Give modern spins to classic reads. While the classics are classics, they are also outdated and there are so many modern titles that are worthy of classroom time, so I've been creating a paired list of modern novels to classic works. Read on to see my suggestions for The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Classic Focus Angst and alienation prevail in this novel. The Catcher in the Rye has become a timeless coming-of-age story focusing on Holden Caulfield and the process of leaving childhood behind.  When students begin their study of this novel, I focus on a few major themes that I can mirror in my modern selections. Dealing with a phony world, and navigating the end of childhood are two central ideas, but there’s also alienation and the general angst Holden feels. Modern Pairings There are many options for this novel. That’s one of the best reasons to still teach classics; we still use them as inspiration! Depending on your class culture, the skill level of your students, and...

Teaching and incorporating creative writing in the secondary ELA classroom is oftentimes something that gets left out. Between all of the other content -reading novels and nonfiction, writing argument papers and analysis papers, and including vocabulary and grammar- it can be tough to include creative writing. However, it is important to dedicate some time to creative writing. Creative writing is a valuable skill that can help students express their ideas, emotions, and experiences in a unique and artistic way. Plus, it helps students access a different part of their brains that require imagination and creativity. Teaching creative writing can be a rewarding and challenging experience, as it requires a combination of imagination, technique, and guidance. When I teach creative writing in my classroom, I like to use this Narrative Writing Teaching Unit and assign my students a fictional narrative. Narrative Writing Teaching Unit   Here are some tips for teaching creative writing: Create...

Active learning promotes knowledge retention. Student-centered learning improves student efficacy. Cooperative learning contributes to classroom community. Increased engagement helps classroom management. Recently, I completed this Long Way Down Symbolism Analysis Stations activity with my sophomores, and the day was magical. My students actively participated in literary analysis and high-level discussion. They were engaged. As I stepped back and observed my learners, I made a mental note to incorporate more station work in my classroom. As I heard bits and pieces of my students discussing Reynolds’ use of symbolism and why it was effective, I also started thinking about some of the benefits of the activity. Setting up learning stations in the secondary ELA classroom, whether the high school English class or the middle school ELAR class, has many benefits for students. 1. Active Learning Incorporating station work into your instructional methods is a great way to get students up, out...

When it comes to teaching students how to write a research paper, there is one area where students struggle: writing a guiding research question. Oftentimes, their research questions are either too vague or off-topic. Teaching high school students how to formulate a research question is an important skill that will help students succeed not only on their research paper assignments but in other areas of their lives as well. A well-formulated research question helps students focus their research, determine the relevance of the information they seek, and effectively communicate the purpose of their research to others. It is the starting point for teaching students how to write a research paper . Research Paper Writing Teaching Unit Here are some steps for teaching high school students how to formulate a research question: Start by introducing the concept of a research question. Explain that a research question is a specific question that a student aims to answer through research. It shoul...

When teaching a whole-class novel, or even during independent reading projects, focusing on an inquiry-based approach is a great way to help students engage with the text. Inquiry-based learning is a teaching method that encourages students to actively engage with a subject by asking questions, seeking answers, and exploring different perspectives. This approach is particularly well-suited for the high school English classroom, where students are often asked to read and analyze complex texts and make personal connections with the texts. Here are some activities to use in your high school English classroom that will help you incorporate the inquiry process when reading a novel: Ask open-ended questions: Encourage students to ask questions about the novel as they read. These can be general questions about the plot, characters, themes, or setting, or more specific questions about a particular passage or event in the story. Create a class discussion: After students have had a chance to ask...