An English teacher who is passionate about PBL and diverse world literature.
Looking to move beyond the traditional essay without sacrificing rigor? This post explores creative, standards-aligned ELA assignments—like Bloom Balls, short-form videos, PBL projects, and creative informational writing—that increase engagement while still requiring deep analysis, evidence, and purposeful communication. Continue reading Engaging ELA Assignments That Aren’t Essays (But Still Rigorous)
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
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
As ELA teachers, we often prioritize academic writing at the expense of creative expression—but what if creativity isn’t a “break” from the standards, but rather a bridge to deeper learning?
In my latest blog post, I’m making the case for reintegrating creative writing into the middle and high school classroom. I share practical, low-prep strategies that still hit the standards, encourage critical thinking, and build writing confidence. Continue reading Blending Creativity and Academic Rigor in the Secondary ELA Classroom
In celebration of National Poetry Month, the author shares a refreshing take on Found Poetry inspired by Paul Damien Elegy’s captivating video. Found Poetry allows students to creatively blend existing poetic lines into new works, enhancing critical reading and writing skills. The author offers a free lesson plan to engage students, making poetry accessible and enjoyable for all levels. Continue reading A Creative Twist on Found Poetry for National Poetry Month
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!)
This post explores the benefits of using 2-point rubrics in grading. The rubrics streamline grading processes, offer personalized feedback, and empower students to focus on specific areas for improvement. They also facilitate targeted instruction and lead to improved writing. A free 2-point argumentative writing rubric is also available for download. Continue reading Streamlining Your Grading and Feedback: How 2-Point Rubrics Revolutionized My English Classroom
Hey there, fellow secondary English teachers! It’s that time of year again when the leaves turn golden, the air gets crisp, and the spooky vibes start creeping in. October is a fantastic month to infuse some eerie excitement into your curriculum and get your students engaged in learning. In this blog post, we’re going to … Continue reading 5 Spooktacular Ways to Teach Suspense in Your High School English Curriculum
As a high school English teacher, I understand the challenges you face when it comes to nurturing the writing skills of your middle grades and high school students. We often KNOW what good writing looks like, but how do we teach our students how to write? Writing is a fundamental skill that extends far beyond … Continue reading Writing Instruction for Secondary English Teachers
The bane of every English teacher’s existence- essays. Even the most seasoned of teachers can get bogged down with trying to grade them and give meaningful feedback. I have seen and tried several methods. Some great and some lackluster. However, last year I fell in love with 2-point rubrics…..and so did my students! Let me … Continue reading Grading Essays in a SNAP With 2-Point Mastery-Based Rubrics!
Around the World With Mrs. C 