February language arts activities can bring engagement and fun to a dreary month. Sometimes I think that January is the longest school month of the year. Then, every year: February.…
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My Lesson Plan Ran Short
Did you just think, “My lesson plan ran short”? Lesson planning takes years of practice and mistakes to get right most of the time. Even seasoned teachers look at the…
The Joy of Reading with Secondary Students
What does research say about spreading the joy of reading with secondary students? We language arts teachers can encourage our readers to pick up books. My personal children are younger…
Project Organize My Classroom: Sensible Ideas for Teachers
Organize my classroom! This strange year of 2020 is causing me to seek control in every way. I organize to make my life easier than an unorganized life. As I…
High School English Teacher: Back To School Ideas
How should a high school English teacher prepare for back to school? With the start of fall around the corner and high school English classes about to begin, it’s a…
Teacher Organization: Back To School Edition
Teacher organization on your mind? I have teacher organizational tools. A little over ten years ago, I became fascinated by organization in the classroom. Teacher organization, student organization, organization techniques.…
Creating a Rubric
Creating a rubric for an activity, presentation, or paper? It’s daunting. A dozen years into teaching, and I often stare at the screen, fearful of not getting it right. Today,…
Writing a Letter of Recommendation for Students
If you are a high school teacher, at some point you will be tasked with writing a letter of recommendation for students. These are my ideas for proceeding with writing…
Designing a Teacher Wardrobe on a Budget
Designing a teacher wardrobe on a budget—a teacher budget? You can create stylish teacher outfits. You have a teaching job, and a teacher’s paycheck. Can you dress professionally? What teacher…
What Teachers Need in Their Desks
What do teachers need in their desks? It can be a simple answer, but consider a few points too. Of all the plans and organization you make as you prepare…