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Everything You Need to Know about Article of the Week

Everything You Need to Know About Article of the Week

I started using an article of the week program several years ago, and I've always seen amazing results. I love how flexible the system is and how much the students gain from reading and responding to a weekly article. My system -- which I put my personal spin on -- is planned and structured unlike others I've seen, but I like knowing that this method provides my students with the best possible experience. In this blog post, I'm hoping to share everything you need to know about using an article of the week in your classroom.What is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Article of the Week, close reading, Everything You Need to Know About..., Reading Strategies, secondary ELA, secondary English Teachers, secondary lessons, teacher ideas, teachers pay teachers, teaching ideas, teaching strategies, teaching tips 12 Comments

How To Select and Use Paired Texts for Teaching Reading

How to Select and Use Paired Text for Teaching Reading

In my previous post on the Benefits of Using Paired Texts to Teach Reading, I discuss the advantages of this brain-based teaching method. It's no secret that offering ways for students to making connections -- text to text, text to self, and text to world -- is an opportunity to exercise higher order thinking skills. Teaching shouldn't happen in a vacuum, even though sometimes it does as we stress to move units along the conveyor belt, more acceptably known as pacing guides. Often and unfortunately, we teach one skill and move quickly onto … [Read more...]

Filed Under: close reading, Creative English Lessons for Teens, Middle and High School English Lessons, Reading Strategies, secondary English Teachers Leave a Comment

Tips for Distance Learning Book Club Meetings

Hosting a book club meeting with my high school English students is generally the highlight of my week. There is the possibility, however, that for some reason -- sickness, school cancellations, breaks, etc. -- that your regular in-class book club meeting might not take place within the four walls of your classroom. (If you want to read more about what my traditional books clubs are, check out this post first.) That doesn't mean, though, that you and your students have to miss your book activities and discussions. Here are five tips, ideas, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Clubs for Secondary Classrooms, books, Reading Strategies, secondary ELA, secondary English Teachers 2 Comments

End-of-Year Reflection: Top Five Classroom Success Stories of 2019

One of the most important things we can do as teachers is reflect, and so that’s why I love this annual blog post.  It’s been my new year tradition for the past several years (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), and choosing only five memorable teaching moments is always so hard, but here goes: My top five classroom success stories of 2019! This year in review… Teaching Gatsby for the first time in forever and writing the unit plan for it.  A little bit Disney Frozen on the brain here, but it works.   In the past, I had taught The Great Gatsby mainly in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: bible themes, Christmas, Christmas lessons, church event, Creative English Lessons for Teens, Escape Games, Great Gatsby, literature ideas, Middle and High School English Lessons, novel, novels, secondary ELA, secondary English Teachers, secondary lessons, teacher ideas, teachers pay teachers, teaching ideas, teaching strategies, teaching tips, Vacation Bible School Leave a Comment

What Not to Miss When Teaching Fahrenheit 451

There is so much to teach and learn when reading Ray Bradbury's magnum opus: Fahrenheit 451.  I'm compiling this list of not-to-miss points when teaching Fahrenheit 451 after having taught it for years and years, but also with the disclaimer that every time I teach it, I see something new.  However, these five aspects of the book surface each time through as the topics that spark the most learning and enjoyment. 1. The Language & Allusions: I suppose this wouldn't be a proper English-teacher approved blog post, if I didn't include the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Clubs for Secondary Classrooms, books, Lesson Ideas, literature ideas, Reading Strategies, secondary ELA, secondary english classroom organization, secondary English Teachers, secondary lessons, teacher ideas, teachers pay teachers, teaching ideas, teaching strategies, teaching tips 4 Comments

Interview with a Veteran Middle School Principal

As a classroom teacher, I often wonder "What is my principal really thinking?"  So, I asked one, and I'm pleased she was open to discussion.  Connie Dunn is the principal at the middle school in my district.  She has been a principal for over ten years, and before that, she was a high school English teacher.  I'm really excited to share with you her thoughts, advice, and experiences.  I think you'll enjoy her candor and transparency as well. Meet veteran middle school principal, Connie Dunn:1) Describe your journey to administration, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Life of a Teacher, New Teacher, secondary classrooms, secondary English Teachers, teacher ideas, teaching ideas, teaching strategies, teaching tips 2 Comments

Best Secondary Resources for Back-to-School

  Planning for back-to-school just got easier with this carefully curated list of ideas, tips, suggestions, and resources for your secondary classroom - in any subject! 1) Teacher Planning and Organization: Calendars, planners, notes, Oh My! The list goes on and on for what the teacher needs to get organized and feel ready-to-go for the first days of school.  For me, that's my planner and my high-level curriculum map.  In the past it has been hard to find a planner perfectly suitable to the unique schedules of the secondary world, so I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: back to school, backwards planning, classroom decor, Classroom Management, classroom organization, classroom routines, classroom success stories, classroom teaching strategy, classroom theme, daily grammar program, data charts, data portfolio, data story, data tracking, secondary classroom management, secondary classroom organization, secondary classrooms, secondary ELA, secondary english classroom organization, secondary English Teachers Leave a Comment

Benefits of Google Classroom

A second title to this blog post could have been: Benefits of Blending Google Classroom with a Traditional Classroom.  To elaborate, I teach high school English in a rural school district in the south. Every student doesn't have his/her own iPad or Chromebook, but most have smart devices, and we have department sets of Chromebooks we can check out. We also have several labs throughout the school.  So, when I use Google Classroom, it's as an extension of my own traditional, four-walls classroom. That means my students still have textbooks, but … [Read more...]

Filed Under: back to school, Classroom Management, classroom organization, classroom teaching strategy, secondary classroom management, secondary classroom organization, secondary classrooms, secondary ELA, secondary english classroom organization, secondary English Teachers, teaching ideas, teaching strategies, teaching tips Leave a Comment

Lord of the Flies Island Challenges for Each Chapter

Each time I teach a novel, I try something different.  I love teaching Lord of the Flies, and this past year I decided to give island challenges a try.  Let me tell you... best decision I made for teaching this novel! I taught the novel out of class and hosted book clubs each Friday. (See more about my book clubs here.)  Fridays, then, were when we did our challenges, discussions, and quizzes. I'm so excited to be sharing these Lord of the Flies island challenges for each chapter with you.  I worked really hard to select and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Creative English Lessons for Teens, Lesson Ideas, literature ideas, secondary classrooms, secondary ELA, secondary english classroom organization, secondary English Teachers, secondary lessons, teachers pay teachers, teaching ideas, teaching strategies, teaching tips 6 Comments

Interview with a First-Year High School English Teacher

This past semester I had the honor of meeting Megan Ryan, who began her teaching journey in the school where I teach.  My first year was a long time ago ;) -- another place and another time.  So, when the year came to a close, I really wanted to pick her brain.  Learning from each other's experiences -- successes and struggles -- is what makes us grow as teachers. For this blog post, I'm breaking my traditional "fast five" format to bring you Ms. Ryan's responses in her own words; I loved her candor and detail. Meet Ms. Ryan: 1) Describe your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: back to school, classroom success stories, First Year Teacher, secondary classroom management, secondary classrooms, secondary ELA, secondary english classroom organization, secondary English Teachers, teacher ideas, teaching tips Leave a Comment

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Julie's Classroom Stories

4 weeks ago

Julie's Classroom Stories
What a difference some punctuation makes! #TGIF #FridayFunny ... See MoreSee Less

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Julie's Classroom Stories

4 weeks ago

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2 months ago

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Check out my latest mirror refresh in my stories… going on now! 🎃Linked there too! #classroomdecor #Halloween #classroomstyle #teacher ... See MoreSee Less

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Hot. Cold. Hot. Cold. These are the days... Which Hot. Cold. Hot. Cold. These are the days... Which is why outfits with layering options are perfect! I've always loved overalls, so I'm super glad they are popular again. Thanks, 90s!⁠
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Overalls and Shacket - #aejeans⁠
Shoes - #targetstyle⁠
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#teacheroutfit #wearitwednesday #teacherstyle #teacherootd #whattheteacherwore #outfitoftheday #fashion #ootd #whatsheworewednesday #winteroutfit
Work days are an important piece of a writing unit Work days are an important piece of a writing unit! See how I “transform”my classroom into a coffee shop and why! Also head over to my blog juliefaulknersblog.com and search “food” to read my latest post about bringing food into the classroom.
Anybody else still have food on the brain?!?! Mayb Anybody else still have food on the brain?!?! Maybe I do - hence this post! Anyway, it is the season of celebrations and end-of-semester finals and more, so bringing food into the classroom is likely on your radar. Check out this NEW post on how to bring food into your classroom with meaning and purpose! Link in bio. ⁠
#faulknersfastfiveblog #faulknersfastfive #teachingtips
Are you going dressy for Thanksgiving or casual? I Are you going dressy for Thanksgiving or casual? I'll be doing casual, but this dress is pretty comfy and was giving #thanksgivingvibes. Instead of my usual cardigan, I snagged this cropped sweater from @tjmaxx. I love being able to bring a summer dress (from @oldnavy) into fall. ⁠
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Dress - #oldnavy⁠
Sweater - #youtothemaxx⁠
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#teacheroutfit #wearitwednesday #teacherstyle #teacherootd #whattheteacherwore #outfitoftheday #fashion #ootd #whatsheworewednesday #fallfit
NEW!!! Thesis Statement Writing Lesson, Complete T NEW!!! Thesis Statement Writing Lesson, Complete Teaching Unit⁠
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Build stronger writers by giving them direct instruction on the piece of their essay that sets it all up for success: the thesis statement. In this no-prep teaching pack, you will find everything you need to teach and practice writing thesis statements.  lINK IN BIO. ⁠
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#teachingenglish #englishteacher #teachingwriting #tpt #teacher #education⁠
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I’ve updated my The Hunger Games movie unit in h I’ve updated my The Hunger Games movie unit in honor of the new Songbird and Snakes movie out this month! DM me for the link.
#teacherreels #teacher #thehungergames
Quick Thanksgiving lesson - DM for the link! #than Quick Thanksgiving lesson - DM for the link! #thanksgiving #blackfriday #tpt #teachersofinstagram #teachertips #teacherreels
I get asked all the time for help and tips for how I get asked all the time for help and tips for how to teach writing, and I never really knew how to answer my colleagues who asked me to pinpoint what I did.  I’ve seen success with my students’ writing in my classroom over time, and I’ve had successful writing scores on standards tests. But what really makes good writing instruction? Where do you even begin? How do inspire students to write… to buy in? So in the past few years, I’ve made a conscious effort to consider my practices and process when it came to writing. What I realized was pretty astounding and simple at the same time.  I hope that by the end of this series (over the next several weeks) that you’ll feel empowered and recharged and ready to tackle all those writing standards. DM me for the link to my blog post or search “planning” on juliefaulknersblog.com. #teachingwriting #teachingliterature #teacherreels #teach
When it comes to teaching writing, you have to tea When it comes to teaching writing, you have to teach the basics.  That means breaking down the parts of an essay and teaching the skill explicitly until they master it. Dm if you’d like the link to this new teaching pack. #teachingwriting #writingteacher #englishteacher #elateacher
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