Browsing Categoryliterature

I took *zero* classes in college or graduate school that focused on reading with high school students. I think the assumption is that older students can read, and we secondary…

I’m an English teacher, and I still teach Shakespeare. I always will.  Since I enjoy teaching Julius Caesar, I research new ideas each semester. I search for fresh pieces to…

I add to my Julius Caesar lesson plans every semester! Why? I love it! Of all literature, Julius Caesar may be my favorite to teach. The deception, the plotting, the…

March is National Reading Month! I’ve teamed up with Melissa from The Reading and Writing Haven to bring you 6 Must-Teach Novels for Secondary ELA. As English teachers, we love…

I’ve taught Of Mice and Men, and I have lesson plan ideas. Personally, I enjoy the book, but The Grapes of Wrath is my favorite Steinbeck novel. Still, teaching Of…

Animal Farm is a book that I could teach half asleep. (Not that I would. I enjoy the content, and love it too much). I feel that I’m passionate while…

Part of being an English teacher is allowing your students to witness you nerd out literature. We MUST share the love we have of literature with our students! Never have…

Sometimes you need an extra ‘oomph’ for your lesson plans. You may have the necessary components – a clean and organized lesson. You want something more, and you know your…

Pre- reading activities for older students? Yes. Getting students thinking about a reading assignment is paramount to their understanding and involvement of a story. Students may need ‘sold’ on a…

Creating meaningful vocabulary for high school students. Hmmmm. It’s tough, and I believe it’s because students are jaded against vocabulary lessons. I don’t have all of the answers, but I…