The Scarlet Letter is better suited for college reading. That didn't stop my 10th grade teacher from teaching it to me; nor did it stop her from affixing a giant scarlet 'F' on my paper. I foolishly tried teaching it one year … [Read more...]
7 Scarlet Letter Lesson Plan for High School That Will Get You Fired
March 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Teaching The Scarlet Letter: Puritan Video Resources
March 3, 2017 By Leave a Comment
So what are you doing this weekend? Since I'm teaching The Scarlet Letter soon, I thought I'd throw together some print and video resources on the Puritans. Then maybe I'll party like Dimmesdale at the young abandoned wives … [Read more...]
Realism in Mark Twain’s Short Stories: The Realism of “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”
February 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The Notorious Principal of Wastemytime School District In compliance with the request of an administrator of mine, who sent me in an e-mail, I called on good-natured, garrulous old Mr. Teachtoolong, and inquired after my … [Read more...]
9 High Interest Short Stories for High School Students
February 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment
An Occurrence at Owl Creek High School A man stood upon a teacher desk in northern Alabama, looking down into the not so swift students twenty feet below. The teacher's hands were behind his back, the wrists bound with a … [Read more...]
Hope for Cleveland Browns Fans: A (Very) Creative Writing Assignment
January 30, 2017 By Leave a Comment
**This post originally appeared on December 11, 2015 when it seemed as though things could not get worse for my beloved Browns. But they did. As the Super Bowl approaches, it's time to bring it back. This is an optional … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day Short Stories for High School with Valentine’s Day Lesson Plans
January 26, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Valentine's Day evokes various reactions among high school students. Most of these reactions have one thing in common: overreaction. Use the holiday to your advantage by teaching short stories that involve realistic (and not … [Read more...]
Teaching ELL Students in an ELA Classroom: Edgar Allan Poe in Espanol
January 23, 2017 By Leave a Comment
It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved my students. Many had wronged me. Many had given me insult. … [Read more...]
Christmas Short Stories and Poems for High School
December 5, 2016 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...]
Thanksgiving Short Stories for Middle School or High School
November 8, 2016 By Leave a Comment
If you're like me, you thought, "Hey, it's Thanksgiving soon! I think I'll teach Thanksgiving short stories for middle school or high school." So you did a web search for "Thanksgiving short stories for middle school or high … [Read more...]
“The Fall of the House of Usher” Movie with Lesson Plan
October 26, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Halloween approaches and your students are acting more ghoulish than usual. You're getting tired of fighting their tricks and want to give them a Halloween treat without compromising learning.Or maybe it's a random Friday … [Read more...]
