English & Language Arts Teachers

Does anyone use an online discussion board set-up for homework assignments? Most of my students are college-bound seniors and I think this would be a great skill to get them familiar with, since it… more

When beginning a piece of literature, I first help the kids access the relevant culture. I have used web quests, but I have found that the kids researching their choice of topics and creating Slides c… more

11th and 12th grade teachers what strategies and tips do you give your students who are taking the Reading SAT? I have a student that is 20 points away from the score that they need and I’m looking t… more

What are some of the best books you've had your students read recently?

What are some general warm-up prompts that can be applied to different texts & get students' wheels turning before a lesson or discussion?

What framework do you use to unpack a text throughout a 5-day week? (i.e. Monday - Unpack Vocabulary)

What's your favorite thing about being an ELA teacher?

🍂November JOB THREAD!

Do you know of an opening or opportunity?

Share it in the comments below! Help another Fish. 🤝

Can a principal ask a teacher to use some of their planning time to write late students tardy slips when they get to school every single day? Keep in mind this is the only planning period the teacher … more

During class do you have students do their writing assignments on paper or on google classroom or another online app?

💆‍♀️Teacher Self-Care!

What are ways you create balance between work and life and help yourself destress?

Drop your resources/practices/ideas below and help another user!

Hey fishbowl fam! Have any of you recommended one of your students for Kumon, or put your personal child into their program? What are your thoughts from a teacher & parent perspective?

You just finished teaching a skill / topic in your lesson. Children are now off to work on that skill independently: who are you targeting first to support, your students in the red or your students i… more

Does anyone know of a good, ideally free websites students can use to "publish" or present their writing? We just created personal narratives and I would like to find a cool way for them to … more

What’s your favorite Flash Fiction story?

Looking for ideas for a project/activity for my gifted and or higher level students to work on in class. I would like something challenging but they would be able to do it with little help from me bec… more

Are there any adaptive phonics platforms you would recommend? I know Moby Max and Reading Eggs are some, but does anyone have any recommendations for others?

Any NBCTs who have worked on their MOC? What are specific examples of strong PGEs that impact student learning? I need help. I do everything, but for the life of me, I can't wrap my head around this. Th… more

What are your favorite historical fiction books for senior high school students? Looking to arrange a collaborative project with their history classes and need some extra engaging options.

Today, my entire class stated they do not feel comfortable working with the school's instructional coach. How can I, as a teacher, encourage them to open up and receive helpful strategies and help with … more

Which books in your classroom library are the most popular?

My 7th graders have an assignment coming up where they will read "The Gift of The Magi" and view a 2 minute video of the story, then write an essay explaining which version of the text better fits the g… more

Does your school offer any fun English-related electives? We have a Freedom Writers class, where members of the original class have even come and spoke to students in the past, and even Erin Grunwell … more

How do you deal with absences during ongoing group projects? Or just kids not doing their part, coming to class unprepared, etc.? It feels so messy and hard to manage! Frustrating for everyone! Is group wor… more

I need wisdom! We spent a week learning POV and my kids as a whole didn't do well. So I decided to spend more time on the topic. I'm going to reassess them. Should I give the exact same quiz? … more

What are your thoughts on popcorn reading? I've used it heavily in the past but lately, I've been reconsidering it because of the discomfort/embarrassment it may cause for weaker readers.

Have you ever reached out to a transfer student’s previous teacher / school if you notice immediate concerns or do you ask your office / social worker to obtain a student file?

Does anyone have a good term paper topic for seniors? It needs to be persuasive/argumentative in nature.

I hate the English teacher I am turning into. I feel like this year is already breaking me down!

And it’s only September!

Is anyone else feeling this way? If you are, where do you go for support?

Have you noticed a lower reading level than usual in your classes? Are you adjusting the selection of texts you read to account for this?

First day of school read aloud suggestions for 6th grade? What are some of your favorites?

Is there any writing prompts that stand out to you in the responses you get from students? Preferably ones that are outside the box, but I'd love to hear some tried and true traditional ones too!

I never feel any kind of spark of inspiration when it comes to decorating my classroom. Anyone have ideas for themes I could use as a starting point?

I need some strategies! When I introduce a text I use choral reading and whisper reading to guarantee students actually read the text. After an initial read, we go back and annotate to understand the … more

Does anyone have any fun vocabulary games or activities?

What is your least favorite literary term? One that confuses everyone & isn't even used that often but still shows up on the AP exam sometimes.