Worksheets on Summarizing Made Easy…
Long story, short… that’s exactly what a summary is! But how often does someone who uses that statement actually make their story short?! Whether in school or in life beyond the classroom, summarizing is a skill that needs practice, repeated practice. Writing a...
Guided Reading Activities for Middle and High School Students
Have you heard the saying that teaching English isn’t just for English teachers? It’s so true! Many of the skills we teach and have our students practice in our ELA classrooms are transferable to other courses. Case in point, reading comprehension and guided reading...
Examples of Thematic Unit for Middle and High School English
In my years of teaching, I have found that the best way to get students learning AND retaining concepts and skills is by using thematic units. By integrating reading and writing together by focusing on a major topic and/or using a specific theme, you can incorporate...
7 Activities for Author’s Purpose in Middle and High School English
In elementary school, the question of the author’s purpose tends to tie into pie. Not a delicious pie to eat but rather P.I.E., an acronym of the three purposes for any given text: Persuade, Inform, Entertain. However, we know as readers and teachers that things are...
13 Must-Read Short Stories for 9th Graders
Making the shift from middle school to high school can be a challenge for 9th graders and for the teachers of those 9th graders! But stacking your short stories for 9th graders with selections from Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury, Langston Hughes, Roald Dahl, etc. is an...
6 Activities About Goal Setting for A Memorable Back to School Time
Do you know this saying: “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step?” Well, the first days back to school are that first single step, and a thousand miles... the rest of the year! So why not get started on the right foot with activities about goal...
7 Smart Steps To Teaching with High School Satire Examples
Satire can be a challenge for students and teachers, but it’s a worthy challenge! I love seeing the lightbulb go on when students "get" satire. It might be as they analyze political cartoons, read an article from The Babylon Bee, or study Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest...
7 The Lottery Questions For Discussion That Engage!
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is by far one of my favorite short stories to teach in high school! The irony of the title, the mysterious setting, and the subtle characterization of the unassuming town always seem to shock students by the end of the story. No matter...
7 Fun Activities for the Last Days of School
7 Fun Activities for the Last Days of School- I think most of us by the end of the school year are just done....simply done. Students are "theoretically" finished with testing, so they are itching to leave for summer break. Teachers look exhausted and are scrambling...
Aint I a Woman 5 Easy To Teach Activities
Sojourner Truth's speech "Aint I a Woman" epitomizes the fight for equal rights for all, no matter the race or gender of a person! Isabella Baumfree, the original name of Sojourner Truth, was born into slavery but escaped in 1827. She became a voice for the oppressed...
Hi, I’m KRISTIN!
I primarily focus on integrating multiple disciplines and subjects. The goal is to make teaching simplified and effective!