Coraline
Coraline, Eccentric Adults, and the Line Between Weird and Unsafe
Coraline shows kids learning bravery amid odd adults. Use these passages and guiding questions to explore safety, risk, and coming of age.
Coraline
Poe, Coraline, and Autumn Atmosphere
Close reading for figurative language, symbolism, foreshadowing, mood, and tone in chapter 1 of Coraline by Neil Gaiman. Free resource for Halloween high school ELA teaching.
9th Grade ELA
The Rematch — Close Reading & Characterization Lesson (BJ Novak)
Makes satire and characterization come alive with this 1–2 day lesson that includes guided reading questions and differentiated prompts that help middle and high school students analyze diction, irony, and theme while practicing evidence-based discussion.
Coraline
Reading Questions for Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Chapter by chapter reading questions to support Novel Studies of Coraline by Neil Gaiman (the book).
Lesson Plans
A Simple 3-Step Framework for Teaching Literary Analysis (Even If You're Not an English Teacher)
A free guide for parents looking to support their students with deeper reading in high school ELA.
Books
Top 10 Engaging Activities for Teaching The House on Mango Street
Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street offers a rich tapestry of themes, characters, and literary devices, making it a versatile text for classroom exploration. To help students connect deeply with the material, here are ten activities that blend creativity with critical thinking. 1. ✍️ "My Name"
Books
Scaffolding Lessons Using The House on Mango Street
Rich figurative language analysis and easy lesson scaffolding for The House on Mango Street.
Books
Transforming Student Engagement with The House on Mango Street
I taught Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street once, and quickly realized I needed to rethink my approach. In this post, I'll explain why, and why I’m building something new for students who need a little more structure, support, and literary confidence. What Wasn’
Books
Exploring The Liberators by E.J. Koh: Family, Trauma, and Korean/American History
I've been focusing more on reading over the last few months, finally taking the time to read texts by Asian and Asian American authors. Lately, I'm using this literature as an opportunity to explore history, culture, and identity. I picked up The Liberators by E.J.
Advanced English Class
Re-Integration & Reparation: Final Reflections on When the Emperor Was Divine
Final guided analysis for When the Emperor Was Divine. Reflect on Chapters 4 & 5, explore themes of reparation, identity, and the novel’s haunting ending.
Advanced English Class
Chapter 4: What Does It Mean to Be American? in When the Emperor Was Divine
Explore identity and assimilation in Chapter 4 of When the Emperor Was Divine with a freewrite and close reading activity on what it means to be “American.”
Advanced English Class
Chapter 3: Memory, Identity & the Camp Experience in When the Emperor Was Divine
Close reading questions for Chapter 3 of When the Emperor Was Divine. Analyze memory, identity, and motif development through independent literary practice.