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 8-slide PowerPoint is designed to provide students a brief introduction to the concepts of roots and formatives. This presentation addresses how learning about prefixes expands one's vocabulary, as well as how prefixes influence the meanings of words (e.g., reversing a verb's meaning, creating negative meaning, showing time and order, indicating location and degree, and expressing support or opposition).
This file contains two Word documents: a unit test and corresponding key.
The test is 47-questions in total. The format varies and features several multiple choice, true/false, matching, and essay questions. The test assesses the following:
- Understanding of the various functions of the media, including the political function, the economic function, the sentry function, the record-keeping function, the entertainment function, the social function, the marketplace function, and the agenda-setting function.
- Understanding of journalistic credibility and concepts such as the journalistic code of ethics, the First Amendment, and the American perception that the media has become increasingly dishonest and unfair.
- Understanding of key terminology pertaining to journalistic integrity. These terms include libel, slander, defamation, ethics, credibility, objectivity, attribution, plagiarism, sensationalism, right of reply, fairness to all, fair comment, prior restraint, privilege, in loco parentis, news judgment, and synergy.
- Understanding of the elements of news, including timeliness, proximity, prominence, consequence, human interest, conflict, and more.
- Understanding of the brainstorming process.
- Understanding of key court cases whose impact on journalism is noteworthy, including the Tinker Case and the Hazelwood Case.
Facilitate active participation in small-group discussions of science fiction literature with this set of literature circle materials for teaching Feed by M.T. Anderson. The following are included: a handout detailing student roles; documentation logs to hold students accountable for their tasks; and a standards-based rubric for scoring student performances. Materials are delivered in both Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging in these literature circle activities, students will do the following:
Articulate key details from the story
Generate open-ended questions related to the novel in order to carry out meaningful discussions with peers
Respond thoughtfully to open-ended questions and others’ contributions to the discussion
Document ways in which the novel is consistent with aspects of modern society
Locate specific passages and/or quotations that relate to major themes and concepts—especially those relating to technology, consumerism, sociology, and the value of independent thinking
Artistically convey important information from the assigned reading
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school readers discern all the important aspects of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee with this comprehensive reading guide, which promotes active engagement with literature and supports the development of independent, focused note-taking skills. A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. This resource highlights the following:
Character Development. Students will document relevant information about characterization and track character transformations.
Plot. Hundreds of plot-based questions are provided to help students focus on meaningful details from the novel.
Historical Context. Some questions necessitate brief research and/or activation of schema in order to draw similarities between historical events and incidents in the novel.
Meaningful Quotations and Excerpts. Dozens of meaningful quotes are emphasized, requiring students to articulate context and/or significance.
Vocabulary. Dozens of unfamiliar and complex words are identified to maximize students’ comprehension of plot and expand readers’ vocabulary.
SQ3R Practices. In each section, a list of generalized details (organized by chapter) helps students focus on what to review in the days and weeks following the assigned reading. Additionally, a section for personalized notes is given.
Use this set of reflective surveys and writing prompts to help middle and high school students meditate on their study habits and develop data-driven strategies for achieving a growth mindset. These are helpful back-to-school materials for a range of subject areas and age groups, though they are especially useful in structured study halls with emphasis on improving task management, time management, and organizational skills. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Included are the following:
A study habits survey asking students to rank themselves in 30 relevant areas
A distractibility survey asking students to assess the quality of their study spaces
Twenty-eight writing prompts to facilitate reflection, discussion, and growth mindset
A PowerPoint to display each of the twenty-eight writing prompts
A visually stimulating Power Point that provides context for the drama. Information covered includes Shakespeare’s background, The Globe Theatre, characteristics of Shakespearean performances, and character overviews.
For the purpose of engaging students, I will occasionally use humor to convey important ideas. This is intended to come across in this presentation.
This editable assessment measures general comprehension and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Crow.” Delivered in Word Document format, this quiz includes an answer key.
Learning targets addressed include:
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate definition of fable.
Students will demonstrate basic comprehension of the text.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of literary terminology by applying the concept to the text.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the text’s theme by paraphrasing a logical message they discern.
Help high school students reflect on their employability skills as they begin interviewing for jobs and planning for careers with this set of activities. Although these resources are intended for individuals to evaluate their own transferable skills for their own unique circumstances, they may also serve to facilitate engaging conversations among peers. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
By engaging with these materials, students will:
Communicate ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Consider how to navigate complications in the workplace while maintaining integrity
Participate in a structured process of developing coherent and compelling responses for job interviewing scenarios
Reflect on their accomplishments, personality traits, interests, and hobbies
Retain tools that may improve their commitment to growth mindset
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering chapter sixteen, “The Return.” An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
Ulysses’ return to Ithaca
Eumaeus’ loyalty
Ulysses’ new-found knowledge upon returning home
The suitors vs. Telemachus
The concealing of an identity
Argo’s reaction to Ulysses’ return
The antagonistic nature of Eurymachus
An archery contest
Penelope’s agreement to marry the victor
Bloody conflict
The resolution
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with this multiple choice, plot-based quiz covering chapters fourteen and fifteen (“Ino’s Veil” and “Nausicaa”). An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
Calypso’s help
Poseidon’s anger at Ulysses
The characterization of Ino
The characterization of Nausicaa
Nausicaa’s dream
Nausicaa’s encounter with Ulysses
The oracle’s warning
The men’s conspiracy against Ulysses
Nausicaa’s trick
King Alcinous’s generosity
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with this plot-based quiz covering chapters eight through eleven (“The Land of the Dead” through “Scylla and Charybdis”). An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
The death of Elpenor
The importance of the white bird
The sacrificing of goats
The appearance of ghosts
Ulysses’ new-found knowledge of what has transpired at home
Strategies Ulysses must employ to successfully return home
Protection against the Sirens
Scylla and Charybdis
The Isle of the Sun Titan
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with these plot-based quizzes covering chapter seven, “Circe.” A multiple choice version is provided, as well as a short answer alternative. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
A surprising discovery on the island
Circe’s background
Circe’s powers
Ulysses’ unexpected help from a Greek god
Ulysses and Circe’s arrangement
The men’s general feelings toward remaining on the island
Circe’s offer to Ulysses, which is refused
A revelation concerning the Land of the Dead
Ulysses’ decision to leave the island
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with these plot-based quizzes covering the chapters “The Cyclops’ Cave” through “Cannibal Beach.” Both multiple choice and short answer options are offered, as are answer keys. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important details:
The dangers of Polyphemus
Ulysses efforts to save himself and his men
The eventual escape
A flaw in Ulysses’ character
Polyphemus’s plea to his father
Aeolus and a gift
Another mistake Ulysses makes before arriving home
Aeolus’s response to Ulysses’ mistake
Incidents on Cannibal Beach
Measure general comprehension and hold students accountable for reading The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin with this plot-based quiz covering the prologue through the chapter titled “The Lotus Eaters.” An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in a zip file as both a Word Document and a PDF. Questions pertain to the following important details:
A bribe (inciting incident)
An oath agreed to by Helen’s suitors
The Trojan War
The wooden horse
An attack on the Island of the Ciconians
Ulysses’ efforts to save his men from subsequent attack
The tossing away of treasures
Morpheus
A characterization of the Lotus Eaters
Ulysses’ efforts to remove his men from the influence of Lotusland
This 14-slide PowerPoint covers the following:
- Several general interviewing tips
- Quotable responses (open-ended questions)
- Preparing and asking questions
- Generating stock questions
- Several listening tips
- Tips for conducting an interview
- Going off the record
- Prepublication checking
- Prior review
This is a 10-slide introductory PowerPoint covering various functions of journalists, including the political function, the economic function, the sentry function, the record-keeping function, the entertainment function, the social function, the marketplace function, and the agenda-setting function.
Folktales and legends are short story subgenres that appeal to many teenage readers who appreciate the fantasy genre. “The Silver Pool” by Ella Young is a legendary tall tale focusing on the quest of an Irish folk hero, Fionn MacCumhail, who aspires to become a leader. This multiple choice quiz covering “The Silver Pool” helps English teachers promote homework accountability and evaluate reading comprehension. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By taking this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Elements of legends
Fionn’s desire to become a strong man
The Salmon of Knowledge
The King’s Poet
Ireland’s art, etiquette, and heroes
Discovered treasure
The consequence of a significant action
A sudden realization
The fulfillment of a prophecy
Situational irony (or irony of result)
Save time and measure general reading comprehension with this printable quiz on “Black Angel,” a short story by Nancy Springer. Delivered in Word Document and PDF formats, this multiple choice assessment makes it easier to quickly and efficiently gather data on student recall and reading habits. An answer key and a copy of the public domain narrative are provided.
By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot:
Setting
The reason for the Jersey Devil’s frustration
Distinguishing characteristics of the nameless child
The comparison of the Jersey Devil to another mythical being
The reason for the nameless child’s presence in the woods
Where the Jersey Devil takes the child
The purpose of the Jersey Devil’s visit to the World Tree
Dynamic character
A new dynamic to the relationship between the child and the Jersey Devil
The World Tree’s judgment of the Jersey Devil
Symbolism