11 minute essay, Assessments, Secondary English, STAAR, state assessment, Test Prep, Texas

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

Assessments, Education, High School, Middle School, One Pager, Teachers Pay Teachers, Teaching, Texas

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!

11 minute essay, Annotation, Assessments, Education, Grammar, High School, Middle School, Secondary ELA, Secondary English, state assessment, Test Prep, Texas

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!

Assessments, Classroom, Education, High School, Lesson Planning, Literature Circles, Middle School, Secondary ELA, Secondary English, Teacher, Teachers Pay Teachers

Assessing Student Reading- Do they have to take a test?

As a kid, I loved tests. I wouldn't do much in class, but then I'd ace the test. Yep, I was that kid. I have a photographic memory, so objective tests were my friends. As long as I'd actually read the material, I was fine. I didn't really have to think much about the concepts… Continue reading Assessing Student Reading- Do they have to take a test?

Annotation, Assessments, Education, Literature Circles, Middle School, Secondary ELA, Secondary English, Teachers Pay Teachers, Teaching, Uncategorized

TPT Teacher Appreciation Sale

It's that time again, so get your credit cards ready! Teacher appreciation time at TPT! I love this sale the most because I can get things that will help me do some planning over the summer. To get in the spirit of the sale, I thought I'd give you a heads up on some of… Continue reading TPT Teacher Appreciation Sale