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All Posts from Mondays Made Easy

Book Trailer Project for ELA: Alternatives to Book Reports

At the end of the year, students always welcome alternatives to book reports and final exams. This is especially true for students who have recently completed standardized testing. Thankfully, there are many options for alternatives to book reports for English Language Arts. A student favorite is the book trailer project – this alternative assessment is perfect for both independent novel studies and whole-class novels! Using book trailer projects is a great way to incorporate differentiation in English Language Arts. It is also a great way to implement project-based learning within your curriculum. Most importantly, it provides the chance to end…

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Classroom Playlist Ideas for Students

Are you looking for a classroom management strategy to keep students engaged during silent work periods? This strategy doubles as a method for building classroom culture, too! I’ve never taught a class that doesn’t benefit from a classroom playlist. Student playlists are a great way to incorporate music into any classroom in a way that supports student learning. This blog post will introduce the benefits of student playlists. Additionally, you will learn different ways that you can introduce a classroom playlist into your learning environment. How does music enhance learning? I’ll admit that I’ve always subscribed to the notion that…

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Teach Visual Literacy with the OPTIC Strategy

Teaching visual literacy is a thought-provoking activity that will push students to think outside the box. Visual literacy is highly engaging for learners of all levels. This blog post will explore the OPTIC strategy and show you how you can teach students to analyze visual texts. The OPTIC strategy will support visual learners, English Language Learners, and AP Language and Composition students alike! Teaching Visual Literacy What is Visual Literacy? Visual literacy refers to the ability to interpret, analyze, and create visual texts. Visual texts refer to any type of communication that relies on visual elements (images, graphics, or videos)…

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Using Poetic Devices in Songs for Teaching Students Poetry

If you are a teacher on the hunt for poetic devices in songs, then it seems as though you’ve discovered one of the best strategies for teaching students poetry!  Song lyrics are one of the most effective ways to engage students in your poetry unit.  They are also a great way to explore examples of poetic devices in popular culture.  In this blog post, you’ll learn how to use poetic devices in songs to teach students poetry.  You’ll also find a few lesson plan ideas and resources with examples of poetic devices in popular song lyrics. Teaching Poetic Devices Using…

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How to Teach MLA Format – Avoid Citation Generators for Good!

Writing in MLA Format is a challenging task for middle school and high school students. Even with MLA style guides and cheat sheets, it can still feel like learning a new language. When exploring how to teach MLA Format, I’ve learned to treat it as if it were a new language. I want my students to become “fluent” so that they can read and write MLA citations effortlessly. In this blog post, I’ll show you a fun and easy way to teach MLA citations in your classroom. How to Teach MLA Format to Avoid Citation Generators What is the Latest…

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How to Teach Paraphrasing to High School Students

Paraphrasing is a skill that students often learn in elementary or middle school. However, it is important to teach paraphrasing to high school students as well. Paraphrasing is an important writing skill. It encourages students to expand their vocabulary and modify sentence styles. It also challenges them to read closely and analyze meaning. Paraphrasing is also an essential skill to avoid plagiarism. As high school students begin researching and developing more complex ideas, it is important to clarify the difference between paraphrasing a sentence and plagiarizing an essay. What is the Goal of Paraphrasing? Put simply, the goal of paraphrasing…

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Communicating with Parents as a Teacher

Depending on the grade level you teach, teacher-to-parent communication might be overlooked.  In middle school and early education, school communication with parents is highly valued. In secondary school, more value is placed on responsibility and independence.  High school teachers often aim to treat students like their employers or college professors would treat them.  The truth is that communicating with parents as a teacher is a valuable strategy at any grade level.  This blog post will share strategies for communicating with parents as a teacher. It will also explore why teacher-to-parent communication improves student learning.  Finally, this article will share apps…

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The OSSLT: How to Prepare for the Ontario Literacy Test

The 2023-2024 school year is a challenging year for students writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, also known as the OSSLT. Over the past few years, Ontario secondary students have faced many disruptions in learning. The Ontario government launched its Plan to Catch Up in July of 2022 to address the learning gaps caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For secondary language teachers, these gaps serve as an obstacle as we continue with the return of standardized testing in the fall. What is the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)? The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is a compulsory…

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End of the Year Student Gifts for Older Students

End of the year student gifts are a special way to finish the school year. Not every teacher invests time or effort in an end of the year gift, but those that do will tell you that it is deeply appreciated by students. Gifts don’t need to be extravagant, either! They can be simple, like a bookmark or a sticker. They can also cost nothing, like an end of the year letter to students. This blog post will share a few end of the year student gift ideas that are easy, memorable, and affordable. Do you give gifts at the…

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Project-Based Learning Ideas and Examples for the ELA Classroom

You might recognize “project-based learning” as a buzzword in education. There is a reason for all the hype surrounding project-based learning. This style of instruction incorporates curriculum with 21st-century skills in a way that is highly engaging for students. If you’re looking for project-based learning ideas for the English Language Arts classroom, this blog post will introduce you to six simple and fun project-based learning examples. What is Project-Based Learning? To put it simply, project-based learning delivers instruction through hands-on assessment. Students will meet the curriculum standards of the unit while they complete the project. The project will incorporate each…

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End of the Year Activities for English Language Arts

Your students are tired.  You’ve finished standardized testing and have met most of your curriculum expectations for the year.   You’re about to cross the finish line, and everyone in your class is ready to throw in the towel.  This is why I always have a few engaging end of the year activities up my sleeve!  Ending the year on a positive note will not only make your life easier – it will also offer a truly memorable experience for your students.  This blog post will show you a few of my favorite year-end activities for English Language Arts, including…

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Extra Credit Assignment Ideas that Support Student Learning

Close to the end of the semester, you likely get requests from students to complete extra credit assignments. You might be looking for extra credit assignment ideas, or maybe you’re wondering if extra credit should be allowed in the first place. Maybe you find last-minute requests annoying – grading extra credit projects can be frustrating and confusing! In this blog post, I’ll share some reasons to consider extra credit in your classroom. It can be an enriching learning opportunity for your students. You’ll also receive some examples of extra credit assignments, along with some strategies to stay organized with extra…

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Teaching Poetry for Middle School Students

Teaching poetry in middle school can be a truly enjoyable experience. Whether your students love poetry or want nothing to do with it – this blog post is for you!  In this post, you’ll see how you can inspire your students to love poetry.  I’ll also share some activities and resources to make it exciting to teach poetry for middle school students. What is the importance of teaching poetry? Reading poetry is a great way to promote creative thinking in your classroom.  Since poetry is so subjective, students have the opportunity to think outside the box.  Poetry can also be…

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Teaching Poetry in High School – Lessons, Activities, and Ideas

One reason why I love teaching poetry in high school is because of the rich conversations you can have with students.  No matter what school setting I am teaching in, my students always have so much to say about poetry. When students feel confident in their abilities, they truly love the challenge of reading poetry.  In this blog post, you will learn how you can instill the love of poetry in your students.  I will also share some activities and resources to teach poetry to high school students. How do you introduce a poem in high school? Have your students…

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Workshop Lessons to Teach Students How to Write Poetry

There are so many reasons to bring poetry writing into the classroom.   Whether you teach reluctant writers, language learners, or experienced authors – poetry has a lot to offer to everyone.  In this blog post, you’ll learn some of the benefits of writing poetry with your students.  I’ll also share some of my favorite writing workshops for teaching students how to write poetry.  Read on for more ideas to teach poetry writing. What are the benefits of teaching students how to write poetry? Writing free verse poetry is a great way to spark creativity in your classroom.  Students typically…

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Earth Day Lesson Plans and Activities for Students

If you’re looking for Earth Day activities for students, then you probably value sustainability and environmental consciousness. If you’re like me, you might even be able to trace these values back to your own education. I remember many of my teachers’ Earth Day lesson plans, as well as their everyday lessons about respecting the environment. Reducing, reusing, and recycling were habits that were embedded in our daily routines. We had recycling bins in every classroom. We practiced up-cycling in art class. In science class, we studied weather patterns and the life cycles of living organisms. And through all of this,…

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How to Annotate Poetry With Your Students

Some of my favorite moments in my classroom have been witnessing my students annotate poetry.  Poetry is subjective in nature, which can make it a bit daunting – but it is for this very reason that it can also be so engaging!  I’ll never forget the lessons when a student noticed something unique in a poem.  Of course, they couldn’t have arrived there without learning how to annotate poetry first.  In this blog post, I’ll share some strategies and activities that you can use for teaching poetry annotation in your classroom.  You’ll also learn a 4-step approach to annotating poetry…

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The Elements of Poetry: Teaching the Structure of a Poem

Are you introducing poetry to your students?  One of the best ways to teach poetry is to explore the structure of the poem.  These structures are also known as the elements of poetry.  The basic elements of poetry include meter, rhyme, scheme, verse, and stanza.  In order to dive deeper into poetry, students will first need to understand these structural elements.  In this blog post, you will learn strategies for teaching poetry and ideas for your elements of poetry lesson plans. What is the importance of teaching poetry? If you are preparing students for post-secondary education or for the workplace,…

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How to Teach George Orwell’s 1984

I try to read George Orwell’s 1984 every year. This novel is captivating from the very first line; Orwell’s composition never ceases to amaze me. But what I find most fascinating about this novel is that it becomes seemingly more relevant as time goes on. As our world continues to change, I begin to notice more parallels between society and Orwell’s 1984 – all the more reason to introduce this novel to your high school students. Whether you’re teaching 1984 for the first time or, like me, turn back to it year after year – I trust that this blog…

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How to Teach Creative Writing to Older Students

Creative writing is an important part of any English Language Arts curriculum. This is because creative writing teaches students to be better writers. It also helps students develop a deep appreciation for professional writing – this is especially useful for students writing the AP Language and Composition exam. There are several opportunities to teach creative writing if your students are enrolled in a creative writing course. The same is true if they are simply learning standardized literacy skills. This blog post will share creative writing prompts and creative writing activities that both you and your students will love. What is…

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Teaching In-Text Citations and Integrating Quotations in Research Writing

As teachers, we strive to make every learning goal as much fun as possible in our classrooms. Teaching in-text citations can be challenging because students find citations to be confusing. To add to our struggles, grammar is one of the least exciting lessons to teach. Fortunately, there are learning strategies that can motivate students to practice this skill. This blog post will provide you with ideas to help with teaching in-text citations. What are In-Text Citations? In writing, in-text citations indicate where an idea originally came from. The idea could be word-for-word or paraphrased. As their name suggests, in-text citations…

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Engaging End-of-Year Activities after A Year of the Pandemic

Teaching in a pandemic has looked different for all of us.  Some educators were thrown into virtual teaching with little experience using online platforms; others had to juggle more than their fair share through hybrid teaching models.  In my school board, teachers experienced a never-ending cycle of leaving and returning to the classroom.  I think we can all agree that no one signed up for any of this. Our students are no different – like us, some of them have thrived and others have struggled to cope.  With diverse socio-economic backgrounds, some have had to navigate challenging situations within and…

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Ways to Support Student Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Social-Emotional Learning is an essential component of any curriculum. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, teachers have noticed that SEL opportunities are not only more important than ever, but also more challenging: virtual learning and online classrooms have created barriers for connecting with our students at a time when they need that connection most. The fact that our students are struggling is not news, but the following statistics may help to put these struggles into perspective: a recent student survey conducted by the Toronto District School Board reports that “about half of students were concerned about getting used to…

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Activities to Teach How to Write A Thesis Statement

If there’s any literacy skill you would want your English Language Arts students to master, it would probably be how to write a thesis statement. If you want to teach your students how to write powerful, eloquent, and exceptionally captivating thesis statements, then you’ll love the activities in this article. The key to any good essay is a strong thesis statement. A strong thesis statement sets the tone and clarifies the author’s purpose: it tells you the writer’s opinion, along with the level of thought and criticism that has gone into formulating it. A strong thesis statement also creates an…

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How To Handle Tough Conversations Inside The Classroom (and In Your Day-to-Day Life Too)

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. There is no additional cost to you. I only link to resources I have consulted and truly recommend. A few weeks ago I witnessed a painful interaction between a boss and her employee. A miscommunication to a business partner turned into a full-fledged argument between the two of them – and because I was conveniently parked at the workspace across from them, I had to endure the whole incident. The tension lasted hours, and within this time frame, they continually revisited the…

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Targeted Intervention: How to Handle Difficult Classroom Behavior

Last month on the Mondays Made Easy blog I shared some Universal Prevention Strategies to introduce my blog series on Behavioural Management. In my experience – and similar to many areas of life -prevention is the best medicine. Sometimes, however, a little more TLC is necessary, and so this week we’ll be diving a little deeper and exploring the systems and strategies that you can use in your classroom when difficult classroom behaviors arise. Tolerance Level for Misbehaviour I’d like to start out by sharing a tolerance self-assessment provided to me during my studies in Teaching Students with Behavioural Needs.…

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Universal Strategies for Behavioral Intervention in the Secondary Classroom

An Important Disclaimer Behavioral intervention is a subject that requires a delicate approach. I’d like to begin by acknowledging one of many considerations. 2020 has been a progressive year in addressing systemic racism and racial injustice; for some of us, this may have meant a new opportunity to reflect on our ideologies and worldviews, along with how these shape our interactions within schools. For me, I have come to recognize my role in upholding the dominant culture in Canada. I also recognize that I am hosted on traditional territories of many First Nations peoples, including the Mississaugas of the Credit,…

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Classroom Discussion Strategies: The Only Ones You Need

If you teach high school English, you are probably familiar with a few classroom discussion strategies. Classroom discussions are a great opportunity for peer-based learning. Students also genuinely seem to enjoy them. If you host discussions often, you might run into some issues. For example, some students don’t participate, while others dominate. Some students come prepared, while others effectively “wing it.” Even with effective classroom discussion strategies, discussions digress into arguments. Student Participation: Encouraging Quality Over Quantity The Harkness Method, the Socratic Seminar, the Fishbowl Method – while they all have their benefits, they may also promote competitive behavior. This…

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Online Literature Circles Might Be The “New Normal,” Even After COVID

At some point in the pandemic, many of us made the switch from our familiar classrooms to some form of online learning. If you’re new to distance learning, you might be wondering how to facilitate online learning circles and virtual peer-based discussion. This blog post will share advice on how to run online discussions. I also have some great recommendations for apps and programs that work best for online literature circles. Why Virtual Literature Circles? This blog post started while I was trying to find solutions for the shortcomings of online literature circles. The lack of human connection, the fragmented…

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Innovative Classroom Management Techniques That Students Love

If you’re new to teaching, you might believe that you have less to offer to your students than a veteran teacher. You might believe that lacking experience in teaching is your biggest shortcoming. You might think that teachers with decades of experience have everything figured out. I want to challenge you on these beliefs today. When I started teaching, I never understood the leverage my inexperience brought me in managing my classroom. I was so uncomfortable with being an authority figure that I tread cautiously with every rule I lay down. Overcome by my inadequacy, I looked to my students…

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Why Media Literacy is Important for Students in the 21st Century

Most educators can agree that media literacy is important. Students are exposed to several forms of media in our modern world. Nowadays, they often turn to sources like social media to learn about current events. Social media can be a valuable tool if students understand how to identify credible sources. This is why media literacy might be the most essential skill for 21st Century Learners. Why is Media Literacy Important for Students? Many students spend a lot of their spare time consuming some form of mass media. It’s no secret that the media has become the main source of entertainment,…

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7 Strategies for an Anti-Racist Classroom

The recent revival of the Black Lives Matter movement has many of us revisiting our professional practices, personal experiences, and cultural views. This blog post will begin by examining the role of educational institutions in perpetuating inequity. It will also provide strategies for an anti-racist classroom and offer some reflection on research-based practices. I’d like to take a moment to communicate my intention of sharing this information with you. I’m not here to judge your pedagogical practices. I trust that you know what is best for your classroom and your school. I’m sharing this information today in response to my…

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