Sure, the winter blues might be a cliche, but as a teacher, I need help. I live in Illinois and last weekend, we had over ten inches of snow. I…
Looking for Romeo and Juliet lesson plans? I have taught Romeo and Juliet… dozens of times? I’ve created lessons that have bombed and directed less than enthusiastic students through lines. I’ve scored…
“Grammar” is more than a key to better writing. So often, teachers will tell me that grammar does not help student writing. I think in a certain way, that yes,…
How I Resist is nonfiction book that provides multiple opportunities for use in a secondary classroom. This book is political and will inspire classroom discussions. It contains three dozen opinions…
Have you tried reading aloud with secondary students? I have, and the results are positive! Many of you have followed me this school year as I work to create a…
Do you need informational texts and activities? Look no more! Don’t let informational texts seem like a “downer” in your classroom. Find texts that are meaningful to teenagers. Look for…
Teaching research papers with high school students? Here are guidelines to make this writing unit a success. Teaching research papers provides ample opportunities for teachers to provide a strong foundation…
First Chapter Fridays work well in my secondary classroom. Here are some tips I’ve learned. (First, I want to acknowledge that I did not invent First Chapter Fridays. I saw…
Students will read Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. Here is why I have several copies in my classroom library. Plot (spoilers!) Mare Barrow lives in a divided country: Reds and…
Public speaking with students doesn’t have to be difficult or tiresome! I am accustomed to having a public speaking class or specific speech units embedded within a class. These past few…
