Podcast Episodes

Gamifying Argument Basics

Season 9 Episode 376

I have to admit my kids have got me fully invested in "Is it Cake?" At some point in England last year, someone begged for us to watch the show whil…

1 year ago

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Try this Engaging Swift-Inspired Prompt with any Text

Season 9 Episode 375

I miss the Eras tour. Even though it hasn't been that long. My daughter is requesting Wicked songs and Katy Perry in the car all of a sudden, instead…

1 year ago

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374: 5 Top Poetry Activities Worth Trying

Season 9 Episode 374

It's poetry month, and that means it's time for me to share as many poetry activities, poetry projects, and poetry workshops as I can muster over her…

1 year, 1 month ago

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The Most Popular Books to Teach 9th and 10th Graders (Tournament Results)

Season 9

This winter, inspired by cool bookish tournament projects by Melissa Alter Smith of Teach Living Poets and Jared Amato of Project Lit, I decided to l…

1 year, 1 month ago

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Teaching Long Way Down? Flash Verse, Colorful Character Analysis, and Outside-the-Box Discussions

Season 9 Episode 372

If you're teaching Long Way Down (and ready for some Long Way Down lesson plan ideas!), let me just start by saying "YAY!"

It's a reader-maker, an…

1 year, 1 month ago

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Top Middle School Book Recommendations (A Teacher's Perspective)

Season 9 Episode 371

Today's guest, middle school teacher Susan Taylor, has repeatedly gone the extra mile to build a reading program that makes an impact. Not only does…

1 year, 1 month ago

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An Easy Win for Differentiating Writing Instruction: Video Lessons

Season 9 Episode 370

If you've ever felt stymied over the fact that some of your students aren't sure how to write a thesis while others are ready to tackle counterargume…

1 year, 2 months ago

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Highlight Real-World Connections for Any Book with this Easy Activity

Season 9 Episode 369

It all started with 1984, as so many things do. I wanted students to see how the ideas in the book were splashed across the world around them - yes,…

1 year, 2 months ago

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The Glue: One Thing You Need in Every ELA Unit

Season 9 Episode 368

You've probably heard me talk about my first poetry slam. The project that became my go-to vehicle for teaching poetry every year that followed.

T…

1 year, 2 months ago

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Gamify ELA Review with a Colorful Memory Game

Season 9 Episode 367

I can still remember the faded, chipped blue print of my childhood game of Memory. The thick cardboard squares we flipped in search of pairs, thrill…

1 year, 2 months ago

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