Tools to Help You Teach Middle School ELA
Late assignments, missing work, partially completed tasks. We all struggle with how to deal with these issues. And, especially at the end of a grading period. Work that you may have assessed weeks ago now appears on your desk. Or, you are chasing after a student to get that last item turned in. And it […] Read more…
Your principal tells you that you need a yearlong plan or a year-at-a-glance (YAG)…great. Now what is that and how do you create it? Here’s the easiest way to do that. Just read on. What is a yearlong plan? A yearlong plan is an overview of what you’ll be teaching all year. It will save […] Read more…
Decoupage a boring stool or chair to create an author’s chair that will give your students a special place to sit and share their writing. Here are author’s chair ideas for creating your own: A few summers ago I made this stool for my classroom. My students loved it but were only allowed to use […] Read more…
You don’t need an advanced degree to know that we can benefit from practicing gratitude. As a teacher, you are in a unique and powerful position to help your students consider, think about, and practice gratitude. What are some good ways to do that? Let’s dive in! The benefits of developing gratitude (for all of […] Read more…
Teach characterization using short films that will keep your students engaged in learning! Short films like Pixar shorts are perfect for this lesson — and students love them! Students get hooked into the lesson right away! How do you teach it? Let’s dive in: But first… What is characterization? Characterization refers to the way a […] Read more…
There is nothing like a top ten list for back to school to get you ready for the start of a new year! Whether you’re a new or seasoned teacher — or somewhere in the middle — you’ll find you’re quickly caught up in the current of the school year. Don’t forget to take a […] Read more…
This is going to be the year, right? The year you are really, really going to get organized! No more paper stacks, lost copies, or overflowing file folders. No more wondering where those thirty glue sticks are or if there are enough colored pencils! This is the year, and these inspiration ideas can help you […] Read more…
The first day of school is full of organizing, paper passing, and expectations. While kids are happy to reconnect with friends, the business of the first day can be draining. That’s why playing a game on the first day is a great way to engage students. I play Scattergories throughout the year with my class […] Read more…