I love teacher appreciation week because I get to spread some appreciation to my followers. I know that you all work so hard - often without much appreciation - so it's fun to give away some things that will save you time and help you get some time for yourself.All weekend, I'll be giving away some … [Read more...] about Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, 2019
End of the Year Activities for English Class
The end of the school year can be an exciting time - but it can also be exhausting. Everyone is feeling pretty tired, drained from the work of the year. And it can be such a challenge to keep students motivated through those last few weeks of class. It's not an impossible task, though, especially if … [Read more...] about End of the Year Activities for English Class
Grading Strategy: A Tip for More Learning
Would you like a grading strategy that puts the responsibility for learning in your students' hands? You can do that by leaving feedback in the form of a question, rather than a statement. Let me show you what I mean. I tried something new while I was grading my tenth grader's persuasive … [Read more...] about Grading Strategy: A Tip for More Learning
Sentence expanding lessons
Some students struggle to write strong, effective sentences. They get the job done, but the results are often pretty basic because their ideas are underdeveloped and the writing lacks flow. One strategy that can make a big difference is sentence expanding lessons. Showing students the art of … [Read more...] about Sentence expanding lessons
How do you control a chatty class?
Excessive talking can derail your lesson. Use these strategies to control a chatty class. You'll also learn how to get students to talk when you want them to - and to work work quietly when you don't. We've all had them: classes that are full of nonstop talking. They are full of too many … [Read more...] about How do you control a chatty class?
Color Coding as a Writing Strategy
One of the simplest methods for teaching kids to think and write analytically is also one of the most effective: show them a sample paragraph and use color coding as a writing strategy. My tenth graders have been exploring the ways that point of view and perspective affect the novels they are … [Read more...] about Color Coding as a Writing Strategy
Narrative Writing: why you should use it with your secondary students
Narrative writing is a staple in my high school English classroom. But it wasn't always. I used to be a much more traditional teacher than I am now. The only writing my students did, other than personal response, was very academic and formal. They wrote persuasive research, exposition and lots … [Read more...] about Narrative Writing: why you should use it with your secondary students
Use conferences to reduce your grading
Last week, I wrote about ways to make time for conferences. The focus for those conferences was on skill building and assessing whether or not your students are getting the concepts you want them to learn. But how can you use conferences to reduce your grading after school? You actually grade the … [Read more...] about Use conferences to reduce your grading
4 Ways to Make Time to Conference
I'm on a mission to help other teachers use this wonderful strategy, so I'm sharing 4 ways to make time to conference. I'm a huge fan of conferencing with kids. There are several very good reasons for that: conferences allow you get to know your students, to teach more effectively, and to reduce … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Make Time to Conference
Differentiation with reading workshop
Last week, I wrote a post for The Secondary English Coffee Shop about why and how I use mentor texts with my students. I received several questions about differentiation with reading workshop, so I figured I need to write another post. The simple answer to whether or not you can differentiate … [Read more...] about Differentiation with reading workshop
Tame the Grading Beast – Work smarter, not harder
Would you like to spend less time grading student work? I think it's a pretty safe bet to say that grading assignments is the least favourite part of your job. I know it's mine. However, I have learned ways to work smarter, not harder. Over my decades of teaching, I spent countless hours just … [Read more...] about Tame the Grading Beast – Work smarter, not harder
Final Assessment for Reading and Writing Workshop
What do you do for a final assessment for reading and writing workshop? Do you still give an exam? My department has been going through an evolution with this over the past number of years, and I feel that we are finally at a point where we have an authentic final assessment for workshop that … [Read more...] about Final Assessment for Reading and Writing Workshop