How to Sequence Writing Instruction
Wondering how to sequence writing instruction in the secondary ELA classroom? Writing is, by nature, a somewhat abstract and subjective concept. It’s difficult to pin writing instruction down to a…
Choosing a Vocabulary Program for Secondary
Choosing a vocabulary program for middle school and high school English classes can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many options available, and unless you experiment with all of…
5 More Vocabulary Activities for Older Students
If you want your students to learn words for the purpose of remembering them and actually using them in reading and writing, you need to make sure they engage with…
Scaffolding the Multiple-Paragraph Essay for Struggling Writers
Your students are arguing with you, whining left and right, straying off task, staring at a blank screen, even exhibiting behavior issues. They’ve shut down. You’re only trying to do…
The Importance of Metacognition in Learning
How often do you ask your students to think about thinking? If I am honest with myself, I have done it far less in the past than I am doing…
More Literary Themes and Relevant Lessons Teens Will Love
This is the second post in a two-part series about literary themes to study in high school. You can begin by reading part one here. English teachers have so many…
8 Literary Themes and Lessons for High School
Teaching literature in a high school English class? Themes are, no doubt, an important component of any literary study. When English teachers select stories for our curriculums, we should take…
A Unique Kinesthetic Writing Process Activity for Older Students
Introducing or reviewing the writing process? In this post, you’ll find step-by-step ideas to walk students through what writers do as they pre-write, draft, revise, edit, and publish their work….
Tips for an Excellent Teacher Evaluation
Nothing makes an educator’s palms sweat and heart beat intensify like the sound of an approaching teacher evaluation. Is your formal teacher evaluation drawing near? Keep reading. These tips will…
Teachers, You Don’t Have to Use a Textbook
Textbooks….to love them or to lose them? Twenty-first century teachers are privy to many changes in the educational system. Textbooks are one of them. As teachers across the country – even…
ELA Curriculum: Balancing Reading and Writing
Teaching writing in middle and high school is often a bone of contention. Some people hate it; others love it. Writing is not everyone’s strong suit, and it’s certainly one…
Teaching Literary Genres: Lesson Planning Ideas
The actual word “genre” is rarely referred to in the Common Core Standards. Even so, explicitly teaching literary genres is beneficial at all grade levels. Unfortunately, many high school curriculums…
End of content
End of content