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ELA SBAC Test Prep for Grades 7-8: Characterization and More

Engaging 7th and 8th grade students in ELA SBAC test prep can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to literary analysis and characterization. I used to DREAD it. <— the polar opposite emotion of this Many teachers struggle to find clear, structured ways to ensure students are ready for the rigorous question types that appear […]

Engaging Career Activities for Middle School

Why Career Activities Are Critical in Middle School Middle school is a pivotal time for students to start thinking about their future careers. While they may not have all the answers, exposing them to different career paths helps spark curiosity, build confidence, and develop essential skills they’ll need in high school and beyond. Incorporating career […]

Task Cards & New Ebook – Big News for Busy Teachers

Big News for Busy Teachers: A Game-Changing Ebook + Redesigned Best-Selling Task Cards! Are you ready to take your teaching to the next level without spending endless hours planning and prepping? I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my brand-new ebook: “Design Smarter, Teach Better: Task Cards in Under 10 Minutes”! This one-of-a-kind guide empowers […]

Mastering Reading Comprehension Task Cards: Strategies for Middle and High School Classrooms

Reading comprehension is one of the most critical skills for students in middle and high school. Whether analyzing complex texts or preparing for state assessments, students need consistent opportunities to practice understanding what they read. One powerful tool for this is reading comprehension task cards. These versatile, compact learning aids can transform your classroom into […]

30 Fun and Engaging Emoji Riddles for Middle School Classrooms (Free Download!)

Looking for a quick and fun way to engage your middle school students? Emoji riddles are the perfect solution! These visual puzzles are not only entertaining but also a great way to spark curiosity and critical thinking in your classroom. Whether you need a warm-up activity, a brain break, or a team-building challenge, emoji riddles […]

10 ChatGPT Hacks Every Teacher Should Know

Teaching is a juggling act, and your time is one of your most precious resources… and thats why I am providing you with 10 ChatGPT Hacks Every Teacher should know! So… here enters ChatGPT—a powerful AI tool that can help you save hours each week while staying on top of lesson planning, grading, and classroom […]

10-Minute Test Prep Tips for ELA Teachers

As ELA teachers, test prep can feel overwhelming—especially when juggling everything else on your plate. But what if I told you that with just 10 minutes a day, you could prep your students for success on state tests and keep them engaged? Let’s dive into some quick and effective test prep strategies that fit seamlessly […]

Creative Ways to Use The Giver Discussion Questions in Your Classroom

As teachers, we’re always looking for versatile and meaningful resources to keep our students engaged. If you’re teaching The Giver by Lois Lowry, you know how much students benefit from rich, thought-provoking discussions. That’s why these The Giver discussion questions are a must-have in your teaching toolkit. Not only are they free, but they’re also […]

5 Creative New Year’s Activities to Kick Off Your ELA Class

Starting the new year strong is all about engaging your students and setting the tone for a productive semester. As an ELA teacher, you know the power of creative, time-saving activities that make your lessons memorable while building essential skills. In this post, I’m sharing 5 Creative New Year’s Activities to help you kick off […]

Engage and Collaborate: 3 Pre-reading Strategies to Energize Your Middle and High School Classrooms

As educators, we know that the key to unlocking a love for reading often begins before students crack open the first page of a text. Dynamic pre-reading strategies can spark curiosity, activate prior knowledge, and set the tone for deep engagement. In this blog post, I’m sharing three actionable pre-reading strategies that foster collaboration and […]

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