This week, the U.S. Senate surprised everyone by unanimously passing a bill that would eliminate our switching of clocks back-and-forth…
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MLA 9th Edition vs. 8th Edition
The research citation experts over at the M.L.A. just released their 2021 edition of the handbook. Do you know the…

Halloween Brain Candy for English Classes
Note: This is an updated repost featuring some of my favorite October lesson ideas. Since October has now become the…

Free Podcast Lesson: War Hero Robert Smalls
On May 13, 1862, Robert Smalls impersonated a Confederate captain, stole a gunboat, and sailed his family away from enslavement.…

Another Great Podcast for the Classroom
You’re a 6’6”, 240-pound high school senior – all muscle. You’re a favorite on the football team, you just won…

11 Awesome End-of-the-Year Lesson Ideas
Note: This is an updated repost. You’ve wrapped your last major unit and final exams are still a week or…

You Don’t Always Have to be the Expert
A few years back, I noticed something weird – kids sometimes, maybe even often, learned more when I did less. One…

Favorite Halloween Week Lessons
Note: This is an updated repost featuring some of my favorite end-of-October lesson ideas. In 7th grade, my friend Sarah…

Last Week of School Lesson Ideas
Note: This is an updated repost featuring some of my favorite end-of-the-year lesson ideas. You’ve wrapped your last major unit…
Instant Lesson Plan: NYT Found Poetry Contest
Last week, I shared five easy ways to help you celebrate National Poetry Month in your classroom. Today, I’m adding…