Read Head
10 Followers
Bakersfield, California, United States
About the store
Hi there! I'm a veteran high school English teacher with 30 years of classroom experience in grades 9–12. I specialize in creating full ELA units and resource bundles that are standards-aligned, student-centered, and designed to spark critical thinking, creativity, and real-world connections.
Whether you're looking to streamline your planning, engage your learners, or bring more depth to your instruction, my goal is to support fellow educators with ready-to-use materials that truly work. Thanks for stopping by—I’m so glad you’re here!
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Semester 2 Reflect & Reset: A One-Week Student Reset Packet Grade 9-12
Semester 2 Reflect & Reset: A One-Week Student Reset Packet Grades 9–12 | ELA | Back-to-School (January) | SEL + Academic AccountabilityStart Semester 2 with clarity, purpose, and real student ownership—without adding to your grading load. This print-ready, weeklong Reflection & Reset Packet guides students through an honest review of Semester 1 while helping them set concrete, meaningful goals for Semester 2. Designed for secondary classrooms, this resource blends reading, listening, speaki
9th - 12th
Informational Text, Reading Strategies, Social Emotional Learning
Any Novel Teaching Unit ELA Bundle - Grades 9-12 | Universal Lit Kit
This Any Novel High School ELA Bundle provides ready-to-use literary analysis, CER writing, and discussion activities for any text. Any Novel High School ELA Bundle | Literary Analysis, CER Writing & Discussion (Grades 9–12)Theis curated and complete unit provides ready-to-use literary analysis, CER writing, discussion, and project-based activities that work with any text—classic or contemporary. Transform any novel into a powerful, engaging, and standards-aligned learning experience with t
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Novel Studies, Writing
Difficult Conversations in Literature | High School ELA Discussion Tools
Bonus Pack: Difficult Conversations in Literature | High School ELA Discussion Tools for Sensitive Themes (Grades 9–12) Equip your students to tackle challenging, thought-provoking topics in literature with empathy, depth, and clarity. This Bonus Pack: Difficult Conversations in Literature provides high school ELA teachers with ready-to-use tools for discussing controversial, emotional, or socially relevant themes in any novel—including commonly challenged or banned books. Perfect for use with
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Novel Studies, Writing
Also included in: Any Novel Teaching Unit ELA Bundle - Grades 9-12 | Universal Lit Kit
Universal Project-Based Learning Unit for Any Novel | “The Novel Reimagined”
Looking to bring deeper meaning and real-world relevance to your novel units? This engaging Project-Based Learning (PBL) unit for any novel helps high school students connect literature to the modern world through creativity, critical thinking, and authentic expression. About the Unit: “The Novel Reimagined: Bringing Literature to Life” invites students to reinterpret a novel’s themes, characters, or conflicts by creating a meaningful final product that speaks to today’s issues. With student
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Novel Studies
Also included in: Any Novel Teaching Unit ELA Bundle - Grades 9-12 | Universal Lit Kit
Writing Pack for Any Novel | Scaffolding + Essay Practice | High School ELA
Empower your students to become confident, analytical writers with this comprehensive writing pack designed for any novel you teach in grades 9–12. This resource offers step-by-step scaffolding, skill-based mini-lessons, and ready-to-use writing prompts that support all learners—from struggling writers to AP-bound students. What’s Included: Argument, Literary Analysis & Personal Response Prompts Aligned with Common Core and adaptable to any novel Each prompt includes sentence frames, c
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Novel Studies, Writing-Essays
Also included in: Any Novel Teaching Unit ELA Bundle - Grades 9-12 | Universal Lit Kit
Universal Close Reading Tools: Literary Analysis for Any Novel
✨ Give your students the tools to read like literary detectives. This Close Reading Set is designed to help students slow down and dig deep. With flexible, scaffolded tools for analyzing tone, symbolism, structure, and theme, this pack equips readers to uncover the layers of meaning hiding in every line. Whether you're working with classics, modern texts, or controversial novels, these close reading tools give students the confidence and structure to analyze literature like pros. ✅ What’s
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Novel Studies, Reading Strategies
Also included in: Any Novel Teaching Unit ELA Bundle - Grades 9-12 | Universal Lit Kit
During Reading: Critical Thinking Tools & Activities for Any High School Novel
✨ Turn every chapter into a conversation.This During Reading Lit Kit is packed with flexible, plug-and-play tools that get students thinking critically while they read. No more blank stares or surface-level summaries—these activities guide students to dig deeper, connect ideas, and engage with the text in meaningful ways from beginning to end. Whether you're teaching a literary classic, modern novel, or banned book, these scaffolded resources support high-level thinking for any novel, any lev
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Literature, Novel Studies
Also included in: Any Novel Teaching Unit ELA Bundle - Grades 9-12 | Universal Lit Kit
Universal High School English Language Arts Pre-Reading Tools for Any Novel
✨ Hook your students before the first page!This Pre-Reading Tools Pack is the perfect way to build background knowledge, spark curiosity, and lay the foundation for deep literary analysis—no matter what novel you're teaching. Whether you're introducing a classic, a contemporary favorite, or a frequently challenged text, these flexible, ready-to-use tools help students make meaningful connections before they even start reading. What’s Included: Pre-Reading Tools for Any NovelAnticipation Guides
9th - 12th
Literature, Reading, Reading Strategies
Also included in: Any Novel Teaching Unit ELA Bundle - Grades 9-12 | Universal Lit Kit
Close Reading Adaptable Digital Template e-Handout
What I love most about this Close Reading e-document is that it can be adapted for any piece of reading - from short articles and speeches to longer poems and novels. The teacher must select a total of 4 reading passages from the literature that students are currently reading in class. These textual selections are copied and pasted into the Model Selection and Close Reading Selection boxes. Because this is an adaptive and fluid digital document, teachers can make a copy with each use and eas
7th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts
Washington Irving "The Devil and Tom Walker" - Response to Literature Paragraph
The product includes a Response to Literature paragraph writing prompt via Google Doc for ease of distribution to students. The prompt is highly engaging to teenagers and relevant to today's pop culture, while obviously accessing student knowledge of the literary text and paragraph and idea development. Includes margin guides for student writers to remind them of MLA formatting, transitions, lead-ins, and quotes, as well as incorporating commentary to balance a well-rounded paragraph. This pr
9th - 12th
English Language Arts, Literature, Writing
Supporting Evidence: Identify & Analyze Textual Evidence
The materials in this unit are intended to supplement both reading and writing modules that the teacher already has in place. They are especially helpful for students who have only a superficial understanding of the types of evidence that writers employ, including the three forms of anecdotal evidence, testimonial, both types of factual support, statistical, as well as analogical evidence. By the end of this unit, students will be able to both identify the eight different types of evidence use
11th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Informational Text
CCSS
RI.11-12.1
, W.11-12.1
, W.11-12.2b
+2
The Kite Runner: Redemption - CCSS Common Core Thematic Unit
This Common Core unit uses the INTO, THROUGH, & BEYOND approach in order to lead students down a road of thematic discovery, whereby they will grow to understand the significance of human transgression and the power of redemption. Used in conjunction with Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, this CCSS module includes:
-A list of common core standards that are covered in each phase of the unit
-The Kite Runner novel thematic analysis (Redemption)
-Relevant non-fiction texts, including articles
11th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Writing
CCSS Common Core Standards Non-Fiction Unit with Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451
This is a unit guide with a materials link provided via Google Drive. Thematic Focus: Week 1: The "Dumbing Down" of Society Week 2: The Importance of Reading Week 3: Censorship Each part of this unit is designed for one week of instruction with a focus on non-fiction deep reading and thematic timed writing. Thus, the reading of Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451 and this supplemental non-fiction unit will cover three (3) weeks of instruction. If the instructor should decide to incorporate additi
11th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Informational Text
"Breaking the Barrier" - Characterization and Plot
In this practice activity (formative assessment), students will analyze interactions between main and subordinate characters in a literary text and explain the way those interactions affect the plot.
Skill sheet can be given as homework that leads to review and discussion the following day.
Includes reading excerpt, 5 multiple choice questions, and answer key.
7th - 10th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
Angelou Heart of Writing Poster (Printable)
Angelou Heart of Writing Poster (Printable)
7th - 12th
For All Subjects
The Cask Of Amontillo - Poe- Close Reading & Paraphrasing
9th grade students, who are not quite reading at grade level, often struggle with reading the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Although they love the dark Gothic subject matter, Poe's vocabulary and syntax often leaves younger readers in their own state of "darkness".
With this opening activity, students will focus on the very first paragraph of Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" and conduct a close reading by:
-making a personal connection
-asking a question
-defining unknown words
-paraphrasing
Stu
9th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
Tone Analysis Chart
With this visually appealing graphic organizer, students will be able to break down, analyze, and determine an author's tone within a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective. Students will identify the seven traits that help to reveal a writer's tone and the persuasiveness or beauty of the text.
11th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts
CCSS
RI.11-12.6
Common Core (CCSS) Unit - New Year's Eve & The Importance of Time
This common core aligned thematic unit will give students the opportunity to compare common themes in literature and to use the theme element of "time" in order to set goals for themselves, not only for the upcoming year but with long-term goals as well.
This secondary English Language Arts module includes:
"Auld Lang Syne" - Lesson Starter
"New Year's Eve" - a grade-level essay + summary materials
"New Year's Eve" - a poem + dialectical journal
Ted Talk + EdPuzzle on the relevance of "time" a
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Writing
Common Core (CCSS) Focused Writing Practice - Response to Literature
This intensive skill practice handout will help beginning or struggling writers with Response to Literature writing elements. First, students will practice labeling the following RTL elements:
-title
-author
-genre
-page #
-answer to the prompt
-intro to the selected quote
-quote
Next, students will practice correctly punctuating the RTL, including practice with using ellipsis and brackets.
The response to literature practice closes with a formative assessment in which students write their o
7th - 10th
English Language Arts, Literature, Writing
House on Mango Street - Open Mind Activity Sheet
In this activity, students will put themselves into Esperanza’s mind and see the world from her point of view by completing an Open Mind graphic organizer with objects, images, symbols and quotations from the story to provide a picture of what might be going through Esperanza's head.
This is a simple way for students to self-evaluate their understanding of the novella, and teachers can use it as a quick formative assessment.
*Also has an option for a paragraph response.
7th - 9th
Literature, Reading Strategies
Showing 1-20 of 26 results
About the store
Experience
Hi there! I'm a veteran high school English teacher with 30 years of classroom experience in grades 9–12. I specialize in creating full ELA units and resource bundles that are standards-aligned, student-centered, and designed to spark critical thinking, creativity, and real-world connections.
Whether you're looking to streamline your planning, engage your learners, or bring more depth to your instruction, my goal is to support fellow educators with ready-to-use materials that truly work. Thanks for stopping by—I’m so glad you’re here!
Teaching style
My teaching style blends structure with creativity, high expectations with heartfelt support. I believe students thrive when learning feels purposeful and engaging, so I design lessons that encourage critical thinking, real-world application, and authentic student voice. Whether through literature, writing, or discussion, I aim to foster curiosity, confidence, and compassion in every classroom.
Over the years, I’ve leaned into strategies like project-based learning, scaffolded writing instruction, and meaningful discussions to help students not only meet standards—but also see their own growth. I value clarity, consistency, and a sense of community in the classroom, and my materials reflect that balance.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Throughout my 30 years in the classroom, I've been honored with a few meaningful recognitions—kudos from colleagues, curriculum leadership roles, and invitations to mentor new educators or to help veteran teachers who struggle with new technology. But the real shining moments come from the little things: watching a reluctant writer find their voice, seeing a class light up during a lively book discussion, or getting a heartfelt thank-you note years later from a student who still remembers overcoming their fear of public speaking or reading The Kite Runner.
For me, the greatest reward has always been helping students believe in their ability to think critically, express themselves powerfully, and meet the world with confidence and compassion.
My own education history
BA & MA studies in English
Masters in Education; Curriculum: Technology;
Internship focusing on the digital classroom
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