Short Stories Collection w/ Analysis Activities – Secondary ELA – CCSS Rubrics

Immerse your students in a collection of captivating short stories with analysis activities through this bundled resource. These no-prep reading and analysis lessons are perfect for 1-2 day sub plans, short reading and response activities, or as introductions to larger writing units (the products in this bundle are also included in my Creative Writing Workshops Bundle). These stories will introduce important literary elements to your students, while the accompanying response questions and essay assignments are designed to build strong analysis and expository writing skills.

Each story within this bundle offers a unique reading experience that engages students and promotes literary exploration. As students delve into these stories, they will uncover essential literary elements, unravel thematic messages, and analyze the intricate plots. The thought-provoking response questions will stimulate critical thinking and deepen students' understanding of the narratives. Additionally, the essay assignments included in this resource will foster strong analysis and expository writing skills, empowering students to express their insights with clarity and precision.

These bundled resources not only captivate readers but also serve as valuable models of student work. By engaging with these stories, students can draw inspiration for their own creative writing and learn from the techniques employed by the author. They will explore character development, narrative structure, and the art of crafting compelling stories, enabling them to become skilled writers themselves.

Whether you're in need of short reading and response lessons or seeking to enhance a creative writing unit, these bundled short stories with analysis activities are here to inspire and challenge your students. Immerse them in the world of literature and witness their analytical thinking and writing skills flourish.

NOTE: This is a growing bundle, and will include additional short stories by Richard Post as they become available!

Your purchase includes the following (See PREVIEW):

• The short narratives "The Lost Room," "The Hallway," "The Best Friend," "The Mile," and "The Bloody Eye," by Richard Post (written exclusively for The Language of Educational Art)
• 43 accompanying response questions (w/ answer keys) designed to further your students' understanding of the structure and thematic concepts found in each narrative or essay
• Five literary analysis essay assignments that build on students' understanding of each short story and how genre narratives are structured (40 points each - tied to 4 Common Core Standards)
• 5 Literary Devices Writing Prompts (tied to Details, Diction, Imagery, Point of View, and Tone), each of which includes a short example writing by Richard Post. Great for sub plans!

SYNOPSIS OF ‘THE HALLWAY':

It's 2141, and Dr. Abraham Lazarouch has spent the past eighty years inventing the technology to cure death. Facing the end of his "original-life,” Dr. Lazarouch reflects on his long career while being prepared for life as a BioDroid. But what awaits the doctor on the far end of the Hallway?

SYNOPSIS OF ‘THE LOST ROOM’:

"In Benjamin’s childhood home there was a small room and in that small room was a small door and beyond that small door was the Lost Room." Thus begins Richard Post's allegory about the child Benjamin and the tall wizard Appa Drepa, who guides Benjamin on his journey from the Lost Room to the Tree of Knowledge, the evil Determinator, and the Gold Key to the One Room. Appropriate for all ages, middle and high school students will be challenged by the "The Lost Room's" symbolism, allegory, and themes.

SYNOPSIS OF ‘THE BEST FRIEND':

Ryan and Ben take a study break to challenge each other on a disorienting race around Ben's family home. While their competition unfolds, the narrative explores the dynamics and importance of enduring friendship.

SYNOPSIS OF ‘THE BLOODY EYE’:

A first-year teacher struggles to keep up with a heavy work-load while confronting a classroom haunted by mysterious knocking sounds, a river of blood, possessed students, the ghost of Mrs. Draclaus, and the Bloody Eye.

SYNOPSIS OF 'THE MILE':

Inspired by Roger Bannister, the author Richard Post starts his junior-year track and field season by setting a personal goal to run a sub five-minute mile. As he strives to become a better athlete, teammate, and competitor, Richard learns the true purpose of goal settings and hard work.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE STORIES ADDED TO THIS BUNDLE...!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Richard Post came late to writing YA literature, but he has been a storyteller and raconteur his entire life. When he’s not writing short stories for The Language of Educational Art, he enjoys fishing for rock bass on Higgins Lake, hunting pheasants on the farms of mid-Michigan, bottling sun pickles (here's his famous recipe), hosting “whoopie” parties for his grandchildren, and playing cribbage. He lives with his wife Beverly in St. Louis, Michigan and Orange Beach, Alabama. 

NOTE: The products in this bundle are also components of L-EA’s "Creative Writing Workshops Bundle." If you are looking for a larger creative writing unit, check out the related workshops links below.

EASEL BY TpT RESOURCE:

Student assignments for the resources in this bundle are available as EASEL by TpT activities, which create a seamless link between our content and your learning management system (LMS). Additionally, all of our EASEL activities are immediately ready for student use; no prep work  is required on your end! Simply grab the link and go. NOTE: to access other resource files for this product (presentations, rubrics, Google Forms, answer keys, terms of use, or teacher notes) be sure to also download the product PDF.

LITERATURE CONTENT:

Antigone : A Thousand Acres : The Awakening : A Christmas Carol: Activities : A Christmas Carol: Quizzes : Common Core Essay Rubrics Collection : The Glass Menagerie : Great Expectations: Activities : Great Expectations: Quizzes : Heart of Darkness : Literary Analysis Essay Workshop : The Metamorphosis : The Power of One : A Prayer for Owen Meany : Short Fantasy Story w/ Analysis Activities : Short Horror Story w/ Analysis Activities : Short Realistic Fiction Story w/ Analysis Activities : Short Science Fiction Story w/ Analysis Activities : Short Stories w/ Analysis Activities Bundle :  Their Eyes Were Watching God : Theme Essay Workshop : A Thousand Acres : To Kill a Mockingbird: Activities : To Kill a Mockingbird: Quizzes : Writing Literary Analysis Directions

WRITING WORKSHOPS:

Argumentative Essay Workshop : Group Research Essay Workshop : Fantasy Writing Workshop : Horror Writing Workshop : Literary Analysis Essay Workshop : Mystery Writing Workshop : Realistic Fiction Writing Workshop : Research Essay Workshop : Science-Fiction Writing Workshop : Theme Essay Workshop : Tragedy Writing Workshop : Creative Writing Workshops Bundle : Expository Essays Workshops Bundle : Expository Essays MEGA Bundle : ELA Writing Workshops Bundle

LESSONS, UNIT, AND  BUNDLES:

A Christmas Carol Complete Unit Bundle : Choice Reading Unit : ELA Essays Assessments Bundle : ELA Writing Workshops Bundle : Create Your Own Children’s Book : Create Your Own Holiday Children’s Book : Create Your Own Superhero Project : Creative Writing Workshops Bundle : Daily Writing Prompts Bundle : Deepfake Awareness Training : Experiential Learning Projects Bundle : Expository Workshops MEGA Bundle : Family Narrative Bundle : Great Expectations Complete Unit Bundle : Growth Mindset Writing Prompts : Greek and Latin Vocabulary Bundle : Letter to Your Future Self (FREE) : Literary Devices: Creative Writing Prompts (FREE) : Literary Devices: Creative Writing Worksheets (FREE) : Literary Terms Units Bundle :Narrative Guides: 6-Genre Creative Writing Bundle : Persuasive Letter to Santa : Research Guide: 50 Topics Bundle : Research Unit Bundle : SAT Words of the Day Bundle : Seasonal Narrative Guides: 7-Holiday Creative Writing Bundle : Six Word Autobiography : Song Lessons: Analyzing Literary Devices Through Pop Music : Student Choice Biography Research Project : To Kill a Mockingbird Complete Unit Bundle : Veterans Day Research Project : Writing Literary Analysis Bundle

FILE FORMAT:

All The Language of Educational Art’s short story products are provided as print-ready, bookmarked, and adjustable PDF files. All of our products can accommodate many digital delivery strategies. Please contact us if different file types or page edits are desired. We can accommodate most requests within 24 hours.

OUR CLASSROOM:

The Language of Educational Art produces ready resources for the overworked English teacher. All L-EA content is created to be straightforward, engaging, digital-delivery ready, and clear enough for a “10-second sub plan.” If there is content you wish we had, let us know and we’ll create it. Easier still, give us a follow and enjoy our store.

EMAIL: languageofedarts@gmail.com