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.
Measure high school reading comprehension and support analysis of Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet (Act 2) with this bundle that features a plot-based quiz and rigorous close reading activities. By engaging with these resources, students will identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly, apply knowledge of literary devices, interpret figurative expressions, make engagement with text visible, and more. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Discern what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Identify a variety of functions this scene serves
Analyze character statements and behaviors to draw logical inferences about character development and motivations
Analyze complex vocabulary and phrasing in context to determine meaning and intended effect
Apply knowledge of literary devices to the text with emphasis on situational irony
Compare and contrast two characters
Articulate ideas with clarity and precision
Defend a claim with textual evidence
Analyze the factors contributing to Hamlet’s internal conflict (the contradictory nature of religious values coupled with codes of honor)
Measure high school reading comprehension and support analysis of Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet (Act 1) with this bundle that features a plot-based quiz and rigorous close reading activities. By engaging with these resources, students will identify what the text says explicitly and implicitly, apply knowledge of literary devices, interpret figurative expressions, make engagement with text visible, and more. Answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Define complex words and phrases in context
Verify interpretations of words and phrases using reference materials such as a dictionary and thesaurus
Discern the tone of a given passage
Isolate a falsehood about plot development among factual statements
Analyze character actions and dialogue to discern character motivations
Cite textual evidence in support of claims and ideas
Discern the most adequate characterization of Horatio
Analyze plot from a historical context
Analyze character dialogue to discern and articulate what is implied
Apply knowledge of dynamic character to the text
Apply knowledge of foreshadowing to the text
Identify context clues that suggest Horatio’s opinion on supernatural occurrences is correct
Explain how Denmark gained authority over Norwegian lands
Make an inference about author’s intent, analyzing plot to determine what is suggested about the universe and its relationship to humankind
Conduct brief research to answer a question connecting Greek mythology to the drama
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s King Lear with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a quiz on characters and plot, three close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Materials in this bundle 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
Consult reference materials in order to learn and 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 including metaphor, personification, simile, onomatopoeia, and oxymoron
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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s King Lear with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a quiz on characters and plot, seven close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Materials in this bundle 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
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the functions of given scenes
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Evaluate whether Lear is better off or worse off as a result of plot developments
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, simile, symbolism, and more
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
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s King Lear with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a quiz on characters and plot, seven close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s narrative techniques and figurative language
Define words/phrases as they are used in context
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials
Describe tone in context
Consider the greater significance of given details
Determine the primary function of given excerpts/scenes
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters in the play (Edgar and Edmund)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance, hyperbole, personification, paradox, metaphor, verbal irony, dramatic irony, situational irony, and apheresis
Conduct brief research on pelicans to better understand their symbolic value in context (“pelican daughters”)
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s King Lear with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a quiz on characters and plot, four close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words/phrases as they are used in context
Explore nuances in words with similar meanings
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials
Demonstrate general awareness of the characteristics of an Elizabethan audience
Describe tone in context
Determine the primary functions of given excerpts
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare Gloucester and Lear
Compare and contrast Edgar and Lear
Apply knowledge of literary devices including situational irony, metaphor, assonance, onomatopoeia, inversion, personification, juxtaposition, dramatic irony, and situational irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s King Lear with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a quiz on characters and plot, five close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words/phrases as they are used in context
Explore nuances in words with similar meanings
Choose the most appropriate synonym for a given word
Verify interpretations of language using reference materials
Describe tone in context
Consider the greater significance of given details
Determine the primary function of a given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration, hyperbole, synecdoche, antithesis, aphorism, allusion, dramatic irony, situational irony, and double denotation
Conduct brief research on mythological and historical subjects
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 5 of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, eight close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effects of figurative language in context
Define complex words and phrases in context
Discern the greater significance of given details
Determine the function of given details and scenes
Discern tone in context
Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on hyperbole, simile, metaphor, personification, foreshadowing, allusion, and symbolism
Conduct brief online research in order to answer a question
Articulate the greater significance of the placement of young Siward’s fatal injuries
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 4 of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, three close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Discern apparent contradictions in dialogue
Define complex words and phrases in context
Explain the intended effect of figurative language in context
Discern tone in context
Determine the function of a given scene
Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast the characters of Lady Macduff and Lady Macbeth
Compare and contrast the murders of Lady Macduff and her son to previous homicides
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as simile, paradox, invective, hyperbole, situational irony, and more
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 3 of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, six close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Define challenging words as they are used in the text
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Discern tone in context
Determine the function of given details
Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare characters in the play
Analyze Shakespeare’s incorporation of religious imagery to articulate what it implies about Macbeth
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as allusion, metaphor, euphemism, hyperbole, allusion, callback, situational irony, and more
Consider the symbolism of sleep, diamonds, and an extinguished light in context
Make logical inferences about Elizabethan culture and its perspective on the supernatural
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills while teaching Act 2 of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with this bundle of formative assessments. Included are the following: a multiple choice quiz on characters and plot, seven close reading worksheets addressing the author’s craft, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s diction
Analyze language and articulate its intended effect
Discern tone in context
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Define complex and archaic words as they are used in the text
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare the characters of Banquo and Macbeth
Consider the symbolism of sleep and diamonds in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as personification, hyperbole, simile, allusion, dramatic irony, and situational irony
Identify the best textual evidence in support of claims and inferences
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A plot-based quiz, seven close reading worksheets (one per scene), and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Discern the intended effect of Shakespeare’s diction
Analyze language and articulate its intended effect
Discern tone in context
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Define complex and archaic words as they are used in the text
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including assonance, simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, foreshadowing, paradox, allusion, situational irony, verbal irony, and more
Identify the best textual evidence in support of claims and inferences
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 7 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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 resource, students will:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices (metaphor and personification)
Determine the function of a given passage
Analyze the author’s craft to articulate what literary technique is applied and what purpose it serves
Determine the function of the entire chapter
Analyze how Ralph becomes a dynamic character and connect Ralph’s transformation to the author’s theme on human nature
Write with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 6 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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 resource, students will:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices (personification, sibilance, simile, meiosis, allusion, and idiom)
Articulate the situational irony associated with Jack’s criticism of Ralph
Analyze the greater significance of the air battle and dead pilot
Analyze the author’s craft to explain how juxtaposition is applied in a given passage
Articulate Simon’s internal conflict in the context of the chapter
Write with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 5 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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 resource, students will:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices (slang and invective)
Articulate the situational irony associated with Ralph’s assembly
Explain what a given passage implies about Ralph’s psychological state
Articulate the potential error in Ralph’s judgment in terms of the assembly’s timing
Identify the qualities that make Jack successful in garnering larger scale support
Infer the author’s social commentary associated with Jack’s manner of leadership
Write with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 4 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
This resource may serve as the basis for 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 resource, students will:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Analyze the author’s craft to identify language and details that contribute to Percival’s distinct characterization
Isolate a falsehood from among several true statements
Discern the function of a given passage
Apply knowledge of various literary devices (neologism and onomatopoeia)
Articulate the internal conflict Simon experiences
Contrast Jack’s behavior toward Ralph versus Piggy and evaluate what it indicates about Jack’s mindset
Identify specific textual details from this chapter that reinforce the claim that Simon is compassionate and thoughtful
Write with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Determine the meaning of complex words or phrases as they are used in the text
Apply knowledge of various literary devices hyperbole, simile, metaphor, and imagery
Determine the primary function of the chapter
Analyze the author’s craft to better understand how Jack is becoming more savage
Analyze Ralph’s behavior in a given passage to infer what it reveals about his psychological state
Identify textual evidence that reinforces the idea of being disconnected from modern society
Write with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 2 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices zoomorphism and metaphor
Discern the tone of a given passage in context
Discern the significance of the boys’ allusions to adventure fiction
Discern the significance of the group’s not bringing the conch shell to the mountain
Analyze a character’s behavior to infer what is revealed about his mindset
Analyze the author’s craft to articulate how Golding achieves a particular effect
Identify relevant textual evidence in support of claims regarding Jack’s defiant nature and Piggy’s leadership potential
Write with clarity and precision
Go beyond reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills for high school with this set of rigorous questions on chapter 1 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A variety of question types facilitates preparation for standardized testing scenarios. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this resource, students will:
Discern what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Analyze how complex characters interact and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, simile, and onomatopoeia
Analyze the author’s craft to articulate the intended effect of language and imagery
Infer what is foreshadowed by a given detail using reasoned thinking
Determine the most appropriate synonym for a given word in context
Contrast Simon with his peers in the context of a given passage
Conduct brief research on the mythological figure Triton and compare him to Ralph
Identify relevant textual evidence in support of claims
Write with clarity and precision
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 5, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate why Shakespeare may have made this scene so short
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 Shakespearean drama