lesson planning Archives ⋆ Page 3 of 3 ⋆ Samantha in Secondary

Why Ray Bradbury is Still Relevant in Secondary ELA

Somewhere there’s an English teacher prepping a Ray Bradbury unit, and in the back of their mind is the looming question, “How do I convince these 2021 students that an author who began his career in the 1940s is still relevant?” It feels like enticing students to give “classics” a shot is half the battle to maintaining positive classroom engagement. Check out some of my teaching activities and ideas to bring Ray Bradbury’s work to a generation of new readers. 1. Introduce science fiction Many may say that Bradbury brought modern science fiction into the literary world. So, if you’re looking at putting together a science fiction unit, the works of Ray Bradbury are a great place to start. Consider

10 Ideas for Teaching Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is a high interest novel in verse that will grab your students’ attention from the first page and never let them go. Set across the span of only one minute, Jason takes you on a thrilling, thought-provoking journey as the main character, Will, takes the elevator ride of his life. If you haven’t had the chance to read this novel, I highly recommend you grab a copy right here. Although it’s a very quick read, the themes and ideas pack a huge punch. I’ve put together 10 fresh ideas for implementing Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds into your secondary English Language Arts classroom. 1. Character Study Understand the characters of the novel on

5 Spooky Story Activities for Your Secondary ELA Classroom

Today I have some great spooky story activities for you to incorporate into your secondary ELA classroom. Whether you prefer to work with classics or want to introduce contemporary examples to your students, these activities are sure to be a scream. 1. Spooky Short Stories Utilizing short stories opens up a lot of activity options for your class. You can put together a series of stories to study together or in small groups. Or you can have groups recreate a chosen spooky tale. You can pair students together to study a story and then share with the class. My personal favorite is having a “campfire experience.” Turn off the lights and close the blinds and keep one flashlight for the

7 Activities to Study Edgar Allan Poe in Your Secondary ELA Classroom

Here we are in Oct-POE-ber, and I have seven activities to try while studying Edgar Allan Poe. Don’t judge me too much, but the macabre vibe of fall, October, and Poe is just so satisfying. Take a look at these resources and let me know in the comments if you enjoy Oct-POE-ber as much as I do! 1. Research Instead of giving information to students, give them this fact file organizer instead. This lets your students have the opportunity to learn the basics of Edgar Allan Poe’s life while also researching his literature, giving them space to decide what they think is most interesting. Putting the responsibility of gathering information on the students gives them ownership, and it might surprise

5 Ways to Teach Mystery in Your Secondary English Language Arts Class

I am feeling the spooky vibes of this fall season and am excited to share with you these 5 ways to teach mystery in your secondary ELA class. I’m not one to disregard the “classic” examples of mystery (hello, Oct-POE-ber?) but if I’m being completely honest – my students want and need a new spin. Check out these suggestions and let me know what other examples you have! 1. Use strong YA titles. I think one of the best ways to get students interested in a genre study is to bring out the contemporary versions. There are so many young adult titles to choose from, but some of my favorites are Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson, We Were Liars by

Daily Agenda Slides for the Secondary ELA Classroom

Utilizing daily agenda slides in your secondary English Language Arts classroom provides a good foundation for strong and consistent classroom routines. I love how a few minutes of organization can bring organization and clear expectations into my class. These slides are also an integral part of managing work for absent students. Read on for more information about how I use daily agenda slides in my own classroom. What is a daily agenda slide? A daily agenda slide is just a slide you pop onto the screen for each class, each day. Yup, each and every one. That may sound like a lot of work and commitment, but I promise it just becomes another habit for getting your class ready for

Banned Books Week Activities for High School English

The month of September is a great time to add Banned Books Week activities to your English Language Arts classes. Each year, the American Library Association and related organizations host Banned Books Week the last week of September. I was always surprised to find that my students weren’t aware of the current state of book banning even in our own district. Read on to learn about some of the ways I brought banned books week into my own classroom. What is Banned Books Week? Banned Books Week, usually celebrated the last week of September, is a collaborative response to “highlight the value of free and open access to information”. The year 1982 had an increase of challenged books. It even

10 Argumentative Writing Activities That Are NOT Another Paper

When it comes to teaching argumentative writing, many teachers default to the traditional five-paragraph essay—but that doesn’t have to be the case. While structured essays have their place, effective argumentative writing instruction can include so much more than just formal papers. If you’re in the middle of an argumentative writing unit or planning one soon, it’s worth exploring creative alternatives that allow students to showcase their understanding in fresh, engaging ways. You don’t need to assign a full essay every time you teach a skill like counterclaims, evidence, or rhetorical appeals. In fact, mixing in alternative argumentative writing activities—like persuasive letters, video responses, podcasts, or speeches—can deepen student engagement and improve overall learning outcomes. These formats still reinforce the key

How to Use One Pagers to Assess Student Understanding in Secondary ELA

The One Pager Project is a creative and engaging way to assess student understanding on a variety of topics. This blog will explain exactly what a One Pager is, how to use one, provide you with plenty of One Pager examples, and even give you the opportunity to grab a free One Pager template. While you may think this looks like a simple project at first, you’ll be surprised to find that the One Pager combines both artistry and analysis which can really help your students think creatively and deeply about a text. Let me show you how a One Pager can transform the way you think about assessing your students. What is a One Pager Project? The concept of

Creative Writing Activity for Secondary Students: Roll a Stories

When I was beginning my narrative writing unit this year for my 9th grade English Language Arts class, I knew I needed to figure out a way to get students engaged with a unique creative writing activity. There are always so many excuses as to why students don’t want to write narratives. Most of the time, students tell me they just “don’t know what to write.” I knew it was essential that I incorporated a lot of activities that would allow students to think creatively and practice their writing skills. This activity is especially helpful in getting students’ brains moving when writing creatively. All you need is a few good creative writing options, some dice, and a little luck! Read

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Why Ray Bradbury is Still Relevant in Secondary ELA

10 Ideas for Teaching Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

5 Spooky Story Activities for Your Secondary ELA Classroom

7 Activities to Study Edgar Allan Poe in Your Secondary ELA Classroom

5 Ways to Teach Mystery in Your Secondary English Language Arts Class

Daily Agenda Slides for the Secondary ELA Classroom

Banned Books Week Activities for High School English

10 Argumentative Writing Activities That Are NOT Another Paper

How to Use One Pagers to Assess Student Understanding in Secondary ELA

Creative Writing Activity for Secondary Students: Roll a Stories

Why Ray Bradbury is Still Relevant in Secondary ELA

10 Ideas for Teaching Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

5 Spooky Story Activities for Your Secondary ELA Classroom

7 Activities to Study Edgar Allan Poe in Your Secondary ELA Classroom

5 Ways to Teach Mystery in Your Secondary English Language Arts Class

Daily Agenda Slides for the Secondary ELA Classroom

Banned Books Week Activities for High School English

10 Argumentative Writing Activities That Are NOT Another Paper

How to Use One Pagers to Assess Student Understanding in Secondary ELA

Creative Writing Activity for Secondary Students: Roll a Stories

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