Start the year with a real English lesson that gives you useful information about your students without making the first week feel like a test. In this low-pressure activity, students read an original short story, discuss possible interpretations, and write a brief evidence-based response.

Student-facing title:
Reading Between the Lines

What students do:
- Read an original short story, What the Rain Left Behind
- Make initial observations and inferences
- Discuss multiple possible interpretations
- Support ideas with textual evidence
- Complete a short writing sample

What you can learn quickly:
- Who understands the basic plot
- Who notices meaningful details
- Who can make a reasonable claim
- Who supports ideas with evidence
- Who can explain thinking in writing
- Who may need support with comprehension, discussion, or written analysis

What's included:
- Printable student packet PDF
- Editable student packet DOCX
- Teacher guide PDF
- Editable teacher guide DOCX
- Presentation slides PPTX
- Presentation slides PDF
- Original short story
- Discussion questions
- Evidence-based writing prompt
- Teacher-facing look-fors
- 45-minute and 60-minute pacing options

Suggested grades:
8th-12th, with strongest fit for high school ELA