The weeks before a break always seem like the longest. The kids are restless, I’m restless, and we all understand that all we’re really doing is biding our time until that last bell before break. Thanksgiving is a different type of beast altogether though. My district gives an entire week, the first real break … Read moreWhat I Teach the Week Before Thanksgiving
We can’t have enough lessons over speeches or the rhetoric within those speeches. There is no end to it. The least we can do is have fun. So… I created a lesson, analyzing Trump’s victory speech and Obama’s victory speech. I wanted to give students a look at a speech that is heavy in rhetoric … Read moreTrump vs. Obama: Analyzing Rhetoric
Before I create a unit, I always create a Pintrest board to generate ideas. I find that it’s the easiest way for my chaotic mind to organize something as complex as lesson building. Anything and everything I find that relates to the topic goes onto the board. I then filter through relevant materials and start … Read moreResources for Teaching Anthem by Ayn Rand
When it comes to evaluating students at the beginning of the year, I find that analysis is one of those topics that get swept under the rug. We assume that by high school, students have already learned these skills, and yet we find out, year after year, that that is not the case for some … Read moreAnalysis Overview
The two philosophies of collectivism and individualism are heavy throughout Anthem by Ayn Rand. When I decided to teach this book, I researched both ideas and knew that if I wanted the kids to understand these heavy concepts, I was going to have to simplify and condense. And what better way to simplify and condense … Read moreTeaching Collectivism and Individualism for Anthem by Ayn Rand
In Texas we have this handy dandy standard: (11) Reading/Comprehension of Informational Text/Procedural Texts. Students understand how to glean and use information in procedural texts and documents. Students are expected to: (A) evaluate text for the clarity of its graphics and its visual appeal; and (B) synthesize information from multiple graphical sources to draw conclusions about the ideas … Read moreIncorporating Infographics into the ELA Classroom: Writing an Essay
Here we go again… 1. “What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness” by Robert Waldinger Okonkwo is obviously an unhappy man. Turns out the key to happiness is the relationships we build. I guess someone should tell Okonkwo that… 2. “How movies teach manhood” by Colin Stokes I love the ideas … Read more4 TED Talks to Use While Teaching Things Fall Apart
Yes, I know it’s March. But I just found my PowerPoint and so I’m sharing now. 1. History vs. Christopher Columbus by Alex Gendler Why do we still celebrate this holiday? This animated TED ED talk goes into what’s not taught in elementary school about Columbus. Cliff Notes: he was a bad dude. 2. Can … Read more3 Videos to Use During the Holidays in the ELA Class
I can’t believe I’m about to talk about fear and mystery right after Valentine’s Day, but here goes. 1. What Fear Can Teach Us by Karen Thompson Really great TED Talk about how instead of shying away from our fear, we should embrace them, turn them into stories, and then act upon them. 2. Vampires- … Read more5 TED Talks to Use with the Theme of Fear and Mystery
I love Disney. Honestly, at this point, it’s probably a bit irrational. My husband doesn’t understand it. My kids don’t understand it. But Disney movies in the 90s were the companion to an only child, i.e. me. So anytime I can go back to my happy place I will. Therefore, I use a lot of … Read moreUsing Mulan to Teach Gender Stereotypes