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.
This low-prep bundle covering Feed by M.T. Anderson contains all the formative and summative assessments teachers need to assess general reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, facilitate student research on a range of relevant topics, and greatly reduce take-home lesson planning responsibilities. Included are four multiple choice quizzes; four short answer alternate quiz options; four close reading worksheets covering fifteen substantive novel passages; literature circle activities; research project materials; an end-of-unit test; and answer keys for everything. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with these resources, students will have opportunities to perform the following tasks:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Clarify details where the author leaves information open to interpretation
Isolate examples of figurative language
Express the greater significance of given details
Determine the tone of given excerpts
Discern the functions of given excerpts
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Articulate flaws in characters’ logic
Analyze the author’s use of narrative techniques such as repetition
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including simile, metaphor, personification, slang, onomatopoeia, situational irony, consonance, pun, idiom, epiphany, invective, malapropism, aposiopesis, neologism, and more
Consider theme in relation to the text
Evaluate an excerpt to articulate how it is a good example of satire
Relate a given excerpt to the real world, identifying two relevant societal issues, conflicts, or questions
Explore the connection between capitalism and the private healthcare system in America
Conduct brief research on the topic of cognitive dissonance in order to explain how a character experiences it in the context of a given excerpt
Cite textual evidence in support of ideas and claims
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Articulate connections between a research topic and the assigned novel
Develop successful methods of recording information
Evaluate the credibility of nonfiction texts, taking into consideration readability, date, relevance, expertise, and bias
Apply conventions of MLA formatting
Correctly site resources to avoid plagiarism
Organize information in a cohesive manner, using a note-taking system that includes summary, paraphrasing, and quoted material
Analyze, synthesize, and integrate information, generating a thoughtfully comprehensive report, free of generalities and redundancies
Present information in a formal, coherent manner
This bundled close reading resource promotes thoughtful, critical analysis of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, helping students focus on significant details to develop improved reading proficiency and contribute more meaningfully to class discussion. Each close reading assessment includes an answer key with detailed explanations for correct options. You will receive two versions of each individual worksheet: a Word Document version and a PDF version. Featuring more than 125 high-order questions, this bundle gives students clearer purposes for reading such as the following:
To analyze the effect of the author’s language upon the reader
To determine tone in context
To define unfamiliar and challenging vocabulary in context
To draw reasoned inferences about characterization
To apply knowledge of literary devices to the novel
To isolate accurate statements from false statements
To write about literature such that the reader will follow the student’s reasoning
To support claims with relevant textual evidence
And more
Foster general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills for high school and college with this set of analysis worksheets on Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night. A variety of question types facilitates the process of analyzing character motivations, examining how word choices influence a reader’s interpretations, applying knowledge of literary devices, articulating ideas in writing with clarity and precision, and preparing for standardized testing scenarios. Answer keys are provided. All materials are delivered as Word Documents and PDFs.
By engaging with these resources, students will:
Identify and articulate what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s figurative language in the context of a passage
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Use context clues to draw reasonable inferences about Orsino
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, sibilance, alliteration, assonance, consonance, personification, hyperbole, oxymoron, situational irony, dramatic irony, and more
Define complex vocabulary in the context of a passage
Determine the primary function of given passages
Compare and contrast Orsino and Olivia
Conduct brief research on classical mythology – more specifically the tale of Arion and the dolphin – and draw parallels between the mythological figure and Sebastian
Analyze the author’s craft to discern which literary device is most applicable to a specific portion of text
Explore Toby’s attitude toward Olivia’s behavior
Identify the greater significance of a given detail
Identify evidence in support of claims
Isolate factual details about plot from false statements
Compare and contrast Viola and Sebastian
Write ideas with clarity and precision
Compare and contrast Toby and Andrew
Compare and contrast Malvolio and a group consisting of Toby, Andrew, and Maria
Analyze how complex characters behave and interact
Consider the meaning of a given word in order to determine its most suitable synonym
This bundle of 20 assessments promotes analytical thinking, measures and extends reading comprehension, and offers flexibility of choice to differentiate and satisfy the academic needs of students of varying proficiency levels in classroom and distance learning settings. Included are close reading activities, answer keys, and copies of public domain texts. Short story selections include the following:
“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin *
“Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell *
“The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe *
“The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving *
“The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield *
“The New Dress” by Virginia Woolf *
“The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane *
“The Open Window” by Saki *
“The Oval Portrait” by Edgar Allan Poe *
“A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett *
“After Twenty Years” by O. Henry *
“The Businessman” by Edgar Allan Poe *
“The Legend of the Christmas Rose” by Selma Lagerlof *
“The Old Tombstone” by Hans Christian Andersen *
“The Wind Blows” by Katherine Mansfield *
“The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen *
“The Stolen Farthings” by the Brothers Grimm *
“Slave on the Block” by Langston Hughes
“The Wives of the Dead” by Nathaniel Hawthorne *
“The Sparrow and His Four Children” by the Brothers Grimm *
(* denotes a public domain text)
By completing these analysis exercises, students will demonstrate the following high-order skills:
An ability to apply knowledge of more complex literary devices to the texts including foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, hyperbole, personification, metaphor, symbolism, theme, and more
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations and other elements of plot
An ability to discern and articulate details that illustrate contrasts between characters
An ability to define complex words by taking into consideration denotative definitions, connotative definitions, and context clues
An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of claims
An ability to discern mood and tone in context
An ability to discern author’s intent
An ability to conduct brief research and articulate historical and autobiographical parallels
An ability to analyze text structures
An ability to analyze text to determine the function of an excerpt
An ability to analyze a text for how it conforms to the conventions of a particular genre
An ability to establish formal tone, paying attention to conventions of written English
An ability to take leadership in class discussions, addressing nuances in the author’s craft to help peers understand literature from different perspectives
Support the development of close reading skills for high school with this complete bundle of worksheets composed of inference questions covering every individual scene in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. These resources will encourage students to analyze how complex characters develop, explore character motivations, interpret figurative expressions, apply knowledge of literary devices, develop greater confidence in decoding Shakespearean language, and much more. Answer keys are included. All materials are delivered in a zip file containing printable Word Document and PDF versions.
Use these resources for independent or small group engagement with the text; they may lead to thoughtful discussions that contribute meaningfully to a culture of active learning in high school English classrooms. With these instructional materials, students will demonstrate the following:
An ability to define complex vocabulary in context
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character motivations
An ability to analyze context clues and draw logical inferences about character relationships
An ability to analyze the text for literary devices such as foreshadowing, situational irony, dramatic irony, theme, symbolism, dynamic character, and more
An ability to identify the function of a particular passage
An ability to find and articulate relevant textual details in support of a claim
An ability to analyze context clues to discern and articulate the significance of a given detail
An ability to articulate what the text indicates both explicitly and implicitly
An ability to write with clarity and precision
Challenge high school students to go beyond basic reading comprehension and exercise close reading analysis skills while engaging with Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Each close reading activity is rigorous enough for students to find deeper meaning in the text, yet convenient enough for teachers to efficiently gather data on their students’ textual analysis skills. Included are seventeen close reading worksheets, each addressing an individual scene, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By the end of the play, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words as they are used in the text
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context
Delve into the methods by which Shakespeare achieved narrative effects such as tension and comic relief
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast several characters
Conduct brief research on the four humors of classical Greek medicine to facilitate an evaluation of Benedick’s condition midway through the play
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, allusion, malapropism, personification, paradox, invective, oxymoron, symbolism, dramatic irony, situational irony, verbal irony, and more
Determine the tone of given passages
Discern the functions of given passages
Compare elements of one scene with those of another
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Measure reading comprehension and support the development of close reading skills with this bundle of worksheets and assessments composed of both plot-based and inference questions designed to help high school students analyze The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A comprehension quiz and close reading analysis worksheet is provided for each individual chapter. A summative test culminates the unit. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered as printable Word Documents and PDFs.
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop close reading analysis skills with this bundle of rigorous worksheets covering The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Each activity focuses on a single vignette from the novel and helps readers get a better sense of how the author’s literary style develops character and advances plot. Answer keys are provided, and all materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
These resources may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using these resources for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
By engaging with these activities, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words or phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast characters
Explore a variety of objects for symbolic value
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, repetition, situational irony, dramatic irony, and more
Articulate the greater significance of given details
Explore important social concepts such as gender inequality and institutional bias
Conduct brief research on relevant topics
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
And more
Evaluate reading comprehension, support critical thinking, and embrace the spirit of Christmas and wintertime no matter the time of year with this bundle of plot-based quizzes, close reading analysis worksheets, vocabulary development exercises, and an end-of-unit test for six holiday-themed short stories: “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote, “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, “The Burglar’s Christmas” by Willa Cather, “At Christmas Time” by Anton Chekhov, “The Heavenly Christmas Tree” by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and “Three Wise Guys” by Sandra Cisneros. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
By engaging with these activities, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Choose the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Discern the intended effects of the authors’ word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the functions of given excerpts
Describe and examine tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany, foreshadowing, idiom, metaphor, onomatopoeia, oxymoron, paradox, personification, simile, situational irony, 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
This low-prep bundle covering The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare contains all the formative and summative assessments teachers need to assess general reading comprehension, support the development of close reading analysis skills, and greatly reduce take-home grading responsibilities. Included are six multiple choice quizzes; twelve close reading worksheets, each covering a single scene; an end-of-unit test; and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will have opportunities to perform the following tasks:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words as they are used in the text
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Determine the tone of given passages
Discern the functions of given passages
Examine the greater significance of a given detail
Consider how the effect of humor is achieved in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices including oxymoron, hyperbole, sibilance, onomatopoeia, assonance, metaphor, simile, situational irony, verbal irony, dramatic irony, and more
Conduct brief research on the Roman goddess Diana and articulate the similarities between her and Katharina
Conduct brief research on the four humours and articulate the findings
Evaluate behavior to determine which character is most committed to their role in the charade
Isolate details that represent the best textual evidence in support of claims
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this bundle of close reading activities covering each scene of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the functions of given excerpts
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
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
Compare and contrast characters (Antonio and Shylock; Portia and Antonio; Jessica and Portia)
Apply knowledge of many literary devices with emphasis on metaphor, oxymoron, onomatopoeia, allusion, personification, symbolism, invective, euphemism, juxtaposition, hyperbole situational irony, and dramatic irony
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
This bundle includes 6 three-week, standards-based unit plans and all instructional materials for supporting high school Creative Writing students as they generate original works of fiction. Not only does this bundle provide everything a teacher needs to carry out the curriculum to fidelity, but it substantially reduces prep work so teachers may invest more time developing positive relationships with students and offering personalized support as they work to achieve learning targets. All materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
A variety of literary genres is covered with this bundle: Gothic, fantasy, fairy tales, science fiction, realistic fiction, and adventure fiction.
At the conclusion of the six units, students will have have done the following:
Developed greater understanding of the conventions of each genre.
Analyzed how professionally published authors used characterization, description, and literary devices that are consistent with the conventions of each genre
Conducted research to facilitate idea development
Organized initial ideas in a coherent manner.
Engaged the reader with compelling exposition that established setting and tone.
Used many appropriate narrative techniques (dialogue, dialect, description, pacing, etc.) to enhance plot.
Drafted coherent, cohesive, and appropriate narratives that build toward a particular tone and outcome (a sense of mystery, suspense, etc.).
Used precise words and phrases, active verbs, and sensory language to convey compelling stories.
Drafted unrushed conclusions that resolve conflicts and convey themes.
Showed mastery of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.