Engaging ELA Test Prep Ideas for Middle and High School Teachers
Test prep season doesn’t have to mean endless packets and disengaged students. Discover engaging ELA test prep ideas that build reading, writing, grammar, and analysis skills without burnout. Learn how to use escape rooms, quick writes, and structured writing strategies to prepare students for standardized tests. 👉 Read the blog to see how easy test prep can be. Continue reading Engaging ELA Test Prep Ideas for Middle and High School Teachers
A Low-Prep Personal Narrative Writing Toolkit That Actually Helps Students Get Started
Read this blog post if you are looking for an easy way to get students into personal narrative writing! This post explores how the Personal Narrative Writing Toolkit addresses common challenges students face in narrative writing by providing structured support. It includes guided brainstorming, emotion mapping, sensory detail development, dialogue writing assistance, and mentor examples. Designed for easy integration into ELA classrooms, it helps students write meaningful narratives while reducing anxiety and enhancing confidence. Continue reading A Low-Prep Personal Narrative Writing Toolkit That Actually Helps Students Get Started
January ELA Made Simple: A Winter-Themed Inquiry Unit Students Love
January can feel like the longest month of the school year. Students are coming back from break unfocused, routines need to be reestablished, and teachers are expected to jump right back into rigorous instruction—often with very little energy left in the tank. That’s exactly why I created my Time-Saver January Winter Inquiry Bundle: a flexible, … Continue reading January ELA Made Simple: A Winter-Themed Inquiry Unit Students Love
Why Song of the Sea Belongs in Your ELA Classroom: Celtic Mythology, Symbolism, and a Powerful Mini Unit
Song of the Sea is a beautiful, award-winning, Irish animated film that your students are absolutely going to love! And you are going to appreciate how deep you can take ELA skills with it. Read the post to see why this absolutely belongs in your secondary ELA classroom! Continue reading Why Song of the Sea Belongs in Your ELA Classroom: Celtic Mythology, Symbolism, and a Powerful Mini Unit
Teaching The Paper Menagerie: Magical Realism in the ELA Classroom
The Paper Menagerie is a beautiful (and heartbreaking) blend of Magical Realism, cultural identity, language, and the complicated love between parents and children. Students connect with it immediately, and it opens the door to meaningful conversations about heritage, belonging, and the ways we see ourselves. Continue reading Teaching The Paper Menagerie: Magical Realism in the ELA Classroom
How to Teach Young Goodman Brown: A Thematic Approach to Fear, Doubt, and Reality
If you’ve ever taught Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown,” you know it’s one of those stories that instantly sparks deep discussion. Students are quick to pick up on the eerie tone and unsettling atmosphere. BUT, it’s easy for them to get lost in the symbolism and miss the bigger picture. That’s where this resource comes … Continue reading How to Teach Young Goodman Brown: A Thematic Approach to Fear, Doubt, and Reality
8 Short Stories and Poems to Bring Joy to Your Classroom
“Are we ever going to read something happy?” If you are a secondary English teacher, I am positive you could retire now if you got a dime each time you’ve heard that question. While we all love the conflict and depth that comes with all the death, murder, and mayhem in the literature we are … Continue reading 8 Short Stories and Poems to Bring Joy to Your Classroom
How to Keep Students Engaged Before Winter Break with a Magical ELA Escape Room
The days leading up to Winter Break can feel like pure chaos. Between holiday excitement, special events, and the countdown to break, keeping students focused on learning feels nearly impossible. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “How do I keep my students reading and working when their minds are already on vacation?”—you’re in the right … Continue reading How to Keep Students Engaged Before Winter Break with a Magical ELA Escape Room
Engaging Classroom Activities for Teaching The Hobbit
Bring adventure to your secondary ELA classroom with engaging activities for The Hobbit! Explore creative ideas for teaching this classic—hero’s journey lessons, character growth projects, and ready-to-use close reading resources. Read the blog post for details and classroom-ready materials that make Tolkien’s world come alive! Continue reading Engaging Classroom Activities for Teaching The Hobbit
A Multimodal Approach to Teaching Classics: Making Epics Engaging for Every Learner
Discover how multimodal mini studies make teaching classics like The Odyssey, Beowulf, and Sir Gawain engaging and accessible for all learners. Continue reading A Multimodal Approach to Teaching Classics: Making Epics Engaging for Every Learner
Around the World With Mrs. C 