For an English teacher, there are few things more annoying and soul-breaking than assigning and working on and grading research papers written by 9th graders. I say this only because I was once rushed to the hospital with … [Read more...]
Lesson of the Day: The Great Depression and Of Mice and Men Research
April 2, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Common Core Lesson Plan of the Day: Speaking and Listening
March 12, 2014 By Leave a Comment
I was feeling pretty good about life. My "Cask of Amontillado" common core lesson plans went great. It went so well that several students apologized for having insulted me the week before, fearful that I would bury them … [Read more...]
Hyperbole and Tall-Tales: 10 Chuck Norris Facts for the ELA Classroom
March 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment
In honor of Chuck Norris' birthday, I give you some fine examples of hyperbole with an element of tall-tale. Chuck Norris has a vacation home on the sun. If you put a straitjacket on Chuck Norris, the straitjacket goes … [Read more...]
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...]
“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...]