Designing an ELA Summer School Curriculum: What to Teach
So you’ve taken on the role of teaching ELA summer school…or perhaps you’re considering whether it’s for you. I’ve taught ELA summer school several times. Once, we used a self-paced…
Proven Ways to Make Your Teaching Stick and Increase Learning!
Inside this Post: Tired of students forgetting what they’ve learned? Research emphasizes the value of previewing and reviewing. Keep reading for practical, manageable ways to build spacing into your classroom. Travel…
7 Simple Secrets for Success with Discussion Based Literature Circles
Getting ready to begin student-led literature circles? Literature circles are the perfect opportunity to combine reading, writing, speaking, and listening in an authentic way! But, sometimes the broad nature and…
Best Practices | English Language Arts | Instructional Strategies | Lesson Design | Reading | Writing
How to Use Text Sets to Build Background Knowledge
Searching for engaging ways to build students’ background knowledge? Perhaps you need an activity to help students prepare to read a complex text, to write an essay, or to engage…
6 Reading Routines Every Classroom Needs!
It’s happened to me frequently. I sit down, head swirling with ideas, clear about the direction I want to go with my instructional sequence. And then…as soon as I try…
Creative Reflection Technique: Everyone Wins When Students Map their Learning
Inside: A meaningful end-of-year reflection technique for older students that combines the power of student-led learning with brain-based associations… Ever wish you could just find a rainbow that will lead…
6 Simple Routines to Ease into a New Semester
Does the thought of starting a new semester have you ready to dive under a blanket, binge-watch your favorite Netflix series, and cuddle up with a bowl of popcorn? A…
What is Meaningful Homework?
What is meaningful homework? In middle and high school, stereotypical visions of students weighed down by heavy backpacks and up all hours of the night completing packets and studying for…
3 Digital Skills to Model in the Secondary Classroom
Inside this post: Whether you’re teaching in a virtual, blended, or brick and mortar setting, middle and high school students NEED digital citizenship lessons. In this post, find some of…
How to Structure a Powerful, Meaningful Vocabulary Program
Inside: A fresh, powerful way to structure a meaningful vocabulary program for middle and high school students. Vocabulary instruction should be more than an afterthought! Read about making it an…
Daily and Weekly ELA Plans
Looking for a daily ELA plan? Perhaps a weekly ELA plan? In this post, you’ll find some ideas for both. I hope they provide a starting point or spark your…
How to Avoid Teacher Burnout with Distance Learning
If you’re not personally experiencing it, surely you can sense it. Teachers are stretched thin. Distance learning has brought a whole different level of questions and kind of stress. This…
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