Blog ⋆ Samantha in Secondary

Teaching AI, Ethics, and Power with a Scythe Novel Study

Dystopian novels have a way of sticking with students long after the last page and Scythe is no exception. From artificial intelligence to morality, power, and choice, the novel asks questions that feel especially relevant to students navigating a rapidly changing world. But teaching Scythe also comes with challenges. The topics are heavy. The conversations can get intense. And without the right structure, discussions about ethics and power can quickly spiral or stall out. That’s where a thoughtfully designed Scythe novel study makes all the difference. How Scythe Uses AI to Question the Idea of a “Perfect” World At first glance, Scythe presents a near-utopian society. Disease has been eliminated. Death is controlled. An all-knowing artificial intelligence, known as the

Realistic Fiction for Young Adults: Tips and Strategies for a Successful Classroom Unit

Running a realistic fiction for young adults unit for secondary students can be both rewarding and impactful, as this genre allows students to explore stories and characters that feel authentic and relatable to their lives. Before diving into the specifics, it’s worth noting that the terms “realistic fiction” and “contemporary” are often used interchangeably. While “realistic fiction” is more commonly used in elementary and middle schools, the publishing industry typically refers to this genre as “contemporary.” To help students align with what they’ll encounter in the real world, I use the term “contemporary” throughout the unit. However, I’ll use both terms here to ensure clarity for teachers searching for ideas. In this unit, students will engage with contemporary literature in

45 Graphic Novels for Teens and Tweens from Librarian Amanda Hunt

If you’re looking for a way to spark engagement, boost reading comprehension, and foster meaningful conversations in your classroom, graphic novels for teens and tweens are the perfect choice. These dynamic, visually rich texts combine art and narrative to captivate even the most reluctant readers while offering the same literary depth as traditional novels. To help you find the best graphic novels for your middle or high school classroom, I’ve teamed up with Amanda Hunt, also known as @TheNextGenLibrarian, to share her expertly curated list of must-have titles. Amanda is a champion of innovative reading approaches, and her passion for graphic novels shines in this incredible selection of more than 45 titles. You can find more information about Amanda and

10 Engaging The Veldt Activities to Spark Critical Thinking and Creativity in Your Classroom

Looking for “The Veldt” activities that spark critical thinking and creativity in your classroom? Ray Bradbury’s “The Veldt” is an unforgettable science fiction story that dives into the fascinating and sometimes chilling role of technology in our lives. With its gripping narrative and complex themes, this short story provides a wealth of opportunities to engage students in meaningful discussions about family, human nature, and the unintended consequences of overreliance on technology. If you’re ready to bring critical thinking and creativity to your secondary ELA students, these “The Veldt” activities are the perfect way to explore the story’s rich themes and big ideas. From analyzing its futuristic setting to crafting creative responses inspired by the text, these activities are designed to

How to Structure Your Independent Reading Unit in Secondary ELA

Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed when planning an independent reading unit for your secondary ELA classroom? You’re not alone! Between choosing the right books, creating meaningful assignments, and keeping everything organized, it’s easy to feel like things can spiral. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to figure it all out on your own! I’ve gathered some of the best practices for structuring independent reading units, along with tips to make your process smoother and more effective. Whether you’re trying to foster student choice, track progress, or build engaging discussions, I’ve got you covered with links to helpful resources, activity ideas, and time-saving organization strategies. Ready to put a strong structure in place for your next independent reading unit?

10 Winter Lesson Plans for the ELA Classroom

Melt away your winter blues with these 10 engaging winter lesson plans for your ELA classroom! Whether you want to set a cozy mood for reading and writing or keep your students sharp with fun seasonal activities, there’s something here for every teaching style. You’ll find a variety of lessons, including a winter-themed podcast, creative writing projects, short stories, close reading resources, puzzles, and more. These activities are perfect for filling time between longer units, offering seasonal enrichment for fast finishers, or adding festive flair to your winter curriculum. Imagine your classroom warmed by the glow of a projected fire as your students listen to a gripping tale about mythical snow creatures, or picture your students competing in a winter

10 Holiday Short Stories for Your Secondary ELA Classroom

Get into the holiday spirit with any of these 10 holiday short stories for your secondary ELA classroom. You’ll find a mix of classic and contemporary in this roundup list as well as a bonus resource you can use with any short story any time of year. Take a look at these snapshots and pick a few favorite short stories to add to your ELA classroom. Classic There’s something about the good ol’ classics. They’re often familiar and many students find ties to their own traditions or recognize the storyline in contemporary examples. Take a look at this short collection of classic short stories. Gift of the Magi by O. Henry Jim and Della are a young couple who each

How to Create a Dynamic Historical Fiction Unit for Engaged Learning

Creating a historical fiction unit is one of my favorite ways to bring the past to life in my classroom. In this blog post, I’ll take you through the steps I use to build a dynamic unit that keeps students engaged from start to finish. First, I like to begin with a quick dive into the genre itself, exploring how historical fiction combines real events with fictional stories. By understanding this foundation, students get a sense of the power of storytelling to illuminate history in ways that feel personal and relatable. Once they grasp the basics, it’s time to move on to the fun part: choosing the right books. I’ll share tips for selecting titles that challenge students at different

Why You Should Use Mad Libs for Teens in Your Secondary ELA Classroom

I absolutely love Mad Libs for Teens in my classroom. Yes, even with my secondary students. Why should elementary kids get to have all the fun? Mad Libs know no age limits! They are so versatile and a fun change-up to grammar worksheets. I can use these with all my English classes, and with a variety of student abilities. Mad Libs are one of the few activities that don’t need much prompting for student engagement, and they fit into any season and topic we’re covering. Read on for my favorite reasons you should use Mad Libs for teens in your secondary English Language Arts classroom. Practice Parts of Speech The biggest draw to using Mad Libs is they are inherently

Engage Students with Taylor Swift Reading: 5 Classroom Activities That Work

If you’re looking for a creative way to boost engagement in your classroom, incorporating a Taylor Swift reading activity might be just what you need—especially if you have a few Swifties among your students (and let’s be honest, you probably do). Instead of shying away from pop culture, why not lean in and make it a valuable part of your teaching toolkit? Pop culture references can create meaningful connections with students, and Taylor Swift’s music is filled with rich storytelling, relatable themes, and powerful imagery that lend themselves to literary analysis. Whether you’re analyzing song lyrics for poetic devices, connecting her music to broader themes in literature, or using her songs as inspiration for student writing, the possibilities are endless.

Books

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Projects

Reading

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Lesson Plans

Books

Lit Circles

Projects

Reading

Writing

Lesson Plans

Teaching AI, Ethics, and Power with a Scythe Novel Study

Realistic Fiction for Young Adults: Tips and Strategies for a Successful Classroom Unit

45 Graphic Novels for Teens and Tweens from Librarian Amanda Hunt

10 Engaging The Veldt Activities to Spark Critical Thinking and Creativity in Your Classroom

How to Structure Your Independent Reading Unit in Secondary ELA

10 Winter Lesson Plans for the ELA Classroom

10 Holiday Short Stories for Your Secondary ELA Classroom

How to Create a Dynamic Historical Fiction Unit for Engaged Learning

Why You Should Use Mad Libs for Teens in Your Secondary ELA Classroom

Engage Students with Taylor Swift Reading: 5 Classroom Activities That Work

Teaching AI, Ethics, and Power with a Scythe Novel Study

Realistic Fiction for Young Adults: Tips and Strategies for a Successful Classroom Unit

45 Graphic Novels for Teens and Tweens from Librarian Amanda Hunt

10 Engaging The Veldt Activities to Spark Critical Thinking and Creativity in Your Classroom

How to Structure Your Independent Reading Unit in Secondary ELA

10 Winter Lesson Plans for the ELA Classroom

10 Holiday Short Stories for Your Secondary ELA Classroom

How to Create a Dynamic Historical Fiction Unit for Engaged Learning

Why You Should Use Mad Libs for Teens in Your Secondary ELA Classroom

Engage Students with Taylor Swift Reading: 5 Classroom Activities That Work

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