Category Archives: Secondary Writing

Reasons to (Still) Use the Five Paragraph Essay in High School and Beyond (Even for Advanced Learners)

Posted on March 13, 2017 by msdickson

The five-paragraph essay is a formulaic, bland, rigid model.  But it is also an incredibly structured, challenging guide.  It is a tool that can either stifle a writer or push them towards growth.   I have something of a love-hate relationship … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Secondary Education, Secondary Writing, Testing | Leave a comment

Skip the Book Report! Analyze and Create Instead!

Posted on February 26, 2017 by msdickson

After finishing a novel reading, whether whole group or individual, it’s great to have an activity to wrap up.  While book reports and other retelling projects, are a common choice, especially when dealing with multiple or student selected books, they … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Fun Projects, Secondary Education, Secondary Writing, Teaching, Teaching Ideas | 1 Comment

Personal Writing Topics for Back to School

Posted on August 15, 2016 by msdickson

Personal writing is a good way to get to know students a little better (and safer for certain students than many ice breaker activities.)  Another bonus to using personal writing at the start of a year or semester is using … Continue reading →

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

How to Differentiate With Literary Essay Writing

Posted on July 30, 2016 by msdickson

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 →

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

Posted on March 18, 2016 by msdickson

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 →

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5 Activites for Teaching A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Posted on December 3, 2015 by msdickson

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a story that tends to fit nicely in the two or three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Depending on the class and the time available, the activities included may vary. But I always … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Secondary Writing, Short Stories, Teaching, Teaching Ideas, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

I’m Thankful for the Thanksgiving Rap or Rhyme

Posted on November 15, 2015 by msdickson

We always have a short week before Thanksgiving break.  At least two school days, sometimes three.  The students are incredibly difficult to focus.  I’ve found that even if I can engage them in our  current task (unit, story, etc.), they … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun Projects, Holidays, Secondary Education, Secondary Writing, Teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

5 Activities for LSSU’s Annual Banished Words List

Posted on October 21, 2015 by msdickson

Each year, Lake State Superior University gathers and releases their Banished Words list.  Selecting overused and worn out words from the lexicon to be done away with and spare our ears/ eyes.  Of course, it’s just good fun.  Here are … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun Projects, Secondary Education, Secondary Writing, Teaching, Teaching Ideas, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment