With a decade of teaching experience, I specialize in developing student-centered ELA activities and unit plans that foster creativity and critical thinking. My resources have been tried and tested in more than 74,000 classrooms worldwide since 2013.
With a decade of teaching experience, I specialize in developing student-centered ELA activities and unit plans that foster creativity and critical thinking. My resources have been tried and tested in more than 74,000 classrooms worldwide since 2013.
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this set of three plot-based quizzes covering the entirety of Bette Greene’s World War II-set novel Summer of My German Soldier. Three bonus short answer assessments are provided for re-testing purposes, but they may also be used as guided reading worksheets. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Characters
Setting
Historical context
Plot
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 13 through 21 of Bette Greene’s World War II-set novel Summer of My German Soldier. A bonus short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes, but it may also be used as a guided reading handout. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Characters
Setting
Historical context
Plot
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 7 through 12 of Bette Greene’s World War II-set novel Summer of My German Soldier. A bonus short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes, but it may also be used as a guided reading handout. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Characters
Setting
Historical context
Plot
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 1 through 6 of Bette Greene’s World War II-set novel Summer of My German Soldier. A bonus short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes, but it may also be used as a guided reading handout. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Characters
Setting
Historical context
Plot
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and encourage analysis of characters and plot with these worksheets and assessments for Kate Chopin’s short story “Desiree’s Baby.” A plot-based quiz, a vocabulary application handout, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, a close reading inference worksheet, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order 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 word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including irony and foreshadowing
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin is an example of historical fiction that, when integrated into the English Language Arts classroom, complements American History curricula, as the plot precedes the Civil War and addresses the issue of how race and ethnicity affect one’s life experiences in the South. With this multiple choice quiz covering the short story, teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
How Désirée came to be part of the Valmonde family
Armand’s initial attitude toward marrying Désirée
Madame Valmonde’s reaction to the sight of the baby
How Armand’s treatment of others changes after the birth of his child
Désirée’s observations of the plantation visitors
Désirée’s demands of her husband
Madame Valmonde’s response to a letter from Désirée
The final interaction between Armand and Désirée
Désirée’s final action in the story
The fate of Désirée’s belongings
Armand’s surprising discovery
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 29, 30, and 31 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, three close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including idiom, metaphor, personification, and assonance
Determine the symbolic value of a tree in the context of a passage
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 27 and 28 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, two close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will do the following:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Discern the tone of given excerpts
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and hyperbole
Conduct brief research on the Great Depression’s influence on common Halloween practices, especially in the South
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 24, 25, and 26 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, three close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Consider historical context in relation to the plot
Determine the tone of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Predict the future behavior of Bob Ewell, possibly addressing foreshadowing in the process
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, and situational irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 21, 22, and 23 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, three close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor
Identify the best textual evidence in support of a claim
Draw parallels between two chapters
Consider theme in relation to plot developments
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 19 and 20 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, two close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will do the following:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Examine plot developments from an historical perspective
Discern the function of a given passage
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 16, 17, and 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, three close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Consider the tone of a particular section of text
Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, allusion, and hyperbole
Consider the greater significance of the kids’ being seated in the balcony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 14 and 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, two close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Discern the tone of a particular excerpt
Explore an abrupt shift in tone in a given excerpt
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including paradox and dramatic irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 12 and 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, two close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Choose a synonym that may replace a given word or phrase without changing the original fundamental meaning
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Apply knowledge of coordinating conjunctions, selecting the most appropriate conjunction to join two sentences in context
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including imagery and theme
Determine the tone of a given excerpt
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 10 and 11 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, two close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and situational irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 8 and 9 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, two close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile, metaphor, idiom, hyperbole, and situational irony
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 6 and 7 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, two close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging in these exercises, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Determine the greater significance of a particular excerpt
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dialect, foreshadowing, slang, simile, and dramatic irony
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 4 and 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, two close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Determine the greater significance of given details
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, hyperbole, allusion, situational irony
Identify the best textual evidence in support of claims
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 1, 2, and 3 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, three close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Discern 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
Choose the most appropriate synonym to replace a word or phrase without changing the excerpt’s fundamental meaning
Demonstrate knowledge of comma and punctuation rules, especially as they apply to writing dialogue
Determine the greater significance of given details
Describe tone in context
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Reflect on Miss Caroline’s relationship to the town of Maycomb
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, hyperbole, allusion, alliteration, oxymoron, dramatic irony, and situational irony
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
Help students engage in analysis of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers with this set of close reading worksheets delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Passages from chapters 1, 5, 10, 14, and 21 are featured. Answer keys are included.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Identify textual evidence in support of claims
Discern what given passages reflect about the protagonist’s modes of thinking
Make logical inferences about characters’ psychological states based on actions
Apply knowledge of a variety of literary devices
Determine the functions of given passages
Analyze a situation to discern what is both positive and negative in terms of its outcome
Explore character motivations
Explain how dramatic irony is present in a given passage
Make logical inferences about the author’s intent
Examine how complex characters behave and interact
Discern tone in context
Write with clarity and precision
And more