Secondary ela

Have you been wanting to try stations in your Secondary ELA classroom but aren't sure where to start? Read through this quick post where we share 8 station ideas and how to use them with your ELA students.

How to facilitate successful Socratic Seminars in the secondary ELA

Part way through some lesson last year, I said that my students should “let it go.” I don’t remember what “it” was, exactly, but I remember two or three students jumped up and threw their arms out and sang the line from Frozen. Then, one started making up new lyrics for the song based on my lesson. It was ridiculous and funny and it all happened so fast. See, the thing is that we connect with music, and we don’t have to be particularly musical to do it. Music gets inside our heads and makes…

If books are a uniquely portable magic, then podcasts are the wizard in your pocket. When you find interesting podcasts for teens that they want to listen to, you will open up a whole new world of literacy for secondary students. Did you know that podcast listeners are 29% more likely to have a household ... Read More about Why You Should Be Using Podcasts in Secondary ELA

10 ideas for planning engaging novel units: creative, engaging lesson ideas for your next whole-class novel unit

As students head back to school, ELA teachers everywhere are considering how they are going to begin the school year, so I wanted to walk you through one of my favorite lesson plans entitled, “Why do we read?” As an educator, there are few things as exciting and rewarding as introducing a young person to […]

Learn how to implement a rigorous and engaging character analysis puzzle project in your middle school or high school ELA classroom.

Simplify writing instruction! Writing Tip for the Secondary ELA Teacher: When teaching writing in middle school and high school, break it down and simplify it. This writing strategy will help students become stronger writers by focusing on essential skills one at a time. Teaching Writing | Teaching Tip | Teaching Writing Tip | Middle School Writing | High School Writing | Writing Activities for Secondary ELA | Writing Instruction

Have you been wanting to try stations in your Secondary ELA classroom but aren't sure where to start? Read through this quick post where we share 8 station ideas and how to use them with your ELA students.

Get organized with a daily and weekly ELA plan so that you feel confident and prepared. Planning the structure of a class period varies by unit. Start here!