With a decade of teaching experience, I specialize in developing student-centered ELA activities and unit plans that foster creativity and critical thinking. My resources have been tried and tested in more than 74,000 classrooms worldwide since 2013.
With a decade of teaching experience, I specialize in developing student-centered ELA activities and unit plans that foster creativity and critical thinking. My resources have been tried and tested in more than 74,000 classrooms worldwide since 2013.
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 4, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare the characters of Portia and Antonio
Consider themes in context
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
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the Shakespeare’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given passage
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare the characters of Antonio and Shylock
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including metaphor, personification, 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
Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement chapter 2 of Lord of the Flies by William Golding. A crossword puzzle, word search activity, vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.
Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: assent, bleakly, clamor, coarse, contemptuously, ebullience, festoon, gesticulate, mutter, nimble, shrill, and ungraspable.
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 comprehension, explore literary devices, and improve critical thinking skills with this close reading inference worksheet covering Act 5, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Consider using this resource as an in-class group activity; it may facilitate deeper conversations about characters, plot developments, and literary craft. By engaging with this close reading analysis 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 Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Consider themes in context
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 works of Shakespeare
Help high school students go beyond basic comprehension, practice critical thinking skills, and explore literary elements with this close reading inference worksheet covering chapter 8 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with this close reading activity, students will do the following:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices including simile and situational irony
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and dramatic craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Act 1, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. An answer key is included. 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
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and dramatic techniques
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters (Beatrice and Benedick)
Apply knowledge of literary devices including hyperbole, juxtaposition, allusion, metaphor, and symbolism
Support ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of Shakespeare
Challenge high school students to think critically and support analysis of characters, plot, and literary craft with this close reading inference worksheet covering Daphne du Maurier’s short story “The Birds.” A detailed answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. This close reading activity will prompt students to do the following:
Read for literal comprehension
Analyze the author’s choice of title in order to articulate its intended effect on readers
Examine how elements of setting and other narrative techniques contribute to the development of suspense
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of various literary devices including personification, amplification, onomatopoeia, simile, epiphany, foreshadowing, and more
Conduct online research to answer a question about historical context
Examine what a given passage implies about humanity’s relationship with Nature
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Challenge high school students to push beyond basic reading comprehension and exercise close reading analysis skills while engaging with Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Given the objective nature of the multiple choice questions, each close reading activity is rigorous enough for students to find deeper meaning in the text, yet convenient enough for teachers to quickly and efficiently gather data on their students’ textual analysis skills. Included are twenty close reading worksheets, each addressing an individual scene, and answer keys. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By the end of the play, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words and phrases as they are used in the text
Discern the tone of given passages
Determine the functions of given scenes
Analyze plot from a historical perspective
Consider the greater significance of given details
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast characters
Examine the effect of Shakespeare’s narrative techniques with emphasis on the incorporation of figurative language
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, euphemism, personification, hyperbole, oxymoron, situational irony, dramatic irony, and more
Conduct brief research to answer a question connecting the drama to aspects of Greek mythology
Consider autobiographical parallel, drawing an informed inference about Shakespeare’s philosophy on the purpose of dramatic performances based on details provided in a given scene
Explore themes with emphasis on humanity’s relationship with the universe
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous, text-dependent questions on the ironic short story “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast characters
Apply knowledge of literary devices including allusion, metaphor, personification, dramatic irony, and situational irony
Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction
With this summative test covering the entirety of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, English teachers will evaluate students’ reading comprehension, knowledge of literary devices, essay writing skills, and ability to articulate how the author develops and reinforces theme (that totalitarianism has grave effects on ordinary people). An answer key, standards-based writing rubric, sample essay response, and test prep study guide are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this assessment, students will demonstrate an ability to:
Correctly identify characters based on given details and descriptions
Apply knowledge of literary devices including metaphor, simile, allusion, dramatic irony, portmanteau, pun, and more
Analyze passages and make logical inferences in the context of those passages
Write a brief essay in which students convey ideas with relevant textual evidence and adhere to the standard conventions of written English
Evaluate general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and craft analysis skills with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. A plot-based quiz, four close reading worksheets, 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 in order to learn and verify word meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Determine the function of a given excerpt
Describe tone in context
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare two characters (Artemidorus and Calpurnia)
Compare and contrast two characters (Caesar and Calpurnia)
Articulate the qualities that distinguish Artemidorus from most other characters in the play
Apply knowledge of literary devices including foreshadowing, symbolism, and dramatic irony
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
Help high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Kurt Vonnegut’s dystopian short story “Harrison Bergeron.” An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing the close reading activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Define words as they are used in the text
Discern the narrative’s point of view
Examine how complex characters think, behave, develop, and interact
Apply knowledge of literary devices including personification, paradox, oxymoron, simile, onomatopoeia, situational irony, and dramatic irony
Explore 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 Act 2, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. 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 both explicitly and implicitly
Discern the function of Macbeth’s soliloquy
Discern tone in context
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare the characters of Banquo and Macbeth
Consider the symbolism of a diamond in context
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as personification and simile
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
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 Act 3, scene 5, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. 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 both explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases in context
Explore cause-and-effect relationships
Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare the characters of Lady Macbeth and Hecate
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on allusion
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
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 Act 3, scene 6, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. 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 both explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases in context
Discern tone in context
Determine the function of the scene
Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Analyze Shakespeare’s incorporation of religious imagery to articulate what it implies about Macbeth
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as assonance, alliteration, and sibilance
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
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 Act 5, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. More specifically, students will:
Identify what the text states both explicitly and implicitly
Define complex words and phrases in context
Discern the greater significance of a given detail
Examine how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices with emphasis on hyperbole and metaphor
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
This bundle of 5 assessments measures general comprehension and holds students accountable for the assigned reading of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Each multiple choice quiz is delivered as an editable Word Document. Answer keys for each quiz are included.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The purpose of a chorus
A character known as a peace-maker
The reason for street-fighting in Verona
Prince Escalus’s declaration
Romeo’s cause for sadness
Lord Capulet’s attitude toward marrying off Juliet
Benvolio’s encouragement (to Romeo)
Juliet’s attitude toward marriage
Mercutio’s treatment of Romeo
A foreshadowing fear
Tybalt’s temperament
Lord Capulet’s reaction to Romeo’s presence at the party
The revelation of Juliet’s true identity
Juliet’s beauty and Romeo’s metaphor
The rejection of one’s name
Romeo’s great fear, expressed during the balcony scene
Juliet’s concerns over acting too hastily
Friar Laurence’s specialty
Friar Laurence’s beliefs and philosophies
Friar Laurence’s thoughts regarding the union of Romeo & Juliet
Tybalt’s letter
Offensive comments toward the Nurse
The Nurse’s news for Romeo
Friar Laurence’s assessment of Romeo & Juliet’s love
Mercutio’s reason for fighting Tybalt
Romeo’s ill-fated attempt to stop the fight
Romeo’s reason for leaving Verona
Juliet’s criticisms of the Nurse
The Nurse’s confusing news
Juliet’s conflicting emotions toward her husband
Friar Laurence’s perspective on the Prince’s punishment
Romeo’s erratic behavior
Lord Capulet’s arrangement with Paris
Mantua
A character who plans to have Romeo killed
A threat of being disowned
The Nurse’s advice to Juliet
Juliet’s foreshadowing comments
Paris’s perspective on Lord Capulet’s motivations
Juliet’s confession to Paris
Paris’s lack of awareness about Lord Capulet’s threat
Juliet’s confession to Friar Laurence
Friar Laurence’s plan
Juliet’s request for her father’s forgiveness
Lord Capulet’s attitude toward Friar Laurence
A terrible thought
An alarming discovery
A shift in Lord Capulet’s emotions
Friar John’s task
The reason Friar John cannot complete his task
Balthasar’s significance
Balthasar’s lack of awareness
A visit to the apothecary
A conflict between Romeo and Paris in the churchyard
Romeo’s suicide
Juliet’s suicide
Friar Laurence’s emotional reaction
The resolution
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 Act 2, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Choose the best textual evidence in support of a claim
Apply knowledge of figurative language and dramatic irony
Support inferences or claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Come to class better prepared to discuss dramatic works
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 Act 3, scene 3, of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this activity, students will:
Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
Compare elements of this scene to the preceding scene
Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word and phrase meanings
Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques (with emphasis on repetition)
Describe tone in context
Support claims or 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 promote accountability for homework completion with this plot-based quiz covering The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (chapter 6). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the novel. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Questions pertain to the following important plot details:
The dwarves’ complaints
Gandalf’s insistence that the dwarves look for Bilbo
The adventurers’ reaction to Bilbo’s sudden return
Incident involving the Wargs
Wargs and their history with another antagonistic group
Gandalf’s rescue efforts
The Eagles’ arrival
The Eagles’ fear of man