The most wonderful part of teaching is learning. Every day I learn more and more from my STUDENTS. This section of my site features my strategies for connecting and engaging students in the classroom.
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 …
The first day of school always comes with a roller coaster of emotions, from excitement to anxiety to relief when it is all over! School supplies and room decor are brand new, teachers are excited to implement what they have been working on, and students …
My classroom is the home away from home for my students and me, so I try to make it as welcoming, inviting, and inspiring as possible. A few years ago, I decided to change things up and try DIY bulletin board ideas to get my …
After years in the middle school classroom, I have a good sense of what rewards actually motivate students. While there is plenty of debate about whether candy should be allowed in classrooms, there is no doubt that certain candy brands are more popular with middle …
State testing is done. Your students are checked out. You’re exhausted. And somehow you still have six weeks of school left. The struggle is real: You need activities that keep students engaged without requiring hours of lesson planning. You need ideas that work on modified …
2026 UPDATE: I originally published this post on changing grade levels a few years ago, but the tips and lessons are still applicable today. This post discusses my transition to teaching 7th grade ELA at a new school district. My first 7 years here have …
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