Category: Texas

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

Anxiety, bloggers, Family, Gratitude, parenting, Self reflection, Texas, Uncategorized

Surviving the fall- and other tough tasks

johnstonselagems

I usually use my blog to promote a TpT product or two. This is not one of those posts. Fall is a tough time for some teachers. There's the whole DEVOLSON thing (if you don't know what this is, look it up on Pinterest- you'll find some funny, and very true, stuff), plus the excitement… Continue reading Surviving the fall- and other tough tasks

Education, Grammar, Lesson Planning, Middle School, Secondary ELA, Secondary English, student needs, Teachers Pay Teachers, Texas

Grammar, Grammar, and More Grammar

johnstonselagems

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

Education, High School, Humor, Middle School, Teacher, Teacher Tribe, Teaching, Texas

Should You Stay, or Should You Go?- Addressing the Debate Over Teacher Attrition

johnstonselagems

It's been a minute since I've posted. I took a short trip to anxiety town, and then I took my youngest to see my mom. I'd much rather visit my mom than relive the anxiety that has been haunting me. Anywho, I digress. What I really want to talk about is something that I'm seeing… Continue reading Should You Stay, or Should You Go?- Addressing the Debate Over Teacher Attrition

Anxiety, Education, High School, Middle School, Secondary ELA, Secondary English, Teacher, Texas

Taming Summer Anxiety- What I Do During the Summer to Combat Teacher Guilt

johnstonselagems

Being a teacher is great. I've always loved that I get summers off from going to school to be with my daughters. Notice I didn't say "I like having summer off from work" because as most teachers I know will tell you, they work during the summer. Even if they swear they aren't going to.… Continue reading Taming Summer Anxiety- What I Do During the Summer to Combat Teacher Guilt