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.
This end-of-unit test pairs with a low-prep bundle and covers ten short stories for high school: “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury, “Through the Tunnel” by Doris Lessing, “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe, “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson, “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl, “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan, “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets” by Jack Finney, “The Leap” by Louise Erdrich, “The Colomber” by Dino Buzzati, and “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker. A test prep guide, answer key, and standards-aligned essay rubric are provided. All materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Match the author’s name to his or her work
Demonstrate knowledge of primary and secondary characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events that take place in a variety of stories
Relate themes to narratives
Match relevant vocabulary terms to their definitions
Respond to a thematically significant essay prompt
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
This end-of-unit test covers ten short stories for high school: “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, “The Birds” by Daphne du Maurier, “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, “Rules of the Game” by Amy Tan, “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe, “To Build a Fire” by Jack London, “The Challenge” by Gary Soto, “Games at Twilight” by Anita Desai, and “Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara. A test prep guide, answer key, and standards-aligned essay rubric are provided. All materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will:
Match the author’s name to his or her work
Demonstrate knowledge of primary and secondary characters and the key aspects of their lives
Demonstrate knowledge of significant events that take place in a variety of stories
Relate themes to narratives
Match relevant vocabulary terms to their definitions
Respond to a thematically significant essay prompt
Cite relevant textual evidence in support of claims made in an academic essay
Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a classic Grimm’s fairy tale titled “Jorinda and Jorindel.” An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are 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 this close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consider how words and phrases may have dual interpretations in context
Discern the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Determine the greater significance of given details
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including symbolism and situational irony
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the classic fairy tale “Jorinda and Jorindel” by the Brothers Grimm. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
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, and discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed:
bewitch
bough
disenchant
gloomy
hie
hoarse
mournfully
mutter
nightingale
screech
seize
swiftly
weep
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the science fiction short story “History Lesson” by Arthur C. Clarke, author of 2001: A Space Odyssey. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: biped, cairn, clamor, ebb, flotsam, fruitless, immense, kindle, languidly, lore, mar, perpetual, posterity, recapitulate, reverently, sardonically, scarcely, stalemate, subside, undulate, vain, and wane.
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, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the humorous Grimm’s fairy tale “Clever Gretel.” A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain short story, 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
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques
Describe tone in context
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Articulate contradictions made evident by the protagonist’s behavior
Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony and foreshadowing
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 “Broken Chain” by Gary Soto. 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 dramatic irony, idiom, invective, simile, situational irony, and symbolism
Reflect on the author’s choice of title and interpret it figuratively
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
Help high school students develop a greater understanding of how the Brothers Grimm used characterization, exaggeration, description, and various literary devices to establish a mood in “The Frog King” that is consistent with the conventions of fairy tale literature. 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 middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering a classic Grimm’s fairy tale titled “The Frog King” (also called “Iron Heinrich” and “Iron Henry”). An answer key and copy of the public domain short story are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will do the following:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Infer the intended effects of the author’s stylistic choices and narrative techniques
Determine the narrative’s inciting incident
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, onomatopoeia, personification, dramatic irony, and situational irony
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 classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Frog King,” also known as “Iron Heinrich” and “Iron Henry.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: acquiesce, arresting, consternation, dejected, haste, jubilant, lament, odious, relish, vehemently, weary, and weep.
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 classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Frog King.” The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the short story. An answer key and copy of the text are provided. All materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
The cause of the princess’ sadness
The frog’s negotiations with the princess
The princess’ betrayal of the frog
The princess’ reaction to the frog’s sudden appearance
The king’s response to his daughter’s explanation of events
The frog’s conduct in the castle
The princess’ reaction to the frog’s conduct
The reason for the prince’s transformation into a frog
The personal wellness of Faithful Henry
The cause of cracking noises
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement “The Storyteller” by Saki. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: bristle, deplorably, dissentient, emphatically, fatuously, ferocity, glare, immense, listlessly, murmur, petulant, promptly, reluctantly, resolute, scowl, and sultry.
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
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: afflict, aquiver, elixir, elusive, exalted, forestall, hasten, implore, importunity, peddler, procession, repression, shudder, trivial, tumultuously, twitter, and unwittingly.
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
Facilitate vocabulary development, evaluate general reading comprehension, and support critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of materials for teaching three short stories by Gary Soto: “The Challenge,” “The No-Guitar Blues,” and “Broken Chain.” A quiz, close reading worksheet, vocabulary application activity, crossword puzzle, and word search game are provided for each narrative. Answer keys for everything are also included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will do the following:
Identify what the texts state explicitly and implicitly
Determine the meanings 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 dramatic irony, idiom, invective, simile, situational irony, symbolism, and more
Reflect on the author’s choice of title (“Broken Chain”) and interpret it figuratively
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
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 “The Storyteller” by Saki, also known as H. H. Munro. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are 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 the tone of a given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, oxymoron, situational irony, 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
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of activities for teaching “The Storyteller” by Saki, also known as H. H. Munro. A plot-based quiz, a close reading analysis worksheet, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, the public domain short story, 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
Describe the tone of a given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, oxymoron, situational irony, 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
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 “Beware of the Dog” by Roald Dahl. 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 the story conforms to the conventions of surrealism
Conduct research as needed to answer questions involving historical context and autobiographical parallels
Describe the tone of a given passage
Determine the functions of given passages
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, paradox, personification, simile, situational irony, 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
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 the short story “Beware of the Dog” by Roald Dahl. 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 how the story conforms to the conventions of surrealism
Conduct research as needed to answer questions involving historical context and autobiographical parallels
Describe the tone of a given passage
Determine the functions of given passages
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including onomatopoeia, paradox, personification, simile, situational irony, 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
Facilitate vocabulary development, evaluate general reading comprehension, and support critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this bundle of materials for teaching three compelling short stories by Kate Chopin: “The Story of an Hour,” “A Pair of Silk Stockings,” and “Desiree’s Baby.” A quiz, close reading worksheet, vocabulary application activity, crossword puzzle, and word search game are provided for each narrative. Answer keys for everything are also included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will do the following:
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
Discern 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
Describe the tone of a given excerpt
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, metaphor, paradox, simile, and situational irony
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, facilitate vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking skills with this bundle of materials for teaching the short story “A Pair of Silk Stockings” by Kate Chopin. 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.
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 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
Discern 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 with emphasis on the decision not to give the protagonist a first name
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, and situational irony
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