Less than $5 9th Grade Short Stories Handouts (by date, oldest first)

This 20-page EDITABLE unit has everything you'll need for profoundly stimulating lessons on Ernest Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants." Invite your class to engage in student-driven discussions without compromising on intellectual rigor. The pre-reading handout, reading quiz, and discussion questions will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and generate profound interpretive insights!!

Hold your students accountable for completing the homework by beginning class with a quick reading quiz. Then facilitate a dynamic discussion that motivates students to become attached to the thrill generating shared knowledge. Challenge students to explicate textual details using a wide range of interpretive lenses: formalist, psychoanalytic, cultural studies, etc.

Here are some highlights from this 20-page unit:

• Pre-Reading Handout: Hemingway's Prose Style: Hemingway was the writer who invented the prose style that we now refer to as "literary minimalism." This handout gives an account of Hemingway's "theory of omission" as well as the specific techniques that he used to make his stories resonate with meanings hidden just beneath the surface. This handout also explains why Hemingway's stories are so great for cultivating skills in close reading. (1 page)

• Reading Quiz: The reading quiz contains 10 questions focused on important details from the plot of "Hills Like White Elephants." Grading this quiz is simple and quick. Answer key included. (2 pages)

• Discussion Question Handout: One double-sided handout featuring 12 discussion questions on Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants." The discussion questions are the divided into 5 sections, each of which focuses on a different literary element or theme: characterization, setting, symbolism, etc. As with all of my resources, the discussion questions are the beating heart of this lesson plan. Every question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! (2 pages)

• Discussion Question Answer Key: This unit features a detailed answer key that's informed by the best scholarly essays on "Hills Like White Elephants." But please note that there is rarely a single "correct" answer for any question. Rather, the discussions questions are designed to foster lively exchanges and interpretive debates among students. They challenge students to build interpretive arguments that require the support of carefully selected textual evidence! (6 pages)

• Quick Write: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paragraph on Hemingway's wonderfully complex story. Let students choose one of the discussion questions and build out paragraph-length interpretation. (1 page)

My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the units feature rigorous, content-rich lessons guaranteed to boost your students' close-reading and critical-thinking skills. What distinguishes this unit is how the discussion questions and writing assignment are designed to help student arrive at an abundance of interpretive insights!!

These lesson plans are packaged in a single 20-page EDITABLE Word document which you can CUSTOMIZE to suit your teaching style and/or your students' skill levels. Because I believe that teachers on TeachShare should be able to see what they're buying before they make a purchase, the preview for this resource provides access to 7 actual pages from the lesson. Click on the green “preview” button to see exactly what you’ll get....

Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

P.S. Don't forget to click “follow” for email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!

Rigorous Resources is your one-stop shop for resources on American literature. Every unit was designed by a Ph.D. in English with a research specialization in American literature. Feel free to check out these complete units on canonical texts by diverse American authors:

Complete Unit on Tommy Orange's There There

Complete Unit on Arthur Miller's The Crucible

Complete Unit on Frederick Douglass's Narrative

Complete Unit on F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

Complete Unit on Nella Larsen's Passing

Complete Unit on Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God

Complete Unit on J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye

Complete Unit on Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun

Complete Unit on Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye

This is a 9-page set of worksheets for the short story "The Landlady" by Roald Dahl. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* foreshadowing

* irony

* theme (appearance versus reality)

* characterization

* story elements

* writing activity

There is an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 9-page set of worksheets for the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* foreshadowing

* irony

* theme (tradition)

* theme (persecution)

* parts of a story

* writing activity

There is an answer key included for the comprehension questions and vocabulary.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 28-page set of worksheets for the short story "Click-Clack the Rattlebag" by Neil Gaiman. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* irony

* foreshadowing

* suspense

* symbols

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 12-page set of worksheets for the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* similes and metaphors

* personification

* motif

* theme (reason versus instinct)

* theme (reason versus instinct)

* critical thinking

* inferences

* parts of a story

* writing activity

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 10-page set of worksheets for the short story "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* personification

* figurative language

* theme

* tragic flaw

* parts of a story

* writing activity

There is an answer key included for the comprehension questions and vocabulary.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 29-page set of worksheets for the short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* similes

* personification

* metaphors

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* foreshadowing

* suspense

* symbols

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 31-page set of worksheets for the short story "A Good Man is Hard to Find" by Flannery O'Connor. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* similes

* personification

* metaphors

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* irony

* foreshadowing

* suspense

* symbols

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 30-page set of worksheets for the short story "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* similes

* hyperbole

* metaphors

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* irony

* foreshadowing

* suspense

* symbols

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 29-page set of worksheets for the short story "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* similes

* sensory imagery

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* irony

* foreshadowing

* suspense

* symbols

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 30-page set of worksheets for the short story "Dark They Were and Golden Eyed" by Ray Bradbury. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* similes

* personification

* metaphors

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* foreshadowing

* irony

* suspense

* symbolism

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* compare and contrast

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is an 11-page set of worksheets for the short story "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* point of view

* theme (family)

* theme (Hazel's identity)

* character development

* figurative language

* parts of a story

* writing activity

There is an answer key included for the comprehension questions, vocabulary, point of view, theme (Hazel's identity), similes, and inferences.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is an 11-page set of worksheets for the short story "Miss Awful" by Arthur Cavanaugh. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* similes and symbols

* theme (judging others)

* foreshadowing

* characterization

* compare & contrast

* connections

* parts of a story

* transformation

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 26-page set of worksheets for the short story "The Medicine Bag" by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* foreshadowing

* symbols

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 29-page set of worksheets for the short story "Three Skeleton Key" by George Toudouze. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* similes

* metaphors

* personification

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* irony

* foreshadowing

* suspense

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* compare and contrast

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is an 11-page set of worksheets for the short story "Amigo Brothers" by Piri Thomas. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story. The worksheets include: * comprehension questions (multiple choice) * comprehension questions (short answer) * vocabulary * similes * metaphors * personification * theme (friendship) * characterization * compare & contrast * inferences * parts of a story * summaries There is also an answer key included at the end of the file for the comprehension questions, vocabulary, figurative language, and inferences. Worksheets for Short Stories: * Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run * Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains * Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful * Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game * Roald Dahl: The Landlady * Shirley Jackson: The Lottery * Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

This is a 27-page set of worksheets for the short story "The Hitchhiker" by Roald Dahl. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* similes

* personification

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* suspense

* symbols

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 34-page set of worksheets for the story "The Red-Headed League" by Arthur Conan Doyle.

To make these worksheets, I used the original version of the story as written by Arthur Conan Doyle. You can check the version of the story here:

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* similes

* personification

* clues and facts

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* setting

* conflict

* suspense

* symbolism

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* plan analysis

* compare and contrast

* w questions

* illustrations

* characters

* comic strip

* news report

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* interviews

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

This is a 26-page set of worksheets for the short story "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by James Thurber. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* similes

* sensory imagery

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* symbols

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories

This is a 28-page set of worksheets for the short story "Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimer. The comprehension questions can be used as a story test or as a learning activity for students as they read the story.

The worksheets include:

* comprehension questions (multiple choice)

* comprehension questions (short answer)

* vocabulary

* story analysis

* similes

* personification

* story reflection

* theme

* motif

* point of view

* setting

* conflict

* irony

* suspense

* symbols

* quotations

* characterization

* connections

* w questions

* story map

* story elements

* critical thinking

* inferences

* summaries

* transformation

* writing

There is also an answer key included at the end of the file.

Worksheets for Short Stories:

* Toni Cade Bambara: Raymond’s Run

* Ray Bradbury: There Will Come Soft Rains

* Arthur Cavanaugh: Miss Awful

* Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game

* Roald Dahl: The Landlady

* Shirley Jackson: The Lottery

* Piri Thomas: Amigo Brothers

* ...and more worksheets for short stories