Literary analysis is the hardest writing mode to teach. Narrative, research, and argument? Got those covered. But literary analysis? Oof.…
Free! Story Path, Step-by-Step Storytelling Guide
As English teachers know, a lot of stories are the same story. Breaking down that successful narrative pattern with students…
A Short Story You Should Know
I’m about 100 years late to the party, but I just discovered Katherine Mansfield’s “The Doll’s House” and need to…
My 6th pd. freshmen are rude and disrespectful
Today’s post is a question I received via email this week. This teacher gave me permission to share our exchange…
Free Teacher Planner Template
Go ahead and call me a minimalist because when it comes to lesson planning, I’m a fan of “less is…
Three of a Kind: A Bell-Ringer Game
How do you help teens settle in after the chaos of passing period? How do you build enthusiasm for learning…
A 3-Minute Rant on Teacher Burnout
[Note: You might’ve noticed things look different on the blog. The template I’ve used since 2014 has been “retired” by…
Editable Worksheet Templates
Building a good worksheet is tricky.It has to be useful. No busywork.It has to guide students to do a lot…
Audiobook Resources for Teachers (Free & Low Cost)
A question today over on this post about how to run an in-class reading program: From KristaI’ve been doing your…
Advice for a 6th Grade Writing Teacher
Today’s post is a question I received via email yesterday from a first-year teacher about to take on a summer…