Author: aroundtheworldwithmrsc

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The One High-Engagement ELA Activity You Need Right Now

As the school year winds down, engaging students becomes challenging. However, using podcasts like “Solve” can HOOK your students from start to finish! This podcast enables students to engage in a murder mystery, fostering critical listening, analysis, and collaboration. Structured group activities encourage debates and evidence gathering. This engaging format not only maintains interest but also develops essential ELA skills. Continue reading The One High-Engagement ELA Activity You Need Right Now

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The Ultimate Guide on Teaching Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: A Masterclass on Rhetoric and Persuasion

Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar is an excellent tool for teaching rhetoric and persuasion, particularly through the masterful speeches in the first three acts. In this post I am highlighting how characters like Cassius manipulate Brutus into reconsidering his loyalty to Caesar, while Brutus ultimately persuades himself to join the conspiracy. The climax occurs when Brutus and Antony address the enraged citizens, showcasing their differing persuasive techniques. Focusing on these acts allows students to explore language’s influence in politics and everyday life, enhancing their critical reading skills. Continue reading The Ultimate Guide on Teaching Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: A Masterclass on Rhetoric and Persuasion

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Engaging ELA Test Prep That Actually Works (Without the Eye Rolls!)

March is affectionately (or facetiously) known as test prep month around here. That’s because we start taking all the state mandated tests in April. Let’s be real—test prep season is exhausting. Your students are already stressed, distracted, and over it before they even sit down for the SAT, ACT, state tests, or final exams. And … Continue reading Engaging ELA Test Prep That Actually Works (Without the Eye Rolls!)

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3 Magical Realism Short Stories To Teach in High School

Short stories are a staple in every ELA classroom. They are a wonderful way to have the full class instruction with smaller, but still impactful texts. However, I love to introduce my students to different genres of short stories. Today I am sharing about two Magical Realism short stories my students and I love. Magical … Continue reading 3 Magical Realism Short Stories To Teach in High School

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How to Teach “1,000-Year-Old Ghosts” by Laura Chow Reeve: A High School ELA Lesson Plan Guide

What makes us who we are? Is it our memories, our experiences, or something deeper? These are the questions at the heart of “1,000-Year-Old Ghosts” by Laura Chow Reeve — a short story that blends magical realism with deeply human themes of identity, memory, and family across three generations. A winner of the PEN America … Continue reading How to Teach “1,000-Year-Old Ghosts” by Laura Chow Reeve: A High School ELA Lesson Plan Guide

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Fear and Desire in Dracula: Teaching Stoker’s Dracula Through Inquiry

Vampires are one of the most ancient and widely known mythical creatures. They have been a staple in many cultures around the world. The oldest recorded vampire myth of from a Babylonian prayer describes demons that devour flesh and suck blood, emphasizing the vampire’s origins as a symbol of primal fear. “Spirits that minish the … Continue reading Fear and Desire in Dracula: Teaching Stoker’s Dracula Through Inquiry

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Teaching Transcendentalism Thematically: A Fresh Approach for Your High School English Class

Teaching Transcendentalism is often a challenge for high school English teachers. Its abstract ideals and 19th-century language can feel inaccessible to students, leaving many to wonder how these ideas connect to their lives. However, when taught thematically, Transcendentalism comes alive! And our students can explore its core principles—self-reliance, nature, individuality, and civil disobedience—in meaningful and … Continue reading Teaching Transcendentalism Thematically: A Fresh Approach for Your High School English Class

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Vampires Through Time: Fear, Desire, and the Shadow Self

Vampires are one of the most ancient and widely known mythical creatures, present in many cultures around the world. The oldest recorded vampire myth of from a Babylonian prayer describes demons that devour flesh and suck blood, emphasizing the vampire’s origins as a symbol of primal fear. “Spirits that minish the land, of great strength… … Continue reading Vampires Through Time: Fear, Desire, and the Shadow Self

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Exploring the Shadows: Teaching Dark Romanticism Through Thematic Inquiry

Are you looking for a way to captivate your high school English students while diving deep into the complexities of American literature? Dark Romanticism offers a thrilling opportunity to engage students in a thematic exploration of fear, anxiety, and perception. By centering the inquiry question “How do our fears and anxieties influence the way we perceive … Continue reading Exploring the Shadows: Teaching Dark Romanticism Through Thematic Inquiry