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 general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities for teaching the short story “The New Dress” by Virginia Woolf. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. 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 Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Discern the functions of various passages and excerpts Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Articulate the hypocritical nature of the protagonist’s behavior Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing and metaphor 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of plot-based quizzes covering each Act of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Answer keys are included. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting The motivation of a crowd Marullus’s perception of Caesar A coinciding event Flavius’s perception of Caesar Cassius’s fear The actions of a Soothsayer Cassius’s efforts to diminish Caesar Caesar’s medical condition Cassius’s plan to manipulate Brutus Casca’s fear Cinna’s role in a conspiracy The role of Lucius How Brutus rationalizes murdering Caesar How Brutus feels about his men taking an oath Individuals not permitted into the group The nature of Antony’s relationship with Caesar Portia’s concern for her husband How Brutus’s secrecy affects Portia Ligarius’s loyalty Calpurnia’s nightmares Ominous occurrences that foreshadow tragic events Decius’s influence on Caesar The purpose of Artemidorus’s letter Information from the Soothsayer Portia’s grievances Caesar’s decision involving Artemidorus’s letter Why Cassius fears the conspiracy has fallen apart before Caesar speaks Cassius’s extreme reaction to his fear Brutus’s motivation for kissing Caesar’s hand Caesar’s self image Brutus’s motivation for having Antony brought to him Antony’s apology to Caesar’s corpse Antony’s ominous prediction for the region The basis on which Brutus asks the public to trust him How Antony manipulates the public into distrusting Brutus The reading of Caesar’s will The nature of Antony’s conversation with Octavius and Lepidus What Antony intends to do with Caesar’s will Antony’s intentions for Lepidus The changing nature of Brutus and Cassius’s relationship Brutus’s observations about Cassius’s behavior Information provided to Brutus by Lucilius Why Brutus punished Lucius Brutus’s accusations against Cassius Cassius’s self-image Cassius’s emotionally charged offer to Brutus An unexpected visitor to the tent A supernatural encounter Antony’s assumption about Brutus and Cassius’s motives Conflict between Antony and Octavius Brutus and Cassius’s denigrating assessment of Antony Cassius’s opinion on superstitions Messala’s role in the battle The death of Cassius’s flag-bearer Titinius’s scrutiny of Brutus’s battlefield decision-making The cause of Cassius’s death Lucilius’s persona Antony’s motives with regard to his treatment of Lucilius The cause of Brutus’s death

Promote active engagement with science fiction, support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school, and evaluate general reading comprehension with this bundle of resources for teaching a collection of Ray Bradbury’s short stories: “Dark They Were and Golden Eyed,” “All Summer in a Day,” “The Fog Horn,” and “There Will Come Soft Rains.” Answer keys for every resource are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.

Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities for teaching the short story “Spunk” by Zora Neale Hurston. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Determine 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 Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including hubris, juxtaposition, foil, metaphor, epiphany, and situational irony 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities for teaching the short story “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Determine 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 functions of given details Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, foreshadowing, situational irony, and symbolism Conduct brief online research on a relevant topic (Ethan Allen) in order to answer a question about plot 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