Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner. An answer key and copy of the narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Read for literal comprehension Reflect on the significance of the narrative’s title Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer 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 Compare and contrast two characters Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, personification, metaphor, symbolism, 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, answer keys. and a copy of the narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: acrid, archaic, bier, cabal, circumvent, coquettish, cuckold, diffident, haughty, impervious, jalousie, macabre, pallid, pauper, pervade, sibilant, temerity, vague, vanquish, vindicate, and virulent. 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting The mayor’s special arrangement with Emily How the mayor convinced Emily to accept the arrangement The relationships between Emily and secondary characters Complaints lodged against Emily and her property A peculiar purchase Emily’s eccentricities Details concerning Emily’s funeral The narrator’s perception of time A shocking discovery And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “In Another Country” by Ernest Hemingway. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Historical context Setting The general characterization of the narrator The nature of soldiers’ injuries Interactions between characters The resolution And more

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, answer keys. and a copy of the narrative are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: acclivity, apprehension, apprise, ardently, assent, brooding, deference, dictum, elude, gesticulate, giddy, idler, ineffable, keen, luminous, monotonous, oscillation, pier, poignant, presage, preternaturally, secessionist, sentinel, stockade, subdue, summarily, uncanny, and undulation. 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Historical context Setting The general characterization of the protagonist The inciting incident Psychological effects of the protagonist’s conflict The resolution And more

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, answer keys. and a copy of the parable are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abashed, antipathy, apprehensive, countenance, fain, hastily, hoary, imbue, indecorous, iniquity, irreproachable, magistrate, moldered, ostentatious, pathos, portend, precede, pulpit, remonstrance, sagacious, shudder, solicitude, summon, thither, tremulous, venerable, waggery, and zealous. 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Minister’s Black Veil” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the parable are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting The subject of the minister’s sermon The townspeople’s reaction to the veiled minister Elizabeth’s relationship to the minister An observation made during a funeral service The reason for the minister’s fear at a wedding ceremony The minister’s caretaker when he becomes elderly Whether or not the minister ever permits his veil to be lifted The nature of the minister’s dying remarks And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Lullaby” by Leslie Marmon Silko. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: The protagonist’s name The fate of each of the protagonist’s children Setting The significance of the snow Conflicts between the protagonist and her husband Memories of the protagonist’s mother and grandmother The reason for the husband’s firing The husband’s irresponsible financial decisions The context of the lullaby And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “Tuesday Siesta” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. 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 characters’ means of transportation The nature of the relationship between mother and daughter The purpose of the characters’ trip Carlos’ general characterization The priest’s treatment of the mother The object given to the mother by the priest The mother’s disposition in the face of scrutiny And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Californian’s Tale” by Mark Twain. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. 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: Point of view The amount of time that has passed The area’s reputation The narrator’s assessment of those who live in log cabins The narrator’s observations about the cabin Why the narrator is encouraged to stay The concerns of the narrator How the host’s personality changes over the course of the story How the host’s friends subdue him The truth about the host’s life The host’s apparent medical condition

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Point of view Setting The general characterizations of the men at sea The correspondent’s assessment of Nature The identity of the character who dies How the surviving men perceive themselves following their shared experience And more

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The White Umbrella” by Gish Jen. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. 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 nature of the practice sessions The narrator’s lies The bickering between the narrator and her sister The reason the narrator is reluctant to ask for a white umbrella The interaction between the narrator and her teacher A misunderstanding involving the white umbrella The narrator’s awkward admission to her teacher The reason for the mother’s delay The mother’s sharing of a Chinese saying A terrifying incident The fate of the white umbrella

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “American History” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. 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 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 Consider how a change in point of view would affect the reader’s perception of Elena’s mother Discern the main conflict of the narrative Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Compare and contrast two characters Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, personification, simile, and more 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “American History” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: abrupt, altar, dilapidated, discreet, elation, enthralled, hierarchy, hija, hue, infatuated, resigned, solace, vigaroes, and wail. 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “American History” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. 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: Setting Elena’s general demeanor Elena’s likes and dislikes Elena’s impression of Eugene The dream of Elena’s parents Elena’s personal goals A major historical event Elena’s observations as she heads home Elena’s intentions in the hours following the historical event The interaction between Elena and Eugene’s mom

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “Catch the Moon” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. 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 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 Explore the author’s use of punctuation in context Describe tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Evaluate whether the protagonist’s father bears responsibility for his behavior Activate knowledge of the fairy tale “Cinderella” and compare the titular character to Luis Apply knowledge of literary devices including epiphany, hyperbole, symbolism, and more 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

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “Catch the Moon” by Judith Ortiz Cofer. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: ancient, barrio, cementerio, correspondence, decapitate, hijo, hubcap, juvenile, makeshift, metal, relic, and vulgar. 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 reading comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “And of Clay Are We Made” by Isabel Allende, as translated by Margaret Sayers Peden. 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 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 Describe tone in context Determine the functions of given excerpts Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, metaphor, personification, situational irony, symbolism, and more Reflect on what the story implies about the power of the media 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

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “And of Clay Are We Created” by Isabel Allende, as translated by Margaret Sayers Peden. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the text. 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 nature of the natural disaster The age of the trapped girl The identity of the narrator Rolf’s career Means by which people try to help the trapped girl Rolf’s reflections Interactions between Rolf and the trapped girl The narrator’s assessment of Rolf’s condition And more