Recently, I invited readers to a chance to submit questions about the upcoming school year. I told them I would answer the questions (as best as I could) and try to offer some advice as we all prepare to return back to school.I will admit, I got more questions than I expected! And while there were a ...
Read More about Your Questions Answered – The Back to School Edition
Reflections on Last Year’s Lesson Planning Risks and Changes
I’m writing this mid-July, which means I have about 5-6 weeks of summer left. At this point, I usually start thinking about lesson planning for the upcoming school year with a little less fear and a bit of anticipation. One topic I wanted to talk about before I switch gears into the new school year ...
Read More about Reflections on Last Year’s Lesson Planning Risks and Changes
Reflecting on the Reading: The 2024 Prose Prompt Review
The only other time I scored for the AP Lit prose question was the infamous Zenobia question of 2018 (taken from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Blithedale Romance). Although many students misinterpreted the nature of that relationship, I remember really loving the Zenobia prompt. This year, I enjoyed ...
Read More about Reflecting on the Reading: The 2024 Prose Prompt Review
Teaching AP English Literature for the First Time
As a first year AP Lit teacher, what do you wish someone had told you before teaching AP English Lit?It’s the second weekend in May and the AP English Lit exam just released the FRQ prompts from the test this week. Most teachers are winding down the school year and reflecting on its highs and lows. ...
Read More about Teaching AP English Literature for the First Time
Vocabulary to Know for Teaching AP English Lit
Since the 2019 update to the CED, many teachers are wondering what literary terms the students need to know going into the exam. These are the words mentioned directly or indirectly in the CED. Remember that, according to the College Board, these are the only literary terms that could show up on the ...
Read More about Vocabulary to Know for Teaching AP English Lit
10 AP Lit Test Prep Activities For Any Time
As I write this, it’s only two and a half weeks before the AP Lit exam. Many teachers are scrambling for test prep activities to fit in, while others integrate those activities all year long. No matter which route you take, there’s room for review at any time. Here’s a list of 10 activities that ...
Read More about 10 AP Lit Test Prep Activities For Any Time