Sane and Simple Tools to Help You Teach Middle School ELA
A yearlong plan will help you teach your standards. It will save you time and energy — and help you remain accountable for what you’re expected to teach this year. But what is the easiest and best way to create one? Read on. What is a yearlong plan? A yearlong plan is an overview of […] Read more…
Ready to write literature circle lesson plans? This post will guide you through everything you need to know to get started! Whether you call them literature circles or book clubs, this type of reading instruction is a powerful and engaging way to improve reading. Let’s jump in! What are Literature Circles? A literature circle (or […] Read more…
Teacher burnout is real — and it is easy to feel like you’ve used up every bit of your energy and reserve at the end of a stressful semester or school year…even a school day! But there are some ways to get back your energy — and even better — to deal with stress as […] Read more…
Ready for back to school? Here are — activities to get you started on the right foot. Get to know your students One of the most important aspects of starting a new school year is getting to know your students. There are so many advantages of getting to know your students: you can tailor your […] Read more…
Capitalize on the energy and enthusiasm students (and you!) have at the start of the year — and plan middle school activities and your September lesson plans that will help you establish routines and set expectations for a successful year. What will your September lesson plans look like? The problem with September We start the […] Read more…
You may already have a scope and sequence provided for you by your department or district. But if you don’t, or if you want to custom create your own — here’s how. What is a scope and sequence? First, it’s important to understand what it is. It is a basic framework for what and when […] Read more…
Wondering how to teach poetry? Not quite sure how to start? These tips will help you get started. How to engage your students Often, our students complain that they don’t like poetry — it’s boring or they don’t get it. Combat that by choosing poems that YOU love. You do love poetry, don’t you? Maybe […] Read more…
Looking for teaching strategies as you begin a poetry unit? Teaching poetry can be intimidating — for both students and teachers. But it doesn’t have to be! This post dives into ways you can teach poetry in fun and effective ways. Read on! Why should I teach poetry? By the time your students reach middle […] Read more…
What is blackout poetry? How can you use it? To start with, it’s poetry that your students will love creating. This guide will show you exactly how to teach blackout poetry — and why you should! You know those books on your shelf that are falling to pieces? Grab ’em! You’re going to love using […] Read more…
Teaching vocabulary can be a real challenge. Looking for some extra help? Here are vocabulary teaching strategies that with help you and your students in your word study. Why is vocabulary important? We know that vocabulary instruction is important. When our students can understand, decode, and determine the meaning of new words, their reading comprehension […] Read more…