“Mending Wall” suggests that we reevaluate the walls we erect among ourselves, so we can instead draw closer over the values that we all treasure.
Tag Archives: High school
Ekphrastic Poetry Roundup
Integrate art and poetry For a twist on poetry that merges art study with creative writing, introduce students to ekphrastic poetry. Ekphrasis — the description of artwork in a poem — brings art into your classroom and into your students’ lives. I’ve taught ekphrastic poetry on several occasions to high school students in both EnglishContinue reading “Ekphrastic Poetry Roundup”
DAR Patriots of the American Revolution Essay Contest
High school essay contest Looking for a high school writing contest this fall? Look no further than the Daughters of the American Revolution’s (DAR) Patriots of the American Revolution Essay Contest. In my previous teaching position, a few of my high school students participated in this contest as part of our Writer’s Workshop routine. EnteringContinue reading “DAR Patriots of the American Revolution Essay Contest”
Beowulf Lessons for High School
Seven Beowulf Lesson Plans and Resources It’s that time of year again for British Literature teachers. It’s time for Beowulf! Have you started your journey into Anglo-Saxon poetry? My usual early fall Anglo-Saxon routine culminates with a three-week unit on Beowulf followed by a short unit on The Hero’s Journey. I didn’t always enjoy teachingContinue reading “Beowulf Lessons for High School”
Poetry Out Loud: Best High School Poetry Activity Ever
Poetry Out Loud builds students’ untapped talents Have you heard of Poetry Out Loud, (POL), the poetry recitation contest sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation? If you’re needing to inject some excitement into your ELA curriculum, dedicate some time to this contest. Last year, I made Poetry Out LoudContinue reading “Poetry Out Loud: Best High School Poetry Activity Ever”
Four Fun Back-to-School First Day Activities
Let students reconnect as they transition from summer to school Need a fun way to ease into the new school year? One where students can catch up with their friends, get to know you, and share a little about themselves at the same time? I’ve got four awesome, low-tech activities to help your kids reconnectContinue reading “Four Fun Back-to-School First Day Activities”
New Back-to-School First Day Activity
Arm in Arm by Remy Charlip gave me a world to fall into that didn’t always make sense, that was colorful, and full of possibility. And best of all… absurdity was allowed.
Five Bell-Ringers for Middle Grades and High School
A Week’s Worth of Bell-Ringers Bell-ringer activities are a great way to start class, get kids settled in, and ready to learn. And I should probably clarify that perhaps I’m not using the term “bell-ringer” accurately. While these five activities could be used as true bell-ringers, with students starting them independently as soon as theyContinue reading “Five Bell-Ringers for Middle Grades and High School”
Writing Contest: 2023 YoungArts Submissions Now Open
Add YoungArts to my growing list of student writing contests! It’s prestigious, career-building, and open for submissions until October 14.
New Poetry Lesson for High School: Poetry Transcription
Transcribing, slowing down, reading the poem word by word, and pausing to clarify something allowed the poem the time needed to sink in and brew, so we could contemplate the poet’s choices and her reasonings for those choices.