We need the bigger, better deal Every English teacher I know is looking for the bigger, better deal when it comes to assessing novels. We've moved WAY beyond the simple book report (I hope), and into the realm of critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis. In recent years I've tried the mandala (which you can read… Continue reading The Character Study One Pager- An Assessment for Any Novel
Category: Classroom
My Clean Classroom Challenge Experience- How I took back my space
This past week, I took part in Building Book Love's Clean Classroom Challenge. It was such an uplifting experience that I wanted to share it with others so that you might get some joy from it as well. A little background I have a very neat classroom. I pride myself on creating a unique space… Continue reading My Clean Classroom Challenge Experience- How I took back my space
Can you teach an 8th grader?- What it takes to be a secondary teacher
Full disclosure: My new obsession/go-to-Netflix-binge is The Great British Baking Show. There are several reasons why I think this show is utter genius. I learn something new every time I watch. Dough lamination is a thing, choux pastry is not shoe pastry, people like to use passionfruit A LOT, biscuits are cookies, and "I need… Continue reading Can you teach an 8th grader?- What it takes to be a secondary teacher
The Highs (& Lows) of the Holidays in Secondary
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Blessed Kwanzaa! It's the holiday season, a very strange time for most teachers. In elementary, I'm guessing they are making craft ornaments for parents to treasure and learning numbers by gluing cotton balls on Santa's beard. I'll bet there's a lot of glitter happening right now. I mean A LOT. And… Continue reading The Highs (& Lows) of the Holidays in Secondary
Bulletin Board Bonanza- The Many Ways to Use Your Space
Using Your SpaceIf you are lucky enough to have bulletin board space, make sure you are using it! There are so many teachers I know that wish they had more. In this post, I'm going to show you different ways to use your boards, but also give you some hacks to create boards where… Continue reading Bulletin Board Bonanza- The Many Ways to Use Your Space