Category: Classroom

Classroom, Games, Grammar, Middle School, state assessment, student needs, Teaching, Teaching tools, Texas

Games for the Win- Using Games to Spice Up STAAR Test Prep

johnstonselagems

I teach middle school, and mixing it up is really important to keep the kids on their toes especially when it comes to test prep. One of the best things when I was a kid was seeing the TV and VCR set up and ready to go for the class period. Movie day! We don't… Continue reading Games for the Win- Using Games to Spice Up STAAR Test Prep

Classroom, Classroom Management, Classroom Structure, Humor, Middle School, Secondary ELA, Secondary English, Teaching

The Results are In: Classroom Management is Scary

johnstonselagems

This past week I posted a survey on Facebook that asked just one question: What back to school topic concerns you the most? I was actually kind of shocked when I got my answer- classroom management. This got me thinking about how I felt about it. I recently wrote a blog post about this very… Continue reading The Results are In: Classroom Management is Scary

Classroom, Education, Freebies, High School, Lesson Planning, Middle School, Secondary ELA, Secondary English, Teacher Planner

Lesson Planning- Big Picture to Daily Schedule

johnstonselagems

Are you a planner? Or do you like to fly by the seat of your pants? In my 20 years of teaching, I've seen all kinds of planning personalities, and I've learned a lot about what works for me and what doesn't. Most people will tell you that I'm a planner extraordinaire. During our end… Continue reading Lesson Planning- Big Picture to Daily Schedule

Classroom, Classroom Library, Education, High School, Middle School, Secondary ELA, Secondary English, Teacher, Texas

Building Your Classroom Library- One Book at a Time

johnstonselagems

Classroom libraries sometimes seem like an unattainable dream that only lucky teachers at wealthy schools get to even consider having. Some schools know the deal and provide funds for each teacher to build one. Most teachers know that having good books accessible to kids is always the best plan. But most teachers are on their… Continue reading Building Your Classroom Library- One Book at a Time

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?

johnstonselagems

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?