Blog ⋆ Page 11 of 12 ⋆ Samantha in Secondary

Day Before Thanksgiving Break Activities for Secondary English Language Arts Students

As a middle school and high school student, I remember looking forward to the day before Thanksgiving break. Everyone was always cheerful and there were usually fun activities to do! Even as a teacher, I now love implementing plenty of entertaining classroom activities for my students that aren’t just another movie. Don’t get me wrong, movies are great, but I like to encourage activities that foster connection and strengthen classroom culture. Below are some ideas for your middle school or high school ELA students that accomplish those goals for day before Thanksgiving break perfection! Write Letters of Gratitude I love having my students write letters to people they love to express their gratitude. We usually break out the markers and

7 Independent Reading Assessments for High School English

As a high school English teacher, a robust independent reading program has always been a staple of my classroom and coming up with unique independent reading assessments to make sure students have actually read was always a difficult task. Allowing students to have a say in their reading is an incredibly motivating tool. Students are much more likely to be engaged in class if they are interested in the text. This leaves teachers with a problem. If we are letting students choose their own novels, how do we know they actually read? Here are some ideas for assessing choice reading for your secondary students! #1: One Pagers One Pagers are a popular form of independent reading assessment because they allow

10 Halloween Activities for High School English

Halloween is a great time to infuse engaging and fun activities in your high school English class. Even the big kids love to get into the spooky lore of the season. Whether you’re focusing on literature and incorporating the great Edgar Allan Poe or you want to give your students a scare with real haunted folklore, these ideas are sure to add a little haunted flair to your lesson plans. #1: Real Life Ghost Stories I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been fascinated by real life ghost stories. I love to go on haunted tours when I’m in a new place! I find it’s a great way to learn about the history of any location and have a

Social Justice Novels for Secondary Students

In these turbulent times, introducing middle school and high school students to novels that advocate for social justice is imperative. I imagine, as a young person, it can be very difficult to understand and process all of the injustices happening around the United States. It is hard even as an adult. Books can be especially helpful during times like these, so I wanted to post a few of my favorite titles for both Middle Grades and High School. These books are specifically geared towards social justice and the fight for equal rights for Black people in the United States. Although there are many marginalized groups in the country, these books are specific to understanding the current climate. I have personally

7 End of the Year ELA Activities for Your Secondary Classroom

End of the year ELA activities can be tricky in middle school and high school ELA. Everyone is tired (students and staff alike) and just wants to hit the reset button and start fresh again next year. Although it can be difficult to win the battle with fatigue, the end of the year provides a unique opportunity to bond with your students and end your year on a high note. Here are a few of my favorite activities to help you engage your students until the very last day. #1: One Pagers Giving students a chance to demonstrate what they know with a high quality assessment is always a good idea. Assigning a high-interest summative can be an incredibly powerful

5 Ways to Enhance Classroom Culture with a Classroom Library

Classroom libraries can be so much more than just a place to store books because a classroom library truly can help you enhance classroom culture. If you leverage your classroom library in the right way, you can use it to build a robust culture of reading. Giving your students unbridled access to the right books at the right level can unlock the reader inside of each of your students. In addition, putting just a few personal touches on your classroom library can help you connect with your students in an authentic way. If you are still working on building your initial classroom library and are trying to figure out how to get the best books, please read this post for

How to Find the Best Books for Your High School Classroom Library

Creating a classroom library is a significant endeavor, particularly when it comes to selecting the best books for a high school classroom. For many educators, the task can seem daunting, especially if they are uncertain about where to begin. Initially, I was skeptical about the necessity of a library for high school students. However, as my collection grew and I observed the positive impact on my students, I came to understand that classroom libraries are essential, regardless of the students’ age or grade level. A well-stocked library can serve as a cornerstone of an enriching educational environment, fostering a love for reading and providing valuable resources for learning. Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to enhance your existing

5 Game-Changing High School Valentine’s Day Activities Your Students Will Love

Planning high school Valentine’s Day activities can feel like walking a tightrope. On one side, the holiday’s traditional themes might seem a bit too cliché or gimmicky for older students. On the other, it’s hard to deny that our teens often enjoy a little festive break from their routines. As educators, the challenge lies in striking the right balance—celebrating the holiday in a way that’s fun, engaging, and meaningful without letting it derail the focus of the classroom. That’s exactly why I’ve curated a collection of Valentine’s Day activities designed specifically for secondary classrooms. These activities not only embrace the spirit of the holiday but also keep learning and engagement front and center. Whether you’re looking for creative writing prompts,

Gratitude Activities for Students

November is always such a strange amalgam and while things can get difficult chugging along until Thanksgiving break, it is the perfect time to infuse gratitude activities for students. Everyone is tired in November – very, very tired. You haven’t had a real break since August and you’ve been clinging to the glimmer of Thanksgiving since the end of September. We’ve all been there. Enter November. The air gets crisp, the leaves become beautiful, and you’re reminded that even though your body is aching for rest, there is so much room for gratitude every day. This time of the year reminds us that not only do we need to be grateful for what we have personally, but our classrooms probably

5 Tips for Using a Book Tasting to Encourage Independent Reading

Conducting a Book Tasting is one of my favorite lessons of the year. It combines the things I love most about teaching – creativity, collaboration, and most of all, BOOKS! If you have never heard of a Book Tasting, the goal of the activity is to allow students to self-select novels for an independent reading assignment or literature circles. Students are grouped and then given time to explore novels at each table. This is consistently one of both me and my students’ favorite activities of the year. Below are 5 tips (and some bonus grouping suggestions) to help you run a successful Book Tasting with your classes! Tip #1: Collaborate Enlist your Media Specialist to help you conduct this activity.

Books

Lit Circles

Projects

Reading

Writing

Lesson Plans

Books

Lit Circles

Projects

Reading

Writing

Lesson Plans

Day Before Thanksgiving Break Activities for Secondary English Language Arts Students

7 Independent Reading Assessments for High School English

10 Halloween Activities for High School English

7 End of the Year ELA Activities for Your Secondary Classroom

5 Ways to Enhance Classroom Culture with a Classroom Library

How to Find the Best Books for Your High School Classroom Library

5 Game-Changing High School Valentine’s Day Activities Your Students Will Love

Gratitude Activities for Students

5 Tips for Using a Book Tasting to Encourage Independent Reading

Day Before Thanksgiving Break Activities for Secondary English Language Arts Students

7 Independent Reading Assessments for High School English

10 Halloween Activities for High School English

7 End of the Year ELA Activities for Your Secondary Classroom

5 Ways to Enhance Classroom Culture with a Classroom Library

How to Find the Best Books for Your High School Classroom Library

5 Game-Changing High School Valentine’s Day Activities Your Students Will Love

Gratitude Activities for Students

5 Tips for Using a Book Tasting to Encourage Independent Reading

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