Category Archives: Teaching Ideas

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 →

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

5 Back to School Activities– with an ELA Twist

Posted on July 14, 2016 by msdickson

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

5 Strategies for Teaching Summer School

Posted on June 13, 2016 by msdickson

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

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 →

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

Winter Reading for the Secondary Classroom

Posted on January 16, 2016 by msdickson

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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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. It’s a story … Continue reading →

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

5 Creepy Short Stories for Halloween

Posted on October 25, 2015 by msdickson

Short stories area  great way to work in different themes or study of different literary devices.  And the holidays can provide some nice tie-ins, even at the secondary level. Here are some of my favorites that fit well around Halloween– … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Short Stories, Teaching, Teaching Ideas, Uncategorized | Tagged | 5 Comments

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