If you want to "flip" your classroom, feel free to use the Hero's Journey Resource Page. We're gonna head to the almighty Internet for today's lesson of the day. I use it to introduce The Odyssey and hearken back to it … [Read more...]
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...]
Nevada Schools Worst in Nation at Giving Students Chance for Success
January 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment
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...]
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...]