Author Archives: msdickson

Giveaway!

For back to school, a bunch of Teachers Pay Teachers sellers, including myself, have gotten together for a give away.  Read more about it at http://languageartsclassroom.com/2016/07/back-school-annual-giveaway.html as well as about how to enter. I have contributed one of my products … Continue reading

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How to Differentiate With Literary Essay Writing

There they sit.  Some twenty to thirty students, just finished with a piece of literature and ready to receive instructions for writing a literary essay.  While, in theory, they should all be writing at or around grade-level, in fact, students … Continue reading

Posted in Secondary Writing, Smooth Classroom, Teaching, Teaching Ideas, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Back to School as a Nomadic Teacher

Back to school means setting up the classroom.  Pinterest is already full of amazing ideas for desk arrangement, alternate seating options, bulletin board ideas, and themed decorations.  It’s an exciting time… Unless you are a Nomadic Teacher (or Cart Teacher).  … Continue reading

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5 Back to School Activities– with an ELA Twist

I enjoy getting to know my students.  But I also feel pressure to make sure all activities are learning something.  My time is limited– and in the alternative classroom, there was little or no homework: assigning it was pointless because … Continue reading

Posted in Fun Projects, Secondary Education, Teaching, Teaching Ideas, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Strategies For A Flexible Start of the Year

If your roster is ready, then you know you can jump right into your course content.  Most everyone who is in your class is already on your list– and probably even in attendance the first day or so of school. … Continue reading

Posted in Secondary Education, Smooth Classroom, Teaching, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

5 Terms I Don’t Use– In or Out of the Classroom

While these terms are not quite worthy of the LSSU’s Banned Words List, they are words that I don’t use in, or out, of my classroom in reference to teaching.  I admit sometimes being a just a little bit literal, … Continue reading

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5 Strategies for Teaching Summer School

Aside from the fact that summer school inevitably fell during the 20 most beautiful days in July, I rather enjoy teaching summer school.  I’ve always been big on second chances.  Plus, I tried to make it as fun for me … Continue reading

Posted in Secondary Education, Teaching, Teaching Ideas, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Give Students a Voice on Standardized Testing

No one likes standardized testing.  Students have to suffer through testing.  They often suffer from the pressure of needing to perform, anxiety over how much or little they know, and the stress of getting scores back.  In addition, they have … Continue reading

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5 Ways to Make Students HATE Poetry (and 5 Things They’ll Like)

Follow this sure fire method to make sure your students come to hate studying poetry in class, or better, reading it at all! Continue reading

Posted in Secondary Writing, Teaching, Teaching Ideas, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Winter Reading for the Secondary Classroom

Even secondary students can enjoy themed assignments.  Not the snow-flake or pumpkin adorned worksheets of primary grades, but themed content done age-appropriately.  It’s much easier to read and imagine winter stories when there is snow on the ground, in my … Continue reading

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