I don’t know if I can choose the best Christmas book ever for all readers, but I can definitely give you my idea of the best Christmas book ever. Well, maybe the best Christmas books ever–plural. I hope you are all winding down for a long winter’s break nap. Snuggle in with your favorite blanket,Continue Reading
Twain Texts You Aren’t Teaching but Should: “Corn Pone Opinions”
The one Twain text your students need to read for the 2024 election year. Use this lesson immediately! Follow the links for FREE downloads! “Corn Pone Opinions”: Written in 1901 and published posthumously in 1923 by Robert Bigelow Paine in Europe and Elsewhere. Relevance: Peer Pressure; Critical Thinking; Political Messaging and Decisions; Fashion Trends; AlgorithmsContinue Reading
Quick and Easy Independent Reading Activity Solutions for Tired Teachers
Are you feeling May Tired Teacher Vibes and it’s only January? I’m right there with you–with a solution. Actually, I have two solutions in the form of independent reading activities, aka creative book report ideas that lower your workload but still meet standards. This blog post will NOTE: If you are a super tired superContinue Reading
Why Does Daisy Stay? How to Find Relationship Red Flags in The Great Gatsby
Why does Daisy stay? That’s the question students ask every year when we study The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald’s classic novel presents a valuable opportunity to educate students about the truth concerning abusive and toxic relationships. When they ask why does Daisy stay, they are really asking why anyone stays. They might be asking why theirContinue Reading
3 Spooky Season Poetry Lessons You Need to Use Now
Trick or Treat your ELA students with these three spooky season poetry lessons. Discover the poetic “tricks” that poets use to create mystery and creepiness to their writing. The treat part comes at the end–a fun, creative brain break activity. Is your class studying Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” this spooky season? It’s perfect forContinue Reading
How to Use Hexagonal Thinking in the ELA Classroom
Hexagonal thinking has been around for a bit. It definitely engages students, and right now, that’s half the battle, right? Hexagonal thinking is more than engaging, however, when used effectively. Here are three effective strategies to teach argument using hexagonal thinking. (Plus, a free hexagon template download.) Brainstorming with Hexagonal Thinking: Brainstorming is underused and under-appreciated.Continue Reading
Three Easy and Effective Games for the ELA Classroom
Obstacles to Learning for $400, please. Answer: Boredom Question: What problem rivals cell phones as the biggest distraction in the classroom? More and more, teachers are called up to be entertainers and motivators while still maintaining effective educational practices. In our instant-gratification fueled world, I don’t think that’s changing anytime soon. So what do weContinue Reading
How Analyzing Gatsby Can Help Teens Recognize Relationship Red Flags
I was desperate. I sat curled in a chair, my face wet, my throat tight, my heart crushed. I was a mom of four great kids. We lived in a beautiful five bedroom, three bathroom home walking distance from our church where I volunteered and sang in the choir. I sobbed so hard, I couldContinue Reading
3 Classic Retellings You Need to Read This Summer
Who doesn’t love a good summer read? Summer reading is refreshing and exciting. And it’s different than a winter read. A winter read is soft and heartwarming and maybe romantic. But a summer read should be like summer: fun, fast, and maybe a little wild. That’s what these three YA novels have in common andContinue Reading
BINGO! Plus 3 More Tips for Effective Class Discussion
We’ve all had those classes we struggle to connect with. This past year was sometimes harder than usual. The masks, the switched-off cameras, the lackluster motivation, the crushing anxiety all contributed. As teachers, though, our job is to innovate ways to work through and break through. Class discussion is one path to create connections andContinue Reading
