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.
Help students go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Discern a key function of the chapter
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, situational irony, hyperbole, euphemism, allusion, and personification
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help students go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 4 of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore a shift in tone
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Identify the primary function of Wolfsheim’s character
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including ambiguity, oxymoron, and imagery
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 basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 5 of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 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 to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including situational irony, simile, and hyperbole
Explore the symbolism of an object or objects
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 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 5 of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. 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 in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, personification, and symbolic imagery
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 2, scene 4, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. 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 in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques
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
Use this set of rigorous questions to help high school learners extend beyond general reading comprehension and develop close reading analysis skills while engaging with The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. This resource specifically covers Act 1, scene 3. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Articulate and analyze what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the meaning of complex words and phrases in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices
Articulate how a biblical story applies to the plot of the play
Discern the primary function of a particular excerpt
Articulate what Antonio’s behavior reflects about his mindset
Analyze Shylock’s characterization to articulate the complicated relationship the audience has with his character
Identify the most relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Write with clarity and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Perry’s home city
Perry’s hopes and dreams
Perry’s motivations for serving in the military
Perry’s physical limitations
Rumors concerning the war
Peewee’s erratic behavior
Perry’s relation to Kenny
Why Peewee likes being in the military
Jenkins’ motivations for serving in the military
Why Lt. Carroll refers to Jenkins as an “angel warrior”
The veteran soldiers’ perception of Lt. Carroll
The reason for a mission to a Vietnamese village
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The purpose of Earlene’s letter to Peewee
Lt. Carroll’s request of Perry
Perry’s loyalty to his squad
Lobel’s mindset at he is on patrol
Perry’s stated reason for being a soldier
The reason Perry does not participate in the killing of an adversary
Perry’s mindset as he looks at the corpse of the adversary
Captain Stewart’s lies
Perry’s physical condition
The reason for a fistfight between two characters
Why Peewee asks Perry to write a letter to Earlene
A major mistake by another squad
Lt. Carroll’s generosity
Perry’s request of Brew
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Monaco’s reckless behavior
The purpose of a visit to a Vietnamese village
Brunner’s behavior while in the Vietnamese village
Johnson’s defense of Perry
What Peewee wants to buy while in the Vietnamese village
The content of a letter Lobel receives
Kenny’s personal goals as outlined in his letter to Perry
Peewee’s emotional state as he interacts with Red Cross representatives
The location where the squad will wait to ambush enemy forces
The death of a character following a conflict
Who is tasked with notifying the dead character’s family
Perry’s declining of an offer from Stewart
Perry’s learning of how Vietnamese forces treat hostages
Lobel’s extreme guilt
The author of a letter sent to Peewee
A lengthy discussion on draft-dodging
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering a meaningful excerpt from chapter 1 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. An answer key is provided. 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 and implicitly
Consult reference materials as needed to learn or verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Isolate an example of figurative language
Select textual evidence in support of a claim
Decide what the primary function of the excerpt is
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering two meaningful excerpts from chapter 5 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. An answer key is provided. 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 and implicitly
Consult reference materials as needed to learn or verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Evaluate the positive and negative aspects of a particular situation
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on dramatic irony, personification, and simile
Write about complex literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering a meaningful excerpt from chapter 10 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. An answer key is provided. 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 and implicitly
Consult reference materials as needed to learn or verify word meanings
Discern 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 literary devices with emphasis on alliteration
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering a meaningful excerpt from chapter 21 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. An answer key is provided. 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 and implicitly
Consult reference materials as needed to learn or verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of the given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare the content of Perry’s most recent letter to Kenny to his previous letters
Apply knowledge of literary devices
Choose relevant textual evidence in support of a claim
Write about complex literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering a meaningful excerpt from chapter 14 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. An answer key is provided. 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 and implicitly
Consult reference materials as needed to learn or verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of the given excerpt
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Choose relevant textual evidence in support of a claim
Write about complex literature 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 covering chapters 16, 17, 18, and 19 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The nature of Perry’s injuries
Judy’s role
What happens to Brew
What Perry sends Kenny
The squad’s suspicions about Dongan
Dongan’s trick to make enemy forces vulnerable to attack
A booby-trapped child
Perry’s observations before shooting an enemy soldier
Dongan’s death
The reason for burning American soldiers’ bodies
The incident involving a jet
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 13, 14, and 15 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The rumor circulating about the war
An incident that jeopardizes the squad’s safety
Who accepts responsibility for the aforementioned incident
The reason for a group vote
The main purpose of the American soldiers’ mission to ambush Vietnamese forces
Perry’s brush with death
How Peewee is affected by events
The ARVN
Jamal’s role
Tam Ky
Why Gearhart does not order his men to fire upon enemy forces
Simpson’s feelings toward Captain Stewart
Perry’s physical condition
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 20, 21, 22, and 23 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Monaco’s hallucinations
The reason Gearhart hands Perry a letter
What Gearhart hands Walowick
Why Perry feels distressed when writing to Kenny
Brunner’s new role
Qualities Perry and Peewee share in common
How Perry and Peewee are separated from their peers
Where Perry and Peewee spend a night
The Viet Cong fighters’ trap
Perry’s concerns for his physical condition
An update on Judy Duncan
Characters who are sent home
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
Help high school students analyze how Doris Lessing used figurative language (simile), alliteration, descriptive language, and characterization to develop a compelling narrative and a mature, emotionally intelligent protagonist in “Through the Tunnel.” Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this resource serves well for an independent learning opportunity, as well as for small-group discussions. Through such discussions, students may evaluate peers’ reasoning and use of rhetoric to support claims, clarifying or challenging ideas as needed. An answer key is included.
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of plot-based quizzes covering the entirety of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. The assessments may double as guided reading worksheets to facilitate active engagement with the novel. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
By taking these quizzes, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Perry’s home city
Perry’s hopes and dreams
Perry’s motivations for serving in the military
Perry’s physical limitations
Rumors concerning the war
Peewee’s erratic behavior
Perry’s relation to Kenny
Why Peewee likes being in the military
Jenkins’ motivations for serving in the military
Why Lt. Carroll refers to Jenkins as an “angel warrior”
The veteran soldiers’ perception of Lt. Carroll
The reason for a mission to a Vietnamese village
The purpose of Earlene’s letter to Peewee
Lt. Carroll’s request of Perry
Perry’s loyalty to his squad
Lobel’s mindset at he is on patrol
Perry’s stated reason for being a soldier
The reason Perry does not participate in the killing of an adversary
Perry’s mindset as he looks at the corpse of the adversary
Captain Stewart’s lies
Perry’s physical condition
The reason for a fistfight between two characters
Why Peewee asks Perry to write a letter to Earlene
A major mistake by another squad
Lt. Carroll’s generosity
Perry’s request of Brew
Monaco’s reckless behavior
The purpose of a visit to a Vietnamese village
Brunner’s behavior while in the Vietnamese village
Johnson’s defense of Perry
What Peewee wants to buy while in the Vietnamese village
The content of a letter Lobel receives
Kenny’s personal goals as outlined in his letter to Perry
Peewee’s emotional state as he interacts with Red Cross representatives
The location where the squad will wait to ambush enemy forces
The death of a character following a conflict
Who is tasked with notifying the dead character’s family
Perry’s declining of an offer from Stewart
Perry’s learning of how Vietnamese forces treat hostages
Lobel’s extreme guilt
The author of a letter sent to Peewee
A lengthy discussion on draft-dodging
The rumor circulating about the war
An incident that jeopardizes the squad’s safety
Who accepts responsibility for the aforementioned incident
The reason for a group vote
The main purpose of the American soldiers’ mission to ambush Vietnamese forces
Perry’s brush with death
How Peewee is affected by events
The ARVN
Jamal’s role
Tam Ky
Why Gearhart does not order his men to fire upon enemy forces
Simpson’s feelings toward Captain Stewart
Perry’s physical condition
The nature of Perry’s injuries
Judy’s role
What happens to Brew
What Perry sends Kenny
The squad’s suspicions about Dongan
Dongan’s trick to make enemy forces vulnerable to attack
A booby-trapped child
Perry’s observations before shooting an enemy soldier
Dongan’s death
The reason for burning American soldiers’ bodies
The incident involving a jet
Monaco’s hallucinations
The reason Gearhart hands Perry a letter
What Gearhart hands Walowick
Why Perry feels distressed when writing to Kenny
Brunner’s new role
Qualities Perry and Peewee share in common
How Perry and Peewee are separated from their peers
Where Perry and Peewee spend a night
The Viet Cong fighters’ trap
Perry’s concerns for his physical condition
An update on Judy Duncan
Characters who are sent home