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It's actually pretty hard for me to write this type of a post. I don't do well with being informational and I'm nervous letting you into my world when it comes to how I actually teach. Perhaps I'm afraid of being judged. Perhaps I will look too traditional or, at the opposite end, too far away from the research-based "best practices." I made a ton of mistakes last year. However, one thing that seemed to work was an increase in motivation to read. I'm not entirely sure why this was the case, but I think it had to do with autonomy, choice, getting help with skills, critical thinking and high-interest texts

One of the best ways to get your students motivated about reading is to provide them with online platforms where they can meet other student readers and share their recommendations, reads, and book reviews. When students know that people other than their fellow mates or teachers can read and interact with what they post, they can show more engagement  and interest .

One way we talk about informational text is through a creative writing project called Imaginary Peaceful Lands. Students read and analyze text structure of travel brochures, and then create their own, built around the themes of an imaginary place and elements of peace. Of all the projects, this is often the one that they say they had the most fun with at the end of the year reflection.

Literature Circles provide an intellectual, rigorous, and authentic pathway into and through literature.  Each role utilized provides students interaction with stories in ways that will bring thoughtful and meaningful engagement as well as literary scholarship and sophistication.  Every discussion or seminar provides students opportunities to collaborate and develop sophistication beyond a superficial, contrived response. 

This is because so much of aging is independent of lifestyle, diet, stress level or anything else that might distinguish some people from others—in particular, a great deal of the rate of aging is determined by the chemistry associated with oxygen consumption. In a nutshell, breathing is bad for you...but it’s rather non-negotiable."

Dystopian literature – fiction that imagines flawed societies typically under strict control of a self-serving entity, whether that's a government, corporation or unknown Wizard-of-Oz-like figurehead – helps young adults to become more shrewdly analytical of the societies that they exist in.

Purpose: To promote the retention of knowledge through the use of engaging strategies designed to rehearse and practice skills for the purpose of moving knowledge into long-term memory