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There is something truly magical about a classroom buzzing with the sound of students actually talking  about books. Literature Circles have always been a staple for fostering independence, but the real challenge is moving students past "what happened" in the plot to "why it matters". That is why I am so excited to share these Lit. Circles Reflection Logs ! This resource isn't just a set of worksheets; it’s a toolkit designed to spark deep engagement and turn every reader int

I often feel that my organizational powers have two settings: “Rocking It” or “Struggling to Survive.” Those moments when I’m in the former setting feel like I could rule the world. I might as well be wearing golden bracelets, because Wonder Woman and I are one and the same. Then I slip to the latter, and my mind feels like a Rubik’s Cube that can never be solved. The Virgo in me cries when I succumb to these chaotic ways. After forgetting to submit October hot lunch orders f

Heads up: Some links in this post are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you!). I’m welcoming 30 new students this week as we start Term 2 at my high school. For most of my classes, we continue the curriculum established in Term 1. For my Academic Literacy course, though, I get a new batch of 9th through 12th graders each term. This class is a favorite of mine to teach, and since I’m the only one teach

After more than a decade in the classroom, The Great Gatsby  remains one of my absolute favorite novels to teach. It offers a literal buffet of literary elements to analyze, making the unit incredibly rich for students. However, because there are so many intricate pieces to pull apart, it can often feel overwhelming to decide what to prioritize and what to leave behind. To ensure students never miss a key element, I developed a Chapter-by-Chapter Unit Packet . This resource

Let’s be honest: teaching students how to write a formal analytical paragraph can sometimes feel like pulling teeth. However, I’ve found a secret weapon that turns "I don't get it" into "Can we write another one?": Bluey . This lesson is a great way to put the theoretical learning of analytical writing into practice in a way that students feel in control. The episode “Bike”  is a masterclass in storytelling and a perfect vehicle for teaching thematic messages. By watching t

Gift giving can be a joyous, bonding experience for so many people. For me, though, it often feels stressful. We all seem to have more than enough “stuff,” so adding one more item to someone’s home can feel unnecessary. That said, when I do find a gift I know the receiver will truly love and appreciate, the experience brings genuine joy. For the women in your life, I hope one or more of these gift ideas does exactly that. This article includes Amazon affiliate links. If you c

I am constantly searching for gifts that will work my children's minds without them even realizing. In our home, we don't believe that screens are the worst thing imaginable for our children, but we believe strongly in filling different buckets in our life. Did we get outside and move today? Did we read a book? Did we do something artistic? Did we have some down time? We may not fill every bucket every day, but it's about balance for us. Do our kids get too much screen time s

My sons, ages 5 and 7, have many interests, but sports is a constant in their lives  no matter the time of year. If you are shopping for a sports-loving kid in your own life, check out these ideas below. Heads up:  The Amazon affiliate links provided will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Fourth Down We actually received this game last Christmas and it quickly became our winter break go-to. You could argue this game doesn’t have much to do with actual footba