Homeschool Literature Assessment (by date, oldest first)

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Kindred UNIT PLAN | Discussion Questions, Vocab Lists, Writing Prompts, & More | Octavia E. Butler

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

This 60-page EDITABLE unit has everything you'll need for profoundly stimulating lessons on Octavia Butler's Kindred!! Invite your class to engage in student-driven discussions without compromising on intellectual rigor. The daily quizzes, discussion prompts, and writing assignment will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and unlock profound interpretive insights!

Hold your students accountable for completing the nightly homework by beginning every class with a quick vocabulary and reading quiz. Challenge students to explicate textual details using a wide range of interpretive lenses: formalist, historicist, feminist, psychoanalytic, etc. Facilitate dynamic discussions that inspire students to arrive at a whole new depth of insight!!

Everything you’ll need to teach the novel is included in this bundle:

Unit & Pacing Guide: Suggestions for how to pace the reading homework and organize the classwork for Octavia Butler's Kindred. (2 pages)

Author Introduction: A brief summary of the life of Octavia Butler and the research that she conducted before writing Kindred. (1 page)

Discussion Questions: Sixteen pages of higher-order discussion questions guaranteed to inspire profoundly thoughtful class discussions! This unit features double-sided handouts with 8-10 questions for each of the novel's 8 sections. The discussion questions are the beating heart of this curriculum. They challenge students to build interpretive arguments that require the support of carefully selected textual evidence — leading to keen interpretive insights! Guaranteed to build skills in close reading and critical reasoning! (16 pages)

Quick Writes: A "quick write" can be used at any time in a class to get students to pause and reflect on the text in writing. Introduce a quick write before you begin a discussion to allow your more reticent students to collect their thoughts. Or roll one out toward the end of a discussion to let students capture and refine their best ideas. (8 pages)

Vocabulary Lists: Lists of 10-12 vocabulary words to accompany every nightly reading assignment. Every vocabulary word comes with a definition and a sample sentence with the word as used in Kindred. A total of over 100 words. (8 pages)

Vocabulary & Reading Quizzes: Build students’ vocabularies while holding them accountable for the nightly reading homework. Each quiz contains 7 questions on vocabulary words plus another 3 questions on reading comprehension. Grading these quizzes is simple and quick. They’re an easy way to log up to 8 grades in your gradebook. Answer key provided. (16 pages)

Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on Butler’s wonderfully complex novel. Let students choose amongst 5 profoundly thought-provoking sample topics — or invite them to develop an original topic of their own. (2 pages)

Poetry Pairings: Seven thematically relevant poems by two exceptionally talented black women poets, Lucille Clifton and Natasha Trethewey. (7 pages)

This unit is filled with dozens of visual images that shed light on important scenes from Octavia Butler's novel: documentary photographs of antebellum plantations, excerpts from Butler's handwritten drafts and journals, paintings of biblical figures referenced in the novel, etc. But what really distinguishes this curriculum is how the discussion starters and writing prompts deepen students' thinking and help them arrive at profound interpretive insights!

This resource packet will come to you in two separate formats: Word docs *and* PDFs. Because the Word docs are fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit your teaching style and/or the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access the entire unit as PDFs, which are easy to navigate and quick to print!

Because I believe that teachers should be able to see what they'd be getting before they purchase, the preview for this resource provides direct access to dozens of actual pages from the unit. 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. 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 Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun

Complete Unit on Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye

Complete Unit on Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese

English Language Arts
Close Reading
Literature
$24.99
$14.99
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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass UNIT PLAN: Discussion Questions, Reading Quizzes, Writing Prompts, Answer Keys, & More

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

This 90-page EDITABLE unit has everything you'll need for profoundly stimulating lessons on Frederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass! Invite your class to engage in student-driven discussions without compromising on intellectual rigor. The daily quizzes, discussion questions, exercises on literary devices, and writing assignment will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and unlock profound interpretive insights!

Hold your students accountable for completing the nightly homework by beginning every class with a quick vocabulary and reading quiz. Challenge students to explicate textual details using a wide range of interpretive lenses: formalist, historicist, feminist, psychoanalytic, etc. Facilitate dynamic discussions that inspire students to arrive at a whole new depth of insight!!

Everything you’ll need to teach Douglass's memoir is included in this 90-page bundle:

Unit & Pacing Guide: Suggestions for how to pace the reading homework and organize the classwork for Douglass's Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. (2 pages)

Discussion Questions: Fifteen pages of higher-order discussion questions guaranteed to inspire profoundly thoughtful class discussions! This unit features double-sided handouts with 8-10 discussion questions for each section of Douglass's Narrative! The discussion questions are the beating heart of this curriculum. Every question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to think critically about their significance. They challenge students to build interpretive arguments that require the support of carefully selected textual evidence — leading to keen interpretive insights! Guaranteed to foster deep thinking and dynamic discussions! (15 pages)

Discussion Questions ANSWER KEYS: The answer keys to the discussion questions are informed by cutting-edge scholarship by professors who specialize in African-American literature and especially Frederick Douglass: Henry Louis Gates, Saidiya Hartman, Fred Moten, David Blight, etc. Of course, there is rarely a single "correct" answer for any question; rather, the discussions questions are made up of higher-order questions designed to foster lively exchanges and interpretive debates among students. They challenge students to build interpretive arguments supported by carefully selected textual evidence. (35 pages)

Vocabulary Lists: Lists of 10-12 vocabulary words for every section of the book, complete with definitions and sample sentences with each word as used in Douglass's Narrative. A total of over 60 SAT-worthy words. (5 pages)

Vocabulary & Reading Quizzes: Build students’ vocabularies while holding them accountable for the nightly reading homework. Each quiz contains 7 questions on vocabulary words plus another 3 questions on reading comprehension. Grading these quizzes is simple and quick. They’re an easy way to log an additional 5 grades into your gradebook. Answer key included. (10 pages)

Literary Devices Quiz: This quiz challenges students to identify the literary devices used in thirty quotations from Douglass's memoir_._ The literary devices include metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, apostrophe, allusion, and more. This bundle also features a glossary with definitions of the literary devices as well as examples of how each device is used in Douglass's memoir — so you can review the devices with students before they tackle the quiz. The quiz can be used either for assessment or as a fun refresher. Answer key included. (5 pages)

Academic Scholarship: Excerpts from scholarly articles and monographs focused on specific scenes from Douglass's memoir. (1 page)

Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on Douglass's powerful memoir. Let students choose amongst 5 thought-provoking sample topics — or invite them to develop an original topic of their own. Writing schedule included. Rubric included. (5 pages)

Poetry Pairing: Seven thematically relevant poems by three twentieth-century African-American poets: Robert Hayden, Lucille Clifton, and Natasha Trethewey. (9 pages)

This unit is filled with dozens of visual images that shed light on important scenes from Douglass's memoir: illustrations from early editions of Douglass's memoir, documentary photographs of antebellum plantations, lyrics from the slave song that motivated Douglass to liberate himself, the masthead of Douglass's abolitionist newspaper, etc. But what really distinguishes this curriculum is how the discussion starters and writing prompts deepen students' thinking and help them arrive at profound interpretive insights!

This resource packet will come to you in two separate formats: Word docs *and* PDFs. Because the Word docs are editable, you'll be able to customize them to suit your teaching style and/or the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to use the PDF version — which is easy to navigate and quick to print!

Finally, I believe that teachers should be able to see what they'll be getting before they purchase. So the preview for this resource provides direct access to dozens of actual pages from the unit. 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. 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 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 Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun

Complete Unit on Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye

Complete Unit on Octavia Butler's Kindred

Complete Unit on Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese

English Language Arts
Close Reading
Literature
$29.99
$16.99
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Hamlet UNIT PLAN: Student Workbooks, Daily Worksheets, Writing Prompts, & Answer Keys | William Shakespeare

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

This 180-page EDITABLE unit has everything you'll need to deliver profoundly engaging lessons on William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The colorful workbooks will enable you to capture and hold the attention of modern-day students. The higher-order questions will help you pivot from reading comprehension to interpretive analysis and critical thinking. Deliver top-quality lessons while inspiring students to fall in love with Shakespeare's Hamlet!!

Every page in this teacher-friendly unit is fully editable! So you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! The unit also includes an answer key filled with insights from Shakespeare scholars at universities like Harvard and Cambridge. Your students will be reading like a professor!

Here's what you'll find in this editable 180-page complete unit:

• Introduction to Shakespeare's World: The 30-page introduction includes five handouts covering topics like Shakespeare's biography, the language of Renaissance England, the construction of the Globe Theater, how to recognize iambic pentameter, and more. Every handout is followed by a comprehension check, practice exercise, or quiz. You could spend up to a week with the introductory handouts — or skip them altogether. Answer keys included. (30 pages)

• STUDENT WORKBOOKS on Hamlet: The 50-page workbook features rigorous & highly engaging worksheets on every scene in Hamlet. Each worksheet is divided into sections which invite students to engage with the text in a variety of different ways:

  • The Passage Analysis section invite students to analyze one or two key passages from each scene.
  • The Evidence Hunt challenges students to answer an interpretive question by finding the best textual evidence to support their answer.
  • The Comparing Quotations section invites students to make connections between quotations from different scenes in the play.
  • The Discussion Question section features three higher-order questions designed to foster lively discussions and interpretive debates among students.
  • The Quick Writes challenge students to compose short arguments that require the support of carefully selected textual evidence — leading to keen interpretive insights!

The worksheets are guaranteed to foster skills in close reading, thoughtful analysis, and lively discussion. They will have your students feeling genuinely excited to study Shakespeare every day! (50 pages)

• Workbook ANSWER KEYS: The 50-page answer key to the workbook provides detailed answers to the passage analysis, evidence hunt, and comparing quotations sections. The answer key is informed by the best books and articles written by leading Shakespeare scholars: Stephen Greenblatt (Harvard), Marjorie Garber (Harvard), Philip Fisher (Harvard), Coppélia Kahn (Brown), Dympna Callaghan (Syracuse), A. C. Bradley (Oxford), Frank Kermode (Cambridge), Michael Neill (Auckland), and many others. (50 pages)

Figurative Language Quiz: The quiz challenges students to identify 8 types of figurative language — metaphor, simile, metonymy, paradox, oxymoron, personification, apostrophe, and hyperbole — used across 25 quotations from Hamlet. Also included is a glossary with definitions of the types of figurative language as well as examples of how they're used in the early scenes of Shakespeare's play — so you can begin reviewing the types of figurative language with students before they tackle the quiz. Answer key included. (5 pages)

Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on Shakespeare's Hamlet. Let students choose from one of 5 thought-provoking sample topics — or invite them to develop a topic of their own. Writing schedule, outline template, and rubric included. (8 pages)

• Pacing Guide: The pacing guide provides suggestions about which scenes to assign for homework to make sure the nightly workload is manageable while each class session is maximally productive. (2 pages)

This unit is hot off the presses! It was created in 2024 and is informed by the most recent academic scholarship on Hamlet. While the colorful worksheets will make it highly engaging for all students, the unit was also designed to have more than enough rigor for Honors, IB, and AP Literature courses. What a great time to revitalize your approach to this complex play!

The entire 180-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Microsoft Word *and* PDF. Because the Word docs are fully editable, you'll be able to customize them to the skill levels of your students — year after year. If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access the entire unit in PDF format — which is easy to navigate and quick to print.

Rigorous Resources is your one-stop shop for top-quality units on canonical literary texts by diverse authors. Inspire students to arrive at a whole new depth of insight while falling in love with Shakespeare!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

P.S. Remember to “follow” my store to receive email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!

Feel free to check out these complete units on Shakespeare's masterpieces:

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Romeo and Juliet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Julius Caesar

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Macbeth

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Othello

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Hamlet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Much Ado About Nothing

INTRO TO SHAKESPEARE: Biography, Globe Theater, Language, & Meter

English Language Arts
Close Reading
Literature
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The Great Gatsby LITERARY DEVICES EXERCISES

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

NEW IN 2020: Rigorous! Engaging! Thought-provoking! This 20-page EDITABLE document invites your students to analyze the literary devices used in The Great Gatsby. This activity promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The worksheets on literary devices will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and generate profound interpretive insights!

Here's what you'll find inside:

Figurative Language Quizzes (x3): Each quiz challenges students to identify the types of figurative language — metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, paradox, etc. — used in 25 quotations from The Great Gatsby. The quizzes cover the figurative language used in chapters 1-3, chapters 4-6, and chapters 7-9 — so you can roll out each quiz after your class finishes three chapters and see whether they're improving. This worksheet can be used either as a fun exercise or as a quiz. This worksheet provides students with great practice at identifying the kinds of literary devices that frequently appear on the SAT, ACT, and AP Literature exams. Answer keys included. (15 pages)

Sound Devices Worksheet: This worksheet challenges students to explain how a range of sound devices — such as alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia — contribute to the novel's meaning. Fitzgerald was a poetic writer whose ear was acutely attuned to the resonances of sound, and there are many passages in his novel where the sounds of the words help to create an aural ambiance. This worksheet can similarly be used either as a fun exercise or as a quiz. Answer key included. (2 pages)

Figurative Language Glossary: This bundle also includes a glossary with definitions of the literary devices as well as examples of how they're used in Fitzgerald's novel. You'll want to distribute the glossary to students and give them a night to study it before rolling out the worksheets/quizzes. Fyi, there is no overlap between sentences from Fitzgerald's novel used as examples in the glossary and the sentences included in the worksheets. (1 page)

These worksheets will come to you in a 20-page EDITABLE Word document which you can customize to the needs of your students! The preview for this resource provides viewing access to the entire document. Click on the green “PREVIEW” button to see what you’ll get. . . .

Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Note: These handouts on literary devices are also included in my Gatsby Mega-Bundle. The bundle contains everything you'll need to deliver amazing and comprehensive lessons on Fitzgerald's novel: over 40 slides and over 240 pages of content-rich handouts and activities. If you've already purchased the bundle, you don't need to purchase these handouts. Thanks!

Click to view the Gatsby Mega-Bundle

Click to view my TeachShare store

English Language Arts
Close Reading
Literature
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FAMILY DYNAMICS IN POETRY: Poems on Parent-Child Relationships | 3-Day Lesson

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

This 45-page EDITABLE poetry curriculum promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The 12 poems in this mini-unit all focus on the complex nature of family dynamics and parent-child relationships.

Because teenagers are caught up in complex relationships with their parents, these poems will set the stage for your class to have authentic discussions that inspire a whole new depth of reflection. The literary devices quizzes, discussion prompts, and analytical writing assignment will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and generate profound interpretive insights!

Here are some highlights from this 45-page curriculum:

Homework Packets with Poems about Parent-Child Relationships: The two homework packets contain a total of 12 poems by a diverse range of award-winning poets such as Sylvia Plath, Theodore Roethke, Sharon Olds, Audre Lorde, Li-Young Lee, Galway Kinnell, Tony Hoagland, Ada Limón, and others. Every poem focuses on a different kind of parent-child dynamic. Because teenagers have a lot to say about relationships with parents, these poems will set the stage for your class to have fascinating and profoundly productive discussions!! (12 pages)

Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, stanzas, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)

Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether your students can accurately identify the literary devices used in the poems from the homework packets: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. The digital versions of the quizzes on Google Forms will grade every student's work and automatically generate a list of their scores. Answer keys included. (4 pages).

Discussion Questions: This bundle features a list of discussion questions for the first poem in each of the homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that every class discussion starts on a productive foot. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (10 pages)

Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (4 pages)

Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)

This entire 44-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word *and* PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access all of the materials as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print! Finally, as a free bonus, I'm including links to digital copies of every document in user-friendly platforms like Google Docs and Google Forms.

My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the resources contain rigorous content that will motivate students to engage in thought-provoking and productive discussions. Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Links to all of the poetry units in this collection:

Poetry Unit #1: Sensory Imagery in Poetry

Poetry Unit #2: Figurative Language in Poetry

Poetry Unit #3: Love Poems

Poetry Unit #4: Ethical Dilemmas in Poetry

Poetry Unit #5: Family Dynamics in Poetry

Store: https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Rigorous-Resources

English Language Arts
Literature
Poetry
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Sonnets: Poem Analysis, Quizzes, Writing | Shakespeare to the Harlem Renaissance

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

This 45-page EDITABLE unit tracks the development of the sonnet from Shakespeare's day through by Harlem Renaissance. How are traditional sonnets written by English poets like Shakespeare and Keats similar to and/or different from modern sonnets written by Harlem Renaissance poets like Claude McKay and Countee Cullen? This unit invites students to compare traditional sonnets focused on love with modern sonnets focused on socioeconomic equality....

The twelve poems are divided into two reading packets, with the first packet focusing on early sonnets about romantic love, and the second packet focusing on modern sonnets about the black experience. Each reading packets is followed by a classwork packet that contains a quiz on literary devices, discussion questions for two poems, and quick writes. Finally, a third packet features a writing assignment, sample student paper, and glossary of literary devices.

Here's a detailed account of what you'll find in this 45-page curriculum:

Homework Packets with Poems: The two homework packets contain a total of 12 love poems by award-winning poets such as William Shakespeare, Christina Rossetti, John Keats, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others. While the first packet focuses on traditional love poetry, the second packet focuses on modern love poetry. Thus, the two packets will set you up to facilitate fascinating discussions about how the sonnet has been put to different uses over the centuries! (12 pages)

Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, sound devices, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)

Literary Devices Quizzes: Open each class with a quiz of 10 questions to assess whether students can accurately identify the literary devices found in poems from the packet: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Answer keys included. (4 pages).

Discussion Questions: This unit features a list of discussion questions for two poems in each of the two homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that each class discussion is focused and productive. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (16 pages)

Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (4 pages)

Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (3 pages)

This entire 45-page unit will come to you in two separate formats: Word *and* PDF. Because the Word doc is fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access all of the materials as a PDF — which is easy to navigate and quick to print!

My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the resources contain rigorous content that will motivate students to engage in thought-provoking and productive discussions. Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Store: https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Rigorous-Resources

Close Reading
Literature
Poetry
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$3.00
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The Great Gatsby VOCABULARY | Vocab Lists & Quizzes for All 9 Chapters

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

This 20-page EDITABLE document contains vocabulary lists for all 9 chapters of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The document also contains a vocabulary and reading quiz for every chapter. Expanding students' vocabularies may be one of the most important things that we can do as high-school English teachers.

Here is what's included in this product:

Vocabulary Lists: Lists of 10-12 vocabulary words for every chapter, complete with a definition and a sample sentence with the word as used in The Great Gatsby. A total of over 100 SAT-worthy words. (9 pages)

Vocabulary & Reading Quizzes: Quizzes with 10 questions per chapter. Build students’ vocabularies while holding them accountable for the nightly reading homework. Each quiz contains 7 questions on vocabulary words plus another 3 questions on reading comprehension. Grading these quizzes is simple and quick. They’re an easy way to log up to 9 grades in your gradebook. (9 pages)

The vocabulary lists and quizzes will come to you in a 20-page EDITABLE Word document which you can customize to the needs of your students! The previews for my resources provide access to dozens of pages of actual content. Click on the green “PREVIEW” button to see what you’ll get. . . .

Thank you for choosing “Rigorous Resources”!!

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Note: These vocabulary lists and quizzes are also included in my Gatsby MEGA-Bundle. The bundle contains everything you'll need to deliver amazing lessons on Fitzgerald's novel: over 40 slides and over 240 pages of content-rich handouts and activities. If you have already purchased the bundle, you do not need to purchase these vocabulary materials.

Click to view the Gatsby MEGA-Bundle

Click to view my TeachShare store

English Language Arts
Literature
Vocabulary
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Julius Caesar PRE-READING HANDOUT: A History of the Roman Republic | Shakespeare

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

This 4-page pre-reading handout provides students with important background information for understanding William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. This resource includes a two-page handout on the history of the Roman Republic. The resource also included is a comprehension check and answer key so that teachers can assess whether students have understood important details from the handout.

Learning about the history of the Roman Republic will provide students with the contextual information necessary for understanding certain lines in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. You could have students read this handout for homework before starting the play; or you could have students read the handout aloud together in class before giving them the comprehension check worksheet.

If you like this pre-reading handout, you'll definitely want to check out my 160-page Complete Teaching Unit on Julius Caesar. The complete unit features colorful and engaging worksheets on every scene in Shakespeare's play. Because the complete unit is both professionally designed and academically rigorous, it is especially well-suited for courses like Honors English and AP Lang.

Wishing you an amazing experience with teaching this complex play. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to get in touch. And don't forget to check out the Complete Teaching Unit on Julius Caesar....

Happy teaching,

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

P.S. Remember to “follow” my store to receive email updates on new products by Rigorous Resources. New products will be 50% OFF for the first 24 hours!

Feel free to check out these complete units on Shakespeare's masterpieces:

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Romeo and Juliet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Julius Caesar

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Macbeth

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Othello

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Hamlet

COMPLETE UNIT with Workbooks on Much Ado About Nothing

INTRO TO SHAKESPEARE: Biography, Globe Theater, Language, & Meter

English Language Arts
Informational Text
Literature
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HIGH SCHOOL POETRY UNIT | 3 Weeks of Lesson Plans | 60+ Poems in 12 Packets!

By Rigorous Resources for High School English

UPDATED FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR: Finally, a poetry unit designed for high-school English that teenagers genuinely love!! Your students' skills in close reading and literary analysis of poems will skyrocket....

The 3-week unit features 60+ canonical poems written by a diverse spectrum of English-speaking poets. The poems and accompanying lesson plans are organized into 12 thematic packets which can be used in sequence over two weeks. That's over 200 pages worth of editable poetry resources!

This unit promises to elicit dynamic engagement from all students without compromising on intellectual rigor. The discussion questions, quick writes, literary device quizzes, and analytical writing assignments will challenge your students to dig beneath the surface of the text and generate profound interpretive insights!!

Here are some highlights from this editable 200-page curriculum:

Homework Packets with Poems (5-6 Poems per Packet): The 12 homework packets contain a total of 71 poems by a diverse range of award-winning poets such as William Shakespeare, John Keats, Christina Rossetti, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Sylvia Plath, Robert Hayden, Theodore Roethke, Maya Angelou, Audre Lorde, Mary Oliver, Gary Soto, Li-Young Lee, Ada Limón, Elizabeth Acevedo, and others. The poems are collected into ten reading packets that focus on prominent literary devices and themes: 1) poems using sensory imagery, 2) poems using figurative language, 3) love poems, 4) poems on ethical dilemmas, 5) poems on complex parent-child dynamics, and 6) poems on cultural identity. Because teenagers have a lot to say about these themes, the poems will set the stage for your class to have fascinating and profoundly productive discussions!! (75 pages)

Literary Devices Glossary: A glossary with definitions and examples of the various types of figurative language, imagery, stanzas, and syntactic devices. Many teachers already have a glossary of literary devices, but I'm providing this in case you need one. (2 pages)

Literary Devices Quizzes: A total of ten quizzes, each with 10 questions about a wide range of literary devices: metaphor, personification, symbolism, imagery, alliteration, etc. Open each class with a quiz to assess whether your students can accurately identify the literary devices used in the poems from the homework packets. Answer keys included. (24 pages).

Discussion Questions: This bundle features a list of discussion questions for the first poem in each of the homework packets. The discussion questions will ensure that every class discussion starts on a productive foot. Every discussion question is grounded in concrete textual details and challenges students to arrive at lucid interpretive insights! The questions lend themselves to a range of different pedagogical uses: 1) to focus students’ thinking prior to beginning a discussion, 2) to prompt in-class writing, 3) to assign written reflections for homework, etc. Guaranteed to elicit student engagement and foster deep thinking! Answer keys included. (60 pages)

Quick Writes: The quick writes give students an opportunity to capture and refine the best ideas generated in the discussion. Quick writes can also help reticent students to gather their thoughts so they'll feel ready and eager to contribute. (24 pages)

Analytical Writing Assignment: Challenge students to take their interpretations one step further by writing an analytical paper on a poem of their choice. The assignment sheet contains detailed instructions for how to generate a formalist analysis of a poem (analyzing how the poem's formal features contribute to its meaning). This kind of formalist analysis is exactly what students are asked to generate on the AP Literature exam! Sample paper included. (15 pages)

This entire resource packet will come to you in two separate formats: Word docs *and* PDFs. Because the Word docs are fully editable, you'll be able to customize the materials to suit the skill levels of your students — year after year! If you don't have Microsoft Word, you'll still be able to access all of the materials as PDF documents — which are easy to navigate and quick to print!

My store is called “Rigorous Resources” because all of the resources contain rigorous content that will motivate students to engage in thought-provoking and productive discussions. Thank you for choosing Rigorous Resources.

Happy teaching!

Adam Jernigan, Ph.D.

adamjernigan@gmail.com

Should you prefer to purchase the poetry units individually, here are links to the five poetry units:

Poetry Unit #1: Sensory Imagery in Poetry

Poetry Unit #2: Figurative Language in Poetry

Poetry Unit #3: Love Poems

Poetry Unit #4: Poems on Ethical Dilemmas

Poetry Unit #5: Poems on Family Relationships

Poetry Unit #6: Poems on Cultural Identity

Store: https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Rigorous-Resources

$15.00
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House Without a Christmas Tree Novel Study

By Meggen Loew

A novel study unit covering The House Without a Christmas Tree By Gail Rock.

Included in Unit:

Novel Study Materials:

· Suggested Lesson Plans

· Daily Discussion Questions (with answers)

· Goals and Instruction Pages for Parent/Teacher

· Setting Worksheet

· Character Worksheet

· Conflict Worksheet

· Theme Worksheet

· Plot

· 3 Quizzes (Used weekly)- With Answer Key

· 2 Final Unit Test Options (Multiple choice or short answer)-With Answer Key

Vocabulary Materials:

· Goals and Teacher Instructions

· 3 Sets of Vocabulary Words

· Master definitions

· Student Dictionary

· 3 Crosswords

· 1 Vocabulary in Context Worksheet

· All Vocabulary Word Search

· Final Vocabulary Test

· Answer Keys

Literature
Vocabulary
Holidays/Seasonal
$8.00
Product

Christmas Bundle

By Meggen Loew

A novel study unit covering The House Without a Christmas Tree By Gail Rock.

Included in Unit:

Novel Study Materials:

· Suggested Lesson Plans

· Daily Discussion Questions (with answers)

· Goals and Instruction Pages for Parent/Teacher

· Setting Worksheet

· Character Worksheet

· Conflict Worksheet

· Theme Worksheet

· Plot

· 3 Quizzes (Used weekly)- With Answer Key

· 2 Final Unit Test Options (Multiple choice or short answer)-With Answer Key

Vocabulary Materials:

· Goals and Teacher Instructions

· 3 Sets of Vocabulary Words

· Master definitions

· Student Dictionary

· 3 Crosswords

· 1 Vocabulary in Context Worksheet

· All Vocabulary Word Search

· Final Vocabulary Test

· Answer Keys

Recalling a Christmas Memory Project

Students will be able to use brain mapping worksheets to recall and answer the questions who, what, when, where, and why in reference to a Christmas memory. The project is a four-paragraph writing project.

Materials Included:

· Goals and Teacher Instructions

· Student Introduction Page

· Student Planning Page

· Grading Rubric

· Optional Writing Page

Christmas Tree Lot Project

Students will be asked to make a tree lot according to the student instruction page. Students will use special skills along with area and perimeter skills. A minor research component is included to research the types of trees to sell on their Christmas Tree Lot.

Materials Included:

· Goals and Teacher Instructions

· Student Introduction Page

· Student Planning Page

· Grading Rubric

· Optional Writing Page

· Christmas Tree Research Page

· Legends Page

· Elements and Pieces page

· 11x14 grid page

$14.00
$12.00
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Product
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The Tell-Tale Heart & The Black Cat Compare Contrast Essay

By Language Arts Excellence

This product features all the materials you need to assign a compare/contrast essay for Edgar Allan Poe's two famously gruesome tales: "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Black Cat."

For this assignment, students will need to think critically and specifically about the similarities and differences between the two famous stories. A comprehensive chart is provided to prompt students to take a close look at both tales and to think beyond the obvious (like the fact that they are both written by Edgar Allan Poe) and consider the deeper similarities and differences (like plot structure, mental state of the narrators, and elements of suspense) between them. These thoughtfully-constructed materials will help students develop exemplary compare/contrast essays that they can be proud of!

Product Includes:

  • Complete assignment directions
  • Specific similarities/differences chart with 17 story components
  • Venn diagram template
  • Essay graphic organizer (Block Method)
  • Rubric
  • Teacher key for chart

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Check out these great products to supplement your study of The Tell-Tale Heart and The Black Cat:

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Literature Guide

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Anticipation Guide and Lesson Plan

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Creative Writing Assignment on Perspective

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart Figurative Language Challenge Activity

⭐ Unreliable Narrator of The Tell-Tale Heart Lesson Plan

⭐ The Black Cat Literature Guide

⭐ The Black Cat ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Unreliable Narrator of The Black Cat Lesson Plan

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe "Breaking News" Article and Illustration Activity

⭐ The Tell-Tale Heart/The Black Cat Socratic Seminar Materials

More resources to round out your Edgar Allan Poe unit:

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe PowerPoint

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe Scavenger Hunt

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Crossword Puzzle

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Brochure

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe's Obituary

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Quote Posters

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Resource Bundle

But why stop with two stories? We have enough Edgar Allan Poe resources to frighten your students for months!

⭐ The Raven Literature Guide

⭐ The Pit and the Pendulum Literature Guide

⭐ The Masque of the Red Death Literature Guide

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado Literature Guide

⭐ The Fall of the House of Usher Literature Guide

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Short Story BUNDLE

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Literature
Writing-Essays
Halloween
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Monster (Myers) Literature Guide and Quizzes BUNDLE

By Language Arts Excellence

This is a bundle of my top-selling literature packet and quizzes for the novel, Monster, by Walter Dean Myers. The comprehensive literature guide was created to correspond with the three quizzes to form a cohesive unit for your study of this great novel!

Product Includes:

Literature Guide: This 35-page product features a complete literature guide for use while reading the novel.. Monster is such a fun book to teach students about the American justice system while bringing up many moral issues and thoughtful points for discussion. This packet provides an excellent basis for comprehension and vocabulary acquisition for Monster and encourages students to play along with the jury as they read. I am confident that it will increase your students' understanding of this spectacular novel dramatically.

This student packet includes:

  • Student cover page
  • Thoughtful anticipation guide
  • 30 "Legal Lingo" vocabulary terms
  • 70 Comprehension questions
  • 4 Pages of juror's notes
  • Full answer key

Quizzes: This product features 3 comprehensive quizzes for the novel.

Quizzes cover:

  • Character Identifications (matching)
  • Comprehension Questions (multiple choice)
  • Vocabulary (fill-in-the-blank)

Full answer keys are also included.

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Though it is recommended to purchase materials together, you can also purchase them separately:

Monster Literature Guide & Monster Quizzes for Entire Novel

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Also, check out these great products to supplement your Monster unit by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Monster (Myers) Activity BUNDLE

⭐ Monster (Myers) Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ Monster (Myers) Socratic Seminar Lesson & Materials

⭐ Monster (Myers) vs. Murder on a Sunday Morning Compare Contrast Project

⭐ Monster (Myers) ESCAPE ROOM

_________________________________________________________________________________

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Literature
Reading
Tools for Common Core
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The Handmaid's Tale Essay Questions

By Language Arts Excellence

This product contains 15 Common Core aligned essay prompts for Margaret Atwood's chilling dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale. Prompts are all perfect for a 5 paragraph essay, discussion questions, or a short open response for a test (I have used them all three ways).

Here is an example of a prompt:

"Offred claims that 'Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.' What is the difference between ignorance and ignoring? What is more dangerous? Provide examples from historical or contemporary society."

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Save 20% off this resource when you purchase as part of a growing bundle of all The Handmaid's Tale products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Activity Bundle

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Also, check out these great resources to complement your unit on The Handmaid's Tale:

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale "Hot Seat!"

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Journal Prompts

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Social Media Materials

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Quote Posters

English Language Arts
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A Midsummer Night's Dream Literature Guide

By Language Arts Excellence

This resource features a comprehensive literature guide for use while reading Shakespeare's most beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. The packet provides an excellent basis for comprehension and vocabulary acquisition for the play and promotes strong reader response by encouraging students to connect and have fun with this highly relatable text! The wide range of activities in this guide from daily journal prompts, illustration activity, and a creative writing assignment to the final essay questions will keep your students engaged throughout and help them to gain a deep understanding of possibly their first interaction with the great William Shakespeare. A full answer key is provided for this guide.

Product Includes:

- Student cover page

- Anticipation guide

- Journal Prompts

- Vocabulary

- Comprehension questions

- Love Arrows Graphic Organizer

- Creative writing journal entry assignment

- MSND artwork assignment

- Essay Prompts & Rubric

- Answer Key

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Save 20% off this resource when you purchase as part of a bundle of all A Midsummer Night's Dream products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Activity BUNDLE

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Also, check out these great products by Language Arts Excellence to complement your unit on A Midsummer Night's Dream:

⭐ Introduction to Shakespeare Powerpoint

⭐ Shakespeare Scavenger Hunt

⭐ Shakespeare ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Elizabethan England Differentiated Mini Unit

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Puzzles

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Socratic Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Anticipation Activity

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream HOT SEAT!

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Social Media Materials

___________________________________________________________________________

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Literature
Poetry
Vocabulary
$12.00
$10.00
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Differentiated Essay Prompt Task Cards

By Language Arts Excellence

This product features 20 beautifully-made task cards with generic essay prompts that will work for any novel. These prompts are differentiated so that they appeal to all learners and give all students a chance to shine in their essay writing! After years of tweaking my essay prompts, I have created questions that are thoughtful and concise so that in turn, they reap excellent student responses. Example: How reliable is the narrator of your novel? Is the reader able to fully trust him/her? Why or why not? Support your answer with three specific and relevant details from the text. Essay prompts focus on literary analysis and are recommended for middle and high school students. _________________________________________________________________________ Also, check out these great resources that can be adapted for any novel by Language Arts Excellence: Differentiated Essay Prompts for use with ANY Novel Novel Soundtrack Assignment Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials Adaptable for ANY Topic Differentiated End of Term Reflection Activities Book Recommendation Form Differentiated End of Year Reflection Activities

Literature
Writing-Essays
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The Handmaid's Tale Activity Bundle

By Language Arts Excellence

This resource features a bundle of all of our best-selling lesson plans, materials, and activities for Margaret Atwood's chilling dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale. Each product is thoughtfully crafted and allows students to think outside the box by delving deeply into the novel's themes, characters, and plot development. Lessons have all been classroom-tested and allow for differentiation while encouraging optimal student engagement. You will not find tedious lists of comprehension questions and vocabulary words in this bundle; instead you will find materials that will bring the novel to life!

Included in this Bundle:

⭐ Introduction to Dystopia Powerpoint:

This is an engaging, fully editable powerpoint presentation for introducing (or reviewing) Dystopian Fiction to your students! Powerpoint presentation goes through an entire lesson from warm-up to explanation, application, and summarizer. Also included are 2 pages of "guided notes" so that you may differentiate your lecture for all levels of students. Since dystopias are intrinsically motivating for students, this lesson is always a fun one and gets students excited about the upcoming unit on whatever dystopian novel you'll be reading!

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan:

This product features an anticipation guide for The Handmaid's Tale, and a meticulously-explained lesson plan that is in my opinion, the absolute best way to approach a new novel. Using a non-intimidating method called "Numbered Heads", this activity will get your students thinking, writing, conversing, and reporting about themes you will be encountering during your study of The Handmaid’s Tale.

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale "Silent Conversation" Quote Pass Activity:

Sometimes the best classroom discussions arise when students say nothing at all! This product features a thoughtful and engaging activity for use during your study of The Handmaid's Tale. Centering around 5 different provocative passages from the book, this lesson provides your students with a chance to think, reflect, and respond to their peers without ever saying a word. This creative approach is a great way to differentiate instruction among your students and allows even your most quiet students to shine. I am confident that this no-prep lesson will become a must-do activity within your unit on The Handmaid's Tale!

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale "Hot Seat!":

This product features all the materials you need to conduct a thoughtful and engaging "HOT SEAT" for The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. The hot seat is set up essentially like a talk show, however in order to allow for full class participation, there are multiple interviewers and multiple character guests. Through role play, this lesson tests your students' understanding of the novel and allows them to showcase their knowledge of the characters and the relationships between them. Your students will be having so much fun that they will not even realize the high-order thinking skills they are applying.

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials:

Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as I like to call them with my students) are fantastic, higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class text. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, I have done the work for you! This packet includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding the novel, The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Journal Prompts:

This product features 16 reader response journal prompts for your study of the harrowing dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood. Prompts are intended for contemplation following each section of the novel and work great for both independent study and open-ended class discussions. These prompts encourage deep thinking from students but more importantly, allow students to understand the relevance of the novel to today's world.

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Social Media Materials:

This resource features two fun, interactive activities to bring The Handmaid's Tale into the 21st century! In this 45 minute lesson plan with accompanying materials, your classroom will transform into a real life "twitter-world" in which students will create twitter accounts for characters in the novel and interact with one another through their twitter pages. The Snap Chat worksheet is perfect for an engaging homework or sub-plan that your students will look forward to working on and sharing with their friends.Your students will thank you for offering such fun ways to connect with Atwood's dystopian tale and will not even realize how much they are learning by digging deep into the text. Both work perfectly for a Friday or any day that students need a mental break and a chance to tap into their creativity!

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Essay Questions:

This product contains 15 Common Core aligned essay prompt_s_ for The Handmaid's Tale. Prompts are all perfect for a 5 paragraph essay, discussion questions, or a short open response for a test (I have used them all three ways).

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Escape Room:

Get ready to have the most fun you'll have teaching with a lesson that your students will be talking about for years to come with The Handmaid's Tale ESCAPE ROOM! There is no wonder why escape rooms are so popular; they are highly engaging and encourage people to work together and think creatively in order to solve different puzzles... all while trying to beat the clock. This meticulously-crafted resource features all of the materials you need to conduct a full-length Escape Room for The Handmaid's Tale. Planning an escape room may seem like quite the daunting task, but this product provides everything from the basics and set-up instructions to signs and answer keys to help yours run smoothly from start to finish. The activity involves movement, energy, creative thinking and most of all, collaboration. Your students will be having so much fun that they won’t even realize the higher order thinking skills they are applying in the playing of this game.

⭐ The Handmaid's Tale Quote Posters:

Make your classroom pop with this set of 21 beautifully-made posters featuring quotes from The Handmaid's Tale. Each 7.5 x 7.5 (square) PDF poster contains a noteworthy quote from the novel imposed over a stunning photograph that will spruce up your ELA classroom. The square format is reminiscent of Instagram and makes for an eye-catching arrangement on your wall or bulletin board. I suggest laminating the posters and using them not just during your unit on The Handmaid's Tale, but all year long!

⭐ What is Feminism Activity included for FREE with the purchase of this bundle - newly added

The perfect supplement to any unit on women's studies or current events, this product features a thought-provoking lesson to help students articulate what feminism means to them and to see how it varies widely (and often passionately) from person to person. In this activity, they must choose between 6 different quotes about feminism and explain why the quote aligns with their own perspective. It is a great way to gain insight about your students' current attitudes about what it means to be a feminist in the midst of a higher level thinking activity.

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$43.00
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The Tell-Tale Heart & The Black Cat Literature Guide BUNDLE

By Language Arts Excellence

This resource bundle features two comprehensive and cohesive literature guides and final compare/contrast essay assignment for use while reading The Tell-Tale Heart and The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe. The activity bundle provides an excellent basis for comprehension and vocabulary acquisition for the short stories and encourage students to think critically about plot structure, literary elements, figurative language, unreliable narrators, perspective, and the superstitions within the stories. A compare/contrast essay assignment is included that will encourage students to think critically and specifically about the similarities and differences between the two famous tales. The wide range of activities will keep your students engaged and help them to gain a deep understanding of two of the most highly regarded stories of American literature.

The Tell-Tale Heart Literature Guide:

  • Attractive cover page for student packet
  • The Tell-Tale Heart Anticipation Guide and Lesson Plan
  • Vocabulary
  • Vocabulary drawing activity
  • Comprehension questions
  • Freytag’s pyramid graphic organizer
  • Literary elements graphic organizer
  • Figurative language graphic organizer
  • The Tell-Tale Heart Creative Writing Assignment on Perspective
  • Snap Chat Story Graphic Organizer
  • The Tell-Tale Heart Figurative Language Challenge Activity
  • Full answer keys for teacher use

The Black Cat Literature Guide:

  • Attractive cover page for student packet
  • Anticipation guide - "Debate Statements"
  • Vocabulary
  • Vocabulary drawing activity
  • Comprehension questions
  • Freytag’s pyramid worksheet
  • "History of the Black Cat" extension article and comprehension questions
  • "Putting it all Together" short essay question
  • Literary elements worksheet
  • Figurative language worksheet
  • Unreliable Narrator of The Black Cat Lesson Plan
  • Full answer keys for teacher use

The Tell-Tale Heart & The Black Cat Compare Contrast Essay

  • Complete assignment directions
  • Specific similarities/differences chart with 17 story components
  • Venn diagram template
  • Essay graphic organizer (Block Method)
  • Rubric
  • Teacher key for chart

The Tell-Tale Heart & The Black Cat "Breaking News" Article

  • Comprehensive project directions
  • Scoring Guide

Buying this bundle saves 20% off the price of the two literature guides and compare/contrast essay.

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More resources to round out your Edgar Allan Poe unit:

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe PowerPoint

⭐ Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe Scavenger Hunt

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Bell Ringer Journal Prompts

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Crossword Puzzle

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Brochure

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe's Obituary

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Quote Posters

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Resource Bundle

But why stop with two tales? We have enough Edgar Allan Poe resources to frighten your students for months!

⭐ The Raven Literature Guide

⭐ The Pit and the Pendulum Literature Guide

⭐ The Cask of Amontillado Literature Guide

⭐ The Fall of the House of Usher Literature Guide

⭐ The Masque of the Red Death Literature Guide

⭐ Edgar Allan Poe Short Story BUNDLE

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$28.00
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A Midsummer Night's Dream Activity BUNDLE

By Language Arts Excellence

Now with newly added material!

This resource features a bundle of all of our best-selling lesson plans, materials, and activities for Shakespeare's beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Each product is thoughtfully crafted and allows students to think outside the box by delving deeply into the play's themes, characters, and plot development. Lessons have all been classroom-tested and allow for differentiation while encouraging optimal student engagement. Comprehension questions, vocabulary words, and journal prompts for each scene are included so that students may achieve a basic level of understanding of the play, however the real winners in this bundle are the rest of the materials that bring the play to life!

Included in this bundle:

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Literature Guide

This resource features a comprehensive literature guide for use while reading A Midsummer Night's Dream. The packet provides an excellent basis for comprehension and vocabulary acquisition for the play and promotes strong reader response by encouraging students to connect and have fun with this highly relatable text! The wide range of activities in this guide from daily journal prompts, illustration activity, and a creative writing assignment to the final essay questions will keep your students engaged throughout and help them to gain a deep understanding of possibly their first interaction with the great William Shakespeare. A full answer key is provided for this guide.

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Anticipation Activity

This product features a fun and engaging pre-reading activity for A Midsummer Night's Dream called "Tossing Lines." Give your students a chance to become familiar with the lines before they even begin reading the play. This is a prediction activity that encourages critical thinking and actually gets students excited to start reading Shakespeare! Over the years, this non-intimidating approach to Shakespeare has been the most often requested anticipatory activity that I do with my students.

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Bell-Ringer Prompts

One of my goals in teaching A Midsummer Night's Dream is for my students to be able to easily relate to the play. I begin each day with a reflective bell-ringer journal prompt that allows students to connect with the day's scene. These prompts are tried and true and encourage deep thinking from students but more importantly, they allow students to understand the timelessness of the play and Shakespeare in general.

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

This resource features lesson plans and materials to conduct a formal set of Socratic Seminars for Shakespeare's most beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as referred to in this resource) are higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class texts. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding the play... and no preparation is required by you at all.

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Social Media Materials

This resource features two fun, interactive activities to bring A Midsummer Night's Dream into the current day! In this 50 minute lesson plan with accompanying materials, your classroom will transform into a real life "tweeter-world" in which students will create tweeter accounts for characters in the novel and interact with one another through their tweeter pages. The Snap Chatter worksheet and assignment is perfect for an engaging homework or sub-plan that your students will look forward to working on and sharing with their friends. Your students will thank you for offering such fun ways to connect with the play and will not even realize how much they are learning by digging deep into the text. Both activities work perfectly for a Friday or any day that students need a mental break and a chance to tap into their creativity!

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream HOT SEAT!

This resource features all the materials you need to conduct a thoughtful and engaging "HOT SEAT" for A Midsummer Night's Dream. The hot seat is set up essentially like a talk show, however in order to allow for full class participation, there are multiple interviewers and multiple character guests. Through role play, this lesson tests your students' understanding of the play and allows them to showcase their knowledge of the characters and the relationships between them.

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream ESCAPE ROOM

Get ready to have the most fun you'll have teaching with a lesson that your students will be talking about for years to come with A Midsummer Night's Dream ESCAPE ROOM! There is no wonder why escape rooms are so popular; they are highly engaging and encourage people to work together and think creatively in order to solve different puzzles... all while trying to beat the clock! This meticulously-crafted resource features all of the materials you need to conduct a full-length Escape Room for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Planning an escape room may seem like quite the daunting task, but this product provides everything from the basics and set-up instructions to signs and answer keys so that yours runs smoothly from start to finish. The activity involves movement, energy, creative thinking and most of all, collaboration. Your students will be having so much fun that they won’t even realize the higher order thinking skills they are applying in the playing of this game!

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Human Tic Tac Toe Review Game

This resource features a lesson plan and materials for the Human Tic Tac Toe Review Game, an engaging and competitive way to review A Midsummer Night's Dream. Let's face it, review days can be difficult... and boring... so your students will appreciate you making learning fun with this collaborative game. The resource includes not only a meticulously detailed lesson plan and set-up instructions, but 75 questions on characters, plot, quotations, and vocabulary from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Besides simple set-up, very little preparation is needed for this lesson and if your students are like mine, they will ask for this form of review for every unit of study!

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Essay Prompts & Rubric

This product contains 9 thoughtful essay prompts for A Midsummer Night's Dream, all perfect for a 5 paragraph essay or a short open response for a test (I have used them in both ways). A detailed rubric is also included.

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Puzzles

This resource features 3 fun puzzles that focus on elements from A Midsummer Night's Dream. It is the perfect activity for when a school vacation is coming up and you’re scrounging for lesson ideas or when you need a quick sub plan during your Midsummer Night's Dream unit. I like to use it prior to a break; while so many other classes are watching movies, you have three activities that will keep them busy and challenge their knowledge about the play.

⭐ A Midsummer Night's Dream Quote Posters - newly added!

Make your classroom pop with this set of 30 beautifully-made posters featuring quotes from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Each 7.5 x 7.5 (square) PDF poster contains a noteworthy quote from the play imposed over a stunning photograph that will spruce up your ELA classroom. The square format is reminiscent of Instagram and makes for an eye-catching arrangement on your wall or bulletin board. I suggest laminating the posters and using them not just during your Macbeth unit, but all year long!

Buying this bundle saves OVER 20% off the price of these resources.

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$50.50
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Irony Handout

By Beth Hammett

Explains and defines three kinds of irony: dramatic, situation, verbal. Includes examples with worksheet activities for application. Students choose the correct answer for the examles given. Can be complete individually or in groups. Excellent Irony assessment tool!

Literature
Writing
$2.00