Recent Blog Posts
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,…
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 finding…
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 Bulletin…
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 ideas…
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