Building Book Love

As I was scrolling through social media on March 15th, I noticed that one of my high school classmates posted, “Beware of the Ides of March” on our former English teacher’s feed. Several of my old friends chimed in with Julius Caesar memes in the comment section, and I couldn’t help but smile. 20+(!!!) years later, we might not remember every detail of the play, but we remember how passionate Ms. Pallotta was about teaching Julius Caesar by Shakespeare. Yes the language is tough and the themes are complex, but with the right Julius Caesar activities and approach, your students will get all the things that truly matter from your Julius Caesar unit.  This post will guide you ... Read More about Teaching Julius Caesar Activities: Play Lesson Plans and Ideas

As an English teacher, you’re probably juggling a packed curriculum, limited budgets, and a passion for bringing literature to life for your students. One trick I’ve found invaluable? Using free book passages. Dollar for dollar (free .99), they are the most budget-friendly way to add creativity and depth to your ELA lessons. Whether you’re sparking interest in independent reading or navigating complex texts, free book excerpts can add interest and engagement to any unit!  Here are five practical and exciting ways to incorporate them into your classroom this year. Where to Find Free Book Passages   Before we get into the nitty-gritty, where exactly do you find ... Read More about 5 Creative Ways to Use Free Book Passages in English Class 

In 2019 a climate activist group interrupted a town hall meeting and made waves across the country by suggesting that we “eat babies” to stop climate change. As the media ate this up (sorry), I was screaming into the void: HAS NO ONE READ A MODEST PROPOSAL!? Sadly, I think the answer is no, but that’s about to change because YOUR students will be more educated about Swift’s satire and how it applies to modern commentary. So, whether you’re introducing satire for the first time or digging deeper into literary analysis, teaching A Modest Proposal has endless potential to engage, enlighten, and sometimes even gross out your students (in the best way).  Grab your forks because ... Read More about Satire Examples: Teaching A Modest Proposal

As a winter baby, I love snow. As an English educator, I love stories that will haunt students for the rest of their lives. Therefore, I can think of no better combination than “To Build a Fire" by Jack London. Naturalism at its finest, this chilling short story is often regarded as London’s best work. So, whether you’ve taught this classic tale before or get to experience it for the first time, I’ve got a “To Build a Fire” lesson plan that'll have your students thinking, discussing, and even debating whether dogs truly love their owners. (Spoiler alert—mine told me she does, ha!) To Build a Fire Short Summary But before we jump in, here's a short summary of "To Build a ... Read More about Naturalism Short Story: Teaching To Build a Fire by Jack London