This 8-slide PowerPoint is designed to provide students a brief introduction to the concepts of roots and formatives. This presentation addresses how learning about prefixes expands one's vocabulary, as well as how prefixes influence the meanings of words (e.g., reversing a verb's meaning, creating negative meaning, showing time and order, indicating location and degree, and expressing support or opposition).

This 25-question quiz has students match the meaning to an underlined root. A corresponding answer key is included.

Use this editable grammar activity to help middle and high school students review the basics of singular and plural possessive pronouns. To facilitate this process, the worksheet offers tips on when possessive pronouns should precede nouns and when they may stand alone. Additionally, tips are provided for how to navigate possessive pronouns when addressing animals. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.

Use this editable grammar activity to help middle and high school students apply knowledge of demonstrative and interrogative pronouns. To facilitate this process, the editable worksheet offers tips on when to use specific demonstratives over interrogatives, and vice versa. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. By engaging with this grammar exercise, students will demonstrate knowledge of the following rules: Use the demonstrative pronoun this to indicate a single person or object that is near in space or time Use the demonstrative pronoun these to indicate multiple people or objects that are near in space or time Use the demonstrative pronoun that to indicate a single person or object that is far away in space or time Use the demonstrative pronoun those to indicate multiple people or objects that are near in space or time Use the interrogative pronoun who to ask questions about a person performing an action Use the interrogative pronoun whom to ask questions about a person on the receiving end of an action Use the interrogative pronoun whose to ask questions about a person in possession of something Use the interrogative pronoun which to ask for identification of a specific person or thing in a group Use the interrogative pronoun what to ask open-ended questions about non-specific things

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering “Dagon” by H.P. Lovecraft, a short story with elements of horror and supernatural fiction: a psychologically fragile protagonist, isolation in the middle of the ocean, the discovery of a newly risen island, and a humanoid creature. The assessment may double as a guided reading handout to facilitate engagement with the text. An answer key and copy of the public domain narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The origin of the narrator’s captors The narrator’s work-related duties The narrator’s psychological condition How the narrator copes with his circumstances The means by which the narrator escapes The conditions of a strange island A stunning discovery The behavior of a strange creature Where the narrator eventually wakes up The narrator’s feelings A major decision in the resolution

Help middle and high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering the short story “A Day’s Wait” by Ernest Hemingway. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Choose the most appropriate synonym to replace an adjective in the text Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including alliteration, assonance, cacophony, and sibilance Consider themes in context Come to class better prepared to discuss literature

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The War of the Wall” by Toni Cade Bambara. The resource may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The narrator’s feelings toward the wall The narrator’s feelings toward the painter The name of the person whose name is chiseled into the wall The general characterization of the narrator’s mother The Morris twins’ offer to the painter Why the narrator’s mother says an artist’s life is hard What the narrator’s mother thinks is a real shame The narrator’s devious plans Historical figures painted on the wall The significance of the painted flowers Side Pocket’s observations about the mural The painter’s identity

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “A Day’s Wait” by Ernest Hemingway. The resource may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: The identity of the narrator The boy’s nickname, age, and condition The weather The father’s offer The boy’s alarming question A fundamental misunderstanding The resolution

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Portrait” by Tomás Rivera. The resource may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Where the salesman is from The name of the worker The salesman’s proposition The subject of the portrait Method of payment The wife’s assessment of the cost A surprising discovery What upsets the worker most The worker’s perspective on fear The most striking aspect of the portrait

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The 11:59” by Patricia McKissack. The resource may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Setting Lester’s prized possession Lester’s career The source of Lester’s post-retirement income General descriptions of secondary characters The significance of a whistle What Lester thinks about traveling by plane Physical effects coinciding with the sound of a whistle Lester’s reflections on life How Lester tries to comfort himself An unexpected visitor

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: congeal, dazed, exasperated, luxuriate, mutter, parcel, placid, punctually, spanner, translucent, trifle, and weary. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the classic fairy tale “Jorinda and Jorindel” by the Brothers Grimm. A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By engaging with these activities, students will determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words, consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings, and discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: bewitch bough disenchant gloomy hie hoarse mournfully mutter nightingale screech seize swiftly weep

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Chinua Achebe’s short story “Dead Men’s Path.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: condemnation, cordiality, denigration, disused, eradicate, frail, further, headmaster, pivotal, propitiate, quarrel, rank, scandalize, shrine, stout, superannuated, and zeal. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Hans Christian Andersen’s short story “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, a copy of the public domain narrative, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: accordingly, array, council, diligently, elaborate, knave, procession, retinue, riband, rogue, sovereign, vexed, and viz. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Anita Desai’s short story “Games at Twilight.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: arid, defunct, elude, glare, heartily, hirsute, ignominy, jubilation, laurels, lavishly, lugubrious, maniacal, melancholy, mortuary, sari, shutter, sidle, stridently, superciliously, vague, and veranda. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the classic fairy tale “Rumpelstiltskin.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: acquiesce, avarice, bewail, boast, despondently, dolefully, droll, earnestly, formidable, jeer, rapacious, shrewd, slyly, and vain. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement the classic fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” by the Brothers Grimm (also called “Little Red Cap”). A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, the public domain short story, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: arresting, bouquet, enraptured, feeble, infirm, odious, ominous, peer, scarcely, sly, trough, and velvet. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Support vocabulary development and enhance reading comprehension with this set of games and activities to complement Francisco Jiménez’s short story “The Circuit.” A crossword puzzle, a word search activity, a vocabulary application worksheet, and answer keys are provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Specifically, the following vocabulary terms are addressed: acquire, enthusiastically, hesitantly, husky, instinctively, jot, loose, murmur, pale, peak, savor, thoroughly, wearily, and whom. By engaging with these activities, students will: Determine the meaning of unfamiliar and complex words Consult reference materials in order to learn and verify word meanings Discern the most proper application of words as they are used in sentences

Evaluate general reading comprehension and eliminate assessment planning responsibilities with this plot-based quiz covering the short story “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson. The assessment may double as a guided reading worksheet to facilitate active engagement with the narrative. An answer key is included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following: Miss Strangeworth’s first name Miss Strangeworth’s age The name of the street on which Miss Strangeworth lives The sources of Miss Strangeworth’s pride Mr. Lewis’ profession The condition of Miss Strangeworth’s house Miss Strangeworth’s stated motivations The content of various letters delivered to townspeople What Miss Strangeworth keeps by the bed The character who writes strange letters The character who discovers a dropped letter The startling resolution

Help high school students go beyond basic reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Possibility of Evil.” An answer key is provided. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will: Identify what the text states explicitly as well as implicitly Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques Discern the functions of given details Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony, foreshadowing, situational irony, and symbolism Conduct brief online research on a relevant topic (Ethan Allen) in order to answer a question about plot Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision Come to class better prepared to discuss literature