1. Correlative Conjunctions Quiz Start today’s class by reviewing correlative conjunctions. Students have already been introduced to pairs like either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also. This short quiz will check for understanding before moving forward. Encourage students to take their time—remind them that strong grammar skills support better paragraph writing. Once the quiz is complete,…
If you’re spending more time redirecting than teaching—or if expectations change depending on your mood, the class period, or who’s in the room—you’re not alone. Without clear classroom rules and predictable, logical consequences, even great lessons can unravel. Students feel uncertain, you feel inconsistent, and the day ends with both sides frustrated. The good news:…
Today’s lesson begins by building the foundation students need to write strong PEEL paragraphs, one of the most effective structures for clear and organized writing. Before jumping into paragraph construction, we’ll start with a quick refresher on correlative conjunctions—pairs of words like either/or and not only/but also that help connect ideas smoothly and add balance…
Differentiated instruction for reading is simply teaching to the same standards while adjusting the path to get there. You vary what students read (content), how they engage with it (process), how they show understanding (product), and the setup that supports them (learning environment). Using quick assessments and flexible small groups, you match instruction to each…
Today’s class is all about student book presentations—a chance for everyone to share what they’ve been reading, demonstrate their comprehension, and practice public speaking skills. This is the culmination of the reading unit, and it’s one of my favorite days because it highlights how different books spark different ideas, interests, and perspectives in the classroom….
You’re juggling curriculum pacing, unfinished learning, behavior hiccups, and a full inbox—and every week another “must‑try” strategy lands on your desk. The challenge isn’t finding ideas; it’s choosing a few that reliably boost learning, fit real classrooms, and won’t take your weekend to plan. Add in wide skill gaps, multilingual learners, and limited minutes for…
Today’s class begins with a short grammar quiz and then transitions into a brand-new writing unit: the opinion essay! This marks a shift from reading and analyzing fiction to expressing personal viewpoints through structured writing. Lesson Flow 1. Subordinating Conjunctions Quiz Begin class with the subordinating conjunctions quiz. This will serve as a quick review…
Imperative and interrogative verbs help shape two of the most common sentence types we use every day: giving commands and asking questions. Understanding the difference between them strengthens both writing and communication skills. Imperative verbs tell someone what to do, while interrogative verbs guide us in forming clear, effective questions. In this lesson, students will…
It’s report card season and your to‑do list is already full. Now you’re staring at a blank comment box, trying to be honest and supportive, specific and concise, all while staying within character limits and district tone guidelines. You want comments that sound like a human who knows each student—not recycled lines that could fit…
Subordinating Conjunctions Welcome to Day 28 of our English unit! Today’s focus is on subordinating conjunctions — those little words that help connect ideas and show relationships between them. We’ll begin with a quick lesson on subordinating conjunctions. These are words like because, although, if, when, and since — words that create dependent clauses and…