How to Tackle Test Prep Writing Prompts in 3 Easy Steps
Does it ever seem like standardized test writing prompts are intentionally wordy and confusing? If you have stumbled upon this post after finishing your testing for the year, enjoy! For…
Simple Ways to Make Teaching Writing Online More Effective
Inside: Teaching writing online is challenging. This post outlines simple strategies to make it more efficient, effective, and engaging. Overwhelming. That’s the first thought that comes to mind when I…
Best Practices | English Language Arts | Instructional Strategies | Lesson Design | Teacher Tips | Vocabulary
Integrated Vocabulary: Teaching Vocab in the Context of Reading and Writing
Do you ever feel like there is something missing from your vocabulary instruction? Traditionally, students are given a list of words, and they memorize the definitions. Lists of words are…
Sentence Fluency Mini Lessons for Secondary Writing
When I think about student writing, one of the most difficult concepts to teach is sentence fluency. Much of excelling at fluent writing revolves around students’ background with literacy. Certainly,…
Teaching Elaboration in Writing
Looking for ways to help students with elaboration in writing? It’s a complex skill that requires mature thinking. In this post, you’ll find concrete ways to make elaboration in writing…
Writing Aloud: A Powerful Way to Model Writing
Wondering how to help students improve their writing skills and confidence? Model writing by writing aloud! To be honest, when I began teaching, I had very little idea how to…
4 Essential Scaffolding Strategies for Middle and High School
Do you ever feel like you’re not sure what to do with the students who…fail vocabulary quizzes, struggle to write essays, find grammar challenging, or grapple with literary analysis? It…
The Big List of Ways to Motivate Struggling Writers
There are few things in the ELA teaching world worse than when a student flat out refuses to write. It happens for a myriad of reasons. Students lack confidence, interest,…
6 Ways to Differentiate Research Paper Lessons
Teaching writing effectively includes research. And, how we differentiate research lessons matters. If you’re not sure how to teach the same concepts and skills to learners with diverse abilities and…
Halloween Lessons for Middle and High School
Looking for engaging Halloween lessons and activities that maintain the integrity of a middle or high school classroom? Secondary students enjoy celebrating the holidays just as much as anyone else,…
How to Respond to Student Writing: 10 Ways to Give Feedback that Sticks
Have you ever had the experience of a student crying, arguing, or yelling after handing back a graded essay? Have you personally ever felt wronged by a teacher or college…
Paragraph Acronyms for Argumentative Writing
Have your students ever looked at you like deer in headlights when you ask them to provide you with a baseline writing sample? Mine have. That’s why I wanted to…
End of content
End of content