Learn the Common Core from the inside-out. Before your kids take their exams and move on to the next grade, make sure that they have experience applying each of the CCSS to various texts. (Note: I work in NC, where students are tested specifically on RL 9-10 1-6.)
This lesson includes a text for annotation, a graphic organizer that specifically addresses all of the CCSS for Literature, and an extension activity (essay).
Even if you choose not to use the extension activity, there are some