Teacher Tuesday: Tuck Everlasting

I couldn’t resist creating another post about the children’s classic novel, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt. Writing about it last week reminded me of fun moments in my classroom when my sixth graders and I analyzed the novel. We drew a Ferris wheel on the chalkboard (yes, I’m that old) and placed the characters from…

Art in the Classroom: Norman Rockwell’s High Dive

Norman Rockwell’s High Dive is the perfect choice for a ‘back to school’ writing assignment. Writing prompts can be: what I did over the summer; when I did something I was afraid of; when I accepted a dare; when I did something because everyone else was doing it. The possibilities are endless. The boy’s expression…

Short Story Spotlight: “Hearts and Hands” by O. Henry

Summer is the perfect time for teachers to look for new material to enhance their lessons for the upcoming year. As an educator in higher education, I have more flexibility than many teachers in middle school and high school. That being said, adding a short story or poem that is not in the curriculum may…

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…

Teacher Tuesday: “The Fly” by Katherine Mansfield

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…

A Gem of a Poem: “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost

Robert Frost poetry is accessible to students, provides writing inspiration, and demonstrates a variety of poetic techniques. “Nothing Gold Can Stay” is a true gem for many reasons. Yes, it is quoted in S.E. Hinton’s YA novel, The Outsiders, but when fans of the book take pause and examine why Hinton chose this poem to…

Art in the Classroom: Starry Night by Van Gogh

When I taught middle school, Fridays were days when I wanted to do something different. After sticking with the curriculum for the other four days of the week, I looked to Fridays for creativity, inspiration, a relaxed atmosphere. Often, we would arrange our desks in a circle rather than rows, and I would call our…

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