Help learners 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 1, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques Discern tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Identify textual evidence in support of claims Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare

For many reluctant readers, science fiction helps to maximize student engagement. “Robot Dreams” by Isaac Asimov is a cautionary short story involving humanity’s commitment to developing artificial intelligence. This plot-based quiz covering the short story helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate general reading comprehension—while eliminating take-home assessment planning responsibilities. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing editable Word Documents and printable PDFs. By completing this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Susan Calvin’s disposition Linda Rash’s profession The nature of the relationship between the two professionals The name of the robot Linda’s efforts to improve the robot’s brain The reason Linda kept her work private The means by which the robot re-awakens The duration of the robot’s dreams The First, Second, and Third Laws of Robotics Alarming details of the robot’s dreams Susan’s motive for destroying the robot

“The Pit and the Pendulum” by Edgar Allan Poe is a short story of special appeal to high school students interested in horror stories and Halloween. Use this plot-based quiz on “The Pit and the Pendulum” to evaluate general reading comprehension and promote homework accountability. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with Gothic fiction. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Point of view Setting Disturbing imagery Accusations against the protagonist Diabolical punishments The role of the rats in terms of plot development How the protagonist attracts the rats An abrupt sound The resolution

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the Gothic short story “The Tell Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe. 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: acuteness, continually, cunningly, dissemble, fluently, gesticulation, hearken, hearty, mournful, rave, sagacity, shriek, stealthily, stifle, suavity, supposition, vehemently, vex, and wane. 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 comprehension, explore literary devices, and improve critical thinking skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Act 3, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Consider using this resource as an in-class group activity; it may facilitate deeper conversations about characters, plot developments, and literary craft. By engaging with this close reading analysis 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 Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Determine the tone of a given excerpt Consider autobiographical parallel, drawing an informed inference about Shakespeare’s philosophy on the purpose of dramatic performances based on details provided in this scene Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapters 14 and 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: acquiescence, begrudge, bestow, futility, impassive, infallible, oblivious, obscure, pensive, placid, rankle, reverent, succinct, uncouth, and venerable. 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 chapters 12 and 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: altercation, appalling, austere, clad, contemptuously, convey, curt, denunciation, diligently, elusive, formidable, frivolous, garish, habiliments, haughty, mutter, myopic, obliquely, prerogative, qualm, tactful, and tedious. 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 chapters 1, 2, and 3 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: amiable, apothecary, assuage, condescension, contemptuous, contentious, diminutive, eccentric, imprudent, indigenous, malevolent, nebulous, predilection, quaint, sneer, taciturn, vague, and vapid. 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 chapters 8 and 9 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: aberrations, accost, feeble, guilelessness, inordinately, jim-dandy, libel, meteorological, procure, sternness, subdued, touchous, trousseau, vivid, and wary. 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 chapters 4 and 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: abominable, aloof, arbitrate, auspicious, benign, dreary, foolhardy, hearty, illicit, inquisitive, melancholy, morbid, pestilence, reluctantly, scowl, tacit, and tyranny. 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 chapters 6 and 7 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: appeal, ascertaining, bewilderment, burdensome, cleave, commotion, crude, desolate, eerily, hone, meditative, murmur, perpetual, pilgrimage, prowess, ramshackle, 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapters 10 and 11 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. 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: apoplectic, cowardice, escapade, inconspicuous, mausoleum, meekly, oppressive, palliation, passe, propensity, providence, rectitude, skulk, tirade, umbrage, undulate, and vehemently. 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 learners 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 3, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, verbal irony, situational irony, and metaphor Support ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapters 3, 4, and 5 of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. 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: astray, bleat, cleave, ford, guffaw, hasty, oddment, scurry, seldom, shirk, shrill, smote, uncanny, venerable, 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

Help high school students go beyond basic comprehension, explore literary devices, and improve critical thinking skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Act 1, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Consider using this resource as an in-class group activity; it may facilitate deeper conversations about characters, plot developments, and literary craft. By engaging with this close reading analysis 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 Determine the tone of the scene Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision

Help learners 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 3, of William Shakespeare’s Othello. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor Support ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare

Promote active engagement with fiction and evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz on the short story “The Leap” by Louise Erdrich. An answer key is included. All materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Anna’s degenerative condition Anna’s professional background Events leading to Harold’s death The means by which the narrator learned of her mother’s brush with death Challenges Anna faced throughout life How Anna’s choices influenced the course of her life, as well as the life of her daughter Practical skills Anna learned while in the hospital The reason the narrator returns home many years later Anna’s efforts to save her daughter’s life What the narrator learns about falling

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Shirley Jackson’s short story titled “Charles.” 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: cynically, deprive, elaborately, grimly, haggard, incredulously, insolently, raucous, scornfully, solemnly, swaggering, and warily. 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 Amy Tan’s short story titled “Rules of the Game,” a passage from her book The Joy Luck Club. 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: benefactor, benevolently, deftly, impart, obscure, prodigy, pungent, relent, retort, solemnly, successive, and vanity. 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 Louise Erdrich’s short story “The Leap.” 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: bough, commemorate, edifice, egocentrism, extricate, flair, gale, idle, perpetually, porous, superannuated, tentative, and vignette. 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