Spark a Learning Revolution, Throw Out the Gradebook

This post written by Matt Brisbin originally appeared on APLitHelp.com and has been updated for this repost. “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” – Albert Einstein I want to tell you about an idea that has the potential to completely … Continue Reading

Summer Work: My Shift from Mandatory to Optional

When Gina Kortuem asked if I would be interested in a crosspost about summer work, I immediately answered yes because my summer work has slowly morphed over the last few years. I was not at all surprised when I read Gina’s post Why I Ditched Summer Reading to see that she and I have been … Continue Reading

The UnInstagrammable Classroom

A couple of weeks ago I outed myself as having an UnInstagrammable classroom by posting these pictures in the FB group and received c the response. Like minded souls followed up with pictures and comments of solidarity from their classrooms with stacks and piles of who even knows what all. Shout out to the few … Continue Reading

O Brave New (AI) World

Last week I overheard a conversation from a group of students that went something like this: Student 1: I really think I should apply to College X as a backup school but don’t have time to write or revise my essay to the school’s prompt, so I guess I won’t. Student 2: Well if it’s … Continue Reading

Top 10 Books from 2022

I’m finally finding my way back to reading after the pandemic disrupted my reading rhythms and ability to concentrate, but I’m far more relaxed about tracking and pushing myself to read more. Now I’m more concerned with reading what I want, when I want, and not feeling guilty if I’m not setting “reading records.” So … Continue Reading

Teaching Sonnets and Disrupting Sonnets

This post by Adrian Nester originally appeared on APLitHelp.com in March of 2019. I’ve added some additional resources at the end. When I received my copy of Terrance Hayes’ book American Sonnets for my Past and Future Assassin I decided that I wanted to freshen up my sonnet unit to look beyond the traditional sonnets. … Continue Reading

Micro Horror

Here’s a quick lesson I’ve put together for Halloween that will serve two purposes. First, we’ve been pushing ourselves the last three weeks digging into our choice novels and need something a little out of the routine and fun. (All work and no play make Mrs. Barber and AP Lit students a dull crowd). Second, … Continue Reading

Indigenous People Literature

Indigenous People Literature by Susan Barber Happy Indigenous People Day! I wanted to highlight some texts by indigenous authors that I use in class. There are so many other works that could be on this list, but here’s a start if you’re looking to add indigenous voices to your curriculum. There, There by Tommy Orange “If you … Continue Reading

Choice Reading – One…

We’re finishing our first choice novel in class, and I always have questions from teachers about how I run choice reading. How do you know … Continue Reading

Teaching Structure in Poetry

Our first poetry unit is Counting Descent by Clint Smith and our first official lesson on structure was this week. I LOVE teaching structure because it’s one of the few concepts that students have very little exposure to or experience with in their prior lit classes. If they have had experience with structure, few know … Continue Reading