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”
Category Archives: fun
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”
National Poetry Month Activities for Secondary ELA
April is National Poetry Month! This is a great time to get your students thinking, reading, and writing all things poetry. Here are a few low-prep ideas to get you started. Read the poem-a-day at Poets.org. Poets.org: Poets.org is produced by the Academy of American Poets. It is the original online resource for poems, poets’Continue reading “National Poetry Month Activities for Secondary ELA”
Favorite March Resources for Secondary ELA
Hi teachers! It’s nearing the end of February and March is already next week! Before we get to spring break, there’s plenty of fun holidays and activities that you can celebrate in your secondary ELA classroom. Reading Bingo Challenge March is National Reading Month! If your school celebrates Read Across America Day on March 2,Continue reading “Favorite March Resources for Secondary ELA”
Thanksgiving Activities for Secondary ELA
With the changing weather and the excitement of winter break just around the corner, this time of year means that students can get pretty squirrelly! Luckily, teaching students about Thanksgiving and the meaning of gratitude translates well into the secondary ELA classroom and there are plenty of important lessons to be had (and keep themContinue reading “Thanksgiving Activities for Secondary ELA”
Halloween Writing Activities for Secondary ELA
This time of year can bring out the writer in anyone, provided they have the right inspiration. My students love anything Gothic, spooky, and mysterious and definitely have their own ideas for a good ghost story. Here are some of my favorite Halloween resources for this time of year. Each of these require no prepContinue reading “Halloween Writing Activities for Secondary ELA”
Engaging Vocabulary Activities for Secondary ELA
Sometimes teaching vocabulary can be a slog. Beyond the normal dictionary activities, Frayer model worksheets, and flashcards, what else is there? Here are a few engaging ideas for mixing up your vocabulary review in your classroom! Tarsia Puzzles Everyone likes a good puzzle. Giving students a chance to manipulate pieces with their hands gives themContinue reading “Engaging Vocabulary Activities for Secondary ELA”
End of the School Year Activities for Secondary ELA
Hi teachers! The end of the school year can definitely be a memorable time, but it can certainly be exhausting (mentally and physically!) What’s most important to remember is that you keep your students BUSY. Have a plan in place for what those days look like, otherwise, chaos will ensue (no joke, the energy onContinue reading “End of the School Year Activities for Secondary ELA”
How to Hold a Mock Trial in Secondary ELA
Why do a mock trial in secondary ELA? Mock trials can be one of the most memorable activities you do all school year! They are meant to be used as a fun summative assessment at the end of reading any complex text. Students are assigned different roles within the trial and must research the bestContinue reading “How to Hold a Mock Trial in Secondary ELA”
Games and Manipulatives for Secondary ELA
Hi teachers! Getting hands-on in the secondary ELA classroom is easier than you think. When students can organize information at their own pace and with others collaboratively, magic happens! Here are a few ideas for incorporating games and manipulatives in your lessons! Roll a Question Resources With these resources, students roll two dice to getContinue reading “Games and Manipulatives for Secondary ELA”
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