Category · 395 articles
Writing
Free English-language Arts Instructional Resources
English-language arts teachers are a unique breed. They are decidedly schizophrenic in that they teach both content and process. Other content area teachers tend to expect…
Free Resources to Teach English-language Arts Standards and the Common Core
Those who follow my blog will remember that I do advocate standards-based instruction; however, I also advocate student-based instruction. I find a happy melding of the…
Common Core State Writing Standards
The Common Core State Writing Standards have used a rather utilitarian approach to categorize essays into two classifications: argument and informational/explanatory writing. The approach used by…
Why ELA Teachers Burn Out
Teacher burn-out is real. We begin with high expectations of ourselves and idealism; however, after a few years the drudgery sets in. ELA teachers seem to…
Don’t Teach to the LCD
Our penchant for helping individuals can work cross-purpose to our overall mission of helping all students. In fact, we often wind up teaching to the LCD…
How to Teach the English-language Arts Standards
Every English-language arts teacher shares the same problem—too much to teach and not enough time to teach it. So, where are the magic beans that will…
20 Tips to Teach Writing through Music
Students have internalized the structure, syntax, and rules of music far more than that of any writing genre. This prior knowledge is simply too valuable for…
Using Music to Develop Authentic Voice
Music creates the passion, commitment, and authentic voice that we want to see in our students' writing. Connecting to student experience with their own music can…