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Inquiring Mind of the English Teacher Kind

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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.

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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.
"Ambush" by Tim O'Brien Quiz and Answer Key (Vietnam War Short Story)
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"Ambush" by Tim O'Brien Quiz and Answer Key (Vietnam War Short Story)

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Evaluate general reading comprehension and align English Language Arts curriculum to world history with this plot-based quiz covering Tim O’Brien’s short story “Ambush,” which addresses a soldier’s experience during the Vietnam War. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate engagement with historical fiction. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: A daughter’s question The nature of the father’s response Setting Secondary characters A deadly object The description of an “enemy” The driving force behind the narrator’s deadly actions The narrator’s post-killing assessment of the situation
Short Stories by Roald Dahl - Quizzes, Close Readings, and Vocabulary Games (Bundle)
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Short Stories by Roald Dahl - Quizzes, Close Readings, and Vocabulary Games (Bundle)

9 Resources
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 Roald Dahl: “Lamb to the Slaughter,” “Beware of the Dog,” and “The Landlady.” 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 “Beware of the Dog” conforms to the conventions of surrealism Conduct research as needed to answer questions involving historical context and autobiographical parallels in “Beware of the Dog” 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 euphemism, foreshadowing, 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
"Beware of the Dog" Quiz, Close Reading Activity, and Vocabulary Games Bundle
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"Beware of the Dog" Quiz, Close Reading Activity, and Vocabulary Games Bundle

3 Resources
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
"Beware of the Dog" by Roald Dahl Close Reading Analysis Worksheet
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"Beware of the Dog" by Roald Dahl Close Reading Analysis Worksheet

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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
Short Stories by Kate Chopin - Quizzes, Close Readings, and Vocabulary Games (Bundle)
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Short Stories by Kate Chopin - Quizzes, Close Readings, and Vocabulary Games (Bundle)

9 Resources
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
Halloween Research Project and Speech Materials for High School ELA
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Halloween Research Project and Speech Materials for High School ELA

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Complement a unit on Gothic fiction and embrace the harvest season with this low-prep, standards-based research project addressing 33 topics directly and indirectly related to Halloween: ancient celebrations, holidays, and practices (Samhain, Lemuria, guising, souling, and more); more recent traditions (Guy Fawkes Night, the history of trick-or-treating, and the history of pumpkin carving); myths, legends, and superstitions (Jack O’Lantern, the Beast of Bray Road, Mothman, and more); medical conditions (“werewolf syndrome,” “walking corpse syndrome,” and “vampire disease”); historical figures (Vlad the Impaler, John Hathorne, Sarah Good, and more); and Halloween-inspired authors (Ray Bradbury, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, H.P. Lovecraft, and more). Supporting materials—including a detailed scoring rubric—are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Ultimately, students will perform the following tasks: Collect and classify reliable sources on an assigned topic Develop successful methods of recording information Evaluate the credibility of nonfiction texts, taking into consideration readability, date, relevance, expertise, and bias Apply conventions of MLA formatting Correctly site resources to avoid plagiarism Organize information in a cohesive manner, using a note-taking system that includes summary, paraphrasing, and quoted material Analyze, synthesize, and integrate information, generating a thoughtfully comprehensive report, free of generalities and redundancies Present information in a formal, coherent manner
The Handmaid's Tale Research Project on Women's History and Human Rights
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The Handmaid's Tale Research Project on Women's History and Human Rights

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The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood lends itself to compelling research opportunities for high school students. This low-prep, standards-based project has students investigate topics related to women’s history and human rights around the world: from America (the Fourteenth Amendment, Equal Pay Act, Equal Rights Amendment, etc.) to Canada (the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada, National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, etc.), from the Middle East (Benazir Bhutto, the Taliban’s treatment of women, the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq, etc.) to Mexico (Laureana Wright de Kleinhans, First Feminist Congress of the Yucatan, etc.). Thirty-nine topics are addressed. Supporting materials—including a detailed scoring rubric—are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Ultimately, students will perform the following tasks: Articulate connections between a research topic and the assigned text Conduct research using available resources Collect and classify reliable sources Develop successful methods of recording information Evaluate the credibility of nonfiction texts, taking into consideration readability, date, relevance, expertise, and bias Apply conventions of MLA formatting Correctly site resources to avoid plagiarism Organize information in a cohesive manner, using a note-taking system that includes summary, paraphrasing, and quoted material Analyze, synthesize, and integrate information, generating a thoughtfully comprehensive report, free of generalities and redundancies Present information in a formal, coherent manner
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros Research Project
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The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros Research Project

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Facilitate research on thirty topics related to The House on Mango Street and its author, Sandra Cisneros, with this low-prep, standards-based activity. Students will navigate informational texts about historically significant women (Elvia Carillo Puerto, Adelina Zendejas, Lydia Cacho, and more), landmark events (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Equal Rights Amendment, and more), social justice organizations (American Civil Liberties Union, League of Women Voters, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and more), Chicana authors (Gloria Evangelina Anzaldúa, Denise Chávez, Michele Serros, and more), and opportunities for writers (Hispanic Scholarship Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, and more). After compiling relevant details, the process culminates in the delivery of a formal presentation. A detailed scoring rubric is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Ultimately, students will perform the following tasks: Articulate connections between a research topic and the assigned text Conduct research using available resources Collect and classify reliable sources Develop successful methods of recording information Evaluate the credibility of nonfiction texts, taking into consideration readability, date, relevance, expertise, and bias Apply conventions of MLA formatting Correctly site resources to avoid plagiarism Organize information in a cohesive manner, using a note-taking system that includes summary, paraphrasing, and quoted material Analyze, synthesize, and integrate information, generating a thoughtfully comprehensive report, free of generalities and redundancies Present information in a formal, coherent manner
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah and Sierra Leone Research Project
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A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah and Sierra Leone Research Project

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Help students better understand the historical context of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah and facilitate the process of researching topics related to Sierra Leone with this low-prep, standards-based resource. Students will choose from thirty relevant subjects—the deposing of Siaka Stevens’ government, the Revolutionary United Front, illegal diamond mining, the West Side Boys, and All People’s Congress to name a few—and navigate credible sources with the goal of teaching others about their topic. A detailed scoring rubric is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Ultimately, students will perform the following tasks: Articulate connections between a research topic and the assigned text Conduct research using available resources Collect and classify reliable sources Develop successful methods of recording information Evaluate the credibility of nonfiction texts, taking into consideration readability, date, relevance, expertise, and bias Apply conventions of MLA formatting Correctly site resources to avoid plagiarism Organize information in a cohesive manner, using a note-taking system that includes summary, paraphrasing, and quoted material Analyze, synthesize, and integrate information, generating a thoughtfully comprehensive report, free of generalities and redundancies Present information in a formal, coherent manner
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers and the Vietnam War – Research Project
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Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers and the Vietnam War – Research Project

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Help students better understand the historical context of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers and facilitate the process of researching topics related to the Vietnam War with this low-prep, standards-based resource. Students will choose from more than twenty relevant subjects—the Gulf of Tonkin incident, the Tet Offensive, the My Lai Massacre, Tinker vs. Des Moines, and Milton L. Olive III to name a few—and navigate credible sources with the goal of teaching others about their topic. A detailed scoring rubric is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Ultimately, students will perform the following tasks: Articulate connections between a research topic and the assigned novel Conduct research using available resources Collect and classify reliable sources Develop successful methods of recording information Evaluate the credibility of nonfiction texts, taking into consideration readability, date, relevance, expertise, and bias Apply conventions of MLA formatting Correctly site resources to avoid plagiarism Organize information in a cohesive manner, using a note-taking system that includes summary, paraphrasing, and quoted material Analyze, synthesize, and integrate information, generating a thoughtfully comprehensive report, free of generalities and redundancies Present information in a formal, coherent manner
"The Loophole of Retreat" by Harriet Jacobs Close Reading Analysis Questions
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"The Loophole of Retreat" by Harriet Jacobs Close Reading Analysis Questions

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Incorporate narrative nonfiction into the English Language Arts classroom and help high school students practice their close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions covering an excerpt titled “Loophole of Retreat” from Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs. This text addresses an enslaved woman’s paradoxically empowering decision to hide from her master in a confined space. An answer key and copy of the public domain text are included. Additionally, a bonus PowerPoint providing more context on the author’s background is provided. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Summarize key details from the text Use context to make logical inferences about the author’s beliefs Explore the symbolism attached to an object (the gimlet) Apply knowledge of various literary devices including invective, metaphor, paradox, and more Examine nuances in words with similar meanings in order to choose the most appropriate synonym for a given term Make logical inferences about the author’s intent based on stylistic choices Discern the tone of a given passage Support claims and ideas with relevant textual details Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Close Reading of a Persuasive Speech by Sojourner Truth
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Close Reading of a Persuasive Speech by Sojourner Truth

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Incorporate more nonfiction into the English Language Arts classroom and help high school students practice their close reading analysis skills with this set of rigorous questions covering a persuasive speech delivered by Sojourner Truth. Given to the Convention of the American Equal Rights Association in 1867, the historically significant speech argues in favor of suffrage for Black women and encourages Black women to speak up for their rights in order to achieve a more just society. An answer key and copy of the public domain speech are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Articulate the function of the speech Identify what the text states explicitly about Truth’s feelings toward slavery, Truth’s desires for all women, Truth’s reason for living a long life, and Truth’s reasoning for why men should fight alongside women for their rights Explore cause-and-effect relationships Explore Truth’s personal motivations Analyze stylistic elements of Truth’s speech and evaluate its effectiveness Make and defend logical inferences about the audience’s reception to the speech Write ideas with clarity, accuracy, and precision
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers Chapter 2 Close Reading Analysis Worksheet
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Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers Chapter 2 Close Reading Analysis Worksheet

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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 a meaningful excerpt from chapter 2 of Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. 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 and implicitly Consult reference materials as needed to learn or verify word meanings Discern the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how knowledge of the Vietnam War’s outcome emotionally influences the reader Describe tone in context Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Isolate an example of figurative language Conduct brief research to identify parallels between the narrator and the author James Baldwin Decide what the primary function of the excerpt is Write about complex literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature
Summer of My German Soldier Quiz Bundle with Answer Keys
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Summer of My German Soldier Quiz Bundle with Answer Keys

3 Resources
Evaluate general reading comprehension with this set of three plot-based quizzes covering the entirety of Bette Greene’s World War II-set novel Summer of My German Soldier. Three bonus short answer assessments are provided for re-testing purposes, but they may also be used as guided reading worksheets. Answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Characters Setting Historical context Plot
Summer of My German Soldier Chapters 13 through 21 Quiz and Answer Key
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Summer of My German Soldier Chapters 13 through 21 Quiz and Answer Key

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Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 13 through 21 of Bette Greene’s World War II-set novel Summer of My German Soldier. A bonus short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes, but it may also be used as a guided reading handout. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Characters Setting Historical context Plot
Summer of My German Soldier Chapters 7 through 12 Quiz and Answer Key
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Summer of My German Soldier Chapters 7 through 12 Quiz and Answer Key

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Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 7 through 12 of Bette Greene’s World War II-set novel Summer of My German Soldier. A bonus short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes, but it may also be used as a guided reading handout. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Characters Setting Historical context Plot
Summer of My German Soldier Chapters 1 through 6 Quiz and Answer Key
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Summer of My German Soldier Chapters 1 through 6 Quiz and Answer Key

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Evaluate general reading comprehension with this plot-based quiz covering chapters 1 through 6 of Bette Greene’s World War II-set novel Summer of My German Soldier. A bonus short answer version is provided for re-assessment purposes, but it may also be used as a guided reading handout. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Characters Setting Historical context Plot
"Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin Quiz, Inference Worksheet, and Vocabulary Games (Bundle)
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"Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin Quiz, Inference Worksheet, and Vocabulary Games (Bundle)

3 Resources
Evaluate general reading comprehension, facilitate vocabulary development, and encourage analysis of characters and plot with these worksheets and assessments for Kate Chopin’s short story “Desiree’s Baby.” A plot-based quiz, a vocabulary application handout, a crossword puzzle, a word search game, a close reading inference worksheet, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these materials, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Choose 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 irony and foreshadowing 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 works of fiction
“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin Quiz and Answer Key
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“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin Quiz and Answer Key

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“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin is an example of historical fiction that, when integrated into the English Language Arts classroom, complements American History curricula, as the plot precedes the Civil War and addresses the issue of how race and ethnicity affect one’s life experiences in the South. With this multiple choice quiz covering the short story, teachers will be able to evaluate general reading comprehension, promote homework accountability, and save valuable time at home without sacrificing quality in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in printable Word Document and PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of plot: Setting How Désirée came to be part of the Valmonde family Armand’s initial attitude toward marrying Désirée Madame Valmonde’s reaction to the sight of the baby How Armand’s treatment of others changes after the birth of his child Désirée’s observations of the plantation visitors Désirée’s demands of her husband Madame Valmonde’s response to a letter from Désirée The final interaction between Armand and Désirée Désirée’s final action in the story The fate of Désirée’s belongings Armand’s surprising discovery
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 29-31 Quiz, Inference Worksheets, and Vocabulary Games
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To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 29-31 Quiz, Inference Worksheets, and Vocabulary Games

5 Resources
Evaluate reading comprehension, support vocabulary development, and sharpen critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with these activities and assessments covering chapters 29, 30, and 31 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Two plot-based quizzes, three close reading inference worksheets, three vocabulary activities, and answer keys are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these resources, students will: Read for literal comprehension Consult reference materials to learn and verify word meanings as needed 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 tone in context Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of various literary devices including idiom, metaphor, personification, and assonance Determine the symbolic value of a tree in the context of a passage Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant textual evidence Write about literature with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss works of fiction