Analyzing Snow White in High School Through the Gender and Archetypal Lenses

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

How to Transform Fairy Tale Analysis with Critical Lens Analysis (and a Disney-Inspired PBL Project!)

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!)

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

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

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

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

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

A Multi-modal Approach to Teaching “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”

The Arthurian legends, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, is one of my all-time favorite stories! Sadly, I usually don’t have the time to read through the entire tale with students. Plus, the language can be a bit daunting for some of our 21st century learners. This is where I decided to use my 21st … Continue reading A Multi-modal Approach to Teaching “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”

Teaching The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Dark Romanticism and Creative Projects

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” follows the story of Ichabod Crane, a lanky and superstitious schoolteacher, who arrives in the quaint village of Sleepy Hollow. He becomes enamored with the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel and vies for her hand against the brawny Brom Bones. One spooky night, as Ichabod is riding home, he encounters the … Continue reading Teaching The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: Dark Romanticism and Creative Projects