Teaching poetry analysis is not an easy task. If you are like me, you’ve sneakily Googled things like “poetry analysis of The Road Not Taken” minutes before class just to make sure you have the “right” answer. Then, moments later, you ~may or may not~ have assured your middle or high school students that there are no right or wrong answers in poetry, only interpretations. Ha! So, how can we teach ... Read More about Poetry Analysis How To Activities and Acronym
After Testing Activities for Middle and High School
Testing week can be stressful for students, teachers, and pretty much the entire school. Though you have prepared all year long, tensions are high and patience is low as teachers struggle to keep students quiet after the test so that they don’t disrupt test takers throughout the school. Then there’s the question of what to do after testing week is over to keep students engaged for the rest of the ... Read More about After Testing Activities for Middle and High School
Romeo and Juliet Activities, Teaching Ideas, and Lessons
I will never forget the first time I read Romeo and Juliet. Fear is a memory maker. I was a freshman who didn’t attend middle school with the rest of my classmates, so I was new, shy, and worried that I wasn’t as smart as everyone else. My 9th-grade English teacher was almost as intimidating as the language, but she had a knack for teaching Shakespeare. Once she helped me gain comprehension ... Read More about Romeo and Juliet Activities, Teaching Ideas, and Lessons
Meaningful & Fun Activities for Teaching Transcendentalism
Teaching Transcendentalism can be challenging but oh-so rewarding, especially when you can connect Transcendental literature, beliefs, and values to modern (and ancient!) culture. At first, high schoolers might struggle with the movement’s abstract concepts and rigorous texts, but with some guided reading, fun activities, hands-on projects, and meaningful connections, you’ll be able to engage your ... Read More about Meaningful & Fun Activities for Teaching Transcendentalism
5 Fun Free Apps for English Teachers
I know a lot of teachers make resolutions to cut down their screen time (both in the classroom and out), but I’m not ashamed to admit that I love to use my phone. While it can be both a blessing and a curse, my smartphone makes my life easier and more fun! Here’s a list of my favorite free apps for English teachers and how to use them. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for ... Read More about 5 Fun Free Apps for English Teachers
Building Book Love 2023 Year-End Recap
I love taking a moment to reflect on the past year before planning out the new one. Two years ago I pulled back the curtain a bit to show you how I plan out my monthly action tasks for Building Book Love. This method continues to work for me, so it pretty much looks the same except for a few small tweaks. For starters, I set out to do 10+ actions each month instead of 7. However, I did a “roll ... Read More about Building Book Love 2023 Year-End Recap
