the school for more information
Why the subway system is inoperable
The purpose of Alex’s list
Clarification on the disaster provided by Father Franco
Alex’s search for hidden cash
The bulletin board at St. Margaret’s
A curfew, a national day of mourning, and Alex’s belief that the government is searching for solutions
Alex’s visit to the hardware store
A telephone hotline
A phone conversation with Aunt Lorraine
The location of unidentified bodies
This 8-slide PowerPoint is designed to provide students a brief introduction to the concepts of roots and formatives. This presentation addresses how learning about prefixes expands one's vocabulary, as well as how prefixes influence the meanings of words (e.g., reversing a verb's meaning, creating negative meaning, showing time and order, indicating location and degree, and expressing support or opposition).
Facilitate active participation in small-group discussions of science fiction literature with this set of literature circle materials for teaching Feed by M.T. Anderson. The following are included: a handout detailing student roles; documentation logs to hold students accountable for their tasks; and a standards-based rubric for scoring student performances. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging in these literature circle activities, students will do the following:
Articulate key details from the story
Generate open-ended questions related to the novel in order to carry out meaningful discussions with peers
Respond thoughtfully to open-ended questions and others’ contributions to the discussion
Document ways in which the novel is consistent with aspects of modern society
Locate specific passages and/or quotations that relate to major themes and concepts—especially those relating to technology, consumerism, sociology, and the value of independent thinking
Artistically convey important information from the assigned reading
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school readers discern all the important aspects of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee with this comprehensive reading guide, which promotes active engagement with literature and supports the development of independent, focused note-taking skills. A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. This resource highlights the following:
Character Development. Students will document relevant information about characterization and track character transformations.
Plot. Hundreds of plot-based questions are provided to help students focus on meaningful details from the novel.
Historical Context. Some questions necessitate brief research and/or activation of schema in order to draw similarities between historical events and incidents in the novel.
Meaningful Quotations and Excerpts. Dozens of meaningful quotes are emphasized, requiring students to articulate context and/or significance.
Vocabulary. Dozens of unfamiliar and complex words are identified to maximize students’ comprehension of plot and expand readers’ vocabulary.
SQ3R Practices. In each section, a list of generalized details (organized by chapter) helps students focus on what to review in the days and weeks following the assigned reading. Additionally, a section for personalized notes is given.
A visually stimulating Power Point that provides context for the drama. Information covered includes Shakespeare’s background, The Globe Theatre, characteristics of Shakespearean performances, and character overviews.
For the purpose of engaging students, I will occasionally use humor to convey important ideas. This is intended to come across in this presentation.
This editable assessment measures general comprehension and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Crow.” Delivered in Word Document format, this quiz includes an answer key.
Learning targets addressed include:
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate definition of fable.
Students will demonstrate basic comprehension of the text.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of literary terminology by applying the concept to the text.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the text’s theme by paraphrasing a logical message they discern.
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering chapter sixteen, “The Return.” An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
Ulysses’ return to Ithaca
Eumaeus’ loyalty
Ulysses’ new-found knowledge upon returning home
The suitors vs. Telemachus
The concealing of an identity
Argo’s reaction to Ulysses’ return
The antagonistic nature of Eurymachus
An archery contest
Penelope’s agreement to marry the victor
Bloody conflict
The resolution
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering chapters fourteen and fifteen (“Ino’s Veil” and “Nausicaa”). An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
Calypso’s help
Poseidon’s anger at Ulysses
The characterization of Ino
The characterization of Nausicaa
Nausicaa’s dream
Nausicaa’s encounter with Ulysses
The oracle’s warning
The men’s conspiracy against Ulysses
Nausicaa’s trick
King Alcinous’s generosity
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with this plot-based quiz covering chapters eight through eleven (“The Land of the Dead” through “Scylla and Charybdis”). An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
The death of Elpenor
The importance of the white bird
The sacrificing of goats
The appearance of ghosts
Ulysses’ new-found knowledge of what has transpired at home
Strategies Ulysses must employ to successfully return home
Protection against the Sirens
Scylla and Charybdis
The Isle of the Sun Titan
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with these plot-based quizzes covering chapter seven, “Circe.” A multiple choice version is provided, as well as a short answer alternative. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
A surprising discovery on the island
Circe’s background
Circe’s powers
Ulysses’ unexpected help from a Greek god
Ulysses and Circe’s arrangement
The men’s general feelings toward remaining on the island
Circe’s offer to Ulysses, which is refused
A revelation concerning the Land of the Dead
Ulysses’ decision to leave the island
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with these plot-based quizzes covering the chapters “The Cyclops’ Cave” through “Cannibal Beach.” Both multiple choice and short answer options are offered, as are answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
The dangers of Polyphemus
Ulysses efforts to save himself and his men
The eventual escape
A flaw in Ulysses’ character
Polyphemus’s plea to his father
Aeolus and a gift
Another mistake Ulysses makes before arriving home
Aeolus’s response to Ulysses’ mistake
Incidents on Cannibal Beach
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with this plot-based quiz covering the prologue through the chapter titled “The Lotus Eaters.” An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in a zip file as both a Word Document and a PDF. Questions pertain to the following important details:
A bribe (inciting incident)
An oath agreed to by Helen’s suitors
The Trojan War
The wooden horse
An attack on the Island of the Ciconians
Ulysses’ efforts to save his men from subsequent attack
The tossing away of treasures
Morpheus
A characterization of the Lotus Eaters
Ulysses’ efforts to remove his men from the influence of Lotusland
Folktales and legends are short story subgenres that appeal to many teenage readers who appreciate the fantasy genre. “The Silver Pool” by Ella Young is a legendary tall tale focusing on the quest of an Irish folk hero, Fionn MacCumhail, who aspires to become a leader. This multiple choice quiz covering “The Silver Pool” helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Elements of legends
Fionn’s desire to become a strong man
The Salmon of Knowledge
The King’s Poet
Ireland’s art, etiquette, and heroes
Discovered treasure
The consequence of a significant action
A sudden realization
The fulfillment of a prophecy
Situational irony (or irony of result)
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Black Angel,” a short story by Nancy Springer. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and a copy of the public domain narrative are provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
The reason for the Jersey Devil’s frustration
Distinguishing characteristics of the nameless child
The comparison of the Jersey Devil to another mythical being
The reason for the nameless child’s presence in the woods
Where the Jersey Devil takes the child
The purpose of the Jersey Devil’s visit to the World Tree
Dynamic character
A new dynamic to the relationship between the child and the Jersey Devil
The World Tree’s judgment of the Jersey Devil
Symbolism
For many high school readers, realistic fiction maximizes interest in and engagement with literature. “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker is a quality example of the genre. In this short story, complicated family dynamics and a clash of cultures are addressed. This multiple choice quiz evaluates general reading comprehension and holds students accountable for completing assigned homework. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
A traumatic incident in the family’s past
The reason Dee does not live with her mother and sister
Maggie’s engagement
Maggie’s emotional response to the return of her sister
The reasons for Maggie’s self-consciousness
Mama’s daydreaming
A significant change in Dee’s life
The nickname for Dee’s boyfriend
Items in which Dee takes apparent interest
The reason Mama will not permit Dee to take the items
Dee’s parting words for her sister
Mama and Maggie’s actions at the end of the story
Save time, measure general reading comprehension, and promote active engagement with this set of printable quizzes on Roald Dahl’s short story titled “Beware of the Dog.” Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, these two resources—a multiple choice version and alternate short answer option—make it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. Answer keys are provided.
By completing these assessments, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The protagonist’s name
The pilot’s physical condition
The reason the pilot is uncertain of his location
The doctor’s stated outlook for the pilot’s long-term health
The alleged location of the hospital in which the pilot is treated
Reasons the pilot grows skeptical of his healthcare providers
The significance of the water quality
The pilot’s view out of his window
A revelation concerning the medical professionals
The pilot’s interaction with an officer
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based, multiple choice quiz covering the short story “A Journey” by Edith Wharton. A short answer option is also provided for re-assessment purposes. Alternatively, these resources may serve as guided reading handouts to foster active reading habits. Answer keys are included. All materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The protagonist’s former occupation
The effect marriage had on the protagonist’s life perspective
The husband’s deteriorating health
A doctor’s recommendation for treating the husband’s condition
The reason for the protagonist’s strong dislike of Colorado
The protagonists regrets, worries, and resentments
The passengers’ reactions to the husband’s illness
The protagonist’s reaction to her husband’s death
The protagonist’s dream
The definition of psychological fiction
Interpreting metaphorical language
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning with this plot-based quiz covering Pearl Buck’s short story “The Good Deed,” a piece of realistic fiction that highlights different cultural perspectives on marriage and family dynamics. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
Old Mrs. Pan’s abrupt relocation
Old Mrs. Pan’s emotional response to her new home
The cultural disparity between Old Mrs. Pan and her younger relatives
Young Mrs. Pan’s characterization
Arrangements with Lili Yang
The cultural values of Old Mrs. Pan
Old Mrs. Pan’s newfound zest for life
Lili’s age
Arranged marriage
The resolution