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Continue reading →: 106 Short Stories to Teach in High School ELA (By Level)A teacher-tested list of 106 short stories to teach in high school English, sorted by difficulty, with word counts, themes, and skills to teach.
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Continue reading →: “Can You Just Check This Real Quick?” How to Stop Pre-Grading Student WorkA student raises his or her hand while working on an essay or a test. The question? “Can you read this and tell me if it’s good?” It happens ALL the time. If you aren’t prepared, you’ll spend the entire period basically pre-grading work that you’re going to then grade…
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Continue reading →: Do High School English Teachers Carry the Heaviest Load?High school English teachers face immense pressure due to expanding expectations. Their workload includes planning, grading, and adapting materials for varying reading levels, often without adequate support. To manage stress, educators should prioritize impactful feedback, collaborate with colleagues, and design engaging curriculum while setting boundaries!
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Continue reading →: Why Teach MLA Formatting and Citation in High School (And Why They’re Worth Real Class Time)MLA formatting is often treated as a minor, fussy detail nobody really needs to care too much about, but inconsistent teaching across teachers and grade levels is leaving our high school students confused about citation rules and unsure whether formatting really matters. Because MLA formatting and citation are concrete, rule-based…
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Continue reading →: 10 Easy, Fun, High-Interest Books for High School Choice Novel Units: Engaging Reads That Won’t Overwhelm Reluctant ReadersThe ELA curriculum often focuses on heavy themes like death and adultery. Why not include engaging, lighter novels in a “Choice Novel Unit”? This post explores choice reading options that resonate with student experiences and lead to deeper engagement and more meaningful discussions.
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Continue reading →: Three-Week Unit Calendars for 1984 (AP Lit or advanced High School ELA, English 11, etc.)
These are alternative calendars for the official English with Mrs. Lamp 1984 unit, available here! See more unit information here (free)! 1984 Unit Calendar — 15 Days (45-Minute Classes) Page numbers match the Signet Classics edition of 1984 Adapted from the full 20-day calendar. The essay unit (5 days) is…
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Continue reading →: Suggested Unit Calendars for Teaching Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi to High School Students: ELA 11, English 11, ELA 12, English 12, World Lit
Note: Please check out my complete Homegoing teaching unit on Teachers Pay Teachers for all the resources mentioned in this post! They are also sold individually, if you only want quizzes, essays, reading questions, intro materials (free), or journals! Sample Homegoing Unit Calendar (45-Minute Class) We will use a mix…
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Continue reading →: Pushing Back Against AI in the ClassroomMany ELA teachers express concern over the increasing reliance on AI tools in education. While such technology may offer convenience amid teaching demands, it risks undermining essential skills and the core values of teaching. Engaging students in discussions about AI’s role and limitations could foster critical thinking and preserve authentic…
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Continue reading →: Teaching High School English? Here’s What to Expect as a First-Year High School ELA TeacherThe article offers insights for first-year teachers, addressing common challenges like anxiety, lesson failures, and dealing with difficult parents. It emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and maintaining realistic expectations, highlighting the inevitable struggles in teaching.
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Continue reading →: 80 Things to Do Differently Next Year as a High School English/ELA TeacherAs the school year ends, let’s assess how it went and consider changes we’d like to make in our English Language Arts classrooms next year! This guide provides 80 actionable ideas focused on reading, writing, discussion, vocabulary, classroom routines, and assessments 🙂
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Continue reading →: Grading Tips for High School English Teachers: Save Time, Reduce Burnout, and Grade SmarterHigh school English teachers! Reduce grading time and burnout by implementing effective strategies like conducting in-class student conferences, using color-coded essays, early rubric assessments, and setting basic requirements. Read on to learn 30 more tips!
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Continue reading →: Stop Drowning in Essays: A Veteran Teacher’s Honest Guide to Grading Essays FasterImprove essay grading and reduce burnout! Create a feedback system that works for you and your students!
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Continue reading →: AI-Proofing Your ELA Classes: Strategies That Can Work for High School English Teachers
Strategies for teachers to combat AI-generated essays and promote authentic student writing. These include reverting to handwritten, timed assignments, requiring citations, and implementing personal writing prompts.
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Continue reading →: How to Teach Passive Voice: A Guide for High School English TeachersTeaching passive voice is crucial for high school students as they often struggle with its recognition and appropriate use, which affects their writing clarity and confidence. Effective instruction should include direct teaching, logical progression, and targeted practice, helping students make strategic voice choices for academic and professional success while addressing…
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Continue reading →: 9 Essential Tips for English Teachers Before Winter Break: Stress-Free StrategiesStrategies for ELA teachers to manage their workload efficiently during the pre-winter break period. By planning assessments early, incorporating creative review activities, streamlining grading processes, and prioritizing self-care, teachers can reduce stress. The goal is to complete grading before the holidays, ensuring a more enjoyable break.
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Continue reading →: In-Class Essays: High School English Teachers Must Rethink Writing Assessment in the Age of AIHigh school English teachers increasingly find that student essays show signs of AI use, resulting in unnatural writing and the loss of individual voice. To combat this, many educators are shifting towards more in-class writing assignments to enhance authenticity, focus instruction, and equitably assess student abilities, so we can foster…
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Continue reading →: How to End the Semester Without Burning Out: A High School ELA Teacher’s December Survival GuideThe post discusses strategies for teachers to manage their workload during the demanding month of December while maintaining student engagement. It advocates replacing cumulative finals with meaningful, quick-to-grade activities, emphasizing student self-reflection and feedback. The aim is to reduce stress for educators and improve classroom dynamics without compromising teaching quality.
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Continue reading →: Make MLA Citation Less Painful: How to Teach MLA 9 Like a Pro!As the leaves change and a chill enters the air, many of us are getting ready to introduce our first cited essays or research papers, and we all know what that means: the dreaded “nitty gritty” MLA citation questions are about to start rolling in. “Do I italicize or use…
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Continue reading →: How to Teach The Fall of the House of Usher to English 11 or American Lit ELA ClassesThe Fall of the House of Usher is a challenging yet rewarding short story by Edgar Allan Poe, ideal for high school literature classes. With appropriate scaffolding, such as modern introductions and guided analyses, teachers can enhance comprehension and engagement, making this classic memorable for students while fostering substantial literary…
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Continue reading →: How to Teach Phrases in High School English
High school students are experiencing a grammar crisis due to lack of direct instruction, leading to unclear writing and missed opportunities for improvement. Teaching phrase types systematically enhances students’ grammar skills, bridging gaps in their learning and preparing them for college and career demands. Explicit grammar instruction is essential for…
Hi,
I’m Carly
Welcome to English with Mrs. Lamp, where I share teaching ideas, advice, and resources for 11th Grade American Literature, AP Lit, and High School ELA!
I specialize in providing units and materials for new teachers & homeschool parents that come with thorough pacing guides, unit calendars, lesson plans, answer keys, and notes with tips, tricks & advice to make your lessons go smoothly!
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