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!
Tag Archives: back to school
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”
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”
Preparing for the First Days in Secondary ELA
Whether you’re coming into a new classroom for the first time or coming back to the same one, the beginning of the school year can be an overwhelming and stressful time! I always take a few minutes to sit at my desk before touching anything and prioritize what needs to be done before my newContinue reading “Preparing for the First Days in Secondary ELA”
My Alternative to AR (Accelerated Reader) for Secondary ELA
AR hopes to solve the age old question: How do we motivate students to read? For primary grades, a points-based system for students can be fun. “Gamifying” something “boring” like reading can help some students. However, in my opinion, AR for secondary ELA (6th-12th grades) falls short. Disadvantages of AR: The disadvantages of AR inContinue reading “My Alternative to AR (Accelerated Reader) for Secondary ELA”
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