Every classroom has a wide range of readers. Typically in my class, I’ve got my FAKE readers, my reluctant readers who need the right hook, and a few who’ll devour three novels before Thanksgiving. If this sounds familiar, an independent novel study with differentiated reading …
Between homework turn-ins, read-aloud chapters, lesson instruction, questions, and discussions, a middle school ELA block disappears FAST. That’s why it is important to build time-management structures into your classroom routines. Here are 5 ways I help my middle schoolers understand how much time they have …
I’ve graded a LOT of book reports over my 26 years of teaching. Hundreds of five-paragraph plot summaries and the same “the theme of this book is…” sentence matched across every report. The traditional book report follows a predictable template that never really gives them …
America has had plenty of tragedies that are not easy to explain to our children. 9/11 is one of those events, but it is also an important part of American history. Here are the activities I utilize to teach and discuss the events surrounding September …
I’ve taught 6th graders for over 10 years, so while I may not be an expert, I do know a thing or two about building trust and rapport with them. It is a grade level that I love, but 6th grade is NOT for everyone. I …
The idea of engaging AND assessing students from MINUTE ONE of DAY ONE sounds a little crazy, right? But after 26 years of teaching middle school ELA, I promise it’s possible, and it doesn’t require a single worksheet. Every group of students I’ve taught is …
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