Have you ever used bell-ringers in your ELA classroom? If so, you know how game-changing these can be in establishing a routine for your students. Not only do they calm the class chaos and set the tone right away, but they also help your students to develop important ELA skills and hit standards. Bell-ringers do […]

English teachers often have the goal of inspiring a love of reading in their students, but we all know how challenging this can be. Though it is a challenge, it’s one worth pursuing because only a teacher knows the satisfying feeling of helping a reluctant reader find a book that they cannot put down. Though […]

Are you looking for ideas of which short story (or stories) to teach in your ELA classroom? Here’s a list of 10 short stories that your ELA students will love, as well as my best tips for teaching each one! 1. The Lottery By Shirley Jackson WHAT’S THE STORY ABOUT?: “The Lottery” tells the story […]

Building classroom community is one of the most important elements that can sometimes gets overlooked in teaching. When done intentionally, it can do wonders to ease the challenges of classroom management, improve students’ attitudes towards learning, and create a positive environment where students feel welcome and supported. However, given the pressures teachers face to meet […]

Are you looking for ways to engage reluctant writers in your ELA classroom? Let’s face it: getting students excited about writing can be a challenge. While some students arrive at the classroom with a passion for writing, many others dread the prospect of having to write anything at all. Over the years, I’ve learned some […]

At the beginning of the school year, ELA teachers have the opportunity to build a strong foundation for their classroom that will carry them through the rest of the year. During the first month, it’s important to establish expectations, be consistent, and reflect and adjust where necessary. Here are 10 things every ELA teacher should […]

Are you hesitant about using literature circles in your middle school ELA classroom? Literature circles (or book clubs) require you, as the teacher, to relinquish a certain amount of control by putting the onus on the students themselves. As a result, literature circles don’t always go off without a hitch. I often hear from teachers […]