secondary

The Worst Essay of Your LIFE: A Unique Approach to Assessing Writing at the Beginning of the School Year

The Worst Essay of Your LIFE: A Unique Approach to Assessing Writing at the Beginning of the School Year

The beginning of the school year is an important time to assess the writing skill levels of new students in our English classes.  One way to do this is to assign a diagnostic essay in order to "diagnose" each student's writing level.

Poetry for Writing Workshop in Grades 6-12: 10+ Devices & Poems to Model Them ALL!

Poetry for Writing Workshop in Grades 6-12:  10+ Devices & Poems to Model Them ALL!

You may find yourself in agreement with Frost's famous quote when it comes to teaching poetry in the secondary classroom. However, love it or hate it, poetry can play a helpful role in teaching students how to write! Famous poems can serve as mentor texts for students and showcase key literary and rhetorical devices in action.

The Case for Poetry in Secondary ELA: How Poetry can Target Reading and Writing Skills in a Shorter Context

The Case for Poetry in Secondary ELA:  How Poetry can Target Reading and Writing Skills in a Shorter Context

Poetry tends to be polarizing among educators, parents, and students.  The word either makes a person smile or cringe.  But why is poetry so polarizing? 
 

Secondary ELA Book Club: A Menu of Options

Secondary ELA Book Club:  A Menu of Options

The first rule of Book Club is:  you do not talk about Book Club.  The second rule of Book Club is:  you DO NOT talk about Book Club!  Kidding.  The only rule of Book Club is: DO IT...

50 Pieces of Literature about Christmas for Secondary ELA

50 Pieces of Literature about Christmas for Secondary ELA

The season of Christmas is upon us, and it is a season of the year that has inspired the setting of many iconic pieces of literature.  The religious iconography of the holiday symbolizes themes of rebirth, renewal, sacrifice, forgiveness, grace, and the archetypal character of the chosen one...

3 Reasons to Teach Beowulf

3 Reasons to Teach Beowulf

Many teachers, scholars, literary critics, and even students have argued and continue to argue that there is no merit in studying the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf.  However, there are three key reasons why Beowulf is a valid unit of study in high school English today.  

The Three Levels of Reading: A Strategy for Complex Texts

The Three Levels of Reading:  A Strategy for Complex Texts

One of the most important skills we teach across all content areas, not just in English class, is how to comprehend complex texts.  It is probably the most crucial skill that we can teach in our classrooms because... 

Last Minute Lesson Ideas for All Content Areas

Last Minute Lesson Ideas for All Content Areas

I always try to have a solid plan for my classes, but sometimes, a day sneaks up on me where I don’t have anything planned, and I’m scrapping to fill it with something enriching and meaningful.  And, if I’m being completely honest...

Teachers: Five Ways to Work in Exercise at School to Stay in Shape

Teachers:  Five Ways to Work in Exercise at School to Stay in Shape

Do you struggle with getting in at least three quality workouts during the week?  Are you like me and bring your gym bag to school everyday...

 

Five Creative Ways to use Evernote in the Classroom to Support Educational Content

Five Creative Ways to use Evernote in the Classroom to Support Educational Content

Recently, Evernote has been popping up in classrooms across the nation as a free tool to aid students and teachers...

 

Interactive Notebooks are NOT Just for English Class!—Why They Matter in Every Content Area!

Interactive Notebooks are NOT Just for English Class!—Why They Matter in Every Content Area!

I’ll be the first to admit that when I’ve seen other teachers doing interactive notebooks with their students, I thought of them as more of an “art project” than anything educational.  But then...  

How to EAT Healthy at School: FIVE Tips for TEACHERS

How to EAT Healthy at School:  FIVE Tips for TEACHERS

First thing is first with a blog title such as this!  I have to admit that it is most definitely a case of calling the kettle black that I am writing this blog article.  Why?  Well, because if there is a cookie, I will eat it.  If there is cake...

How to use a Writer’s Notebook in the Classroom While Integrating Technology

How to use a Writer’s Notebook in the Classroom While Integrating Technology

The Writer's Notebook is an essential tool for the ELA classroom as a facilitator for the writing process. It makes the teacher's job easier and more efficient to assign and assess work, and it helps...

Implementing the Writer's Notebook in the Secondary English Class: 5 Decisions for Success!

Implementing the Writer's Notebook in the Secondary English Class:  5 Decisions for Success!

The Writer's Notebook has become a cornerstone of the ELA classroom as a tool for facilitating the writing process.  The Writer's Notebook not only helps students have a central database for their ideas and drafts, but it also...

Managing Make-up Work in the Secondary Classroom: Five Steps for Success!

Managing Make-up Work in the Secondary Classroom:  Five Steps for Success!

It took me about four or five years of my teaching career to figure out an efficient system for navigating make-up work.  And as the technology got better, so did my ability to keep up with my absent students...