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…
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Building a Classroom Library Inexpensively
You’ve decided that building a classroom library is a priority. Inexpensive book finds are a must! Cheap books for classroom library can be found. Honestly, for years building a classroom…
Short Story Lesson Plans
Looking for short story lesson plans and short story activities? You can easily add a sprinkling of these stories to your curriculum. If you are looking for ideas for how…
Short Story Unit Plan with Student Choice
Are you building a short story unit plan with student choice? I never teach the same short story unit twice. I begin standard English classes with short stories which allows…
Ways to Teach Shakespeare with Meaning
Teach Shakespeare? Looking for vibrant ideas for Shakespeare lesson plans? Read on! When I started writing about ways to teach Shakespeare, I ran through all of his plays that I…
Reading with High School Students
Reading with high school students? I asked an expert about engagement, basic ideas, and reading skills for high school students. I took *zero* classes in college or graduate school that…
Julius Caesar Lesson Plan Ideas
I add to my Julius Caesar lesson plans every semester! Why? I love teaching Julius Caesar, and creating Julius Caesar activities stretches me as an educator. Of all literature, Julius…
6 Must-Teach Novels in Secondary ELA
Must-teach novels are here! March is National Reading Month, and today, my friend and I are covering ideas for ELA books. I’ve teamed up with Melissa from Reading and Writing…
Enhance Your Animal Farm Unit with Interactive Activities
Enhance your Animal Farm unit with interactive activities. Engaging Activities to Elevate Your Animal Farm Unit Animal Farm is a book that I could teach half asleep. (Not that I…
The Hunger Games Lesson Plan Ideas
Are you looking for The Hunger Games lesson plan ideas? I have taught the famous novel as well as Catching Fire and Mockingjay—all multiple times. Each chapter ends with a…