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.
Facilitate vocabulary development, evaluate reading comprehension, and help students practice critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities covering chapter 1 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. A plot-based quiz, vocabulary application activity, crossword puzzle, word search game, 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
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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the function of a given passage
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and verisimilitude
Conduct brief research on the beliefs of German philosopher Karl Marx
Articulate whether Major’s speech reflects a belief in Marxist ideology
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Facilitate vocabulary development, evaluate reading comprehension, and help students practice critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities covering chapter 2 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. A plot-based quiz, vocabulary application activity, crossword puzzle, word search game, 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
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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the function of a given passage
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate the significance of the animals’ decision to rename the farm
Explore themes in context
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 literature
Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 1 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the function of a given passage
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and verisimilitude
Conduct brief research on the beliefs of German philosopher Karl Marx
Articulate whether Major’s speech reflects a belief in Marxist ideology
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this bundle of close reading analysis activities covering George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Ten worksheets are provided (one per chapter), as well as answer keys. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these close reading activities, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the main functions of given passages
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, verisimilitude, onomatopoeia, metaphor, paradox, symbolism, and situational irony
Evaluate the role propaganda plays in the world of Animal Farm
Conduct brief research on a range of relevant subjects
Articulate whether Major’s speech reflects a belief in Marxist ideology
Consider themes in context
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
Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 10 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Reflect on the greater significance of Animal Farm’s name change
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Defend the claim that the animals are collectively worse off than before Napoleon’s rule
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help students go beyond general comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 9 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. The variety of question types may also help prepare learners for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Consider the irony associated with the word republic
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate how the pigs demonstrate contradictory thinking and actions
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 literature
This low-prep, end-of-unit creative writing project is an engaging alternative to a traditional summative test on Animal Farm by George Orwell. Students will write ten journal entries from Benjamin’s point of view, exploring the character’s internal state throughout the course of the novel. This assessment requires more than basic plot summary; it encourages students to analyze a character’s relationships, emotions, fears, motivations, and more. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Included are the following:
Detailed directions, which include a rationale for the project, a rundown of student expectations, and a list of learning standards emphasized
A thorough, standards-based rubric for grading student writing, which aligns evaluative criteria to Common Core standards and includes a section for written teacher feedback
A set of prewriting documents, which may be completed while or after reading each chapter, to facilitate planning for the end-of-unit project
An “Important Quotations” document to help students explore style and tone
With this summative test covering the entirety of Animal Farm by George Orwell, English teachers will evaluate students’ reading comprehension, essay writing skills, and ability to analyze plot. An answer key, test prep guide, and standards-based writing rubric are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Demonstrate knowledge of primary and secondary characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant plot developments
Match vocabulary terms from the text with their proper definitions
Respond to an essay prompt about how the author advances the theme of the corrupting influence of power
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapter 10 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. A crossword puzzle, word search activity, vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: denounce, eminent, frugally, haughty, hearty, invariably, misgiving, morose, rheumy, subversive, taciturn, 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
Facilitate vocabulary development, evaluate reading comprehension, and help students practice critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities covering chapter 9 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. A plot-based quiz, vocabulary application activity, crossword puzzle, word search game, 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
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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Consider the irony associated with the word republic
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate how the pigs demonstrate contradictory thinking and actions
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 literature
Facilitate vocabulary development, evaluate reading comprehension, and help students practice critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities covering chapter 10 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. A plot-based quiz, vocabulary application activity, crossword puzzle, word search game, 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
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
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Reflect on the greater significance of Animal Farm’s name change
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Defend the claim that the animals are collectively worse off than before Napoleon’s rule
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Frontload assigned readings with these vocabulary games and activities to facilitate comprehension of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, stash these materials in an emergency sub folder to keep students meaningfully engaged in the book during unexpected teacher absences. Included are 10 vocabulary application activities, 10 crossword puzzles,10 word search games, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
A total of 120 challenging words are addressed: articulate, benevolent, blithely, bray, capitulate, clamor, coccidiosis, complicity, conciliatory, contemptuously, continually, contrary, countenance, cryptic, cynical, dart, decree, demeanor, denounce, din, dismay, dissentient, eminent, enmity, ensconce, exclaim, expound, extravagant, falter, feebly, fortnight, frugally, gale, gambol, haughty, hearken, hearty, hoarse, hoist, humble, idle, ignominious, impart, impromptu, incite, indefatigable, indifferent, indignantly, indignation, intently, intermediary, internment, invariably, inventive, irrepressible, knacker, laborious, lamentation, leisure, liable, malignity, manifestly, maxim, misgiving, morose, mournfully, murmur, nimble, obstinate, oration, perpetually, plod, posthumously, preliminary, principle, procure, promptly, prophecy, quarrel, ratify, refuge, reign, rejoice, repose, reproach, restive, retribution, reverent, rheumy, rouse, seclusion, shirk, shrewd, shrill, skirmish, sly, solemn, sturdy, subversive, successive, superannuated, superintendence, taciturn, temper, thwart, timidly, toil, tractable, treachery, trifle, tumult, tyranny, unanimous, unintelligible, vague, waft, weary, whimper, whinny, and wistful.
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 chapter 9 of Animal Farm by George Orwell. A crossword puzzle, word search activity, vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: bray, complicity, contemptuously, dart, demeanor, indignantly, internment, knacker, oration, superannuated, temper, and waft.
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, sharpen critical thinking skills, and align English Language Arts curriculum with world history by using these resources for Tim O’Brien’s short story “Ambush,” which addresses a soldier’s experience during the Vietnam War. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, 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
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Isolate details that contribute to a surreal atmosphere
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the functions of given details and characters
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on onomatopoeia
Articulate how the narrative fits the classification of ‘cautionary story’
Support claims and inferences with relevant evidence and sound reasoning
Write about literature with clarity, precision, and accuracy
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help middle and high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “Ambush” by Tim O’Brien, which addresses a soldier’s experience during the Vietnam War. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
Isolate details that contribute to a surreal atmosphere
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern the functions of given details and characters
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on onomatopoeia
Articulate how the narrative fits the classification of ‘cautionary story’
Support claims and inferences with relevant evidence and sound reasoning
Write about literature with clarity, precision, and accuracy
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Evaluate general reading comprehension and align English Language Arts curriculum to world history with this plot-based quiz covering Tim O’Brien’s short story “Ambush,” which addresses a soldier’s experience during the Vietnam War. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with historical fiction. 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:
A daughter’s question
The nature of the father’s response
Setting
Secondary characters
A deadly object
The description of an “enemy”
The driving force behind the narrator’s deadly actions
The narrator’s post-killing assessment of the situation
Evaluate general reading comprehension and align English Language Arts and world history curricula with this plot-based quiz covering China Achebe’s short story “Civil Peace,” which addresses a family’s life following the Nigerian Civil War. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. 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:
Jonathan’s self-image
The number of living children Jonathan has
The name of Jonathan’s wife
Jonathan’s prized possession
Jonathan’s employment history
The name of Jonathan’s home city
The state of Jonathan’s home upon his return
Jonathan’s new business endeavor
A definition of “egg rasher”
A potentially dangerous incident
How Jonathan gets out of the incident unharmed
Jonathan’s favorite proverb
Evaluate general reading comprehension and align English Language Arts and American History curricula with this plot-based quiz covering Yoshiko Uchida’s short story “The Bracelet,” which addresses the upheaval of a Japanese-American family’s life in the wake of World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. 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
The narrator’s perception of her family home
The reason the narrator’s father is away
An aspect of life in which the father took great pride
A visitor
A description of the bracelet
A discussion about loyalty
The narrator’s initial reaction to learning the family would live in an apartment
What function the apartment used to serve
What happens to the bracelet
The family’s fate as time goes on
The insight of the narrator’s mother
Evaluate general reading comprehension and help middle and high school students relate to works of fiction with this plot-based quiz covering Gary Soto’s coming-of-age short story titled “Seventh Grade.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
Character names
Efforts to gain attention and affection
An awkward incident
The narrator’s weakest school subject
General characterization of Mr. Bueller
How the narrator feels toward his teacher
How the relationship between the narrator and his love interest develops
The narrator’s prediction for his immediate future
Evaluate general reading comprehension and help middle and high school students relate to works of fiction with this plot-based quiz covering Cynthia Rylant’s short story titled “Papa’s Parrot.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Mr. Tillian’s business
Mr. Tillian’s feelings about Harry and his friends’ regular visits
The name of Mr. Tillian’s parrot
What Mr. Tillian does when business slows down
How Harry feels about Mr. Tillian’s interactions
The nature of Harry’s teasing
A sudden, alarming incident
How Harry helps to keep his father’s business afloat
The parrot’s repeated question
Harry’s epiphany