I teach a course that ends with a big standardized exam at the end. The first few years I taught it, I used to do test prep by the book. I gave my students a sample exam each quarter. They had 42 minutes to complete 40 of the 55 multiple-choice questions and I counted the … Continue Reading
I am the first to admit that sitting down to plan lessons is not my favorite part of teaching. I love spinning my wheels waxing creative about how I can make literature come alive for my students, yey all that energy takes place in my head rather than on paper. Almost every year I vow … Continue Reading
The poor short story – overlooked, under-appreciated, and neglected. Ask an English teacher what they teach and a litany of novels is sure to follow. Poetry has more prestige as well. Six poets have recited poems at presidential inaugurations, but no one has embraced the podium to read a short story. I, too, have brushed … Continue Reading
Teaching tone is a difficult thing, especially to high schoolers. Since it is such a challenge, it doesn’t get its due diligence but it is one of the most important literacy skills a reader needs to possess. Here are some common problems I have run into in my classroom when teaching tone: They don’t know … Continue Reading
I know that your back pocket has a bunch of tried and true poems, but maybe there’s room for a few more. Here are five poems all written in the last 25 years that are hidden gems. Maybe you can unwind with one each day at the end of your teaching day. Maybe you want … Continue Reading
Names and numbers. I say that to my students over and over again — their college application is just a series of names and numbers. Names Numbers And while all those names and numbers will be a record of what they have done in high school, it will not show who they are. Their only … Continue Reading
Susan and I have always tried to build connections with teachers to make everyone’s classroom better. We are starting The Summer 6 in 6 Book Challenge because we want to push ourselves to read a new book each week this summer and we want to interact with great readers and teachers while we do it. We … Continue Reading
A few years ago I revamped my summer reading assignment. It marked an important departure for me. It was a significant step in my growth as a teacher. I’ll explain why, but first I want to share what I have done in years past. THE OLD SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT My summer assignment has gone through … Continue Reading
So many big test tips are generic. They include things like “get a good night of sleep the night before,” “read the questions before the passage,” and “eliminate wrong answers.” Rarely, does those tips provide a strategic plan to make a major jump in the days leading up to the exam. Here are eight ways … Continue Reading
Whenever I prepare my students for the AP Literature exam, I don’t really want it to feel like test prep. I want to take the stress out of it all. I want the experience to build confidence. I want the process, starting around February, to have no stakes or very low stakes; it should be … Continue Reading
