An English teacher who is passionate about PBL and diverse world literature.
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!)
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
I have found a new podcast that I am bursting to share with other English teachers! If you are not yet aware of The Moth Radio Hour and The Moth Podcast, now is the time. In a way, it reminds of Humans of New York. But, in this case, it’s people sharing a particular story … Continue reading Bringing The Moth Podcast into the ELA Classroom: 3 Must-Listen Stories Your Students Will Love
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
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!)
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
High school English teachers face a vocabulary crisis affecting text comprehension. Strategies like close readings, Greek and Latin roots, and Science of Reading help bridge the gap. Incorporating these into daily practices ensures students receive consistent exposure to conquer vocabulary struggles. Continue reading Using Close Reads to Improve Vocabulary Skills in Middle and High School
Whether you have weeks or days until it’s back to school season for you, I am sure that you are already considering ways to make the first weeks of class the best yet. Even in high school, we know that the first 10 days of school are crucial to setting up expectations, making connections, and setting the tone for our classroom. These are my top tips for setting my year up for success! Continue reading Engaging Back to School Activities for High School English: Build Relationships, Spark Reading, and Foster SEL
Lets talk about connecting our students with the real world audiences that we are asking them to create for. How often do we English teachers tell them to “imagine” they are writing this speech for or that they are writing in an editorial for this publication…..but all they are doing is creating for us? How … Continue reading Connecting Students with Real World Audiences
As the end of the school year approaches, I know how hard it can be to keep students engaged and motivated, while also ensuring that you meet all the necessary requirements. To make the end of the year easier, I wanted to share a few tips/ideas that may help you make the most of the last … Continue reading Engaging End of School Year Activities for High School Students
Around the World With Mrs. C 