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.
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering a portion of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to support engagement and promote accountability. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The name of Hester’s daughter
The narrator’s commentary on where people tend to be situated
How Hester makes money
Hester’s treatment of the community
The daughter’s social isolation
How townspeople attempt to complicate Hester’s relationship with her child
Bellingham’s role
Hester’s assessment of the roles of her daughter in her life
Chillingworth’s deception
Where Chillingworth lives
Why Chillingworth comes to despise a neighbor
How townspeople perceive Chillingworth
Evaluate reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering a portion of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4). The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to support engagement and promote accountability. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By taking this quiz, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
What (or who) Hester carries in her arms
The letter with which Hester is marked
The accusation against Hester
John Wilson’s job
Dimmesdale’s job
Demands placed upon Hester
Whether or not Hester follows through on those demands
Chillingworth’s relation to Hester
Chillingworth’s intentions
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this bundle of quizzes covering the entirety of The Tragedy of Richard III by William Shakespeare. Each assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to promote active engagement with the text. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Richard III. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespearean drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The holiday on which Act 5 begins
Buckingham’s thoughts prior to his execution
Whether or not Buckingham feels he deserves to die
Richard’s understanding of Richmond’s army in comparison to his own
Where Richard sets up camp
The arrival of unexpected visitors
The message these visitors bring
The intended recipient of Richmond’s message
Richmond’s clever military tactics
Richmond’s new title as king
How Richmond plans to bring peace to the area
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 4 of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Richard III. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespearean drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
How Brakenbury alarms Queen Elizabeth
How Queen Elizabeth responds
Stanley’s relation to Richmond
Lady Anne’s feelings about becoming the queen
Richard’s first orders after being crowned
Buckingham’s reaction to Richard’s orders
The identity of a man willing to kill for money
Catesby’s assigned task
Richard intentions for the young princes’ sister, Elizabeth
Why Richard begins to feel unsettled
What happened to the Bishop of Ely
Conflict between the Duchess of York and Margaret
The advancement of opposing forces
Richard’s request of Stanley
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 3 of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Richard III. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespearean drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
Setting
Buckingham’s plans and intentions
Prince Edward’s interactions with Richard
Richard’s treacherous plot
Catesby’s function in terms of advancing plot
Hasting’s loyalties
Murders carried out by Richard’s supporters
The real intentions behind a council session
Buckingham’s assigned task
The Bishop of Ely’s assigned task
Richard’s accusations against Hastings
How Richard deceives the public
The public’s reaction to Richard’s deception
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Richard III. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespearean drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
King Edward’s request of Queen Elizabeth
King Edward’s change of heart concerning Clarence
King Edward’s emotional response to Clarence’s death
The Duchess of York’s relation to Clarence
Richard’s self-praise
Why Queen Elizabeth becomes devastated
Secondary characters’ relationships to Queen Elizabeth
The identities of those who are jailed
The nature of a conversation among common citizens
Richard’s closest ally
A rumor about Richard’s childhood
How the Act concludes
Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering Act 1 of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Richard III. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with Shakespearean drama. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following:
The identity of the king at the play’s start
Richard’s self-image
Clarence’s fate
Richard’s lies
Why Anne considers Richard a “foul devil”
Anne’s wish for Richard
Richard’s attempts to charm Anne
False accusations against Queen Elizabeth
The person in charge of the Tower prison
The identity of a person who curses Richard
Use this low-prep bundle to eliminate assessment-planning responsibilities and help high school readers engage meaningfully with William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Plot-based quizzes (one per Act), vocabulary development activities (three per Act), close reading analysis worksheets (one per scene), a final exam, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. With these activities and assessments, students will do the following:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Consider what the given excerpt reflects about Shakespeare’s mindset
Describe tone in context
Determine the functions of given details/excerpts
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast characters
Evaluate whether Oberon’s use of magic is beneficial in any way
Evaluate how the term paramour (as it is used in the text) is applicable to the character of Bottom
Identify the intended audience of Puck’s concluding speech (epilogue)
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as allusion, assonance, dramatic irony, euphemism, epiphany, hyperbole, malapropism, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification, simile, situational irony, symbolism, verbal irony, and more
Conduct research as needed to answer questions about mythological, historical, and literary figures (Hecate, Tartar, and Robin Goodfellow)
Consider themes in context
Generate an essay articulating a significant theme and exploring how it is developed over the course of the play
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Write about Shakespearean drama with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Use this test to evaluate students’ knowledge of William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The exam addresses essential character details, significant plot points, and relevant literary devices. Additionally, students will explore the development of theme and evaluate whether Shakespeare intended for his audience to approach the play’s moral very seriously. A test prep study guide, answer key, and standards-based essay rubric are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats.
Challenge students to move beyond basic reading comprehension and exercise close reading analysis skills while engaging with A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. The close reading activities are rigorous enough for students to find deeper meaning in the text, yet they are convenient in terms of quickly and efficiently gathering data on students’ textual analysis skills. Included are nine close reading worksheets and answer keys. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By the end of the play, students will have done the following (and more):
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Consider what the given excerpt reflects about Shakespeare’s mindset
Describe tone in context
Determine the functions of given details/excerpts
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast characters
Evaluate whether Oberon’s use of magic is beneficial in any way
Evaluate how the term paramour (as it is used in the text) is applicable to the character of Bottom
Identify the intended audience of Puck’s concluding speech (epilogue)
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as allusion, assonance, dramatic irony, euphemism, epiphany, hyperbole, malapropism, metaphor, onomatopoeia, personification, simile, situational irony, symbolism, verbal irony, and more
Conduct research as needed to answer questions about mythological, historical, and literary figures (Hecate, Tartar, and Robin Goodfellow)
Consider themes in context
Write about Shakespearean works with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared for discussions
Help students navigate Shakespeare’s vocabulary, demonstrate basic reading comprehension, analyze plot, and explore literary elements with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 5 of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A plot-based quiz, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, a close reading worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Consider what the given excerpt reflects about Shakespeare’s mindset
Determine the function of a given set of lyrics in Oberon’s song
Identify the intended audience of Puck’s speech (epilogue)
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as allusion, assonance, personification, and more
Conduct research as needed to answer questions about mythological and literary figures (Hecate and Robin Goodfellow)
Write about Shakespearean works with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared for discussions
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering an excerpt from Act 5 of William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Consider what the given excerpt reflects about Shakespeare’s mindset
Determine the function of a given set of lyrics in Oberon’s song
Identify the intended audience of Puck’s speech (epilogue)
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as allusion, assonance, personification, and more
Conduct research as needed to answer questions about mythological and literary figures (Hecate and Robin Goodfellow)
Write about Shakespearean works with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared for discussions
Help high school students navigate Shakespeare’s vocabulary, demonstrate basic reading comprehension, analyze plot, and explore literary elements with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 4 of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A plot-based quiz, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, two 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:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Describe tone in context
Determine the function of a given scene
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast characters
Evaluate whether Oberon’s use of magic is beneficial in any way
Evaluate how the term paramour (as it is used in the text) is applicable to the character of Bottom
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as hyperbole, malapropism, metaphor, simile, and more
Write about Shakespearean works with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared for discussions
Help 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 4, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Define words as they are used in the text
Determine the function of the scene
Describe tone in context
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Evaluate how the term paramour (as it is used in the text) is applicable to the character of Bottom
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as hyperbole and malapropism
Write about Shakespearean works with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared for discussions
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering an excerpt from Act 4, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Describe tone in context
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare and contrast characters
Evaluate whether Oberon’s use of magic is beneficial in any way
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as malapropism, metaphor, simile, and more
Write about Shakespearean works with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared for discussions
Help students navigate Shakespeare’s vocabulary, demonstrate basic reading comprehension, analyze plot, and explore literary elements with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 3 of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A plot-based quiz, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, two 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:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Describe tone in context
Discern the function of a given detail
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare the language of Hermia and Demetrius to identify a commonality
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as dramatic irony, hyperbole, invective, onomatopoeia, personification, simile, verbal irony, and more
Consider themes in context
Conduct brief research to make sense of Puck’s allusion to “Tartar’s bow”
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared for discussions
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering an excerpt from Act 3, scene 2, of William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Describe tone in context
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Compare the language of Hermia and Demetrius to identify a commonality
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as hyperbole, invective, personification, simile, verbal irony, and more
Consider themes in context
Conduct brief research to make sense of Puck’s allusion to “Tartar’s bow”
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared for discussions
Help students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering an excerpt from Act 3, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this exercise, students will:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Discern the function of a given detail
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as dramatic irony, onomatopoeia, personification, and more
Consider themes in context
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared for discussions
Help students navigate Shakespeare’s vocabulary, demonstrate basic reading comprehension, analyze plot, and explore literary elements with this bundle of formative assessments covering Act 2 of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A plot-based quiz, a vocabulary application activity, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, two 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:
Read for literal comprehension
Infer the intended effects of Shakespeare’s word choices and figurative language
Describe tone in context
Discern the function of a given passage
Explore how characters think, behave, interact, and develop
Apply knowledge of literary devices such as allusion, epiphany, hyperbole, metaphor, personification, situational irony, symbolism, and more
Consider themes in context
Write about Shakespearean works with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Support inferences and claims with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
Come to class better prepared for discussions