This post contains (some) affiliate links. The phrase "teacher tired" was already well-understood... and then 2020 happened. Whether we're teaching in-person, online-only, or in hybrid mode, teachers everywhere are in new levels of survival mode this year.  Since I've been teaching 100% in-person since September (and ALSO teaching live to at-home learners), I've found that my free time for self-care is at an all-time low... meaning, I'm on the lookout for solutions that are affordable AND quick.  If COVID-19 says I can't go to a spa, then some of these items have been my best Plan B. Here's a roundup of some of my favorite things. The more affordable items are listed first, followed by splurges. ...

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own. This post also includes one Amazon affiliate link. What Happened (Why a New Doc Cam?) On March 13, 2020, I frantically threw items from my classroom into a big bag, preparing to face the unknown of distance learning. One of the things I grabbed was my document camera. Imagine my dismay when I took the doc camera home and it didn't work. My trusty 8-year-old doc camera had been slowly dying without my knowing it; it worked at school when I plugged it in directly to a projector via HDMI cable, but at home, it could NOT communicate with my laptop at all. The primitive features it supposedly had - like being able to record videos - were impossible. During spring distance learning, I stacked canned goods on a counter and tried to record with my phone, with messy results. ...

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an English teacher, I totally understand why voice-triggered “assistants” feels like something straight out of 1984. It might be too soon to use AI for anything confidential or sensitive.  But as a technology nerd, I do see potential here for classroom use. “Hey Siri, remind me at 8:00PM to read Justin’s essay.” “Alexa, what’s the weather like outside?” “Hey Google, play my Classroom Writing playlist.” ...

this post contains affiliate links For many years, my classroom just didn't look or feel right. While I knew that the actions inside a classroom mattered more than what was on the walls, I also wanted it to look... well, at least clean and organized.  Thus began a very gradual, years-long process of taking my room from a color-clashing mess to a comparatively calmer, semi farmhouse look. Some of the materials I bought, and some were reimbursed or bought by the school, but it did not happen overnight and was, again, a process of finding out what did and didn't work for seventh and eighth graders. ...

This post contains affiliate links As the whole world - including education and the publishing industry - grapples with how best to serve teens through mental health concerns, we teachers are often doing our best to help students find books that they can identify with and that they can see themselves in - or conversely, books to give them hope out of their current situations. I recently asked several English teachers to share fiction OR nonfiction titles about mental health, self-care, and/or healing  that are appropriate for a secondary classroom, and here are the results. ...

This post contains affiliate links Picture books aren't just for early readers! Many fantastic picture books concisely teach a concept, portray a literary device, or fill in background knowledge in a way that can not only fit into one class period but also keep teenagers' attention. I recently asked several English teachers to share worthwhile picture books for a middle or high school English class, and here are the results. Many of these would be great read-alouds! ...

This post contains affiliate links. Middle and high school English teachers, especially those with classroom libraries or an independent reading requirement, have to please a wide variety of student readers. But how do we help the students who lack the interest, time, or motivation to read? I recently asked several English teachers to share fiction titles for reluctant or picky readers that are appropriate for a secondary classroom, and here are the results. Though they vary in terms of being best for middle school, high school, or both, many of these have exciting plots to keep reluctant readers turning the page. ...

This post contains affiliate links.  Many readers LOVE modern-day versions of an older fairy tale, myth, or legend. If you live in a state that uses Common Core standards, you might also be faced with a Reading Literature standard that asks students to specifically read a retelling. To help with that, I recently asked several English teachers to share great YA fiction titles that are appropriate for a secondary classroom (middle or high school), and here are the results. ...

Whether you teach in a STEM school, want to inspire your students, or want to reflect a wider variety of student interests in your classroom library, there are many outstanding books to bring into a middle or high school classroom! I recently asked several English teachers to share fiction OR nonfiction titles that are appropriate for a secondary classroom, and here are the results. ...

Now that publishing is finally showcasing a wider variety of historical and contemporary stories, teachers are trying to stock as many of them as possible in their classrooms. I recently asked several English teachers to share fiction with diverse authors or stories (that are appropriate for a secondary classroom), and here are the results. ...

I’m constantly on the hunt for novels-in-verse, anthologies, and other types of poetry books that teens will find addictive and accessible, especially now that so many marginalized voices are finally being represented more in print. I recently asked some of my wisest teacher friends to recommend their favorite poetry books on Instagram, and here’s what they said! ...

The publishing industry is catching up to publishing the untold stories of women all over the world. In honor of Women's History Month, I wanted to find more great titles to possibly bring into a secondary ELA classroom library. I recently asked several English teachers to share book titles about inspiring women that are appropriate for a secondary classroom, and here are the results. ...

Romantic plotlines can help engage teen readers like little else, and even the love between friends or family members will deepen the emotional impact of a book on its reader. I recently asked several English teachers to share romantic book titles that are appropriate for a secondary classroom, and here are the results. ...

Stories about heroes motivate readers like few other books do. Whether it's mythology, a fictional hero, or real-world nonfiction, we want to cheer for characters who overcome and make a difference. I recently asked several English teachers to share fiction OR nonfiction titles about inspiring books that are appropriate for a secondary classroom, and here are the results. ...

Every classroom and every grade level could use more kindness. So when I asked a group of my fellow English teachers to share their favorite fiction AND nonfiction books on Instagram, they quickly delivered. This list varies greatly in difficulty and ideal grade level - middle school, high school, or both - but they have one important theme in common. Click on the Instagram name of each person to read the recommender's book talk. ...

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.  Some students are ready for stories that are action-packed, spooky, or just plain scary. Halloween is a great time to put these titles out for display and let teenagers tiptoe into horror or thrillers. I recently asked several trusted English teachers for their recommendations, and here's what they said! To read the full book talk for each one, click on the Instagram handle of the teacher who recommended it. Keep in mind that some of these are definitely more mature (or scary) YA and are more suited for high school than middle school; as always, you are the best judge of what titles are best for your classroom. ...

Ever look around the graphic novel section of a library or bookstore and wonder which ones should ACTUALLY go into your classroom shelves? Fear not, for 20 of us English teachers have gathered to share our top favorites with you. Some are adaptations of classics or YA favorites, and some are original graphic novels. (Click on the name of the person who recommended the book to read the full book talk!) 1. Ghosts, by Raina Telgemeier Recommended by @ secondarysara . Link to Amazon . 2. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson Recommended by @ nouvelle_ela . Link to Amazon . 3. Maus, Books I and II, by Art Spiegelman Recommended by @ bespokeelaclassroom . Link to Amazon . 4. Poe: Stories and Poems Recommended by @ elaclassroom . Link to Amazon . 5. Smile, by Raina Telgemeier Recommended by @ erinbeers . Link to Amazon . 6. The Best We Could Do, by Thi Bui Recommended by @ elaeveryday . Link to Amazon . 7. Rapunzel's Revenge, by Shannon Hale Rec......

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. It has never been more important to build empathy for all of humanity, and we know that characters are some of the best teachers we can give our students. The following novels help a secondary classroom include more voices from around the world that are historically underrepresented in literature, AND they can help broaden the perspectives of students who are trying to understand the world in a very confusing time. ...

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. I'm currently on the hunt to improve my classroom library, so I turned to some of my fellow English teachers on Instagram and asked them what THEY considered to be can't-miss books. And here are their answers! ...

Tell me if this sounds familiar: sometimes it's tough to get middle and high school students to go outside their comfort zones for reading nonfiction. They assume the book is too long, too difficult, or too boring, and many students stick to super-short biographies or animal books. As a result, I'm always on the lookout for nonfiction that will be nonthreatening, "worth it", or super engaging for my classroom library. When I asked several of my English teacher colleagues on Instagram what they would recommend, they answered the call with some GREAT suggestions. These titles range in length, difficulty, content, and maturity. We hope you enjoy this list!  To see the FULL book talk for each title , click on the hyperlink of the teacher's username who recommended it. ...