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!
Category: Grammar
Games for the Win- Using Games to Spice Up STAAR Test Prep
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
Grammar, Grammar, and More Grammar
It's been a while since I talked about grammar, so I thought I'd revisit it now. It might be because I'm smack in the middle of trying to run through topics my 8th graders should already know like subjects and predicates, but it's also something that some teachers struggle to get into their plans. Maybe… Continue reading Grammar, Grammar, and More Grammar
ELA Student Handbook for Middle School
The Struggle is Real Do you ever begin a lesson and realize your kids have no idea what you're talking about? Even though they should have background knowledge from previous school years? Yeah, me too. The biggest problem we have had at my middle school lately is the serious lack of grammar knowledge. I mean,… Continue reading ELA Student Handbook for Middle School
Yes, I’m the Grammar Guru- Creating a Year’s Worth of Middle School Grammar
Looking for the Magical Unicorn Pretty much every English teacher I know thinks that finding a good way to teach grammar is an elusive and frustrating task. Finding a comprehensive, year-long grammar program that fits all the student expectations that the state has assigned to your grade level is a daunting task, and one that… Continue reading Yes, I’m the Grammar Guru- Creating a Year’s Worth of Middle School Grammar