Remember that time you watched a Facebook video and gave up sugar for a whole week? Or was it gluten? It was probably wine. OK, so that didn’t stick but don’t feel bad; you did agree to donate to that charity. And the proceeds from those cookies you bought went to a really good cause. Speaking of cookies, how often have you picked up a lifestyle magazine and convinced yourself you could be the next Martha Stewart? Also, why do they always put the health and fitness magazines right next to the check out? That’s where I pay for my candy bars! ‘They cancel each other out, though’. That’s what I tell myself when I add them to my basket. I know I’m not the only one guilty of impulse purchases. Be honest… what about those gorgeous, super uncomfortable shoes you never wear but bought because they were on sale? Or the time you ordered that exercise equipment with complete confidence that it would transform you into a supermodel/olympian. Oh wait, maybe that was me… My point is (and I promise you, I do have one) – whether we’re aware of it or not – our choices aren’t as free as they seem. So many of our decisions, every single day, are guided by other people. Usually marketing executives. Sometimes journalists. Occasionally politicians and activists. More frequently celebrities and social media ‘influencers’. Even friends and family have the power to persuade us to change our behavior, think like they do, or ‘call your mother once in a while’. The fact that persuasion is so prevalent in every aspect of our culture means there are a ton of ways you can teach it using fun, relatable, and relevant examples that your students will respond to. In fact, I’ve got eight creative ideas right here! FREE LESSON FOR TEACHING PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES 1. Analyze print advertisements Even in this digital age, printed advertising isn’t slowing down. Whether it’s giant billboards, or flyers through our letterboxes, you have thousands of persuasive examples to choose from. But I’ve found that one of the best way to engage teenagers is to bring in magazines that appeal to their specific areas of interest and comb through the many (many) pages of adverts. You know your students, so pick a selection of sports, exercise, music, fashion… whatever you think they’ll connect with! 2. Pay attention to current political discourse Youtube is a modern goldmine for recorded speeches. Search for rallies, press conferences, debates, or state addresses to link your lesson to current affairs. But don’t limit yourself to politicians; activists are among the most savvy public speakers. Check the number of views and comments each speech has received for an idea of how effective and influential they’ve been. 3. Evaluate historical speeches Analyzing persuasive language of the past is a great opportunity for cross-curricular projects. Have a chat with the history teachers and find out what they have planned for their lessons. The Civil Rights Movement? An obvious choice would be Martin Luther King, Jr. The Cuban Missile Crisis? Look to John F. Kennedy. The Second World War? Look to Winston Churchill. The Women’s Rights Movement? You can’t do much better than Sojourner Truth. [Click here to view resources on analyzing rhetoric in speeches] 4. Embrace the season If you coincide your lessons with seasonal celebrations, your students will carry on making connections and building awareness even outside the classroom. Big events like the Super Bowl, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and the Olympics are all great opportunities to talk about the power of advertising. While your students watch seasonal commercials, get them to write down all the techniques they spot, like persuasive language bingo! 5. Look to Shakespeare Your students might not realize that persuasive language techniques are prevalent in fiction too, but it’s a great way to interject a language lesson into a literature study. One of my favorite ‘cross-over’ lessons involves Macbeth; Lady Macbeth is the consummate manipulator. But there are so many other examples of Shakespearean characters who use persuasive language to devastating effect – like Iago in Othello, or Claudius in Hamlet, or Cassius in Julius Caesar. 6. Look to the big (and little) screen In my experience, students love any excuse to watch TV in class! Which is lucky as TV and movies are full of fantastic examples of persuasive language. War films are always a good bet for rousing speeches, but my favorite clips to watch and deconstruct with my students are always the closing speeches in courtroom dramas. Persuasive Language Techniques CARDS 7. Turn your students into Ad Execs Encourage your students to learn by doing. Ask them to pick a product or an idea – something they’re passionate about – and design their own advert using persuasive language techniques. This is always a big hit in my classroom; my students jump at the chance to use their creativity in such a free and independent way. 8. Host a debate No study of rhetoric would be complete without a debate. After all, Artistotle defined rhetoric as ‘the art of argument’ so it really is the cherry on top of the persuasive language cake. There’s no better way for students to practice and show off their new persuasive skills and knowledge of ethos, logos, and pathos than to craft their own arguments. And to really get them fired up, the first debate can be choosing the debate topic! So, there you have it! Teaching rhetoric is one of my most favourite elements of teaching English because it is relevant, and all around us! What are your favourite ways for teaching persuasion? Looking for more resources for teaching RHETORIC? Check these out: Persuasive Essay and Propaganda Unit: Grades 7-12 by The SuperHERO Teacher Rhetoric, Propaganda, & Fallacies Flipbook: Mini-Lessons to Analyze Speeches by Secondary Sara Real Life Persuasion Lessons and Activities by Room 213 Persuasive Techniques Bell Ringers - Ad Analysis, Argument Writing, Music by Nouvelle ELA Persuasive Writing: Fidget Spinners by Presto Plans Ethos, Pathos, Logos: Understanding & Writing with Rhetorical Appeals by The Daring English Teacher Persuasive Writing - Graphic Organizers, Planning Pages, and Rubrics by Addie Williams

Remember that time you watched a Facebook video and gave up sugar for a whole week? Or was it gluten? It was probably wine. OK, so that didn’t stick but don’t feel bad; you did agree to donate to that charity. And the proceeds from those cookies you bought went to a really good cause. Speaking of cookies, how often have you picked up a lifestyle magazine and convinced yourself you could be the next Martha Stewart? Also, why do they always put the health and fitness magazines right next to the check out? That’s where I pay for my candy bars! ‘They cancel each other out, though’. That’s what I tell myself when I add them to my basket. I know I’m not the only one guilty of impulse purchases. Be honest… what about those gorgeous, super uncomfortable shoes you never wear but bought because they were on sale? Or the time you ordered that exercise equipment with complete confidence that it would transform you into a supermodel/olympian. Oh wait, maybe that was me… My point is (and I promise you, I do have one) – whether we’re aware of it or not – our choices aren’t as free as they seem. So many of our decisions, every single day, are guided by other people. Usually marketing executives. Sometimes journalists. Occasionally politicians and activists. More frequently celebrities and social media ‘influencers’. Even friends and family have the power to persuade us to change our behavior, think like they do, or ‘call your mother once in a while’. The fact that persuasion is so prevalent in every aspect of our culture means there are a ton of ways you can teach it using fun, relatable, and relevant examples that your students will respond to. In fact, I’ve got eight creative ideas right here! FREE LESSON FOR TEACHING PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES 1. Analyze print advertisements Even in this digital age, printed advertising isn’t slowing down. Whether it’s giant billboards, or flyers through our letterboxes, you have thousands of persuasive examples to choose from. But I’ve found that one of the best way to engage teenagers is to bring in magazines that appeal to their specific areas of interest and comb through the many (many) pages of adverts. You know your students, so pick a selection of sports, exercise, music, fashion… whatever you think they’ll connect with! 2. Pay attention to current political discourse Youtube is a modern goldmine for recorded speeches. Search for rallies, press conferences, debates, or state addresses to link your lesson to current affairs. But don’t limit yourself to politicians; activists are among the most savvy public speakers. Check the number of views and comments each speech has received for an idea of how effective and influential they’ve been. 3. Evaluate historical speeches Analyzing persuasive language of the past is a great opportunity for cross-curricular projects. Have a chat with the history teachers and find out what they have planned for their lessons. The Civil Rights Movement? An obvious choice would be Martin Luther King, Jr. The Cuban Missile Crisis? Look to John F. Kennedy. The Second World War? Look to Winston Churchill. The Women’s Rights Movement? You can’t do much better than Sojourner Truth. [Click here to view resources on analyzing rhetoric in speeches] 4. Embrace the season If you coincide your lessons with seasonal celebrations, your students will carry on making connections and building awareness even outside the classroom. Big events like the Super Bowl, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and the Olympics are all great opportunities to talk about the power of advertising. While your students watch seasonal commercials, get them to write down all the techniques they spot, like persuasive language bingo! 5. Look to Shakespeare Your students might not realize that persuasive language techniques are prevalent in fiction too, but it’s a great way to interject a language lesson into a literature study. One of my favorite ‘cross-over’ lessons involves Macbeth; Lady Macbeth is the consummate manipulator. But there are so many other examples of Shakespearean characters who use persuasive language to devastating effect – like Iago in Othello, or Claudius in Hamlet, or Cassius in Julius Caesar. 6. Look to the big (and little) screen In my experience, students love any excuse to watch TV in class! Which is lucky as TV and movies are full of fantastic examples of persuasive language. War films are always a good bet for rousing speeches, but my favorite clips to watch and deconstruct with my students are always the closing speeches in courtroom dramas. Persuasive Language Techniques CARDS 7. Turn your students into Ad Execs Encourage your students to learn by doing. Ask them to pick a product or an idea – something they’re passionate about – and design their own advert using persuasive language techniques. This is always a big hit in my classroom; my students jump at the chance to use their creativity in such a free and independent way. 8. Host a debate No study of rhetoric would be complete without a debate. After all, Artistotle defined rhetoric as ‘the art of argument’ so it really is the cherry on top of the persuasive language cake. There’s no better way for students to practice and show off their new persuasive skills and knowledge of ethos, logos, and pathos than to craft their own arguments. And to really get them fired up, the first debate can be choosing the debate topic! So, there you have it! Teaching rhetoric is one of my most favourite elements of teaching English because it is relevant, and all around us! What are your favourite ways for teaching persuasion? Looking for more resources for teaching RHETORIC? Check these out: Persuasive Essay and Propaganda Unit: Grades 7-12 by The SuperHERO Teacher Rhetoric, Propaganda, & Fallacies Flipbook: Mini-Lessons to Analyze Speeches by Secondary Sara Real Life Persuasion Lessons and Activities by Room 213 Persuasive Techniques Bell Ringers - Ad Analysis, Argument Writing, Music by Nouvelle ELA Persuasive Writing: Fidget Spinners by Presto Plans Ethos, Pathos, Logos: Understanding & Writing with Rhetorical Appeals by The Daring English Teacher Persuasive Writing - Graphic Organizers, Planning Pages, and Rubrics by Addie Williams

Remember that time you watched a Facebook video and gave up sugar for a whole week? Or was it gluten? It was probably wine. OK, so that didn’t stick but don’t feel bad; you did agree to donate to that charity. And the proceeds from those cookies you bought went to a really good cause. Speaking of cookies, how often have you picked up a lifestyle magazine and convinced yourself you could be the next Martha Stewart? Also, why do they always put the health and fitness magazines right next to the check out? That’s where I pay for my candy bars! ‘They cancel each other out, though’. That’s what I tell myself when I add them to my basket. I know I’m not the only one guilty of impulse purchases. Be honest… what about those gorgeous, super uncomfortable shoes you never wear but bought because they were on sale? Or the time you ordered that exercise equipment with complete confidence that it would transform you into a supermodel/olympian. Oh wait, maybe that was me… My point is (and I promise you, I do have one) – whether we’re aware of it or not – our choices aren’t as free as they seem. So many of our decisions, every single day, are guided by other people. Usually marketing executives. Sometimes journalists. Occasionally politicians and activists. More frequently celebrities and social media ‘influencers’. Even friends and family have the power to persuade us to change our behavior, think like they do, or ‘call your mother once in a while’. The fact that persuasion is so prevalent in every aspect of our culture means there are a ton of ways you can teach it using fun, relatable, and relevant examples that your students will respond to. In fact, I’ve got eight creative ideas right here! FREE LESSON FOR TEACHING PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES 1. Analyze print advertisements Even in this digital age, printed advertising isn’t slowing down. Whether it’s giant billboards, or flyers through our letterboxes, you have thousands of persuasive examples to choose from. But I’ve found that one of the best way to engage teenagers is to bring in magazines that appeal to their specific areas of interest and comb through the many (many) pages of adverts. You know your students, so pick a selection of sports, exercise, music, fashion… whatever you think they’ll connect with! 2. Pay attention to current political discourse Youtube is a modern goldmine for recorded speeches. Search for rallies, press conferences, debates, or state addresses to link your lesson to current affairs. But don’t limit yourself to politicians; activists are among the most savvy public speakers. Check the number of views and comments each speech has received for an idea of how effective and influential they’ve been. 3. Evaluate historical speeches Analyzing persuasive language of the past is a great opportunity for cross-curricular projects. Have a chat with the history teachers and find out what they have planned for their lessons. The Civil Rights Movement? An obvious choice would be Martin Luther King, Jr. The Cuban Missile Crisis? Look to John F. Kennedy. The Second World War? Look to Winston Churchill. The Women’s Rights Movement? You can’t do much better than Sojourner Truth. [Click here to view resources on analyzing rhetoric in speeches] 4. Embrace the season If you coincide your lessons with seasonal celebrations, your students will carry on making connections and building awareness even outside the classroom. Big events like the Super Bowl, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and the Olympics are all great opportunities to talk about the power of advertising. While your students watch seasonal commercials, get them to write down all the techniques they spot, like persuasive language bingo! 5. Look to Shakespeare Your students might not realize that persuasive language techniques are prevalent in fiction too, but it’s a great way to interject a language lesson into a literature study. One of my favorite ‘cross-over’ lessons involves Macbeth; Lady Macbeth is the consummate manipulator. But there are so many other examples of Shakespearean characters who use persuasive language to devastating effect – like Iago in Othello, or Claudius in Hamlet, or Cassius in Julius Caesar. 6. Look to the big (and little) screen In my experience, students love any excuse to watch TV in class! Which is lucky as TV and movies are full of fantastic examples of persuasive language. War films are always a good bet for rousing speeches, but my favorite clips to watch and deconstruct with my students are always the closing speeches in courtroom dramas. Persuasive Language Techniques CARDS 7. Turn your students into Ad Execs Encourage your students to learn by doing. Ask them to pick a product or an idea – something they’re passionate about – and design their own advert using persuasive language techniques. This is always a big hit in my classroom; my students jump at the chance to use their creativity in such a free and independent way. 8. Host a debate No study of rhetoric would be complete without a debate. After all, Artistotle defined rhetoric as ‘the art of argument’ so it really is the cherry on top of the persuasive language cake. There’s no better way for students to practice and show off their new persuasive skills and knowledge of ethos, logos, and pathos than to craft their own arguments. And to really get them fired up, the first debate can be choosing the debate topic! So, there you have it! Teaching rhetoric is one of my most favourite elements of teaching English because it is relevant, and all around us! What are your favourite ways for teaching persuasion? Looking for more resources for teaching RHETORIC? Check these out: Persuasive Essay and Propaganda Unit: Grades 7-12 by The SuperHERO Teacher Rhetoric, Propaganda, & Fallacies Flipbook: Mini-Lessons to Analyze Speeches by Secondary Sara Real Life Persuasion Lessons and Activities by Room 213 Persuasive Techniques Bell Ringers - Ad Analysis, Argument Writing, Music by Nouvelle ELA Persuasive Writing: Fidget Spinners by Presto Plans Ethos, Pathos, Logos: Understanding & Writing with Rhetorical Appeals by The Daring English Teacher Persuasive Writing - Graphic Organizers, Planning Pages, and Rubrics by Addie Williams

Tips for teachers for distance learning

Remember that time you watched a Facebook video and gave up sugar for a whole week? Or was it gluten? It was probably wine. OK, so that didn’t stick but don’t feel bad; you did agree to donate to that charity. And the proceeds from those cookies you bought went to a really good cause. Speaking of cookies, how often have you picked up a lifestyle magazine and convinced yourself you could be the next Martha Stewart? Also, why do they always put the health and fitness magazines right next to the check out? That’s where I pay for my candy bars! ‘They cancel each other out, though’. That’s what I tell myself when I add them to my basket. I know I’m not the only one guilty of impulse purchases. Be honest… what about those gorgeous, super uncomfortable shoes you never wear but bought because they were on sale? Or the time you ordered that exercise equipment with complete confidence that it would transform you into a supermodel/olympian. Oh wait, maybe that was me… My point is (and I promise you, I do have one) – whether we’re aware of it or not – our choices aren’t as free as they seem. So many of our decisions, every single day, are guided by other people. Usually marketing executives. Sometimes journalists. Occasionally politicians and activists. More frequently celebrities and social media ‘influencers’. Even friends and family have the power to persuade us to change our behavior, think like they do, or ‘call your mother once in a while’. The fact that persuasion is so prevalent in every aspect of our culture means there are a ton of ways you can teach it using fun, relatable, and relevant examples that your students will respond to. In fact, I’ve got eight creative ideas right here! FREE LESSON FOR TEACHING PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES 1. Analyze print advertisements Even in this digital age, printed advertising isn’t slowing down. Whether it’s giant billboards, or flyers through our letterboxes, you have thousands of persuasive examples to choose from. But I’ve found that one of the best way to engage teenagers is to bring in magazines that appeal to their specific areas of interest and comb through the many (many) pages of adverts. You know your students, so pick a selection of sports, exercise, music, fashion… whatever you think they’ll connect with! 2. Pay attention to current political discourse Youtube is a modern goldmine for recorded speeches. Search for rallies, press conferences, debates, or state addresses to link your lesson to current affairs. But don’t limit yourself to politicians; activists are among the most savvy public speakers. Check the number of views and comments each speech has received for an idea of how effective and influential they’ve been. 3. Evaluate historical speeches Analyzing persuasive language of the past is a great opportunity for cross-curricular projects. Have a chat with the history teachers and find out what they have planned for their lessons. The Civil Rights Movement? An obvious choice would be Martin Luther King, Jr. The Cuban Missile Crisis? Look to John F. Kennedy. The Second World War? Look to Winston Churchill. The Women’s Rights Movement? You can’t do much better than Sojourner Truth. [Click here to view resources on analyzing rhetoric in speeches] 4. Embrace the season If you coincide your lessons with seasonal celebrations, your students will carry on making connections and building awareness even outside the classroom. Big events like the Super Bowl, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and the Olympics are all great opportunities to talk about the power of advertising. While your students watch seasonal commercials, get them to write down all the techniques they spot, like persuasive language bingo! 5. Look to Shakespeare Your students might not realize that persuasive language techniques are prevalent in fiction too, but it’s a great way to interject a language lesson into a literature study. One of my favorite ‘cross-over’ lessons involves Macbeth; Lady Macbeth is the consummate manipulator. But there are so many other examples of Shakespearean characters who use persuasive language to devastating effect – like Iago in Othello, or Claudius in Hamlet, or Cassius in Julius Caesar. 6. Look to the big (and little) screen In my experience, students love any excuse to watch TV in class! Which is lucky as TV and movies are full of fantastic examples of persuasive language. War films are always a good bet for rousing speeches, but my favorite clips to watch and deconstruct with my students are always the closing speeches in courtroom dramas. Persuasive Language Techniques CARDS 7. Turn your students into Ad Execs Encourage your students to learn by doing. Ask them to pick a product or an idea – something they’re passionate about – and design their own advert using persuasive language techniques. This is always a big hit in my classroom; my students jump at the chance to use their creativity in such a free and independent way. 8. Host a debate No study of rhetoric would be complete without a debate. After all, Artistotle defined rhetoric as ‘the art of argument’ so it really is the cherry on top of the persuasive language cake. There’s no better way for students to practice and show off their new persuasive skills and knowledge of ethos, logos, and pathos than to craft their own arguments. And to really get them fired up, the first debate can be choosing the debate topic! So, there you have it! Teaching rhetoric is one of my most favourite elements of teaching English because it is relevant, and all around us! What are your favourite ways for teaching persuasion? Looking for more resources for teaching RHETORIC? Check these out: Persuasive Essay and Propaganda Unit: Grades 7-12 by The SuperHERO Teacher Rhetoric, Propaganda, & Fallacies Flipbook: Mini-Lessons to Analyze Speeches by Secondary Sara Real Life Persuasion Lessons and Activities by Room 213 Persuasive Techniques Bell Ringers - Ad Analysis, Argument Writing, Music by Nouvelle ELA Persuasive Writing: Fidget Spinners by Presto Plans Ethos, Pathos, Logos: Understanding & Writing with Rhetorical Appeals by The Daring English Teacher Persuasive Writing - Graphic Organizers, Planning Pages, and Rubrics by Addie Williams

Very good ideas for teaching persuasive language. The handouts do cost money, but the great ideas are free! " A blog post with teaching ideas for teaching rhetoric, and persuasive language techniques." " The fact that persuasion is so prevalent in every aspect of our culture means there are a ton of ways you can teach it using fun, relatable, and relevant examples that your students will respond to. In fact, I’ve got eight creative ideas right here!"

The ladies of the Coffee Shop are gearing up for back-to-school, and we want to share with you our favorite teacher hacks to help you ease back into the school year. Read our Back-To-School Teacher Hacks Espresso Shot below to get some ideas to have the best year yet! 1. When teaching middle/high school, we are dealing with teens and pre-teens who SO appreciate validation, encouragement and recognition. However, they get oh-so-awkward about this in person, so I make sure that at the start of the school year I have a stack of literary-themed postcards in my desk and make a point of regularly penning a quick note to slip into a students' work, into their book, or just onto their desk. Place them somewhere visible on your desk to remind you to do this throughout the whole school year! - Stacey Lloyd 2. One simple back-to-school teacher hack (that I wished I had known earlier) is to use either brightly colored tissue paper or colored plastic table cloths that can be used as a backdrop for a bulletin board. Not only are they an inexpensive way to decorate a classroom, but also an easy way to bring a burst of color onto an otherwise dull-looking bulletin board! - The Classroom Sparrow 3. My back to school teacher hack has nothing to do with my classroom, and everything to do with surviving the first week back. I don't know about you, but I find the first few weeks exhausting, and so I like to make sure I can do as little as possible when I go home. During the last week of vacation, I'll spend an afternoon making some meals that are easy to heat up with little preparation -- spaghetti sauce, chili, and one of my favourites: Cauliflower Chickpea Coconut Curry. I also get some things ready for my lunches -- I'll make a big pot of rice that I can mix with leftovers and chop and bag some veggies. If it's easy and ready to go, then I know I'll make good choices, rather than run out for a quick junk food fix! - Room 213 4. A few years ago, I was tired of my desk becoming a receptacle for post-it notes after only a few weeks back to school. To calm the paper monster, I started laminating a teacher desk planner with a calendar and to-do and reminder lists. I would attach it to my desk and fill it in with a dry-erase marker I kept close by. When an item was completed, I would simply erase it! I also used this method as a way to track missing student work and student library sign-outs. - Presto Plans 5. One of the most time consuming things before heading to school is having to select an outfit! My back to school tip would be to prepare your outfits for the week on Sunday evening so you can have ten-fifteen extra minutes of sleep time in the morning! You'll feel more organized and well-rested, plus you'll look extra fashionable when you have time to think about what you're wearing! Ps: I found this awesome rack at TJ Maxx. - The SuperHERO Teacher 6. One of the most helpful and organized areas of my classroom is my whiteboard weekly class schedule. I use this space to write an abridged version of the week’s lesson plans and homework assignments for each section I teach. Having this dedicated space in my classroom helps keep me organized and helps keep the students informed about classroom assignments and activities. This weekly class schedule is also very helpful when a student is absent and want to know what he or she missed. - The Daring English Teacher 7. I love color-coding, so I give each section I teach a different color. I use binder clips in that color to organize copies, I keep information for each class in colored file folders, and I label things with colored tape. One hack I use is to have students put a piece of tape on the spine of their Interactive Notebooks so that I can quickly see which notebooks belong to which class. This is a great way to find a "missing" notebook that's been misshelved. Can you spot the outlier in this photo? ;) - Nouvelle ELA 8. I love bulletin boards that are cumulative and don't need to be redone all the time! Progress bars are fun and motivational, like this Reading Challenge that we did a year ago. - Secondary Sara 9. I find the first week of school can be so overwhelming for me and my students as we try to get back into the school schedule. Like The Daring English Teacher, I do my best to help my students start off the year organized. I print out a calendar for the first two months of school and together we fill in all of the important events. For us it's a special schedule for the first week, school photo day, welcome back breakfast, senior parent night etc. I also post a big version of the calendar in my classroom and refer to it often as special events come up. The visual calendar and reminders helps my students keep on track. - Addie Williams

Hello fellow ELA teachers! The coffee shop gals would like to discuss what we, as teachers, wish our students knew. Whether it's about personal matters or academic matters, teachers know a lot about life. Check out what these English Language Arts teachers have to say: My students, I wish you knew how to cite, write, read, and speak, and these are the things I hope to teach you. Cite your sources when you support a claim (and for goodness sake, Google is NOT a source!). Write your name on your paper and write in your journal every day. When you are thirty (fifty, sixty), you won't remember that awesome joke your 9th grade BFF told. Read the chapter I assigned, and then read read read for fun - hide under your covers with a flashlight and read your favorite novel until 2 AM. Speak up in class, and take a few deep breaths before you give a speech. Stretch your fingers and do some yoga for the brain. Speak out for those who need your voice and stretch your legs in marches for those who need your strength. Be brave, be kind, and be wise. This, I hope you learn. -Nouvelle ELA My students, I wish you knew that everything is not always as it seems and that the grass isn’t necessarily greener on the other side. While it may look as if your friends or other students have it easy or all put together, that is not always the case. In a world filled with smokescreens and social media highlight reels, you might not ever truly know what people are going through, and for that reason, it is essential to always be kind and to treat one another with dignity and respect, whether you think they deserve it or not. Years after you graduate, you won’t ever regret taking the high road, though while in high school it might be one of the most difficult paths to take. -The Daring English Teacher I wish that you knew how much you hurt yourself when you let internet sites do the thinking for you. When I ask you to read or analyze a book, I want to know what YOU think. I want to know because what you think matters, but also because you give yourself such a gift when you stretch your brain and let yourself dig just a little deeper to figure something out. It's a gift that you can use forever. I'd much rather you come to class with a less than amazing answer that you came up with yourself, than one that you got from someone else. Trust yourself. Build your skills. And read the book!!! -Room 213 Students, I wish I could prove that detail and preparation matter. The reason we take time for proofreading, revision, practice, and rereading are all because the world will hold you to a high bar in life; I want you to be ready to succeed no matter what a boss, leader, or opposing viewpoint asks of you. These reasons are why you need to PREPARE for a speech, and not just wing it; why you need to reread your writing before pushing submit; why you need to take the time to research before giving an opinion; and why the "little" things like grammar, formatting, and design all stack up. Don't be afraid to be great, and don't avoid the habits that create greatness. -Secondary Sara To my students (past and future): There are so many things I wish you knew. 1. I wish you knew how much I truly, deeply care about each and every one of you and that I would do anything to ensure that you succeed at life in school and after graduation. 2. Perseverance, courage, and hard work PAY OFF! Literally. If you want to live a life free of worries, you need to focus on your future and dedicate time and effort in school right now. 3. I wish you knew that, as a teacher, I know and understand how challenging middle and high school can be. My door is always open and you can use my classroom as a safe haven at any time. 4. Lastly, I wish you knew why I became a teacher in the first place-- to change lives. I didn't become a teacher to bore you with grammar skills. I became a educator because my high school ELA teacher changed my life, and I want to have that same impact on you. Love, The SuperHERO Teacher Students, I wish you knew that you can still find the joy and passion for reading and writing that you had as a child before the practice became a requirement with instructions and restrictions. I want you to explore different texts to find ones that incite joy, curiosity, reflection, and connection. I wish you knew that becoming a reader often only requires finding the book that reflects your experience, makes a personal connection, or relates to your passion and urges you to find others like it. I wish you knew you could write without fear of judgement. When you put your pen to paper (or hands to your keyboard), I wish that you did so without hesitation as a means of expressing yourself, delving deeper into a topic, or creating your own world. -Presto Plans Students, I wish you knew that school is a stepping stone for life. Take advantage of the opportunities given to you: sports, school groups, volunteer opportunities, etc. Now is the time to get involved and try something new! These skills are not only great for you to learn, but also for your resume! Your teachers are helping to prepare you for life outside of school, so show up on time, bring your supplies, be respectful and do your best. These simple rules are expectations in a work environment, so take the positive feedback to heart that your teachers have been giving you! -The Classroom Sparrow I want my students to know - that please and thank you are worth their weight in gold, it's more fun to think outside the box, and that it's okay to make mistakes as long as you take the time to learn from them. To question, to wonder, to delve deeper.. To be proud of themselves, their struggles, and their accomplishments. I want them to know they're beautiful, no matter what the media says and that they deserved to be loved for who they are. Lastly, I want them to know that I care about them beyond their time in my classroom... and that they can come to me for help for anything. -Addie Williams When my students step into my classroom, I want them to know, really know, that education is a gift; that there truly is power in it, and that if they embrace all that there is to offer in their learning, they will be better poised to enter the global world in which they are living. Moreover, when it comes to learning English, I want them to know that no matter which field of study they wish to pursue, no matter which career they hope to embark on, the work we are doing in our course will serve them well. Whether it be the public speaking which prepares them for everything from a wedding speech to a job interview, or the writing which equips them to write both that cover letter and an academic report - I am trying to prepare them to be eloquent, critical thinkers who can express themselves fluently. - Stacey Lloyd What do YOU wish your students knew? Comment below!

By Presto Plans With the pressure for secondary teachers to meet curriculum expectations in such a limited time, building a classroom community can sometimes be put on the back burner. What many teachers don’t realize is that by intentionally taking time to build a positive community in your classroom, you can ease the challenges of classroom management, improve student attitude toward learning, and create an environment where students feel welcomed and supported. Below are my 5 favorite ways to build classroom community in middle and high school. Establish a positive classroom community by having students complete short activities that encourage kindness, collaboration, teamwork, expression, and the sharing of ideas and opinions. These challenges don’t need to take up a lot of time. Have them last 5-10 minutes. They can be used daily as a bell-ringer, weekly as a fun Friday activity, or even randomly when you finish class a few minutes early! How it works: The teacher sets up a "Classroom Challenge" bulletin board display that includes 20 hidden activity prompts. Once a challenge is revealed, the teacher finds the corresponding activity, passes it out to the class, and they are ready to go! Here are a few of the prompts I include in my challenge to give you an idea of the types of activities can help build community: • Write a thank you card for someone you appreciate. • Talk for one minute to a partner about the topic you receive from your teacher. • Write a top 10 list on the topic of your choice. • Imagine you are stuck on a deserted island. Pick one book, one movie, and one other item to bring. • Play a game of 20 questions with a partner. You know that nostalgic feeling you get when you are reminiscing with your friends about times past? Bring that into your room with “Classroom Throwbacks.” Students use small cards to write down funny, interesting, and memorable moments that happen within the classroom and put it in the “Classroom Thowbacks” jar/box. You can have students fill out the cards randomly, or you can pass them out from time to time, put students in small groups, and have them fill the cards out with a couple memories. Once the throwback jar starts to accumulate some cards, you can begin sharing them in class. You might consider sharing one a week for a “Throwback Thursday” activity. Grab this free resource by clicking here. I once had a principal who left notes of appreciation (and a small treat) in teachers’ mailboxes for little things she had noticed them doing (staying late at school working, helping out at an after-school event, giving extra help at lunch etc.). It was such a small gesture, but it had a dramatic impact on the morale of the staff. Build this same kind of morale in your classroom by finding ways to celebrate your students for the things you see them doing that deserve some praise and appreciation. There are lots of ways you can do this. You can post student work in your classroom, call or email parents to brag up those students who don’t often get a pat on the back, or even have a student of the month/week display for those who deserve special recognition! I also like to keep funny cards tucked away in my desk for those occasions where a student surprises or impresses me. Ask for volunteers for “student paparazzi”. Their job is to take pictures of students in the classroom and send them to you via email to print and post. Of course, students should only take pictures when you deem it appropriate. They could take some before and after the bell rings or during a class activity (when appropriate and with permission) or at the end of the period if class finishes up a couple minutes early. When you post the pictures in your classroom, consider framing them! I pick up low-cost frames at the dollar store and put them in different locations in my classroom (on the wall, on my desk, on the desk at the front of my room, on a bookshelf). No need to go use expensive photo paper. Simply print the pictures on regular letter paper to fit the frame's size (pictures below from the classrooms of @CamilaCdipietro and @Tarafarah7) Framed photos create a home-like, family atmosphere where students feel welcomed and accepted. If you have a classroom website or social media account, you could also post the pictures there as long as you have parent media release permission forms. Providing students with an opportunity to reflect on the positive moments of the week and look forward to the next week is another way to help foster classroom community. One way you can do this is by starting a weekly tradition called “Friday 5-4-3-2-1”. Students fill out the sheet by jotting down 5 things that made them smile, 4 words to describe the week, 3 things they have planned for the weekend, 2 things they learned, and 1 goal they have. Give students a few minutes to fill it out and have them share with a partner, a small group, or have a whole class discussion. If you’d like to try this out with your students, you can download it for free here. You can also choose to make up your own 5 prompts, as a blank version is included! Just write the prompts on the board and students can fill it out. Looking for more ways to promote class community? Find more ideas below! Student-Teacher Conferences from The SuperHERO Teacher Classroom Community Bell-Ringers from The Daring English Teacher The Kindness Project from Room 213 Do you have any other ideas for fostering a positive classroom community? Click the comments button at the top of the post and share your ideas! SaveSave SaveSave

By Room 213 We might just do it all again. I’ve been struggling with this concept while I wander through my remote teaching journey - and as much as I hope that it doesn’t happen, I am actively preparing for the possibility of some distance learning in the fall. I’m not just talking about creating digital lesson plans. Those are important, but what I really need to work on are the skills students will need to be successful if they are learning from home again. So stay with me as I share some ideas and free lessons that you may be able to adapt for your situation: Creating a Climate for Distance Learning During the first days and weeks of my classes, I always put a lot of time and energy into building relationships with my students. I also work hard on creating a classroom climate where they feel safe, accepted and ready to learn. For me, this is the foundation on which everything else we do will be built. Without it, it’s much harder to make the learning magic happen. However, classroom community is the hardest thing to maintain when your kids aren't in front of you. Creating it if we don't start in the classroom will be even harder. Scenario One: starting in school Let’s start with scenario one: we assemble face-to-face in September. If this happens, even in a modified version, I will do what I always do - just more of it - so we can quickly get to know each other well. Then, if we are sent home again, we will have that foundation to build on. How do I do this? Well, I have my usual teacher tricks of standing at my door and dropping by desks to chat with my new students so I can start building my relationship with them. And, during the first day or two, I use my Getting to Know You Stations (which I will covert for Google Drive over the summer, just in case). These stations offer students the opportunity to get to know me and my expectations, while they introduce themselves to me and collaborate with their new classmates. I also have a Getting to Know You Freebie that you can grab here. It takes less time than the stations but is a great first day activity that gets students moving and talking to each other. Scenario Two: starting the year online This scenario is not very appealing. But it may happen, and I don’t want to be scrambling in August to figure out how to digitize the process of creating a classroom climate. I'm going to need that time on the beach after this year... So in case we aren't together in September, I've created a Getting-to-Know-You exercise that my students can use at home. For this activity, students will create a slide that they will use to introduce themselves to the class. Then, after they have all been submitted, I'll share them with everyone, and they will do a getting-to-know-you scavenger hunt so they can learn about the classmates they haven't met face-to-face yet. Students will have the option of using a photo of themselves or an object or quote that represents them. They can also record their introduction if they prefer. This activity will not be the same as our face-to-face ones, but I think it's an alternative that the kids will enjoy. You can grab a free template here. If you would like a more detailed one with more options for students, click here. Teaching Students to Be Independent Learners: If we start school in the building, I will be front loading all of the skills my students will need to be successful in the course if we get sent home again. I always begin the year by scaffolding skills, but in September, I will know that I can’t spread this out like I normally do. I need to get them ready as quickly as I can. We have used Google Classroom for some time, so our kids know the ins and outs of how to use it. However, there are other skills that they will need so they can work independently: 1. Learning to ask good questions Knowing what questions to ask is usually more important than knowing the right answer, so when school starts, I will be spending a lot of time on the art of good questioning. I find that the best way to do this is through modelling my own process, and during the first days and weeks of school I will be focusing on building in opportunities to do this. For example, on one of the first days of class, I give my kids a copy of Matthew Foley's What You Will Need in Class Today. It's a spoken word poem that urges students to be present in class with a "fire in [their] belly." I want my kids to get that message, but I also use the poem to show them how I use questioning as I close read to to figure out the author's message. You can grab my lesson here. (Be sure to check out the presentation notes for each slide if you want to use this). 2. Focusing on the process of learning: This goes hand in hand with teaching my kids to question - I need to show them how to find the answers to those questions. Learning is a process and takes some work - answers don't just fall from the sky. So, we focus a lot on processes in Room 213, and we will spend a lot of time on that in September if we meet face-to-face. That way, if we move to distance learning again, the students will have those skills. This will begin with an emphasis on how to figure things out for themselves. If a kid asks how to do something that I know they have a handout for, instead of answering them, I'll ask them if they've looked in their binder yet. If they ask what a word means, I'll tell them they can use their phone to look it up. I want them to know that they have the skills to find things out themselves. I will also model and practice the skills for the following because they are ones that will be necessary for learning at home. You can click on the links to read posts about how I teach these skills in class. My hope is that I can get as many of these lessons in before flu season sends us home again. Close Reading and Responding to Text Critical Thinking Building a Habit of Revision The Writing Process Literary Analysis If we start school from home, I will still teach my students these processes, but the activities will have to be adapted for at home learning. My summer will be filled with converting my lessons, just in case. If you'd like to see the ones that already are, click here. Plan Assignments That Are Best for Distance Learning One thing we've all learned this spring is that it's not always easy to engage and teach kids from our couches. So, I'm thinking it'd be wise to plan for assignments that are not only engaging, but also easy to do from home. The worst case scenario is that we are teaching remotely for a semester or the year...If that happens, I’m just going to have to suck it up, embrace it, and roll out the whole course digitally. However, I am hopeful that this may only happen for some months of the year (or not at all!). For that reason, I am “setting aside” some assignments that I know will be best to keep kids engaged. Engaging Informational Texts: My students tend to find short nonfiction a little more interesting than short stories and poetry, especially when it's an interesting or controversial topic. Nonfiction is also pretty accessible to them online, so I have a pile of lessons ready to go should I need them. Choice Boards: I have had a lot of success with these during this round of distance learning. They are designed so kids can easily do them on their own, and they can choose topics that they find interesting. You can grab two different free ones, or get the whole bundle here. Multi-genre projects: The Multi-genre project is a staple in my classroom, and you can read all about my love for it here. Of course, I hope to conclude next semester with the MGP; however, I plan to have my students practice the process if we have a Covid-induced hiatus in the fall. This is because the multi-genre project is perfect for them to explore things that they are interested in, while practicing important ELA skills. Wow. There's just so much swirling in my head as I try to process this. I really hope I was able to present it in a way that made sense. You can be sure that I will be blogging about my plans and sharing ideas on my Instagram account during the summer - so stay tuned! We'd love to hear about your preparations for the fall as well, so feel free to leave a comment.UPDATE: I've got a new post that gives you more tips on teaching kids to be more independent.> If you would like some help learning to use Google Forms, The Daring English Teacher has some tips for you here. She also has a great resource for teaching kids email etiquette - another skill they will need for remote learning.> Secondary Sara also has a new blog post with distance learning tips for those who teach public speaking!Take care!

Want to teach rhetorical analysis in a way that's creative, engaging, AND gets the job done? Mix and match these fun strategies to suit your needs.

Whether your lesson plans are detailed multi-page documents submitted to your administration each week, or they’re mostly post-it notes with concise bullet points, effective lesson planning requires strategy and intent. Great lessons need clear direction, purpose, pacing, and solid pedagogy. (Side note: If you are looking for engaging step-by-step lesson plans for the ELA classroom – especially for sub plans – check out my ELA Lessons Bundle with over 60 individual plans). While planning such successful, well-balanced, dynamic lessons takes time (think of all those observation lessons), if you get into a strong habit of working through a few key steps, it simplifies the whole process. And, as with all habits: the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Soon you internalise the steps and find yourself doing them without even realising it. Below are the four simple steps - G.A.D.E - I go through in my mind every time I plan a lesson. Do I always write them out in detail? Nope, but I still always work through them as I plan. What do you want students to be able to do, know, or understand by the end of the lesson? The most effective way to plan a route for a journey, is to start with knowing where you are trying to get to, right? Instruction is most effective when you, and your students, have a firm idea of the goal. When they know what they are working towards, the lesson is far more purposeful. Your goal should be able to be expressed in a single sentence or two: the more focused it is, the easier it is for students to digest and understand. I even suggest writing this on the board at the start of the lesson, for students to be able to see and reference. Examples of Goals: - Students will understand the impact of varying sentence patterns, in term of creating tone. - Having read chapter 5 of The Great Gatsby, students will be able to explain how an author develops a character in a narrative through the use of indirect characterization. - Students will be able to effectively back up their thoughts and ideas with appropriate textual evidence. [Grab a free lesson plan template here] How are you going to break down the substance of the lesson, to help students reach the goal? This is the nuts and bolts of the lesson: the lecture, activities, exercises, etc. Ask yourself: What are the most effective methods to help guide students to the goal: A lecture? A group discussion? A reading exercise? Worksheet practice? A video? A writing exercise? Station work? The key here is breaking the lesson down into varied, manageable chunks: rarely should you plan a 60 minute lesson with just one single activity. You want to think about dividing the class up into 10-20 minute segments with varied activities and modes of learning: all geared towards the overall goal. [Check out Room213's helpful blog post on how to build in time for productive struggle when lesson planning.] Examples of Segments for a 60 minute lesson: 5 min: Provocation - some sort of hook for the lesson to pre-test knowledge, or incite intrigue and interest. 10 min: Paired work 15 min: Teacher-led lecture and discussion 20 min: Individual work to practice a skill 10 min: Reflection and assessment of learning How will you, and your students, know if they have achieved the goal? This does not always have to be a large assessment task: that would perhaps be a unit goal. However, you should be able to place small milestones in every lesson to assess whether or not students are gaining knowledge, or developing their skills, and this need to be intentional. It may be a summative assessment task, but in the daily lesson it would likely be formative assessment. This should be a conscious decision when planning the lesson. Examples of Opportunities for Demonstrations of Learning: - Ask strategic questions: “How do you know that? Why did you write that?” - Use exit slips - Have students produce something which requires them to use what they have learned - Anonymous class polls or quizzes (or Kahoots!) - Self-reflections or evaluations - Written work / Projects What do you physically need to do, to facilitate the learning? Once you know the purpose of the lesson, and have a firm understanding of the activities and elements of the lesson, think about what you need to do to prepare. While this might be gathering resources, photocopying, finding passages, etc., it also should be about the space of the classroom: how best to facilitate the most effective lesson for your purpose. Think about desk layout, visual displays, seating arrangements, etc. Example of Environmental Elements - Move the desks into groups / pairs / individual etc. - Print, layout and organize materials - Have a specific song playing which relates to the lesson, for when students enter. - Create spaces around the room for station work or gallery walks etc. FREE TEMPLATES: If you are looking for a template for lesson planning: Click here to access a FREE editable Google Docs template (just go to “File” and “Make a Copy” to save the document to your own drive for editing). Want a printable copy? Click here to access a printable lesson plan template. Do also check out: If you are looking at planning a whole unit of study, read this great post by The Daring English Teacher.

Two fun activities to teach children strong sentence writing skills in a way that is fun and engaging.

Well done is a phrase that is commonly used to express appreciation for a job well done. However, using the same phrase repeatedly can become monotonous and uninteresting. That’s where well done synonyms come in handy. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some exciting synonyms for well done that you can use to spice ... Read more

Students often think of "fact" and "opinion" as polar opposites. Wait a second, aren't they? Sure, we teach stu...

This persuasive writing resource is a fun way to get your children into the outdoors putting their persuasive language techniques into practise. They will become estate agents for the week, finding and writing persuasive descriptions for outdoor areas to persuade their woodland friends that their ar...

Photographs are great for inspiring all sort of essay writing from personal narrative writing to literary analysis writing to creative writing. Photographs serve the purpose of inspiring writing in our classes and can be used for writing workshop.

True story - the nine of us teachers who write for The Secondary English Coffee Shop aren't just random English teachers. We're friends, collaborators, and virtual co-workers who help each other through this adventure called teaching. Along the way, we've bought and used each other's lessons, projects, and resources. Today, we're going to tell you about the resources from fellow teacher-authors that we love the most! Research Stations "Last spring, I used Room 213's Research Stations for the first time, and they were such a hit with my class! My 9th graders really needed the extra practice with in-text citations and creating a Works Cited. They loved how each station focused on one concept and the sample texts assured that everyone was on the same page. Thanks to Room 213, I'm a stations convert, and I'm looking forward to trying out her new Shakespeare stations!" - Nouvelle ELA Writing Lessons: Essays are like Meals "If your students are anything like mine, they lack excitement when it comes to writing essays. Luckily, Secondary Sara created a product that is deliciously irresistible! Her five paragraph essay bundle breaks down each section of the essay into a meal (appetizer, main course, dessert, etc.) for an easy comparison in the eyes of our students. As you can see in the photo, dessert represents the conclusion. Can you imagine your students' faces if you brought in a tasty treat?! Because of Sara's product, I can confidently say that your students will master the essay writing process! Bon appetit!" -The SuperHERO Teacher Daily Writing Prompts I love writing prompts, but what I love even more is a quick and easy way to assess them! You'll find both in The Classroom Sparrow's Full Year of Daily Writing Prompts. She has a theme for each day of the week and each prompt has the students thinking creatively and critically. Best of all, there is a checklist for giving feedback on the bottom of each page. It doesn't get much better than that! -Room 213 Growth Mindset Posters Presto Plans has a lot of great posters and displays, but lately I’ve been all about her growth mindset posters. There’s a great mix of 20 famous people and their inspirational quotes about perseverance, failure, and success. (My favorite part was that each one also had a mini bio of the person, in case a student didn’t recognize the person pictured.) The posters were also very easy to print and hang! Awesome whether you need a quick bulletin board OR want to use her included activities for a Quote of the Week setup. - Secondary Sara Clip & Flip Poetic Devices Nouvelle ELA’s Clip and Flip poetic device cards are a fun addition to any poetry unit. Students read one of the 30 poems, attach paper clips to the devices they find, then flip the card over to see if they placed the clips correctly! What’s also great about the cards is you can laminate them and have students annotate the poem using dry erase markers. The cards can be used in so many ways. They work great at a poetry station, but could also be used for independent practice, or even as a bell-ringer. Thanks to Nouvelle ELA for this fun, interactive resource! - Presto Plans Interview With Cupid I love holiday-themed assignments, so I wanted to share one of the most memorable activities I completed around this time of year (Valentine's Day) with you! Addie Williams' Interview With Cupid is a fun, creative and thorough Valentine writing activity. Every element of the assignment is explored - best of all, students and teachers will get a kick out of reading these interviews after the final drafts have been completed! - The Classroom Sparrow Annotating Text Made Easy When I went back to full-time teaching last September, I was a mess. A hot mess. I needed all the help I could get, and that's why I was excited and relieved to find The Daring English Teacher's incredible resource: Annotating Text Made Easy. I used it with my Grade 11 class who were analyzing personal narratives, and they loved every aspect of it: the clear informative slideshow, the helpful practice exercise, and the useful bookmark reminders. Plus, I got a little breathing room during a hectic time; what more could you ask for from a teacher-friend? - Stacey Lloyd Complexity Wheel for Novel Study Like many other secondary ELA teachers, I require my students to complete an outside reading requirement each quarter. I want to students to develop a love reading, but I also need to make sure that they truly are reading. That is why I turned to The SuperHERO Teacher's Complexity Wheel Novel Study Package. This resource was the perfect combination of rigor and excitement for my students; they loved the resource's interactive features, and I loved the resource's complexity and thoroughness. I used the bell ringers to get the students thinking about their novel, and we tackled a new aspect of the complexity wheel every couple days. It's the ideal resource for a novel unit or independent reading project! - The Daring English Teacher Figurative Language Worksheets I could not have been happier to find Stacey Lloyd’s amazing package of Teaching Figurative Language Techniques ~ Worksheets pack last year! It had everything I needed to help my 9th and 10th grade students review and learn figurative language. Each attractively designed page has a figurative language term and its definition, examples and room for students to explore how to use and incorporate the technique into their own writing. And the best comment was from a student who told me that he was going to keep his set “to help me in English class next year”. High praise indeed! ~Addie Williams We hope you enjoy these lessons as much as we have! SaveSave