I wrote a post on this on Meredith's wonderful blog, Bespoke Classroom. Just click here to see the post! I'm busy getting ready for going back to school, but I'll post about my classroom makeover when I finish! ...
Read More about 9 Tips for Teaching AP Lit
Why I’m Obsessed with Guided Reading Notes
A few years ago, back in the first few years teaching at my current school, I was teaching on what was called an "overload" schedule. For those of you unfamiliar, it's the schedule they give you when all the money is gone. For three years I taught six out of seven periods, five preps a semester, ...
Read More about Why I’m Obsessed with Guided Reading Notes
Reflections and Insights From the 2018 AP Lit Reading
Last week I spent seven days in Kansas City grading 1325 essays in a giant room that was too cold and filled with over a thousand tired educators. And it was an amazingly wonderful experience.AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, ...
Read More about Reflections and Insights From the 2018 AP Lit Reading
My Journey Toward a Writing Center
Let me start by saying this story has a happy ending. But it begins in a very stressful way.The school year began like any other. I was blessed with an amazing group of sophomores to teach this year. They are kind, funny, and hard-working students. Unfortunately, they also qualify as the most ...
Read More about My Journey Toward a Writing Center
Word of the Week – A Year-Long Vocabulary Strategy
I'll admit it, I'm guilty of the cardinal sin of English teachers.I have given out a list of vocabulary words, told students to define the words, and given out a quiz the following week. Most English teachers have. It's not because we're trying to be lazy, I'm sure. It's just that between ...
Read More about Word of the Week – A Year-Long Vocabulary Strategy
Just Caught You Reading
Every spring, I go into the classroom next door and greet the ninth graders with that most dreaded news: they must complete summer reading. Our school implemented a summer reading program a few years ago as a way to engage students in doing something academic over the summer, and to make our ...
Read More about Just Caught You Reading