Welcome to the YA Reads Newsletter! Every month we’ll shout out a few new releases (and some old favorites too!) that we think have a place in your #classroomlibrary. We love all sorts of books and we especially LOVE #inclusivebooks and #lgbtqbooks. This email includes affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Each time you make a purchase, we’ll get a small kickback from Bookshop at no cost to you. We use these earnings to pay for website maintenance so that we can keep bring you great...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Hiya, Reader In case you’re totally shaking in your boots without a plan for tomorrow, here are three last-minute Halloween-ish lesson ideas. Watch “Lock Up” by Bloody Cuts Films - This short film has all the trappings of a longer horror film in a three-minute video. You can split students up, and have them analyze camera angles, lighting, and sound. Grab your totally free Symbolism Analysis lesson, and get some Tootsie Roll Pops on your way to school. The worksheet is optional–I’ve also had...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Heya, Reader Okay, so, I always say I love teaching persuasive techniques, right? But really, students are already swimming in persuasive techniques and have been their whole lives: Kids’ cereal boxes with BRIGHT colors and energetic characters, right at eye-level? Commercials that show “cool kids” playing with even cooler toys? Insanely pretty influencers telling them about this hot new product? Yeah, they’ve been exposed, over and over. Our job is to give them language to identify these...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Heya, Reader Okay, so, I always say I love teaching persuasive techniques, right? But really, students are already swimming in persuasive techniques and have been their whole lives: Kids’ cereal boxes with BRIGHT colors and energetic characters, right at eye-level? Commercials that show “cool kids” playing with even cooler toys? Insanely pretty influencers telling them about this hot new product? Yeah, they’ve been exposed, over and over. Our job is to give them language to identify these...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Heya, teacher friend! We talk a LOT about short stories on the blog because they are accessible, short, and often truly memorable. That’s a powerhouse combination to help all learners enjoy literature. Over at the blog, Carina has curated five short stories to help students understand internal and external conflict. I love this list—it’s to the point and super effective. We have streamlined our blog post style to make sure you get the amazing resources you need more quickly. Here’s one...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Heya, Reader, Halloween is a GREAT season for ELA teachers! From “vaguely autumnal” to “full of horror,” there are a ton of exciting lesson ideas awaiting. Here are some of my faves: 🍬Practice analyzing symbolism using Tootsie Roll pops 👹Research the depiction of monsters throughout the ages 🧪Read an article about the science of fear 👻Play a spoooooky digital adventure set in a haunted mansion (or is it?) Grab all of these lessons and more in this Halloween Activities Bundle for 25% off!...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Heya, Reader Have you ever tried to have a “group discussion” and it just ended up being you and the most talkative kid in class? Me too. Here are three group discussion configurations that will actually get introverts and extroverts talking. Snowball This is sort of like “Think-Pair-Share” but with an extra step. Students mull over a discussion question alone, then share with a partner. That pair joins another pair to discuss. That quad joins another quad to discuss, etc., until you have a...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hiya, Reader, Do you love TV? Chances are your students do, too! Here are two blog posts to help you find the PERFECT TV episode to support what your students are studying. ✨ 15 TV Episodes to use in Secondary ELA ✨ 15 (more) TV Episodes to use in Secondary ELA For each recommendation, I share ideas for literary elements to highlight or themes to analyze. There are even style suggestions, like using an episode of Adam Ruins Everything to study persuasive speaking. Happy teaching! -Danielle...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hiya, Reader, Do you love TV? Chances are your students do, too! Here are two blog posts to help you find the PERFECT TV episode to support what your students are studying. ✨ 15 TV Episodes to use in Secondary ELA ✨ 15 (more) TV Episodes to use in Secondary ELA For each recommendation, I share ideas for literary elements to highlight or themes to analyze. There are even style suggestions, like using an episode of Adam Ruins Everything to study persuasive speaking. Happy teaching! -Danielle...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read