Do you know where to start with organizing and planning high school lit circles? Years ago, I wrote about my experimentation with independent reading and class novels. I wrote that…
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Why I’m Tired of Teaching To Kill A Mockingbird
I’m tired of teaching “To Kill A Mockingbird.” The reasons why are actually simple. The reasons and explanations for ditching To Kill A Mockingbird are plentiful. In this post, I…
Modern Short Stories for High School English
What modern short stories for high school English classes can you teach? Add these modern and diverse voices to your curriculum. High school short stories can reflect our students’ lives. …
Share Literature With Students: Show Your Love
Share literature with students to increase involvement with books and to build classroom community. Part of being an English teacher is allowing your students to witness you nerd out literature,…
12 Ways to Build Literacy in the Secondary Classroom
12 Ways to Build Literacy in the Secondary Classroom: secondary teachers share ideas for literacy in high school! I love books. Love, love reading. I collect books and decorate with…
Increase Classroom Library Engagement
Secondary teachers: how can you increase classroom library engagement? You can change student reading habits with an engaged classroom library. I returned to teaching in 2015. For six years, I…
Art in English Class
Putting art in English class. Last year, my husband and I purchased a picture from a local art show. It’s a color image of a typewriter on wood. Guests ask…
Teacher’s Guide to Organizing First Chapter Friday
As you asked: the Teacher’s Guide to Organizing First Chapter Friday. Improve classroom management and relationships with students with these First Chapter Friday, high school ideas. Many people ask me…
Picture Books in the Secondary Classroom
Do you use picture books in the secondary classroom? My librarian calls these books “everybody books” and with good reason. After I read The Book Whisperer, I knew that I…
Spice Up Literature Lessons with Infographics
Recently, I’ve spiced up literature lessons with infographics. I love infographics. Plus, I love literature lessons. Infographics are a modern approach to outlines, memes, and other “clickable” content. My students…