Waunakee Community School District
Identifying Themes in Literature
If your language arts learners have a hard time determining the universal theme of a written work, use a straightforward instructional activity to help them find it. After reviewing a list of common themes, kids note the title,...
Curated OER
Setting Details in Of Mice and Men
After completing John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, groups are assigned a chapter to reread. Members list major conflicts and events and quote setting details. They then make observations about how the setting prepares the reader for the...
Curated OER
Story Problems: Conflict
In this story questions worksheet, students respond to 3 short answer questions that require them to explain what was the problem is in a story, who fixed the problem in the story, and whether they liked the story.
Scholastic
Writing a Myth
Use this writing prompt and brainstorming page to help your pupils prepare to write their own myths. Individuals must choose a natural event to explain, come up with a protagonist and an antagonist, determine a setting, and think of a...
Curated OER
What Makes a Novel a Novel?
As your authors prepare to write a hypothetical novel, they need all the inspiration they can find! Using a book they have already read (and enjoyed), learners complete a literary analysis by filling in eight short-answer questions....
Writing Educators Symposium
Asking the Right Questions
It can be difficult to find the theme of a book or story if you don't know the questions to ask. Teach your kids to discern the universal theme in works of literature with a set of activities that promote critical thinking and active...
Curated OER
What Makes a Novel a Novel?
They always say to write what you know. This approach is used to get middle schoolers prepared to write novels of their own. Using a favorite book as a model, potential novelists respond to prompts that ask about characters, plot, main...
PB Works
The Cay by Theodore Taylor
Record the plot elements of The Cay on this worksheet. Pupils note basic information about the book and answer questions about the introduction, point of view, character, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution of...
IPDAE
Themes in Short Stories
"What is the theme of this story?" The very question can spark fear in the minds of readers and incinerate confidence. Here you will discover an exercise that shows how writers use the tools of setting, plot, conflict, and...
Curated OER
A Separate Peace: Chapter 11 Reading and Study Guide
To better comprehend the novel, A Separate Peace by John Knowles, learners define 3 vocabulary words, define 1 literary term, and respond to 10 short-answer questions. This resource refers only to Chapter 13 of the book.
Curated OER
A Separate Peace: Chapter 9 Reading And Study Guide
Pupils define 3 vocabulary words, define 1 literary term, and respond to 10 short-answer questions pertaining to chapter 9 of A Separate Peace by John Knowles. These activities are designed to help them better understand the novel and...
Curated OER
American Life
In this American Life activity and progress test learning exercise, students respond to a total of 23 short answer, true/false, multiple choice, matching, crossword puzzle, and fill in the blank questions pertaining to American Life.
Curated OER
Literary Element/ Conflict
In this language arts worksheet, middle schoolers use the explanation of conflict to answer the specific questions of examples of the element in the novel.
Curated OER
Story Literary Elements Worksheet
In this literary elements activity, students read selected short stories and then respond to 5 short answer questions based on the stories.
Hampton-Brown
Esperanza Rising
Accompany a reading of the novel, Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan, with a series of lessons that dive deep into the literary world of a young girl and the journey she takes to start a new life. Lessons and their...
Curated OER
Understanding Protagonists and Antagonists
How can you tell if a character is a villain? What about a hero? Work on literary analysis with an engaging language arts worksheet. After completing an activity about the four types of conflict, learners fill out a character map about a...
Curated OER
Illustrating the Elements of a Story
Explore the elements of a story with this two-page graphic organizer. Readers write and draw descriptions of each element, including setting, plot, conflict, rising action, climax, dialogue, and narration.
Curated OER
In the Shadow of the Mountain by Helen Naylor
For this comprehension check worksheet, students respond to 44 matching, true/false, fill in the blank, and short answer questions before reading, while reading, and after reading In the Shadow of the Mountain by Helen Naylor in order to...
Curated OER
Lord of the Flies: Chapter 1 Reading and Study Guide
In this comprehension check worksheet, students define 13 vocabulary words, define 5 literary terms, and respond to 23 short answer questions pertaining to chapter 1 of The Lord of the Flies in order to help them better understand the...
Curated OER
Touching Spirit Bear: Chapter 3
In this Touching Spirit Bear comprehension check worksheet, pupils respond to 16 short answer questions covering chapter 3 of Touching Spirit Bear in order to help them better understand the chapter and the novel.
Curated OER
Touching Spirit Bear: Chapters 27 & 28
In this Touching Spirit Bear comprehension check worksheet, students respond to 20 short answer questions covering chapters 27 and 28 of Touching Spirit Bear in order to help them better understand the chapters and the novel.
Curated OER
Touching Spirit Bear Chapter 5
In this Touching Spirit Bear comprehension check worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer questions covering chapter 5 of Touching Spirit Bear in order to help them better understand the chapter and the novel.
Curated OER
The First Part Last: Part 4
In this The First Part Last comprehension check worksheet, students respond to 34 short answer questions pertaining to part 4 of the Angela Johnson novel to better understand the novel and the author's craft.
Curated OER
The First Part Last: Part 3
In this The First Part Last comprehension check worksheet, students respond to 20 short answer questions pertaining to part 3 of the Angela Johnson novel to better understand the novel and the author's craft.