Teachers, looking for a short story that can evolve into a two or three day lesson? Take a look at “Tender” by Cherline Bazile, which appears in The Best American Short Stories, 2023. Bazile’s story tells of two Black immigrant students who become friends in their predominantly white high school. The story details the girls’…
Writing News: I am a published poet!
I am proud and humbled to have two poems published in the 2024 Caldwell University literary magazine, Calyx. While my primary focus is fiction, life events inspire me to wax poetic once in a while. One poem, “A Little Bit of Everything” is a memory of my grandmother and all the little things about her…
Teacher Inspiration
Teacher Inspo: Hearing from a former student One of the best parts of being a teacher is hearing from a former student. Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending an art show for a former student who is graduating as an art major at Montclair State University. I was honored that Salena invited me, and…
Teacher Resource: All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat
Teachers, looking for something different for the end of the school year? Immerse your classes in the incredible true account of the Thai boys’ soccer team that was trapped in a flooded cave six years ago with Christina Soontornvat’s All Thirteen. Their dramatic and risky (understatement) rescue is truly a miracle of people working together…
What I’m Reading: Careful What You Wish For by Hallie Ephron
I don’t usually read “novels of suspense” but I am an Ephron fan (especially of Nora Ephron), so I gave this book a try, and I’m glad I did. Yes, it was suspenseful but not at Silence of the Lambs intensity – although it does involve a storage locker. There was enough suspense to keep…
A Gem of a Poem: Do You Carrot All For Me? by Anonymous
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in A Gem of A Poem, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
Teachers, looking for a creative poetry lesson? Try having students create poetry using homonyms – or near homonyms – that work together. “Do You Carrot All For Me?” is a perfect example. Students will see that the goal is not perfect matches, but words that go together in a theme that are close enough to…
Independent Reading: The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in Care Givers, For Kids, Independent Reading, What I'm ReadingLeave a Reply
Looking for a fun adventure that would be also work for a book report? Try the Doctor Dolittle books by Hugh Lofting. In The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, readers meet Stubbins, a boy who becomes the doctor’s apprentice, and is also the narrator of the story. Dolittle is the world’s first environmentalist, and first animal-advocate.…
Teacher Resource: Board Games to cure boredom
Teachers, looking for a “year in review” type of activity that will keep your classes engaged? Ask students to pick one reading from the school year – short story, novel, play – and turn it into a board game. Students can create a “Candy Land” type of path with symbols, colors, playing pieces, etc. This…
What I’m Reading: Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout
I’ve just finished reading Elizabeth Strout’s Lucy by the Sea, and as with her other novels, I enjoyed its calm pace and window into the domestic lives of its characters. Strout’s “Lucy” series is not for readers who prefer more action-driven novels. Lucy is a protagonist who readers watch doing very domestic, simple things, and…
Teacher Tuesday: “The Fly” by Katherine Mansfield
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in A Classic to Consider, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
Teachers, looking for a short story to teach symbolism? “The Fly” by Katherine Mansfield (author of “A Dill Pickle”) may work nicely in your lessons. The story is also historical fiction – set after World War 1 in England – and would complement an historical unit on war. Mansfield’s word choices, details, and narrow point…
