An English teacher who is passionate about PBL and diverse world literature.
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
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
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
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
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
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 beautifully written short story that blends magical realism with deeply human themes of identity, memory, and family. If you’re looking for a text that will … Continue reading Exploring Memory, Identity, and Literary Analysis with the Short Story “1,000-Year-Old Ghosts”
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
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
Greek fatalism stemmed from the belief in the omnipotence of the Fates, who determined the destinies of mortals. This idea of predestined fate influenced various aspects of Greek life, including religion, philosophy, and literature. The Fates, also known as the Moirai, are three sister goddesses responsible for assigning destinies to mortals and cutting their life’s … Continue reading Teaching About Greek Fatalism through Mythical Heroes
Around the World With Mrs. C 