{"product_id":"the-devil-and-tom-walker-differentiated-study-guide-washington-irving","title":"The Devil and Tom Walker Differentiated Study Guide | Washington Irving | CCSS Aligned","description":"\u003cp\u003eBring a classic American cautionary tale into your classroom without losing students to text complexity. This differentiated, standards-friendly unit for Washington Irving’s \u003cem\u003eThe Devil and Tom Walker\u003c\/em\u003e (1824) supports mixed reading levels while preserving the story’s dark humor, allegory, and sharp critique of greed and false piety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePROBLEM:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 bite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOLUTION:\u003c\/strong\u003e This differentiated short story study solves that problem by giving you the complete Original Text plus two aligned options—the Accessible Text (HILO) and the Leveled Text—so your class can move together while students read the version that best supports comprehension today. The adaptations keep the major plot events, key character choices, and core themes (including greed, hypocrisy, and the moral cost of “easy money”). This story is presented as a 1-part reading to keep pacing tight and the cautionary ending clear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grades 7–12 whole-class short story study, mixed reading levels, inclusive classrooms, intervention groups, multilingual learners, sub plans, and fast-prep lesson days. Some teachers also use it for older students when they want rigorous themes with a more accessible reading load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCross-version alignment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Every Discussion Question and every Multiple Choice Exit Quiz item is designed to be answerable from the Accessible Text (HILO), the Leveled Text, or the Original Text, while still mapping cleanly to the original story for extension reading and evidence practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe preview files are from the free \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/readerstheaterworksheets.com\/products\/the-legend-of-sleepy-hollow-differentiated-study-guide-washington-irving\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Legend of Sleepy Hollow Differentiated Study Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e so you can get an idea for what this product includes. However, to be sure this will meet your classroom's needs, download the free study guide now and give it a test drive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cu\u003eQuick Guide for Teachers (Daily Schedule)\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReading: Students read the assigned text as small groups or independent reading (Accessible, Leveled, or Original) based on student levels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhole-class discussion: Bring everyone together for the Discussion Questions (works across all text versions).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAssessment: Assign the shared 10-question Multiple Choice Exit Quiz (printable or digital).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinishers\/homework: Use the Vocabulary Words, Short Answer Questions, and Challenge Questions for early finishers—or assign as homework if time runs out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll components can be mixed and matched for flexible schedules and can be used in class or as homework.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cu\u003eThis product includes a zip file consisting of:\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNOTE: All files are editable and include (PDF, DOCX, PPTX, Google Docs\/Slides\/Forms)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Text: ~4,850 words | ~10.9 Flesch-Kincaid GL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLexile Range (est.): 1050L–1350L | CEFR (est.): B2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreat for on-grade and advanced readers, close reading, tone\/satire analysis, and original-language evidence\/quoting work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeveled Text: ~3,850 words | ~4.7 Flesch-Kincaid GL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLexile Range (est.): 720L–920L | CEFR (est.): A2–B1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeps the full plot and moral tension while simplifying sentence structure and reducing vocabulary friction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible Text (HILO): ~1,700 words | ~4.1 Flesch-Kincaid GL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLexile Range (est.): 650L–850L | CEFR (est.): A2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShorter and written in simpler language to reduce cognitive load and support comprehension while preserving the warning about greed and hypocrisy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003e*All three versions tell the same story, allowing students to participate in shared discussions even when reading different texts.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eStudent Final Worksheet\/Quizzes (PPTX, Google Slides\/Forms)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 Vocabulary Words\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 Short Answer Recall\/Comprehension\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 Challenge Questions (analysis, themes, craft)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Multiple Choice Exit Quiz (10 Questions, cross-version aligned)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTeacher’s Guide \u0026amp; Answer Key\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 set of Discussion Questions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 self-graded Exit Quiz (10Qs)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnswer keys for Vocabulary, Short Answer, and Challenge Questions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFREE BONUS ALERT: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/litclassics.readerstheaterworksheets.com\/\"\u003eAccess Code Included to read on the Leveled-Lit Classics Library Platform!\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSAVE 40%: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/readerstheaterworksheets.com\/products\/19th-century-american-authors-short-story-literature-bundle-10-titles\"\u003eTop 10 Short Story Study Guide | 19th Century American Authors Bundle\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cu\u003eSummary\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMiserly Tom Walker meets the Devil in a New England swamp and is offered buried treasure. After Tom’s wife disappears while chasing the same prize, Tom accepts the bargain and becomes a ruthless moneylender. He tries to cover his cruelty with loud piety and a church title—but the Devil comes to collect, and Tom’s fortune collapses. The story ends as a proverb warning that greed and hypocrisy lead to ruin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cu\u003eSearchable Teacher Keywords\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Devil and Tom Walker study guide (Washington Irving)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDifferentiated short story unit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHILO (high-interest low-readability) text option\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSelf-grading Google Forms exit quiz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreed, hypocrisy, and satire lesson\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eText evidence and close reading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the exit quiz available as a self-grading Google Form?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. A printable version is included as well, so you can assign the same assessment digitally or on paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill students on the Accessible Text still be able to do analysis?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The Accessible version preserves the core conflict and greed, hypocrisy, and irony, so students can discuss theme and craft with simpler language.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat if I only have one class period?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse the exit quiz as the check for understanding, then assign vocabulary + short answers as homework or for early finishers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cu\u003eCommon Core State Standards\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRL.8.1 \/ RL.9-10.1 \/ RL.CCR.1 — Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRL.8.2 \/ RL.9-10.2 \/ RL.CCR.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of a text; provide an objective summary of the text.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRL.8.3 \/ RL.9-10.3 \/ RL.CCR.3 — Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRL.8.4 \/ RL.9-10.4 \/ RL.CCR.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of word choice on meaning and tone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRL.8.5 \/ RL.9-10.5 \/ RL.CCR.5 — Analyze how an author’s choices about structure and sequencing create effects such as mystery, tension, or surprise and contribute to meaning and style.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRL.8.6 \/ RL.9-10.6 \/ RL.CCR.6 — Analyze how point of view and perspective shape what the reader knows and how the text creates effects such as suspense or irony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRL.8.10 \/ RL.9-10.10 \/ RL.CCR.10 — Read and comprehend literature at the appropriate grade-level text complexity band independently and proficiently.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eW.8.1 \/ W.9-10.1 \/ W.CCR.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eW.8.2 \/ W.9-10.2 \/ W.CCR.2 — Write informative\/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly through selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eW.8.9 \/ W.9-10.9 \/ W.CCR.9 — Draw evidence from literary texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSL.8.1 \/ SL.9-10.1 \/ SL.CCR.1 — Engage effectively in collaborative discussions, building on others’ ideas and expressing one’s own clearly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eL.8.4 \/ L.9-10.4 \/ L.CCR.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases using context and a range of strategies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Readers Theater Worksheets","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50650261913886,"sku":null,"price":3.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/4649\/2958\/files\/Study-Guide-Cover_55a0fbba-1ec8-4fd9-9912-da582b51f681.jpg?v=1772081562","url":"https:\/\/readerstheaterworksheets.com\/products\/the-devil-and-tom-walker-differentiated-study-guide-washington-irving","provider":"Reader's Theater Worksheets","version":"1.0","type":"link"}