PRESTO PLANS BLOG

To me, there’s nothing more enjoyable as a middle school teacher than blending films into English language arts classes. I’m a real movie lover, and I find that a good film-based activity is the perfect way to engage students in work on essential ELA skills in the last few weeks of school. Thanks to Netflix, […]

Have you ever found yourself lost in a great song? I love bringing music into my ELA class. Music adds depth and color to the human experience and is one of the most powerful learning tools at our disposal. Music has the power to inspire, heal, bring people together, and create powerful change. As a […]

As the school year winds down, it can be tough to keep engagement high in your classroom. With summer just around the corner, I know my students are ready for a break (and to be honest, so am I!).  In those last few weeks of school, I find that competition-based activities and ELA games are […]

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is a masterclass in the mythology of Ancient Greece. I love teaching Percy Jackson for a variety of reasons: the well-rounded and relatable characters, the seamless connections to the complex world of Greek mythology, and the adventure-packed plot! Immersive activities that allow students to […]

If you’re looking for a creative Earth Day lesson for middle school ELA students, mid-April is a great time for your class to sharpen their research skills, and present their vision for a cleaner, greener planet. In schools, April 22 is a time of reflection and action, giving students and teachers the chance to share […]

If you are teaching “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, you may be looking for tips and ideas to make the most of this beloved poem in your ELA classroom. Whether you are building an entire middle school poetry unit or looking for a standalone series of lessons, I’m sharing my best tips for […]

I have to admit that April Fools’ Day is one of my guilty pleasures. I love to play funny, lighthearted pranks on my family (my husband still talks about the year that I changed his Facebook language settings to “pirate” – arrr matey!). There are plenty of ways to incorporate April Fools’ Day ELA activities […]