I’m Ashley Bible, and I help English teachers plan meaningful and engaging learning experiences their students will LOVE!

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5 Activities for Teaching The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury 

I’ve always loved teaching “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury. It’s one of those unicorn short stories that is accessible enough for striving readers yet advanced enough for in-depth analysis. It makes students think and applies directly to their everyday lives. Set in a dystopian future, “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury prompts us to face a society addicted to screens and explore what happens to those who choose a different path. Here are five activities for “The Pedestrian” that will engage your students and help them explore these dystopian themes.  Hook Students with a Four Corners Activity for The Pedestrian  Get students moving and thinking critically from the ... Read More about 5 Activities for Teaching The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury 

Horror Short Story: Teaching The Pit and the Pendulum by Poe

Horror short stories have a unique way of capturing the dark side of our imaginations, and few do it better than Edgar Allan Poe. If you're an English teacher who delights in disturbing teenagers for a living, then you’ll love teaching “The Pit and the Pendulum!” ;) This gripping short story is full of suspense, rigor, and terror, making it the perfect mentor text to explore the horror genre.  Are you ready to plan your Pit and the Pendulum activities? Read on if you dare! Hook Students with a Terror Trail  Start your lesson with fear and excitement by creating a “Terror Trail” in your classroom. This activity will get your students moving and discussing ... Read More about Horror Short Story: Teaching The Pit and the Pendulum by Poe

Gothic Literature Short Story: Teaching The Oval Portrait by Poe

Needing a super short story to model for an ELA PD session, I stumbled upon Poe’s shortest short story, “The Oval Portrait.” Though I’m a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe, I had never read this Gothic gem before and was delighted by how much analysis English teachers can squeeze out of only two pages (one double-sided copy!). Whether you need a fitting Gothic literature short story, a quick introduction to Poe's work, or a spooky short story for Halloween, “The Oval Portrait” by Poe might just answer your ails. Why The Oval Portrait Makes A Perfect Gothic Short Story  The Oval Portrait is a short but highly impactful story. It tells the tale of a wounded man who recovers in ... Read More about Gothic Literature Short Story: Teaching The Oval Portrait by Poe

9/11 Lesson Plan for Middle & High School Students

The topic of 9/11 is often difficult to navigate in the classroom, but as with most things in life, adding a dog to the mix can make things easier. If you are looking for a respectful and meaningful way to honor September 11th, then let’s explore this engaging, reflective 9/11 lesson plan for middle and high school students. Play a Podcast for a 9/11 Lesson Plan Stories resonate more deeply than facts alone. One powerful 9/11 resource is the podcast episode "This is Love - Episode 20: Roselle and Michael," which tells the story of a guide dog named Roselle and her owner, Michael, during the attacks. Using this heartwarming story gives you an easy way to bring a human (and ... Read More about 9/11 Lesson Plan for Middle & High School Students

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Praised as an indispensable guide for sparing the sense of wonder in your classroom, Keeping the Wonder will help you discover the four elements you need to create joyful, magical learning experiences for your students.

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Do you want exclusive ELA teaching ideas and free resources? Let me send you a Building Book Love Letter!

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