There is something very fun and exciting about using seasonal reading and writing activities with middle school students. Even if they won’t admit it, many students enjoy reading creepy, spooky, and scary works because of the suspense. Today, I want to share some festive resources that can be used in the middle school ELA classroom. Whether you choose to do an entire horror unit or you’re wanting a small activity for a day or two, there is something for every ELA teacher. Spooky Read-Alouds Read-alouds are my favorite activity to do with students. They are a great way to expose students to dif ..read more

Recently, I had a teacher ask me for some guidance with student writing. She asked how to get students to “buy into” the revising process and not rely on teachers to always point out suggestions and errors. While I was writing my response, I realized that it’s really been some time since I thought about this type of situation. Classrooms are meant to be a safe space for students. It’s up to us as teachers to create that environment, especially in the beginning of the school year when everything is new. By creating a community of writers, we are providing a supportive environment for students t ..read more

A few months ago I made an ah-mazing discovery. I found a Barnes and Nobles with a HUGE used book section. During my first book haul, I was able to snag the following titles for incredible prices: My first used book stack from Barnes and Nobles. Element Encyclopedia Secret Signs and Symbols by Adele Nozedar The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis The Woods by R.L. Toalson Graceling by Kristin Cashore The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling and Kennilworthy Whisp On Wednesday night, I took a trip back to my favorite Barnes and Nobles, a ..read more

Authors are incredible people. They have an ability to create worlds and characters that transport us out of reality. Authors can make us cry, gasp and get angry (sometimes all in the same chapter). I love that I’ve been able to connect with so many different authors over the years, and truly enjoy being able to share my experiences with all of you. Dear Student, by Elly Swartz, is a powerful novel about navigating middle school, friendships, family changes and anxiety. This middle grade novel is so spot-on with what adolescents experience today. Autumn is starting sixth grade. Her best friend ..read more

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way. I love when I come across books I can use in a real-life situation. As Molly gets older, it’s time for me to start teaching her about money. Today’s book is the perfect way for me to introduce Molly to financial literacy. Moneytopia: Earning: A Bear, Bunny and Fox Book about Money, by Dr. Shanshan Peer and illustrated by Marta Maszkiewicz, is a picture book that introduces young readers to earning money. For homework, Bear, Bunny and Fox need to earn m ..read more

I love reading picture books because authors are able to convey powerful themes in simple ways to readers of all ages. I know I’ve read a good one when I walk away with all the feels. Today, I’m excited to share a book that gave me the warm and fuzzy feeling. The Magical Envelope, written and illustrated by Nathenial and Delilah Adams, is a touching picture book about the importance of kindness and thinking of others. I was scrolling through Facebook the other night, when I saw a post in a local moms group about two children who just published their first picture book. Being the book nerd that ..read more

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way. I remember being in fourth grade when Columbine happened. I was in my second year of teaching when Sandy Hook happened. School shootings are true tragedies that affect those involved the rest of their lives. AfterMath, by Emily Barth Isler, gives readers an inside look at grief, loss and devastation surrounding family, friends and gun violence. Lucy is a seventh-grade girl who is moving to a new town after her little brother, Theo, dies from a heart co ..read more

There’s just a special kind of vibe during the summer. The laid-back atmosphere allows our minds and bodies to relax and take a break. Kids of all ages take this opportunity to go swimming, hang out with friends, and not worry about the pressures of school. However, while it’s important to take advantage of this time to rest and re-set, it’s just as important to keep kids academically engaged to some capacity. The summer slide is a term used to explain learning loss that takes place over the summer. Each family and child is different, so luckily there is no one way to avoid the summer slide. W ..read more

“Mommy, [Max] says that I’m a baby. He doesn’t believe I’m four.” One day, Molly came home saying that her classmates think she’s a baby because she’s so short. As a mom, I had a little moment of panic, not going to lie. Molly is a sensitive kid and she has an incredibly accurate memory for remembering what people tell her. I knew she would remember my explanation and we would most likely have this talk multiple times over the years, so I had to set the foundation. I’m 4’10”. Both of my parents are short, and my sister is also under five feet tall. So, it’s really no surprise that my daughter ..read more

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way. Speaking from my own experiences as a middle school teacher, these are without a doubt some of the most difficult years for kids. It’s the in-between stage where puberty is happening, friendships are changing, and kids start to pull away from their parents. Every child reacts to these situations in different ways as he/she tries to grapple for control of some aspect of life. Taking Up Space, by Alyson Gerber, is an honest middle school novel about frie ..read more