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
Tag: 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
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
Why would anybody want to be a teacher?
Why would anybody want to be a teacher? Let alone a middle/high school teacher? Aren't those kids awful? I couldn't do it! Teenagers are so disrespectful nowadays! They're so entitled! How can you stand it? Especially when you know you'll never make any money? NO WAY! If you've been a teacher for more than five… Continue reading Why would anybody want to be a teacher?
The 7th Circle of Hell: Is This the Way my Students Feel About my Class?
It's summer. This means my life is a whirlwind of oil changes, vet visits, dance practices and camps, college orientation...and then there are the REALLY awful ones. Like Discount Tire. And doctor's offices. In case you're still getting to know me, I should be very frank. Patience is not a virtue with which I have… Continue reading The 7th Circle of Hell: Is This the Way my Students Feel About my Class?