Seeing a giant TV cart rolled into my classroom is a core memory for me. As a child, there was nothing more exciting than my teachers breaking their routine and surprising us with a movie. As a teacher, I was equally excited for movie day in my high school ELA classroom because that meant I could catch up on grading or take a no-stress sub day off from work. Also, when paired with effective movie ... Read More about Best Movies for High School and Middle School ELA
Interactive Middle School ELA Games for Grammar and Literacy
There is no limit to the amount of fun ELA activities English teachers need to keep their squirrely middle schoolers actively engaged. That’s why I’m thrilled to bring you 5 new middle school ELA games to add to your toolbox! Olivia Gold, a creative middle school ELA teacher from Florida, joins us today to share 5 interactive middle school ELA games to engage students and get them ... Read More about Interactive Middle School ELA Games for Grammar and Literacy
Creative Activities for Teaching the Harlem Renaissance
Teaching the Harlem Renaissance can help you put the Arts back into English Language Arts. From poetry to paintings, this era of American literature is vibrant and bursting with creativity across multiple disciplines. Do you want your students to be jazzed about this cultural movement? Here are some fun Harlem Renaissance lesson plans to bring this unit to life! Harlem Renaissance Unit ... Read More about Creative Activities for Teaching the Harlem Renaissance
Meaningful & Fun Activities for Teaching The Great Gatsby
When I taught American Literature, I always had good intentions of studying The Harlem Renaissance after teaching The Great Gatsby. However, I rarely (ok never) had enough time left to do it justice, especially with all the end of year disruptions. Then, like a yellow car flying through the Valley of Ashes, it hit me: unlike Gatsby and Daisy, The Great Gatsby lesson and Harlem Renaissance make the ... Read More about Meaningful & Fun Activities for Teaching The Great Gatsby
Screenwriting: Creative Writing Activities for High School Students
Elizabeth Stapula is a creative high school ELA teacher in Virginia. She loves helping her students bring writing to life through screenplays. Read on to see how Elizabeth energizes her creative writing activities for high school students through screenwriting in ELA. The Joy of Screenwriting IN ela In the midst of the height of the pandemic, in the beginning of 2021, I found myself, ... Read More about Screenwriting: Creative Writing Activities for High School Students
How to host a Socratic Seminar in Secondary ELA
When done right, Socratic Seminars can be the best low prep, high impact activity you will ever do. They can cut down on your grading without sacrificing rigor. They can build classroom community without being cheesy. They can create an engaging lesson without students (or admin) knowing you put it together a few minutes before class. However, without a few tips and tricks, Socratic ... Read More about How to host a Socratic Seminar in Secondary ELA
