Basic tips for families of school age children to ensure a good start to a new school year.
Teaching extended metaphor using my own model of writing about a walk that taught me that sometimes life presents us with a metaphor to teach us a lesson.
A discussion of Alice Walker's work, focusing on The Color Purple. She is a writer who speaks for women through her poetry, fiction and non-fiction works.
A free monologue for a student actress that deals with the topic of a tough, busy day in the life of a teenage student.
An analysis of "Richard Cory" which shows how Robinson spoke to the human condition of placing the wealthy on an unrealistic pedestal. Common Core lesson plan ideas for this relevant, shocking poem.
Pretending to die on stage for a play or skit is one of the most difficult jobs for an actor. Here are my tips and anecdotes about pretending to die on stage.
Create your own, personalized e-cards for Valentine's Day, or any holiday, for the one(s) you love using Powerpoint. It is easy, flexible, and fun!
In the novel Emma, Jane Austen addresses many issues important to women, making her a feminist of her time.
There has been a long-standing debate over the true definition of tragedy in dramatic literature. Read this discussion of Aristotle's definition weighed against three tragedies written in different centuries.
Ideas for independent writing projects that teachers can assign in their English classroom.
Tis the season for the ultimate comfort food...soup! Try this recipe for carrot and white bean soup, a healthy, vegetarian soup recipe.
Ideas to inspire the creation of bulletin boards and wall decorations for the high school English classroom.
Sylvia Plath shows the reader the dilemma that a woman faces in her life through the story of Esther Greenwood.
Writing, poems and prose alike, is an outlet that allows so many writers to vent and rage and heal. This article makes connections to Alice Sebold's novel "The Lovely Bones."
Lady Brett Ashley, the main female character in The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, is often accused of being a bitch. Upon closer reading though, one can argue against these accusations. She is a mixed up, lost, lonely woman caught in a downward spiral towards destruction.
Tips and advice on how to take quality photographs of food for recipe hubs and blogs.
Dickens places Pip in a world layered with guilt in "Great Expectations" to show the reader the effect that environment has on development.
A National Book Award finalist, this novel was praised by Stephen King in The New York Times as “a remarkable novel.” Fieldwork is the story of a journalist who goes to work in Thailand and ends up investigating the story of a murdered missionary by an anthropologist. The story unfolds to...
Most Americans have a cell phone, even most American students. This increase in using cell phones has sparked controversy in American schools. There are pros and cons to having cell phones in school.
This is a glimpse at my Craigslist car selling experience and tips if you want to sell your car in the same way.
Tips and ideas to help teachers, and parents, source cheap or free school supplies.
I had a recent experience that made me ask the question, is common courtesy dying?
When I think about the whole process of directing a high school play, I focus on the fact that for the students, the process may be more important than the final product. They are in school to learn and grow. Whatever the final outcome, the hard work, creativity, and collaborative effort that the...
My husband is an amazing cook. He has brought into our kitchen all the tastes and dishes of his Polish homeland. Here is his version of a regional classic.
These delicious muffins are packed with fruits and veggies.
Healthy, homemade pancakes are delicious and nutritious. These golden morsels will be a hit any morning of the week. Vegan pancake adaptation is included below the recipe.
Can you name all the states on a blank map of the United States? Can you name all of the continents and countries on a blank map of the world? Can your students? Can mine? I rather doubt it. Knowing geography is not an American forte.
Directing a high school production will challenge your multi-tasking skills to the limit. After you have cast the actors, it is time to fill the other jobs necessary to make your production a success. Here is my list.
You have chosen a play. Dates are set. Auditions are done. Now you must cast the play. As I have stated in the first three articles of this series, this is the most important step in the process of directing a high school play. Choosing well who plays which role will make your job over the next few...
Choosing a talented, dedicated, enthusiastic group of actors and technicians will make the directing process much less stressful and much more rewarding. In order to cast a show, you will need to hold auditions
Try this delicious, healthy vegatable barley skillet casserole as a side dish or a main meal.
The process of directing a high school play can be fun, challenging, and rewarding. Knowing which steps to take to get from your original idea to the standing ovation will make the process much less stressful and loads more fun. This article outlines the information that I find useful on audition...
Not all live stage plays are spectacular. If you want to direct a brilliant production, choose the play wisely. Here are some questions and factors to consider.
A discussion of John Dewey's philosophy of education. We need to find a happy medium in this country in order to start to regain progress with our educational system.
Here I reflect on my student teaching experience when I taught Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to an 11th grade honors class.
A reflective look at Lou Kassem's "Middle School Blues," a young adult novel that shows a picture of the difficult middle school years. A must read for teachers who want to stay connected.
A top ten list of fundraising ideas for school and community groups and organizations.
Beginning with the touching dedication and ending on the very last page, I could not put down Even the Stars Look Lonesome. I laughed and cried my way to the very end while learning about life through Maya Angelou’s eyes and heart.
A brief look at Maya Angelou, an American writer and an American treasure.
A discussion of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The question of who is at fault for the tragedy is one that is often debated. In this article, and argument is made that it is Gertrude's fault.
Using a model to help inspire your own writing can be a fun and interesting writing exercise. Here I show how I have used this idea in my classroom. Includes my own original poem.
Students often struggle to write well-developed paragraphs. Use this technique in your classroom to help them improve their writing, or use it to improve your own writing.
Using Aristotle's definition of tragedy, this essay discusses the tragic elements in James Baldwin's novel "Go Tell It on the Mountain."
A discussion of John Keat's poem which touches on the structure and the content of the poem.
This paper is an analysis of L’Assommoir, a nineteenth century novel by Emile Zola, that paints a picture of urban life in the slums of Paris.
Maya Angelou tells the story of the first seventeen years of her life in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. A discussion of the novel with an interview video.
Mayotte Capecia had the courage to grasp her independence and make her own choices to guide her own life. Read my thoughts on "I am a Martinican Woman."
Here I take a brief glimpse at Hamlet's speech to the players and briefly discuss Shakespeare's take on the actor.