Drafting an essay with high school students takes patience, time, and modeling. Drafting is the second stage in the writing process, following prewriting or brainstorming. The entire writing process (prewriting,…
How To Teach Subjects You Dislike
Teaching subjects you dislike? I feel you. Here is what I do. April is National Poetry Month. If I were not an English teacher, I wouldn’t know this because I’m…
Secondary Classroom Decorating Ideas
Secondary classroom decorating ideas can (and should be) simple. Don’t overwhelm yourself or students with high school English classroom decor. Middle and high school classrooms must acknowledge the desires and…
Tips for Working from Home with Children
Working from home with children? I’ve figured out a few things. I have three children and two are in school; the two-year-old is home with me. I’m blessed and realize…
Language Arts Extension Activities
Looking for language arts extension activities, ones that can be used in a variety of ways? These extensions are perfect for ending English lessons. Building English lessons that deliver meaning…
Use Children’s Books To Teach Grammar
Do you use children’s books to teach grammar? Bring them into your secondary classroom and use these bright and colorful books to teach grammar concepts. In my classroom library, I…
6 Tips for Working From Home
I started working from home several years ago. At first, it was a disaster. I felt like a failure since I never accomplished much. My house was destroyed and dinners…
Elementary Grammar Lessons
My personal children are young, and I often create elementary grammar lessons for them. When students have materials that relates to their interests, they are more involved in the lesson.…
Public Education’s Beginnings
Similar to our country, public education’s beginnings were not fair or pretty in America. I’m currently reading Dana Goldstein’s book The Teacher Wars because I agree with Goldstein’s premise that understanding…
Children’s Books and Literary Terms
Do you have students who struggle with understanding literary terms? Approaching literary terms in a more familiar way may help. Combining children’s books and literary terms may be just the…