Short story units kids get into.

These are the stories that hook my 9th and 10th graders every year. For each one you'll find something for before, during and after reading: a pre-reading game or hook, discussion questions, short and extended responses, and a quick check.

Mix and match across stories, or grab everything for one text and you've got a full week planned.

22 resources · every one included with All-Access

The Most Dangerous Game: Pre-Reading Activity + Game

A survival-themed warm-up, island scenario, and predator/prey game to set up "The Most Dangerous Game."

Pre-reading activity · 8–10 · $4

The Most Dangerous Game: Discussion Questions for After Reading

Ten after-reading discussion questions for "The Most Dangerous Game," with a teacher answer guide.

Discussion · 9 · $4

The Most Dangerous Game: 20 Exit Tickets

17 exit-ticket prompts plus a 10-question open-ended quiz with answer key for "The Most Dangerous Game."

Assessment · 8–10 · $3

SCR Prompts for "The Most Dangerous Game"

Five SCR prompts for "The Most Dangerous Game," on slides and in a printable doc.

Writing lesson · 8–10 · $4

ECR Prompts for "The Most Dangerous Game"

Five ECR prompts for "The Most Dangerous Game": argumentative, correspondence, and informational.

Writing lesson · 8–10 · $4

Pre-Reading Activity for "Lamb to the Slaughter"

A Mystery Box game, warm-up prompts, and a prediction exit ticket to open "Lamb to the Slaughter."

Pre-reading activity · 8–10 · $5

SCR Prompts for "Lamb to the Slaughter"

Eight SCR prompts for "Lamb to the Slaughter" with a CER walkthrough and SCR rubric slides.

Writing lesson · 8–10 · $5

Lamb to the Slaughter: ECR Prompts

Five STAAR-style ECR prompts for "Lamb to the Slaughter," on irony, characterization, setting, and more.

Writing lesson · 8–10 · $5

Pre-Reading Activity for "The Lottery"

A tradition-themed quick write, mystery-tradition game, and prediction exit ticket before "The Lottery."

Pre-reading activity · 8–10, Higher Ed · $5

SCR Prompts for "The Lottery"

Seven SCR prompts for "The Lottery," on slides and in a printable doc.

Writing lesson · 8–10 · $4

Five Short Constructed Responses: The Scarlet Ibis

Five text-evidence SCR prompts on "The Scarlet Ibis": pride, symbolism, setting, and more.

Assessment · 8–10 · $2.5

ECR Prompts for "The Scarlet Ibis"

ECR prompts for "The Scarlet Ibis": argumentative, correspondence and informational.

Writing prompt · 8–10 · $4

Identifying Themes in "The Scarlet Ibis": Multiple Choice

Five multiple-choice theme questions for "The Scarlet Ibis," with answers and explanations.

Assessment · 8–10 · $3

Character Analysis Body Outline for "The Scarlet Ibis"

A body outline project for Doodle and his brother in "The Scarlet Ibis," with a 100-point rubric.

Scaffold / organizer · 7–10 · $5

Personal Reflection Essay for "The Scarlet Ibis"

A 500-700 word MLA reflective essay connecting a theme from "The Scarlet Ibis" to students' lives.

Writing prompt · 7–12 · $2

SCR: Five Short Constructed Responses for "The Lady, or the Tiger?"

Five SCR prompts for "The Lady, or the Tiger?" on character, theme and the ambiguous ending.

Writing prompt · 7–10 · $3

ECR Prompts for "The Lady, or the Tiger?"

Three ECR essay prompts for "The Lady, or the Tiger?": correspondence, argumentative and informational.

Writing prompt · 7–10 · $2.5

One-Pager Characterization: "The Lady, or the Tiger?"

Students build a one-pager on the king, princess, or young man in "The Lady, or the Tiger?" with cited evidence.

Assignment · 7–10 · $2.5

Character Analysis Presentation: "The Lady, or the Tiger?"

A 15-20 slide character analysis presentation project for "The Lady, or the Tiger?"

Project · 7–10 · $2.5

Alternative Ending: "The Lady, or the Tiger?"

Students write a 2-3 page alternate ending to "The Lady, or the Tiger?" from one character's view.

Creative writing · 7–10 · $1.5

"The Landlady" by Roald Dahl: SCR Prompts

Five SCR prompts and slides for Roald Dahl's "The Landlady," with an SCR walkthrough.

Writing lesson · 8–10 · $5

Scary & Suspense Short Story Unit

Eight original suspense stories with inference questions, SCRs, ECRs and creative prompts.

Short story unit · 6–10 · $9.99

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