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.
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Sandra Cisneros’ Christmas-themed short story titled “Three Wise Guys: Un Cuento de Navidad.” The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate active engagement with 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:
The givers of a gift
The occasion for a gift
The active imaginations of a family and their neighbors
When the mother wants her family to open the box
The family’s socioeconomic conditions
The revelation of the gift
Ruben’s reaction to the gift
Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how Stephen Vincent Benet used hyperbole, simile, metaphor, and other literary devices to convey an exaggerated narrative in “The Devil and Daniel Webster” that is consistent with the supernatural fiction and tall tales. Delivered in both 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.
Fairy tales are not just for elementary students; even high school readers can use (and enjoy) fairy tales as a tool for measuring general reading comprehension. This multiple choice quiz covers “Sleeping Beauty” by the Brothers Grimm. With an estimated Lexile Measure range of 1200-1300, the short story is suitable for both middle and high school students. The briefness of the narrative also makes it an appropriate time-filler for awkward gaps in teaching schedules. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
A frog’s prophecy
The reason for a feast
The reason for inviting the Wise Women
The reason one of the Wise Women was not invited
An angry proclamation
A princess’ discovery in the tower
Supernatural events affecting people and animals in the vicinity of the castle
Supernatural events affecting the castle itself
The efforts of princes to locate Briar Rose
The resolution
Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how the Brothers Grimm used characterization, description, and various literary devices including hubris and symbolism to establish a mood in “Sleeping Beauty” that is consistent with the conventions of fairy tale writing. 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 and copy of the public domain short story are included.
Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how Jack London used descriptive language, direct and indirect characterization, and figurative language to generate distinct characters and a compelling piece of adventure fiction in “To Build a Fire.” 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 and copy of the public domain short story are included.
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter eight of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Further modifications to existing commandments
The reason Squealer presents the animals with statistics
The fate of three hens
Napoleon’s announcements
Frederick’s forgeries
Details about the attack on Animal Farm
A discovery made by the pigs
Squealer’s newest allegations against Snowball
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter four of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The important role of the pigeons
The characterization of Pilkington and Frederick
The nature of the relationship between Pilkington and Frederick
A rumor circulating around Animal Farm
Snowball’s research
Injured animals
Boxer’s terrible concern
An animal who goes missing
The name of the battle that transpired
The identity of an animal killed in battle
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter five of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Mollie’s life-changing decision
Napoleon’s strategies for disrupting Snowball’s speeches
The growing rift between Snowball and Napoleon
Napoleon’s priorities
Napoleon’s treatment of Snowball’s drawn-up plans
A dangerous incident that precedes Snowball’s departure
Napoleon’s big decision about community meetings
Intimidation tactics
Squealer’s accusations
Boxer’s new motto
Details concerning Sunday ceremonies
Napoleon’s surprise announcement
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter seven of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The humans’ belief about the fate of the windmill
Napoleon’s dynamic character
The deaths of nine hens
Squealer’s allegations
Napoleon’s lies
Immoral tactics used against the animals
Boxer’s reaction to the animal-on-animal violence
Clover’s reaction to the animal-on-animal violence
The decision related to the anthem “Beasts of England”
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering chapter nine of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Alternatively, the quiz may serve as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate more focused engagement with literature. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Boxer’s medical condition
The raising of Napoleon’s children
Details concerning spontaneous demonstrations
Animal Farm’s classification
Napoleon’s official title
New allegations against Snowball
The re-appearance of a character
The effect the re-appearance has on the community
The collapsing of an overworked animal
Benjamin’s distressing belief
Squealer’s newest misinformation campaign
For many high school students, humorous fiction, tall tales, and satire are types of literature that maximize interest and engagement. “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain is a representative short story with great literary and academic merit. With this rigorous worksheet, learners will be prompted to exercise close reading analysis skills. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
By engaging with this activity, students will:
Articulate what is stated in the text explicitly and implicitly
Determine the tone of a particular passage
Discern the author’s intent and its effect on readers.
Explore how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on simile
Apply knowledge of the elements of satire and tall tales
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 2, chapters 6 through 10). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing both Word Document and PDF versions. By engaging with this material, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
A reunion with the artilleryman
Characters’ specific fears
An unappealing suggestion for humanity’s survival
The narrator’s judgments about the artilleryman
A theory concerning the aliens’ cause of death
The narrator’s psychological state
Beliefs concerning an alternative location for colonization
Discoveries made at the narrator’s home
The invasion’s effect on humanity in general
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate take-home assessment planning duties with this plot-based quiz covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 2, chapters 1 through 5). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in a zip file containing both Word Document and PDF versions. By engaging with this material, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The narrator’s stated intentions
The narrator’s main motivations
The eerie strangeness of London
The reason for the narrator and minister’s entry into a house
The reason the narrator and the minister get stuck in the house
The narrator’s observations of the aliens
The conclusions the narrator draws about the extraterrestrials
The means by which the minister dies
What happens to the minister’s body
The length of the narrator’s confinement
Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and practice close reading analysis skills with this rigorous worksheet covering The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (book 1, chapters 2 through 5). An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
By completing the close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Analyze nuances in words with similar definitions and connotations
Discern the intended effects of given details
Explore how characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, verisimilitude, and imagery
Explore the symbolism of waving a white flag
Support claims and inferences with reasoned thinking and relevant evidence
Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 3, of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
With this close reading activity, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Examine how characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Compare and contrast characters in the play
Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, metaphor, and simile
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 2, of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
With this close reading activity, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Examine nuances in words with similar meanings
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Discern tone in context
Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s choices related to characterization
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification and situational irony
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 5, of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
With this close reading activity, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze the author’s craft
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Identify the function of Maria’s letter
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, allusion, consonance, oxymoron, and dramatic irony
Help high school students go beyond basic plot recall and develop close reading analysis skills with this set of high-order questions covering Act 2, scene 4, of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats, this worksheet saves English Language Arts teachers valuable time at home without sacrificing rigor in the classroom. An answer key is provided.
This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.
With this close reading activity, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze figurative language to determine its effect on the reader
Discern tone in context
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Choose the best textual evidence in support of a claim
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including allusion, oxymoron, simile, hyperbole, and ambiguity
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering part two of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (“The Sieve and the Sand”). This assessment may also serve as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Montag’s perception of the world
Montag’s perspective on books
A phone call between Montag and Faber
Faber’s professional background
Faber’s offerings of help
The purpose of Faber’s visit to St. Louis
Interactions among Mildred and her friends
How Montag irritates Mildred and her friends
Montag and Beatty’s interaction at the firehouse
A fire alarm
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering part one of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (“The Hearth and the Salamander”). This assessment may also serve as a guided reading handout to facilitate active reading experiences. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Details on Montag’s encounter with Clarisse
A lingering question in Montag’s mind
Mildred’s self-destructive behavior
The behavior of the mechanical hound
Clarisse’s concerns about school kids
Peculiarities about a particular fire call
Montag’s sneakiness
Mildred’s general disposition
Beatty’s general characterization
The campaign against books