For years, I have used a Poem of the Week as part of my poetry instruction in AP Literature. Last year, because the pandemic resulted in hybrid instruction and only 50% (or fewer) of my kids were in class at a time, I wanted to be sure that I put
I don’t exactly know when I started using them, but warm up activities for high school English are key in my book. Over the years, I have called them a number of things: warm ups, bell ringer activity, bell work, and class starters. They all do the same thing. They
Long ago, I was introduced to the 3 2 1 strategy for the classroom. It is really such an easy fit for any classroom, elementary through high school because it is quick, easy and can require very little prep. What is the 3 2 1 teaching strategy? Simply put, the
As high school teachers we are always looking for ways to engage our students in authentic and creative ways. And we love engagement that has sneaky outcomes as well. Collaborative annotations is one of those tools we have that can really get kids thinking, while increasing the level of inquiry
One thing that saved me during hybrid teaching is Jamboard™️. Jamboard™️ has been such a great way for my students to actively participate whether they are at home or in the classroom. And yet, as we transition back into a more a “regular” school year, Jamboard for teaching English can
My English teacher heart was nearly bursting the other day as my AP seniors came in ready to write a timed essay. Students had worked in books clubs. This day was at the end of the unit after the students had completed their choice books. Two students were weighing the
When my kids come in to AP® Literature as seniors, they often tell me that they hate poetry. And yet, poetry is a big part of the course. According to the the AP® Literature and Composition Course and Exam Description, the teaching of poems should be about a third of
That High School Teachers Should Steal from Elementary High School is a different beast from elementary school. We see hundreds of kids a day for 40-80 minutes. Those kids tend to think for themselves and to be less eager to please. They have lots of responsibilities outside of school which
The beginning of the school year is hard and wonderful at the same time. Teachers and students are so lucky because we get two opportunities a year to experience the invigoration of a new year and opportunities to think about how to recreate ourselves and be better. Here are 5
I love to start the school year with a Flash Fiction Unit. The brevity of these short stories make them a perfect way to begin the year. They allow you to do a diagnostic of student skills very quickly and force kids to rely on their own skills rather than
I help AP Literature and High School English teachers create engaging classrooms so that students will be prepared college and beyond.
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