Teachers are currently experimenting with independent reading and class novels for high schoolers. I do both. Research changes and evolves with all components of education. During current professional development, I…
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Extension Activities for Literature Lessons
Are you looking for extension activities for literature lessons, or perhaps overall ELA extension activities? Below, I’ve included a massive list of ideas for classroom activities for teaching literature. Sometimes,…
Romeo and Juliet Lesson Plans: Free Teaching Ideas
Teaching Romeo and Juliet? These ten Romeo and Juliet activities and lesson plans cover the full arc of a five-week unit — from building background on Shakespeare to the final…
Enhance Learning: Reading Aloud with Secondary Students
Have you tried reading aloud with secondary students? My results are positive! Many of you have followed me this school year as I work to create a literacy-rich secondary classroom.…
Engage Students: First Chapter Fridays Explained
First Chapter Fridays work well in my secondary classroom. Here are some tips I’ve learned. First Chapter Friday is a weekly classroom read-aloud routine where a teacher reads the first…
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 activities? English teachers can easily add a sprinkling of these stories to curriculum. If you are looking for ideas for how to teach…
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…