Sane and Simple Tools to Help You Teach Middle School ELA
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…
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…
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…
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’s how: A few summers ago I made this stool for my classroom. My students loved it but were only allowed to use it as the “author’s chair” when they […] 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…
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…