Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Mortal Immortal” by Mary Shelley, the author of the classic science fiction novel Frankenstein. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abhor, abode, adept, antiquated, avarice, buoyant, dingy, disdain, ephemeral, hasten, hastily, haughty, heartily, implore, imprecate, indifferent, iniquitous, murmur, natal, pecuniary, peevish, procure, quaff, refuge, renowned, reproach, reverence, scarcely, simper, studious, tedious, unintelligible, vain, and wistfully. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abyss, arid, desolation, destitute, discreet, escarpment, flotsam, frivolity, haggard, improvise, jubilation, mortified, promontory, and virile. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Kiss” by Anton Chekhov. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: affirm, ardor, benevolently, cumbersome, desultory, diffidence, doff, hasten, hasty, hearty, heedless, idle, incredulously, inveigle, ironical, irresolution, joviality, morose, mournful, mutter, obscure, pensive, piously, satiety, superfluity, temerity, timid, traverse, vague, verst, and weary. 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 eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short story “The Heavenly Christmas Tree,” otherwise known as “The Beggar Boy at Christ’s Christmas Tree.” The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The narrator’s identity The young boy’s living conditions A reason for wandering The boy’s bold decision The adults’ general reaction to the boy External conflicts What the boy hears beside the wood stack A significant invitation A devastating discovery The narrator’s perspective on the story he tells

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short story “The Heavenly Christmas Tree,” otherwise known as “The Beggar Boy at Christ’s Christmas Tree.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: amuse, clang, dullness, dusk, famine, fancy, kindle, kopeck, morsel, porter, rheumatism, shutter, and wretched. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Devil and Daniel Webster” by Stephen Vincent Benet. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abide, adduce, ailing, blight, contempt, decry, glower, hanker, miser, mutter, plead, renegade, shudder, spry, and swoon. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the Grimm’s fairy tale “Cinderella.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: afresh, alight, betrothed, clamber, nimbly, obliged, pious, stratagem, stunted, tame, thicket, weary, and whir. 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 eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz on the short story “The Kiss” by Anton Chekhov. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The protagonist’s job The characterization of primary and secondary characters The nature of the protagonist’s invitation The location of the titular kiss The effects of the kiss on each person Factors contributing to the protagonist’s negative self-reflection

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Little Mermaid.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain fairy tale, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: beckon, betrothal, bough, dowager, drab, earnestly, ethereal, hasten, heartily, idle, indifferent, melodious, mournfully, procure, timid, and trifle. 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

Help high school students extend beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering Sandra Cisneros’ Christmas-themed short story titled “Three Wise Guys, Un Cuento de Navidad.” An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. This resource may facilitate 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 completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Discern 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 idiom, metaphor, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, and personification Consider themes in context Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about coming-of-age fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz on the short story “The Burglar’s Christmas” by Willa Cather. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with fiction. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting The protagonist’s name The protagonist’s backstory An acquaintance’s concern for the protagonist The protagonist’s epiphany about his life circumstances The nature of the dialogue between the protagonist and a young woman The protagonist’s behavior inside the mansion Dimly familiar objects The owners of the mansion The protagonist’s assessment of his past

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the holiday-themed short story “Three Wise Guys: Un Cuento de Navidad” by Sandra Cisneros. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: atole, chicharras, comadre, descend, doilies, guillotine, improvise, obstructed, plea, portable, prophecy, sashay, and urracas. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Burglar’s Christmas” by Willa Cather. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: despondently, discordant, dolefully, futile, garish, hasten, introspection, loaf, lustrous, refuge, remonstrance, reproach, sophistry, unobtrusive, and vexed. 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 eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz on Truman Capote’s holiday-themed short story “A Christmas Memory.” The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with coming-of-age fiction. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Point of view The characterization of the protagonist’s best friend The protagonist’s personal interests The protagonist’s goals Bonding activities between the protagonist and his friend The characterization of Mr. Haha Christmas gifts The significance of this particular Christmas The resolution

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the holiday-themed short story “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: carnage, cavort, chastise, dilapidated, disposition, garish, goad, inaugurate, murmur, prosaic, shudder, sprightly, and vaguely. 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 eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz on the short story “At Christmas Time” by Anton Chekhov. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with coming-of-age fiction. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The general characterization of the parents Yegor’s paid task Yegor’s response to a character’s anguish The passing of time Setting The nature of the relationship between a daughter and her parents Yefimya’s homelife The name of Yefimya’s husband The husband’s profession

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the Christmas-themed short story 'The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: ardent, cascade, coax depreciate, falter, fixedly, imply, imputation, instigate, laboriously, meretricious, parsimony, and prudence. 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “At Christmas Time” by Anton Chekhov. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abide, ailing, bereaved, coarse, conceited, doze, efficacy, habitual, hasten, invincible, porter, stifling, subside, and unintelligible. 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

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 2, of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. 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 Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Describe tone in context Determine the function of a given excerpt Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare two characters (Antonio and Sebastian) Apply knowledge of literary devices including 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 The Tempest. 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 Demonstrate knowledge of parts of speech 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 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