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.
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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.
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:
Teaching Washington’s Farewell Address to Address the Informational Text Standard
Okay, I know. Using really old texts by white guys seems like a recipe for poor classroom engagement. But it doesn’t have to be! One of the standards in the informational text involves looking at U.S. seminal documents. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.9Analyze seminal U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (e.g., Washington’s Farewell Address, the Gettysburg Address, Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech, King’s “Letter… Read More
Creative End of Year Activities for Secondary Classes
These activities are reflective and fun. Students get to demonstrate their creativity in these end of year activities with things like comics and collages, while looking back at their year. As teachers, we know how important it is to reflect on lessons, classroom management, and the year overall. And it is important to impart this skill on students as well.
How teach seminal US Documents in High School English
Seminal US documents, while dense with academic concepts and perfect for teaching a wealth of standards, can seem like pretty darn poor choices for engagement. I mean, what teen wants to read about dead, old people? I am here to tell you it IS possible to shake up student engagement with seminal US documents. First let’s break down the common… Read More
3 Tips to teach poetry like a pro
National Poetry Month is here. I used to be hesitant to teach poetry. To be honest, I still am sometimes. But I have learned a few things about teaching poetry that have transformed my life. Scaffold, scaffold, scaffold. 1) Scaffold, scaffold, scaffold. I think this one falls by the wayside sometimes with upper grades. I know I personally would forget… Read More
How to teach Amanda Gorman’s Inaugural poem “The Hill We Climb”
Amanda Gorman’s poem at President Joe Biden’s inauguration was a show stopper. My thoughts were spinning trying to absorb the poem, analyze it, and witness the sheer impact of a young black woman reciting a poem at an inauguration. As a teacher and a mother, I can’t emphasize how incredibly important it was to see a young black woman reciting… Read More
Free resources for Teachers following the Mob at Capitol Hill
The events that transpired January 6th, 2021 at Capitol Hill are devastating. I was glued to my screen, energy draining out of me, exhausted. So many questions were running through my head: How did this happen? How were law makers allowing this to happen? How were community leaders letting this happen? Where was the security team for Capitol Hill? What… Read More