I feel that it is essential for every English literature student–whether that be AP, honors, regular, or support level– to have the ability to read a single text through different critical lenses. This skill teaches students how to have an open mindset and view the world through multiple perspectives. And isn't that one of the fundamental purposes of reading? Plus, literature lenses ... Read More about Teaching Critical Lenses: Fun Ways to Apply Lenses in Literature
Building Book Love 2025 Recap
I recently woke up to discover that either a ghost or gravity knocked down all the Christmas decorations on my fireplace mantel. The frame around my TV was broken, my favorite thrifted brass deer lay on the floor, and a still-glowing battery candle was flung across the room. After taking in the chaos, I thought, well, this is the perfect metaphor for 2025. It’s been messy, chaotic, and jarring, ... Read More about Building Book Love 2025 Recap
Animal Farm Lesson Plans: Teaching Orwell Like It’s Your Civic Duty
Sometimes fighting back feels like opening the pages of a book. Bridging the political divide sounds like civil classroom discussions. And practicing your civic duty looks like teaching Animal Farm by George Orwell. These Animal Farm lesson plans are designed to help you get to the heart of Animal Farm while making your efforts mean something. With your guidance, students will dig deep into Animal ... Read More about Animal Farm Lesson Plans: Teaching Orwell Like It’s Your Civic Duty
A Christmas Carol Teaching Ideas: Activities for a Festive Novel Study
I don’t remember the first time I read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens because it somehow feels like I’ve always known Scrooge. However, I vividly remember the first time I tried to teach it. I’m dating myself, but we’d just received a classroom set of Nooks and one of the pre-loaded books was A Christmas Carol. I jumped at the chance to coast through December with a fun and “easy” book, ha! ... Read More about A Christmas Carol Teaching Ideas: Activities for a Festive Novel Study
Teaching Mars Patel: Podcast Worksheets, Activities, & Discussion Questions
ELA teachers know that visualization is a key component of reading comprehension. And nothing works those visualization muscles quite like a podcast like The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel. The sound effects, voice actors, and music really bring this story to life and hook students from episode one! If you are ready to take off, here are some Mars Patel podcast worksheets, activities, ... Read More about Teaching Mars Patel: Podcast Worksheets, Activities, & Discussion Questions
Color Symbolism: The Masque of the Red Death Activities
There are very few short stories where English teachers get to go all out on their love of color symbolism, but “The Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe provides the perfect excuse to do so! Poe supplies the colors in this spooky short story, but it’s up to his readers to decipher their meaning. Every hue tells a story in this haunting tale, so get ready to go absolutely wild with these ... Read More about Color Symbolism: The Masque of the Red Death Activities
