ELA Short Stories Bundle | Top Women Writers | 15 Differentiated Study Guides

This bundle delivers strong, classroom-ready value by giving you 15 complete differentiated classic short story study guides built for mixed reading levels—featuring many of the most taught women-authored classics and Harlem Renaissance selections. Each title includes three aligned tracks—the complete Original Text plus two adapted options (Accessible/HILO and Leveled)—so you can teach one coherent unit without splitting your class into separate plans.

Try Before You Buy (Free Sample)
Start with the free title to test the full format (texts, questions, quizzes, and teacher materials) before purchasing the bundle:
The Yellow Wallpaper (FREE)

Problem
Many classic short-story units fall apart in real classrooms because the original text can be challenging, and students often read at different levels—so teachers end up reteaching constantly or simplifying until the story loses its power.

Solution
This Differentiated Classic Short Stories Bundle solves that problem by giving you three text options for every title:

• Original Text for extension reading, quoting, and close-reading excerpts
• Leveled Text that keeps the core plot and author voice while simplifying syntax and clarifying references
• Accessible Text (HILO) written in very clear language to reduce cognitive load and support comprehension

Cross-Version Alignment
Every discussion prompt, exit quiz item, and short-answer question is designed to be answerable from the Accessible (HILO), Leveled, or Original Text while still mapping cleanly to the original story for extension reading and text-evidence practice.

Perfect For
Grades 6–8 and 9–12 ELA, mixed reading levels, inclusion/SPED, ELL/ML learners, intervention groups, sub plans, fast-prep lesson days, and assessment days with aligned materials.

Quick Guide for Teachers (Flexible Schedule)

• Reading: Students read Accessible (HILO), Leveled, or Original based on what supports comprehension today.
• Whole-class discussion: Bring everyone together for shared Discussion Questions (works across all text versions).
• Assessment: Use the cross-version Multiple Choice Exit Quiz (printable + self-graded option).
• Finishers/homework: Use Vocabulary, Short Answer Questions, and Challenge Questions as time allows.

What’s Included (Per Title)

• Three text versions (aligned): Original Text + Leveled Text + Accessible Text (HILO)
• Student materials:
  • 10 Vocabulary Words
  • 10 Short Answer Recall/Comprehension
  • 5 Challenge Questions (analysis, themes, craft)
  • Multiple Choice Exit Quiz (cross-version aligned; some titles include Part 1 + Part 2 quizzes)
• Teacher materials:
  • Teacher’s Guide + Answer Key
  • Discussion Questions (and Part 1/Part 2 sets when applicable)
  • Self-graded quiz version(s)
  • Answer keys for Vocabulary, Short Answer, and Challenge Questions

Suggested Implementation Options

Option A: Single-Story Mini-Unit (1 Day)

• Read one version (Accessible/Leveled/Original)
• Run Discussion Questions
• Close with the Exit Quiz
• Assign Vocabulary/Short Answer/Challenge Questions as time allows

Option B: Two-Day Story (2-Part Titles)

• Day 1: Read Part 1 + Discussion Questions + optional short wrap-up
• Day 2: Read Part 2 + Discussion Questions + Exit Quiz

Option C: Differentiated Whole-Class (Mixed Readers)

• Assign Accessible (HILO) to supported readers, Leveled to on-grade readers, and Original to advanced readers
• Everyone completes the same questions and quiz so pacing and discussion stay unified

Included Titles (15) — Click Any Title to Preview the Individual Product

• [FREE] The Yellow Wallpaper — Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1892)
• The Story of an Hour — Kate Chopin (1894)
• Désirée’s Baby — Kate Chopin (1893)
• A Pair of Silk Stockings — Kate Chopin (1897)
• Miss Brill — Katherine Mansfield (1920)
• The Doll’s House — Katherine Mansfield (1922)
• The Mark on the Wall — Virginia Woolf (1917)
• A White Heron — Sarah Orne Jewett (1886)
• A New England Nun — Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1891)
• The Revolt of “Mother” — Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1891)
• A Jury of Her Peers — Susan Glaspell (1917)
• Paul’s Case — Willa Cather (1905)
• Spunk — Zora Neale Hurston (1925)
• John Redding Goes to Sea — Zora Neale Hurston (1926)
• Sweat — Zora Neale Hurston (1926)

What’s the Tradeoff of Using the Adapted Versions?

Pros

• Supports mixed reading levels while keeping the same storyline and core themes
• Makes classic texts teachable within normal pacing constraints
• Keeps whole-class discussion routines consistent across versions

Cons

• Some original diction, longer descriptive passages, and side details are reduced for clarity and pacing
• The adapted versions are not designed for line-by-line stylistic analysis of every original sentence