Fiction exists outside the world of history and at the same time, often gives a more accurate account of reality than textbooks.  When we discuss a novel, when is it appropriate to bring in a discussion of culture and history?

It's nice to start fresh in the fall.  Here are five small things you can do that will help you truly love teaching.  

Interpreting the meaning of a frame or shot in a movie is just like interpreting a metaphor or symbol.  This week, I'll talk about how I pair film and literature.  

It can be really fun to let students go online and choose their own adventure.  An open-ended conversation about anything and everything will inspire students to solve the world's problems.  Sometimes, it's good to let students educate themselves.  

Writing a research paper doesn't need to be a stressful experience.  I'll go over the eight things I do in class to guide my students through the writing process.  

This year, I'll do something I call "The Hope Project".  It gives my students the opportunity to make sense of the year and look forward.  

If we walk into our class excited and ready to go, our students will too.  I'll go over some things I've learned about how to be positive.  

Teaching topic by topic instead of chapter by chapter makes life easier on you and your students.  Whole-novel activities allow students to track the development of a topic through the entire story.  

When students learn about race and culture, they learn about everything.  I'll talk about teaching an elective called Racial Literacy and go over four easy ways to talk about race in your ELA classroom.  

My students worked in groups to create a short film in just one week.  I'll take you through ten tips to help your students avoid common mistakes.