November is always such a strange amalgam and while things can get difficult chugging along until Thanksgiving break, it is the perfect time to infuse gratitude activities for students. Everyone is tired in November - very, very tired. You haven't had a real break since August and you've been clinging to the glimmer of Thanksgiving since the end of September. We've all been there. Enter ... Read More about Gratitude Activities for Students
5 Tips for Using a Book Tasting to Encourage Independent Reading
Conducting a Book Tasting is one of my favorite lessons of the year. It combines the things I love most about teaching - creativity, collaboration, and most of all, BOOKS! If you have never heard of a Book Tasting, the goal of the activity is to allow students to self-select novels for an independent reading assignment or literature circles. Students are grouped and then given time to explore ... Read More about 5 Tips for Using a Book Tasting to Encourage Independent Reading
Improve Classroom Culture with Attendance Questions
Attendance questions are one of my favorite daily classroom routines. I love them to help me connect with my secondary students and build stronger relationships. The idea is that every day you post a random question and each student must answer it at the beginning of class to account for their presence. These questions can be personal, content-related, or quick would-you-rather type questions. I ... Read More about Improve Classroom Culture with Attendance Questions
10 Tips for New Teachers
Getting ready to enter the teaching profession can be so exciting, but also overwhelming. As a blogger and a veteran teacher, I am often asked to offer advice for new teachers. I developed a set of rules that I think are extremely helpful when entering the teaching profession. Samantha in Secondary's Guide for First Year Teachers Because it's a marathon, not a sprint. #1: Be yourself. ... Read More about 10 Tips for New Teachers
Welcome to Samantha in Secondary!
Hello there, educator! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I have been a part of the online education community for a few years now in different capacities, but I decided it was time to take a more personal approach. This blog is meant to give you an inside look at my classroom (and sometimes my life!) and hopefully provide you with some tips and tricks you might be able to use in ... Read More about Welcome to Samantha in Secondary!