PRESTO PLANS BLOG

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In my opinion, short stories are the perfect teaching tool. In just a few pages, students can practice essential ELA skills, including analyzing complex plot elements, making connections, and examining new vocabulary words in context. If you’re looking for a short, intense short story to really hook your middle or high school students, you might […]

Teaching "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty can help students understand the historical fiction genre

Happy Poetry Month! Do you find your students struggle with poetry writing assignments? You’re not alone! I notice that many middle and high school students find it challenging to tap into their creative side, especially when it comes to poetry composition. One trick I find useful is to take an outside-the-box approach to poetry writing […]

Inspire students with outside-the-box poetry writing assignments!

I’ve always thought Earth Day deserves a lot of attention in the classroom! April 22 is a time for students to reflect on the current state of the planet, and consider the actions – both big and small – that can have a significant impact on the planet. If you’re looking for a creative Earth […]

The Earth Day Reading Mystery is the perfect middle school ELA lesson ahead of April 22.

Happy Poetry Month! Have you found that poetry can be a really complex topic for some middle and high school students? If so, you’re not alone! I used to really struggle to make poetry relevant to teenage students, but I think I’ve found the secret ingredient … music! I find using music to teach poetry […]

Using music in ELA class can make complex poetry lessons more accessible for students.

At this time of year, you might be wondering how best to prepare students for standardized tests without sacrificing engagement, creativity, or fun in middle and high school ELA. Let’s face it – review activities have a reputation for being dry. Getting students ready for standardized tests can feel daunting, especially at an already busy and […]

Five activities to support students as they prepare for standardized tests

Not sure where to start when it comes to teaching grammar in middle school? Don’t worry! I’ve been there. Figuring out how to teach grammar basics in ELA can seem like a daunting task. Luckily, with a bit of creativity and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can make grammar accessible (and maybe even […]

Teaching grammar in middle school ELA is more manageable with a whole-year approach.

In my opinion, learning how to run a classroom debate is one of the most versatile skills an ELA teacher can have! I think the debate is one of those rare “perfect” classroom activities for middle and high school ELA. When run effectively, debates can offer a masterclass in a number of essential language arts […]