by Kristin | May 21, 2024 | Reading Comprehension, Rhetorical Analysis, Teaching the Standards
As English teachers, we try to breathe life into the texts we teach to increase engagement and understanding as well as encourage a deeper connection (and deeper consideration). We do this often with the literature we teach, but do we do the same with primary texts?...
by Kristin | May 7, 2024 | Reading Comprehension, Teaching the Standards, Test Prep
Have you ever asked your students some pretty basic reading comprehension questions about the assigned reading and all you experience is deafening silence? You are not alone, my teacher friend! While one of my favorite pastimes is reading, most of my students do not...
by Kristin | Apr 9, 2024 | Reading Comprehension, Short Stories, Teaching the Standards
Learning how to write a THEME STATEMENT is a real struggle for most students. You might think that because it is taught from kindergarten throughout the elementary years that understanding the message of a story, novel, or poem should be super simple to grasp....
by Kristin | Apr 2, 2024 | Reading Comprehension, Short Stories, Teaching the Standards
There have been rumblings in different online teacher groups recently about replacing novels with short stories and informational articles in middle and high school English classrooms. I have to admit I was shocked when I first read the comments because I am a book...
by Kristin | Mar 26, 2024 | Poetry, Reading Comprehension, Writing
Have you ever tried to read poetry on your own for FUN? Try asking this question to a bunch of middle and high school students in a typical English class…You will probably get blank stares or smirks in response. Now, ask those same students if they know how to...
by Kristin | Mar 20, 2024 | Reading Comprehension, Short Stories, Teaching the Standards
I LOVE survival shows! Sometimes these shows use professionals and skilled experts while others just throw someone on an island to see what happens 🙂 Not going to lie…these shows are hilarious. Now, I like to think if I were left alone in the woods to survive on...
