Category Archives: Teaching

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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5 Activites for Teaching A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

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

I’m Thankful for the Thanksgiving Rap or Rhyme

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

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Why I Don’t Use Multiple Choice Questions

Creating and administering tests is used as an important gauge of student learning by teachers, parents, and administrators.  It’s not the only way, but it’s probably the most common.  In my classroom, when I have to give a test or … Continue reading

Posted in Assessment, Secondary Education, Teaching, Testing, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

5 Creepy Short Stories for Halloween

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

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