by Kristin | Aug 15, 2022 | Reading Comprehension, Rhetorical Analysis, Teaching the Standards, Writing
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...
by Kristin | Jul 16, 2022 | Short Stories, Back To School, Reading Comprehension, Teaching the Standards
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...
by Kristin | Jun 20, 2022 | Rhetorical Analysis, Teaching the Standards, Writing
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...
by Kristin | Jun 6, 2022 | Short Stories, Reading Comprehension, Teaching the Standards
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...
by Kristin | Mar 2, 2022 | Rhetorical Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Teaching the Standards, Writing
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...
by Kristin | Sep 4, 2021 | Short Stories, Teaching the Standards
Langston Hughes’ “Thank You M’am,” also known as “Thank You Ma’am,” should be on your list of MUST-TEACH short stories! It has so much to offer not only to teachers who love literature but also to middle AND high school...