Growing up, did you ever have a fixed mindset? Did you ever think that your level of talent, intelligence, or even your personality could not be changed over time? This way of thinking is not uncommon. As a teacher, you likely see this within your own classroom and are looking for ways to instill a growth mindset, the more […]

The New Year presents a great opportunity for self-reflection. What worked for me this past year? What would I like to change during the next one? You might have already done some of this work yourself. However, I always like to use this time of the year to help students take advantage of this new […]

Christmas is just around the corner, and the kind of excitement this time of the year brings to the ELA classroom often comes with a lack of student motivation. I know that in my experience, students begin to check out on learning long before the holiday break actually begins. Getting students up and moving in […]

If you are teaching “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, you may be looking for tips and strategies for getting your students to dive deeper into the story. I’m excited to share my best tips for helping you navigate all elements of this festive tale with your students. O. Henry’s story is about a […]

Looking for creative ways to integrate Thanksgiving activities into your middle school ELA curriculum this year? Look no further! I’ve put together a list of 5 of my favorite engaging Thanksgiving reading and writing activities that will get your students feeling thankful while developing their ELA skills at the same time! 1. Thanksgiving Figurative Language The first […]

If you are teaching “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury, you may be looking for tips and strategies for getting your students to dive deeper into the story. I am excited to share my best tips for helping you navigate all elements of this science fiction tale with your students. Bradbury’s “All Summer […]

S.E. Hinton was only 15 when she started writing her classic novel, The Outsiders. Now, over 50 years after its publication, Hinton’s coming of age novel continues to provide an impactful commentary on society. Year after year, many English teachers return to this story, each time glimpsing something new through the eyes of its memorable protagonist, […]