We've suffered for a year teaching in a pandemic. We've been thrown into the new world of remote learning (while also teaching those kids who came in person). And if you're like me and you live in Texas, you survived Snowpocalypse. The almost utter breakdown of a functioning electric system. Because of this last, I… Continue reading Looking Back- My year in review…so far
I Miss Being a Teacher
I was looking at the last date I wrote a blog post, and it was right before the pandemic hit. So much has happened since March 3rd of last year! Why have I waited so long? Well, I'll tell you, it's been HARD. Finishing out last school year was difficult, but I didn't know what… Continue reading I Miss Being a Teacher
Timing is Everything- Using timed essays to teach expository writing
A few years ago I was teaching 9th grade. Of course this meant that I had to prepare the students for the expository essay portion of the English I EOC. From a friend, I heard about timed essays. Once I started using timed essays, I have never looked back. I have used them with 9th… Continue reading Timing is Everything- Using timed essays to teach expository writing
One Pagers for the Win!
One pagers! One pagers are all the rage right now, and as a secondary English teacher I heartily support this movement. One pagers are a great way to get a snapshot of a student's understanding of a novel, story, character, or theme without assigning an essay. Through the elements of the one pager, you can… Continue reading One Pagers for the Win!
STAAR Prep for Secondary English- It’s never too early!
If you're like me, as soon as you return from holiday break you begin really thinking about STAAR prep, especially if you have an early test like I do. This 3rd quarter is down-to-business time for me because we don't have much time after spring break before we take our reading test. It's the same… Continue reading STAAR Prep for Secondary English- It’s never too early!