Planning a short story unit can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Here is a look at how I plan my short story unit. HINT: It requires backward planning! When I teach short stories, I like to use this close reading unit that follows along with these four steps.  Step 1: Start with a story. Select a story you want to read, and then select all of the stories you want to read. Your short story unit doesn't have to have tons of stories to make an impact. I usually include 4-5 stories. Step 2: Plan out your literary elements. Map out the strongest literary elements from each story and plan to focus on just those elements as you read each story. You'll want to select no more than three at the very most. In this phase of planning, try to make sure there isn't a huge amount of overlap. Yes, you can include the same element twice. However, in each story? That's too much! Instead, spread them out over the series of stories you select. Short Story Close Reading Unit Step ...

At the start of a new school year, I like to assign my students a personal statement as one of the first writing assignments of the year. However, I don’t just assign this to my students and set them free. Instead, I use this personal statement teaching unit to take time to teach my students all about personal statement writing. Teaching students, especially juniors and seniors, how to write a meaningful and effective personal statement is essential. Our high school students need to know how to highlight their strengths and write positively about themselves in an authentic and professional manner. It usually always happens like this. I’ll assign the personal statement in August. Students write their personal statements. And then in October or November when students start putting together their college essays, I remind them of their personal statements. And bingo! They have a stellar first draft of their college essay. personal statement teaching unit When I teach personal statement wr...

Lord of the Flies is one of those novels that offer a lot of punch in its brevity. There are deep themes on innocence, building civilizations, and the dangers of mob mentality. If you’re needing some ideas to refresh your lesson plans, read on. 1. Lord of the Flies Self-Grading Quizzes Self-grading quizzes via Google Forms are seriously a game-changer. Setting it up is a great way to quickly assess if students are keeping up with the reading or to assess comprehension. Students can immediately see their grades and you can collect real-time data. My digital chapter quizzes for Lord of the Flies includes a quiz for each chapter, the option to print, and the ability to adjust the point value to fit your class structure. 2. Lord of the Flies Mask Project Students can create masks to symbolically represent Jack (alluding to his face paint). It’s a way for students to dig deeper into the text and think about how they would symbolically represent Jack. You can go as in-depth as you are able,...

Speak is one of those powerful reads that, unfortunately, many students relate to. If not from personal experiences mirroring the main character, the reality of dealing with trauma and the fallout of PTSD, depression, and other ostracizing events. It becomes a deeply personal and empathetic read, so I make an effort to include it in my reading list throughout the year. Read on for activities and ideas to try in your own classroom. 1. Bookmark Analysis No one thinks about bookmarks. Make use of the usual strips of paper or bits of wrapper that are typically used and give students analysis bookmarks instead. Students will be able to participate in engaging analysis components as they read the novel. It’s fewer worksheets to print out, requires students to jot notes, and is easily accessible right in the book as they read. This bookmark idea is versatile, you can create whatever style and questions or requirements you’d like. If you’re not interested in starting from scratch, I have a nov...

The beginning of a new school year can be hectic for journalism teachers who are tasked with simultaneously teaching new journalism students who don’t have any journalism experience while also planning and publishing content for the school newspaper. If your class is anything like mine, it is a mix of returning and new students. This year, I only have three returning students, so it is almost like I am starting entirely from scratch. Here are the first five activities and lessons I am focusing on to help jumpstart my journalism class. 1. Staff Interview Activity One of the very first assignments I have my students do is partner up with a fellow staff member that they don’t know and interview them. This activity works on two things: first, it helps the class get to know one another. Secondly, it helps students proactive their interviewing skills in a low-stakes environment. For this activity, I have students come up with 10 interview questions, interview one another and do a quick write...