High School English

Using Micro Teaching--stories students can read in under 10 minutes--is a great way to introduce skills, techniques and so much more in high school English classes. For AP® Literature and all ELA classes 9-12.

By Presto Plans I first realized the power of bell ringers years ago, thanks to a particularly unruly class that would bounce off my walls after lunch. After consistently wasting the first ten minutes of class getting students seated, settled, and ready to learn, I decided to give bell-ringers a try. They were immediately a classroom game-changer. Bell-ringers—sometimes referred to as “warm ups” or “do nows”— are questions, tasks, or other warm up activities that students complete at the…

You’re welcome! Here are 15 TED talks for the classroom that are sure to prompt discussion, writing, and reflection...

If you are a high school English teacher you know that the first week back to school is critical for establishing classroom routines, setting expectations, developing norms, and getting to know your students. You also need to get into some meaningful content! This is every lesson you need for that first week of school! I walk you through how to establish a safe place of learning, how to create classroom norms, and what content your students will be most successful with that first week of…

Pretend you're an alien from outer space ...

Do your high school students struggle to find books they can’t put down? Here are 31 student-approved books to read for high school that won’t disappoint!

The 3 2 1 strategy for the classroom is an easy fit for any classroom because it is quick, easy and can require very little prep...

Using in class discussion is a perfect way to foster critical thinking in high school English classes. Whether it is the Socratic Method...

When you were a kid people told you "sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you." Wrong. The one word project...

5 first day of school activities for high school ELA