If you teach middle or high school English but struggle with getting students excited about literature, you should try a mystery novel study, especially if you enjoy mysteries or puzzles yourself. Your students do not have to share this joy in order to get involved in a good mystery novel. Chances are that once this […]
Daisy Filler
Mrs. Filler, or Savage Fill to her students, has been teaching high school English for a decade. In addition to the standard core English class, she has taught inclusion, honors, accelerated honors, and AP Language and Composition. Sometimes, she teaches creative writing and reading intervention. Her love of teaching comes second to her love of family.
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Opinion
From Blemish to Beauty: Healing from Tragedy
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] A few days ago, our school received the tragic news that we had lost one of our own – a young student who was well-liked and respected by students and teachers […]
Posted inFeatured, New Teacher Bootcamp
Preparing for a Substitute
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] It happens. You have to take a day (or more) off from school. Sometimes you can plan ahead, and other times you face unexpected circumstances. In steps a substitute to fulfill […]
Posted inClassroom Management, New Teacher Bootcamp, Parents
Dealing with Difficult Parents
A hazard of our profession is dealing with difficult parents or guardians from time to time. (For the sake of simplicity, allow “parents” to refer to whoever has legal guardianship throughout the remainder of this article.) Sometimes difficult parents are attached to difficult students; sometimes difficult parents are attached to wonderful students. Imagine the following […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Parents
Working with Struggling Readers at Home
For most of us, summer is already here. Your child has survived the school year and is ready to move onto other things – video games, camp outs, vacation, sleeping in late, etc. However, if your child struggles with reading, your child cannot afford to completely take the summer off. Following are tips I have […]
Posted inCommon Core, Current Events in Education, From the Front Lines, The State of Education
The State of Education: State of Fear in Small-Town Tennessee
The area in which I teach can be viewed from the outside as your typical agricultural region: farms, tractors, cowboy boots, Southern accents, etc. Newcomers feel wary of the locals and of being treated like outcasts; meanwhile, locals feel wary of newcomers and of being treated like simpletons. Truth is, life is more complex than […]
Posted inCommon Core, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Teaching Students How to Analyze Text
With Common Core standards on the rise, many ELA teachers are concerned about teaching students how to analyze text closely. Text analysis constitutes referring back to a text to find evidence to support a conclusion. Evidence can be direct or implied, with implied evidence being the more challenging. Students new to this concept, especially younger […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Opinion
Administrators, Listen to Your Teachers Before Assigning Classes
I do not pretend that I can fulfill the role of an administrator. In fact, I have no desire to become an administrator – I do not want that kind of stress. I respect those who effectively transition to the part; we need you! Instead, I would like to offer some advice to administrators that […]