When I first dreamed up the idea of hosting a workshop for secondary English literature teachers, I envisioned how beautiful the venue would be, how inspiring the presenters would be, and how relieved I would be once it was over. HA! Well, my partners in wonder had other plans because the minute our first Keeping the Wonder Workshop ended, they started asking when we could do it again! While I ... Read More about Keeping the Wonder Workshop at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Lord of the Flies Introduction Activity Ideas
Teaching Lord of the Flies is something I grew into loving after many years of struggling through it. I'm not alone. I hear from many English teachers who despised reading Lord of the Flies in school and worry that their students will hate it as much as they did. This doesn't have to be the case! By using Lord of the Flies as a mirror that reflects the darkness of the island represented in ... Read More about Lord of the Flies Introduction Activity Ideas
5 Tips for Grading Essays Faster While Leaving Better Feedback
Dragging 100+ essays home to grade over the weekend should not be a badge of honor. It doesn’t prove your self-worth as an ELA teacher, and there's evidence that it won’t give your students an adequate return on your time investment. Whether you are grading essays online or in print, I believe educational magic happens in the classroom—not in your lonely living room on a sunny Sunday afternoon. ... Read More about 5 Tips for Grading Essays Faster While Leaving Better Feedback
Keeping the Wonder Workshop: A Workshop for Secondary ELA Teachers
Some people plan an event then find the perfect venue for it; I found the perfect venue then planned an event. From the moment I saw The Story Shop on a home design blog of all places, I knew that I wanted to host something in this magical bookstore. Though I've never planned anything like this in my life, the idea of hosting a workshop for English teachers grabbed onto me and just wouldn't let ... Read More about Keeping the Wonder Workshop: A Workshop for Secondary ELA Teachers
Middle School World History Classroom: Inspiration for a Small Windowless Classroom
Have you ever looked at a classroom and felt a wave of inspiration? The kind that makes you think, "Wow, this is a space where learning comes alive!" That’s the magic of an intentionally designed classroom, and it’s what I wanted for the best teacher I know, my husband. I can verify his best teacher award because I hear, “MR. BIBLE IS MY FAVORITE TEACHER !!!” every time my own students figure out ... Read More about Middle School World History Classroom: Inspiration for a Small Windowless Classroom
High School Classroom Decor: Semi Flexible Seating in a Secondary ELA Classroom
I'm a strong believer that your environment, whether that be your home or your classroom, can influence your daily energy, imagination, and joy. Because of this, I set out to design my high school classroom decor to reflect the overall goal I want to achieve in my classroom. Since I'm a high school English teacher, I want my classroom to promote reading, writing, and discussing. Let me walk you ... Read More about High School Classroom Decor: Semi Flexible Seating in a Secondary ELA Classroom
