How to master student-led discussions like a pro

Student-led discussions are the unicorns of teaching and the end goal of gradual release of responsibility (where teachers start with leading in teaching, and then slowly responsibility for teaching and learning the material shifts to students). We all want students to be leading the charge in discussions so we can put our feet up and finally drink that coffee that started out hot but is now ice cold. We need students to be engaging with material in a way that makes their learning visible and absolutely shows what a kick-ass teacher we are. But how do you get there?

Why Teachers Are Burning Out And That Pizza in the Lounge Won’t Fix it

I started off this year bright eyed and bushy tailed, excited to return to the classroom after having a baby, but what I am seeing now in schools is concerning: teachers are burning out.

How to communicate with parents effectively and respectfully

Parent communication is the bedrock behind good classroom management. If you have a parent in your corner when you are trying to help get little Jimmy on track, then you will be going. School is all about a team of stakeholders coming together to facilitate the education of students, and with that comes involving the people who raised students or who are their guardians.

House of Hollow by Krystal sutherland: a Book Review for teachers

If you are thinking of adding House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland to your classroom library, read this book review first. Summary from Good Reads Seventeen-year-old Iris Hollow has always been strange. Something happened to her and her two older sisters when they were children, something they can’t quite remember but that left each of them with an identical half-moon… Read More

Advice on How to prepare for an english teacher interview

Interviewing for a new English teaching position can be equal parts scary and exciting. In this blog post, I go over how I prepare for interviews.

How to conduct philosophical chairs activities in high school

Philosophical chairs are an activity that gets students to take a stance on a blanket statement and try to convince their peers to move to their side. For example, a topic might be “Water is wet” and students must decide if yes, water is wet, or no, water is not wet. They use argumentation and reasoning skills to sway their peers.

How To Teach This Is My America By Kim Johnson

Wondering how to teach This Is My America by Kim Johnson? This article goes over some engaging strategies to get students analyzing this novel on social justice and the judicial system.

Should you teach This Is My America by Kim Johnson?

Read this before you add This Is My America to your classroom library. What’s it about? This Is My America centers around Tracy and her family, dealing with her father who is in his last few months on death row, for a crime he didn’t commit. The novel follows as Tracy moves mountains to get help from Innocence X, an… Read More

12 free and Cheap Ways to Start Your Classroom Library

Don’t, and I mean DON’T, just buy all the books for your classroom library at full retail value. I know the pressure is there from looking at gorgeous book shelves on social media or even when peeking at your neighboring teacher’s classroom. There are a few tips and tricks that teachers use to build up their library shelves, whether its… Read More

How to make the first day high school of school exciting

When I was in school, I knew the first few days of school would always be reading from the syllabus. It was mind-numbingly dull, did nothing to keep me awake, and was serious motivation to doodle and daydream. Years later, as a teacher, I would figure out that the first day of school didn’t have to be boring. Here are some ideas on fun things to do: