In case you've never heard of hygge (pronounced hue-gah), according to Google dictionary it is the quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture). My understanding is that, during the long, dark, Danish winters, they practice hygge as a way to… Continue reading Hygge Classroom Challenge- Make Your Classroom Warm and Inviting the Danish Way!
Category: High School
Using Songs and Their Videos to Teach Perspective and Poetry in Middle School
I'm a genius sometimes. No, really! I have lesson ideas come to me at the most random moments during the day. And they always surprise me because it happens when I'm not thinking about lessons. You know what I mean? So anyway, back to my genius. This is a little trip into the inner-workings of… Continue reading Using Songs and Their Videos to Teach Perspective and Poetry in Middle School
Literature Circles in the Secondary Classroom: Student-Choice Novels Made Easier
Have you ever wanted to let students choose their own novel to read, but you couldn't figure out the best way to assess all those books? Don't want to write 20 tests? Tried to find literature circle materials that weren't for elementary kids? Well I might be able to help! How This All Started Originally… Continue reading Literature Circles in the Secondary Classroom: Student-Choice Novels Made Easier
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
The Character Study One Pager- An Assessment for Any Novel
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