Let’s be honest: sometimes the hardest part about taking a day off isn’t the reason you need it… it’s the sub plans. Whether it’s a sick day, a mental health day, or one of those mornings where life just happens, teachers often feel pressure to either push through or spend hours writing detailed plans. AndContinue reading “Emergency Sub Plans That Still Teach: When You Need a Day Without the Guilt”
Author Archives: Stacey Wassif
Turn Your Classroom Into a Museum: For Any Historical Novel or Time Period
If you’re looking for a meaningful, engaging way to wrap up a history unit or historical fiction novel, let me introduce you to one of my favorite end-of-unit projects: the Historical Artifact Museum Research Project. This is the kind of project that students remember for years after they’ve completed and experience it, and one thatContinue reading “Turn Your Classroom Into a Museum: For Any Historical Novel or Time Period”
5 Spooky Stories for Your Secondary ELA Classroom This October
October is the perfect time to lean into the spooky side of literature. Middle and high school students love a good chill, and spooky stories offer just the right mix of suspense, intrigue, and teachable moments. Whether you’re looking for classics that pack a literary punch or a creative activity that gets your students writing,Continue reading “5 Spooky Stories for Your Secondary ELA Classroom This October”
3 Essential Authors to Read for Hispanic Heritage Month in Middle School
Hispanic Heritage Month is on September 15-October 15. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the voices, stories, and perspectives that have shaped American literature. As English teachers, we have the unique chance to highlight authors who not only reflect diverse backgrounds but also connect with students on themes of identity, honesty, growing up, and findingContinue reading “3 Essential Authors to Read for Hispanic Heritage Month in Middle School”
5 Classroom Management Essentials for the Secondary Classroom
Looking for simple tools that make a big difference in your classroom? These six everyday essentials—from a sticky note seating chart to a Redcat microphone—help keep my secondary ELA class running smoothly. Practical, affordable (well, mostly!), and teacher-tested. Grab ideas you can start using tomorrow to simplify your routine!
Meaningful Classroom Decor for Secondary ELA
Let’s be honest—secondary students can sniff out a “fluff” poster from across the room. That’s why meaningful, content-rich decor matters. In an ELA classroom, wall space shouldn’t just be pretty—it should spark thinking, support learning, and build classroom culture. Here are some of my favorite go-to resources for decorating with intention: Reasons to Read BulletinContinue reading “Meaningful Classroom Decor for Secondary ELA”
Five ELA Activities for Early Finishers
It’s the reality in most secondary ELA classrooms with heterogenous populations that you’re going to have some students finish their assignments earlier than others. What do you usually have these students do?? Most ELA teachers will say, “I just have them read,” but if you want to kick it up a notch with some ideasContinue reading “Five ELA Activities for Early Finishers”
How to Get Students Excited About the State Test
In my state (California), we administer the CAASPP state test to students. No matter where you teach, if you teach in a public setting, you probably have a state test to get your students ready for. Going over the content of the state test is all well and good, but getting them in the rightContinue reading “How to Get Students Excited About the State Test”
Review Games for Multiple Choice Questions for Secondary ELA
Engaging middle school students in review activities can sometimes feel like a daunting task, especially when faced with the challenge of preparing them for THE BIG STATE TEST 😬 Fortunately, there’s a powerful tool in every teacher’s arsenal: multiple-choice review games. These games not only make reviewing content more enjoyable but also encourage critical thinkingContinue reading “Review Games for Multiple Choice Questions for Secondary ELA”
Back to School Night for Secondary ELA
Back to school night is formatted differently for every school, but for every teacher, this is your first chance to make an impression on parents and guardians. Even though it might seem intimidating or a slog to get through, it is an amazing opportunity to show everyone who you are and what your class isContinue reading “Back to School Night for Secondary ELA”
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