An English teacher who is passionate about PBL and diverse world literature.
My favorite time of the year is just around the corner! In this post, you’ll find a mix of literature, mythology, writing prompts, and creative classroom activities to help your students get into the spooky spirit while keeping the rigor high. Continue reading The Ultimate Guide on Spooky Season Stories & Writing Activities for Middle and High School ELA
Creative writing for upper elementary and middle school grades doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated! In this blog post, discover why creative writing is one of the most important skills your students can build and get ideas for easy, low-prep activities your students will love. Learn how mystery stories, seasonal prompts, and potion-making can transform your writing block. Click to read the full post and get inspired. Continue reading The Power of Creative Writing in Grades 4–6: Why It Matters and How to Make It Easy
Struggling to get students engaged with classic texts? Inquiry-based learning might be the game-changer your classroom needs. In my latest blog post, I walk through how to build a powerful ELA unit around essential questions that spark curiosity, deepen thinking, and drive real-world connections. From selecting texts to designing scaffolded activities and assessments, this post offers practical steps—and ready-to-use resources—for making inquiry work in any high school English classroom. Read the full post here 👇 Continue reading Building Inquiry-Based Units in High School English: A Step-by-Step Teacher’s Guide
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
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is hands down one of my all-time favorite plays. The love stories, the shenanigans of Puck, all of the jokes at Bottom’s expense, the hilariously terrible play within the play…. All of it is just perfection. Because I love it so much, it’s no wonder that I also love to bring … Continue reading Unlocking the Magic of Love and Moonlight: Creative Ways to Teach A Midsummer Night’s Dream
In high school English classrooms, we teach students to question the world around them—its texts, its trends, its traditions. So why not help them question the fairy tales they grew up with? These aren’t just bedtime stories; they’re blueprints. They shape how students think about love, power, beauty, and even their own identities. In today’s post, we’ll look at how we can do this with the tale of Snow White! Continue reading Analyzing Snow White in High School Through the Gender and Archetypal Lenses
Literacy in the 21st century isn’t just about reading and writing—it’s also about listening. That’s why I created a free guide filled with 17 podcasts that are perfect for the high school English classroom, along with tips and teaching ideas to help you make the most of them. Continue reading 17 Podcasts That Are Perfect for Your High School English Classroom (PLUS Free Guide!)
Comic books are more than just entertainment—they’re the first truly American literary genre. With roots deeply embedded in American history and culture, these stories of heroes and antiheroes have helped generations process complex social issues, identity, justice, and change. If you’ve never explored comics in your classroom, you’re missing out on one of the most … Continue reading Why Teaching Comic Books Belongs in High School English
The end of the school year can be a strange mix of exhaustion and anticipation—for both teachers and students. You’re trying to maintain structure while also celebrating all the growth that’s happened. If you’re looking for meaningful and memorable activities to wrap up your English class, here are three favorites that combine reflection, creativity, and … Continue reading 3 Engaging Activities for the End of the Year in High School English
What do feminist theory, Disney movies, and student-led creativity have in common? If you’re teaching literary analysis this semester, everything. Teaching fairy tales can be more than just a nostalgic trip down memory lane. With the right approach, these familiar stories become rich texts for critical thinking, discussion, and engaging project-based learning. In this post, … Continue reading How to Transform Fairy Tale Analysis with Critical Lens Analysis (and a Disney-Inspired PBL Project!)
Around the World With Mrs. C 