Freebie
Build a Strong Thesis Statement Worksheet (Print & Digital)
A free, classroom-ready worksheet that helps students build clear, specific, analytical thesis statements for any text. Includes a printable PDF and a Google Docs digital version.
Edgar Allan Poe
How to Make Edgar Allan Poe Relevant: Scaffolded Creative Writing for Secondary ELA
I love Gothic literature. Something about it. The monsters as metaphor. The rich, dense language that forces me to slow down. The layers of figurative language that overlap imagery, weaving it into extended metaphor, accentuating with sound devices, and all of it coming together to suggest theme. What ELA teacher
Edgar Allan Poe
Poe Gothic Story Writing Workbook
Complete workbook that pairs figurative language and craft [of writing] analysis with parallel creative writing practices to guide students through creating their own gothic short stories. Rigorous and relatable.
Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie: Full ELA Film Unit & Pacing Guide
3 week pacing guide for teaching and analyzing Frankenweenie, includes links to all lessons (essentially a unit bundle).
9th Grade ELA
How to Engage Students When Teaching Analytical Writing
My students used to breeze through short stories just so they could move on. Then I introduced BJ Novak’s bizarre, hilarious short stories—and suddenly, they were asking to read more. That’s when I realized the most accessible texts can also spark the deepest thinking. Why Start With
The House on Mango Street
What If She’s Not “Unmotivated”?
Why I Created a House on Mango Street Novel Study for Homeschool Families If you’re a homeschooling parent trying to get your daughter to care about literature or write with confidence, you might be feeling stuck. Especially if she’s quiet. Resistant. Disengaged. Maybe you’ve heard things like:
Analytical Writing
How to Use ChatGPT to Turn a Film Analysis Model into Scaffolded Writing Instruction (with Into the Spider-Verse)
Help students analyze theme and character growth in Into the Spider-Verse with this scaffolded film analysis activity. Includes thesis + outline worksheets.
Into the Spider-Verse
After the Viewing Questions: Teaching Into the Spider-Verse
Explore post-viewing strategies and discussion prompts for teaching Into the Spider-Verse in middle and high school English or film classes (can be used as a discussion prompts for homeschool!)
Books
Scaffolding Lessons Using The House on Mango Street
Rich figurative language analysis and easy lesson scaffolding for The House on Mango Street.
9th Grade ELA
Film Analysis Assignment Sheet & Rubric for Coraline
A Thematic + Visual Analysis Project for Middle & High School Students