Novel units are a big part of my ELA classroom. I utilize them in whole class instruction, small groups, and independent reading. As students discover connections between a novel’s characters, setting and story elements, they become more engaged readers.
Have you read Love That Dog and Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech? If you are an ELA teacher, then you need to add them to your reading list asap! These books have a secret power when it comes to teaching poetry—they make it fun …
One strategy to try with reluctant readers in middle school is to offer novels with dogs as one of the main characters. I have several posts on here about finding high-interest books for middle school because it is a constant challenge throughout the school year. …
Spring Break has given me a chance to catch up on my reading and take a break from the everyday busyness within my household. With three kids all involved in a variety of activities, our school weeks are filled with homework, sports games, and constant …
One of my favorite winter-themed books for middle school is Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen. It makes for a great novel study during the winter months, as your students will be AMAZED at Brian’s ingenuity to survive the brutal winter. The book is a continuation …
When I read Wonder by RJ Palacio, so many ideas were bursting out of my head for how I could teach this incredible novel. In addition to creating my own Wonder novel study unit, I also came up with the character analysis activities featured here. …
Crash by Jerry Spinelli is one of my favorite novels to teach in middle school, especially at the 5th and 6th grade levels. If you are teaching this book to your class, here are a few activities to include in your Crash novel study that …
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