For many teachers in the Silver State, constantly being told that your state is the worst in education can be somewhat demoralizing, so as yet another report comes out about how crappy Nevada's schools are, there's bound to … [Read more...]
Nevada Schools Worst in Nation at Giving Students Chance for Success
January 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment
A Quick and Easy Common Core Writing Assignment
January 8, 2014 By Leave a Comment
My good friend and award winning yearbook editor Bill Tobler hounded me for about six weeks over some silly writing assignment he wanted my students to do for inclusion in this year's edition of the FHS yearbook. He gave … [Read more...]
Poems for Valentine’s Day
January 6, 2014 By Leave a Comment
There are few things more annoying for a high school teacher than the silliness of Valentine's Day. I'm referring to the constant interruptions of love-grams, obstacle-like balloons and flower arrangements littering classroom … [Read more...]
“The Black Cat” Teacher’s Guide with Lesson Plans and More
December 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
You're probably in the throes of Christmas cheer, but when Christmas Break is over and the new year has rolled around, you're gonna be darn sick and tired of all those cheery, cheesy stories that abound during the holidays. … [Read more...]
Christmas Short Stories and Poems for High School
December 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Let's stop pretending it's not Christmas season. Here are some good short stories, poems and other Christmassy literary works to teach during the holidays. "The Gift of the Magi" by O' Henry. I'll admit I get a little … [Read more...]
Good Books Made into Good Movies for the Classroom
November 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
In honor of the awesomeness that is Catching Fire, I bring you this list of literary works turned movies suitable for the classroom. It is a difficult thing to turn a great book into a great movie. It is even more … [Read more...]
The Ender’s Game Movie: SparkNotes on the Big Screen
November 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I really don't have a problem with SparkNotes. In fact, when I was preparing for my Master's examination board, I had to review about 20 novels. Although I had read all of the novels on the list (I chose them, after all), … [Read more...]
Great Stories and Poems for Halloween
October 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Looking for something good to teach this Halloween? "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe. Nothing screams Halloween like black cats and the master of suspense. Check out these teaching ideas for teaching suspense in … [Read more...]
The Best Things about Teaching in Nevada
October 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment
In honor of Nevada Day, officially October 31 and recognized this year on October 25, I give you the best things about teaching in Nevada*. Teachers are done at 2 p.m. Las Vegas, Nevada's largest city, is a 24-hour town, … [Read more...]