Did you know that you can download a free copy of The Core Knowledge Curriculum by E.D. Hirsch? These are guides for what children need to know in language arts, history, geography, visual arts, music, math and science from preschool through 8th grade. This is an excellent resource if you don't have the What your ---- grader needs to know
books. Actually it is a nice reference tool even if you do have the book. 
Besides the curriculum guide you can also find several teacher guides to go along with the core classics series of books. I looked at the Don Quixote
guide and it seems to do a fabulous job. It says it is aimed at fifth-grade students but I'm sure you can adapt it for higher grades as well. It contains vocabulary lists for each chapter, study questions, suggested activities, vocabulary activities and a summary of each chapter. 
Here are the teacher guides:
Frederick Douglass
Purchase Rats, Bull & Flying Machines Guide
.
games and competition.