Lately, I’ve been working on gamification. Not the kind where you get points and add custom outfits to your hamster... more

If the work week is starting to feel like a blurry hand sanitizer-scented haze at the moment, you're right on... more

This week I’m thinking about those moments when the system collapses. Your toddler wakes up at 3 am and stays... more

Ever struggle to get students to stop talking? Keep their phones put away? Stay focused during the lesson? Stop whispering... more

In today’s short episode of “Highly Recommended”, I’m here to tell you it’s time to try a poetry video project!... more

So you want to give the nod to the season, but you also want to make sure all your... more

Welcome to day five of gratitude week here at Spark Creativity. Today, on our final day, we’re looking back... more

Welcome to day four of gratitude week here at Spark Creativity. Today we’re looking back at an interview with... more

Welcome to day three of gratitude week here at Spark Creativity. Today we’re looking back at an interview with... more

Welcome to day two of gratitude week here at Spark Creativity. Today we're revisiting a popular interview with Dr.... more

This week I’m thinking about how grateful I am for this incredible community - all the creative educators around... more

In today’s short episode of “Highly Recommended”, I want to recommend an article I read at Edutopia this week,... more

If you’re a teacher in a Title I School, you need to know about First Book Marketplace. ... more

This week, I want to talk about Sunday nights. If you’re struggling to figure out how you can be a... more

Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, and Eugene O'Neill get plenty of spotlight on the ELA curriculum stage. And... more

This week I want to share a fabulous resource I recently discovered, a website full of short video models for... more

My son and I love a few certain characters from the books we've read aloud over the years. Gum-Baby,... more

Grading discussion can feel like juggling cats. How can you be present in a class discussion while also trying to... more

We’ve all been in a discussion hurtling off the track and into the canyon, far, far below. Chances are,... more

Remember in elementary school, how some kids were so excited to answer a question that they would wave their hand... more

Welcome back to our ongoing discussion series. If you missed the first two episodes, covering five types of... more

Today we’re talking about a model that influenced every discussion I ran in my classroom from my first year to... more

Discussion. Theoretically it’s the bread and butter of the English classroom, but sometimes it feels like all crusts and... more

The late afternoon sun filtered through the windows of our tiny department office as I ran in to grab the... more

Want to teach a multigenre essay project? Good! Our students see story splashed across so many... more

Welcome to the Thursday edition of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, a podcast for English teachers in search of creative... more

It's no fun announcing an argument paper and being met by groans. If your students have arrived at your... more

If you’ve ever felt like you were stuck in a rut doing the same thing day after day, I’ve got... more

Do you have old books lying around taking up space in your classroom? Books no one is ever going to... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I want to tell you about a one week unit that has never failed to produce... more

Let's talk about dystopia book clubs, a compelling unit option for ELA. I taught my first... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I’d like to challenge you to get your students set up on Canva and help them... more

Video is everywhere in communication these days, including on Reels, TikTok, and Youtube, where our students are. Building creative... more

On this week’s mini-episode, let’s talk about how to build an audio assignment in early in the year without feeling... more

We moved this month, and it wasn’t one of your quick moves. We did one of those... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I want to talk about learning names, and my easy trick for mastery. It took me... more

Jason Reynolds' website headline reads "Here's What I Do: Not Write Boring books." How great is that? As... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I’m sharing the coolest discussion warm-up I’ve ever learned, which I picked up at the Exeter... more

The first time I really understood what flow meant I was barefoot in salty sand, building a beach... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I want to give my answer to a question I see all the time in our ... more

Today I’d like to share one of my favorite episodes from the Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast archives. In this special... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I just have a very quick idea for you and it’s this. As back-to-school hits, it’s... more

Back-to-School season is the perfect time to set up your reading program for success throughout the year. ... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I want to answer a question from our community about lesson planning. Here it is: “How... more

Maybe you've heard the story of how I almost quit teaching on my first first day of school. ... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I want to share my top strategy for taking the pressure off you while delivering a... more

If I told you the elective we’re about to dive into has an “awkward party” unit, would you believe... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I want to answer a question from our community about reading in class. Here it is... more

What would you do if you had nine weeks to help ELA students imagine the real-world use of ELA skills?... more

This week let’s talk about careers. I don’t know if you can relate, but I graduated from high school with... more

Today on the show, we’ll find out what happened when an administrator attended a student’s genius hour project presentation... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I want to answer a question sent in by a member of our community. Here’s what... more

Today on the show we’re hearing from Valerie Boehm, who teaches a Dramatic Writing elective in Georgia as part... more

Join me each week for innovative teaching strategies you can use immediately in your ELA classroom, from choice reading help... more

On this week’s mini-episode, I’m remembering the moment my 11th graders asked me to please, please, please add a book... more

Last night I dreamed I was teaching in a new classroom, except it had layers of stuff on the... more

On this week’s mini-episode, let’s talk about my favorite online teacher tool, Canva. If you haven’t signed up for their... more

You want the last day of ELA to be special, but what does that mean exactly? And who has... more

On this week’s mini-episode, let’s talk summer school. Because I know that if you ARE teaching summer school, you’d like... more

As the sun rises a little earlier each day and the cherry trees in our neighborhood fill with fruit,... more

Today I want to talk about a fantastic podcast for you to use in class if you teach Shakespeare. With... more

Choice reading can sometimes feel like an out-of-reach dream. I recently heard from a busy teacher who wrote, "I... more

Today I want to talk final exams, and specifically, one I’ve really enjoyed giving when I had the leeway to... more

Do your students think of the revision process as a combo of spellcheck and Grammarly? Tend to peer edit... more

Today I want to talk about a subject I’m sure you’ve thought a lot about - how much are... more

With exam season coming up, you're probably looking for some creative ELA review activities. Whether your school... more

Today, I want to highlight a useful tool Amanda Cardenas shared earlier this year on the show called The Sesame... more

Have you ever wished you could get students excited about genius hour, then immediately wondered what you’d do if... more

  Welcome to the Thursday edition of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, a podcast for English teachers in search... more

Book talk podcasts can provide gentle choice reading accountability, target presentation of knowledge and speaking skills, and build a... more

Welcome to the Thursday edition of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, a podcast for English teachers in search of creative... more

It’s never a bad thing when your classroom innovation lands you at a press conference with your state’s... more

Welcome to the Thursday edition of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, a podcast for English teachers in search of creative... more

We’re about to dive into an elective that combines Beowulf, The Hobbit, Ursula Leguin, graphic novels, and contemporary YA! What... more

Welcome to the Thursday edition of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, a podcast for English teachers in search of creative... more

Welcome to the author spotlight series at Spark Creativity. In this series, you’ll hear from authors... more

Welcome to the Thursday edition of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, a podcast for English teachers in search of creative... more

You know how we feel here at Spark Creativity about Book PR. Basically it's the best. We're all... more

Today, let’s talk about March Madness, and how to harness all that awesome enthusiasm to get your students excited about... more

Remember when research projects involved stacks of books and notecards? Yeah, me too. But we all know research... more

Welcome to the Thursday edition of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, a podcast for English teachers in search of creative... more

  Today on the podcast, we’re sitting down with Amanda Cardenas to talk about a very big question. A... more

Welcome to the Thursday edition of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, a podcast for English teachers in search of creative... more

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about electives. Electives I want to design, like one about Youtube... more

Welcome to the Thursday edition of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, a podcast for English teachers in search of creative... more

Ahh, the hum of fluorescent lighting. The slightly stained carpeting. The copier that is almost-if-not-already-out-of-paper. The dirty coffee cups.... more

This week, I want to suggest you let your students design an escape room. Escape rooms are, in the iconic... more

So you want your students to get better at something, but drill-and-kill is clearly not the answer. Been there,... more

This week, I want to share a great way to tie rhetorical analysis into the upcoming Superbowl.  First things first,... more

Welcome to the second episode of the author spotlight series here at Spark Creativity! In this series,... more

This week, I want to share a quick way to help make your next discussion better. The next time you... more

We've been talking this month about the paper pile. The work bag shadow. The stack of essays you... more

This week, I want to tell you a story about pancakes. You might know I love to cook and bake.... more

I'll never forget the "C" I got on my first English paper in college. I was walking across the... more

This week, I want to share a quick resource to help you celebrate Black Artists and Authors in your classroom... more

I recently polled our community on Instagram about the paper pile. Because let's face it, it's a huge part... more

Welcome to the first episode of the author spotlight series here at Spark Creativity! In this series,... more

This week, I want to share the daily planning routine that is working better for me this year than anything... more

Today on the podcast, we're sitting down with Abby Gross from Write on with Miss G, who has become... more

This week I want to talk about your work space and why it matters that you love it. Do you... more

There's nothing quite like knowing exactly what you're going to do on the first day back after break as... more

This week I want to talk about the literary food truck project and why it’s time to try it if... more

Did you know that in Iceland they have a special holiday tradition called "Book Flood" on Christmas eve? People... more

This week I want to talk what to do if you're trying to help your students take advantage of the... more

The week before winter break can be a great time for wintery poetry. A mini-unit like this... more

This week I want to share a productivity tip that has changed my life in ways large and small.  Three... more

Today on the podcast, we’re sitting down with Martina Cahill, who goes by The Hungry Teacher online. One of... more

This week I want to talk about argument, and why it seems so esoteric to kids when they learn about... more

When it comes to an engaging poetry unit, I believe the #1 building block is performance. There's something about... more

This week I want to talk about how one-pagers can be a powerful gateway to creative options in your classroom. ... more

The week before Thanksgiving it's easy to feel a little scattered! For teachers AND students. It can be nice... more

This week I want to share advice I only wish someone had given me long ago - don’t grade everything... more

We've all been there. You walk into a class, unveil your lesson plan with all the joy and care... more

I want you to watch Gene Luen Yang's Ted talk called “Comics Belong in the Classroom!”  Here's why. It's a... more

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by education leader Reid Saaris. He’s the founder of Equal Opportunity Schools, a... more

This week I want to share a wonderful website and resource with you, Melissa Alter Smith’s brainchild, Teach Living Poets.... more

Today on the podcast, we’re sitting down with Dr. Mark Gooden, the Christian Johnson Endeavor Professor in Education Leadership... more

This week I want to give you a few quick ideas for using your whiteboard to help share great books... more

Need a creative approach to your next short story? Or short story unit? (By the way, here are some... more

This week I want to tell you about the most beautiful, powerful, impactful classroom posters I’ve seen on the internet.... more

In this podcast, discover NINE creative ways to bring Taylor Swift's music into class. Find out how to have students... more

This week I’ve got a productivity tip to give you so much more focused time in your classroom.   Let’s... more

As Banned Books Week kicks off, I know not every teacher is in a position to showcase it. In... more

This week I want to talk about getting you in front of an audience this year. My first year in... more

There are so many reasons why a student may be quiet in class. The language may be difficult. They... more

This week let’s talk about a unique masters program - and the one I did - The Bread Loaf School... more

Have you reached for a turtleneck sweater yet? Bought one of those big pumpkins or bright purple mums at the... more

This week let’s talk a different kind of topic, asking for what you want in education. When I was five,... more

I have to admit that even though I wrote three college essays, got into college, went to college, got... more

This week let’s talk about the simplest audio recording tool out there for students, Vocaroo.    Getting into activities like... more

So you've heard the buzz about podcasts, and you're intrigued. You want to play an episode in class, but... more

This week let’s talk about research, and the ways it shows up across the world these days. Because I’d like... more

Today on the podcast, I’m so excited to bring you the first writer ever to win three very important... more

This week I want to share a super simple strategy for building more book recommendations into your classes in just... more

Librarians can help classroom teachers in sooooo many ways, and classroom teachers can return the favor by reminding kids... more

This week I want to share a fast-paced and fun podcast for middle schoolers, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel. It's... more

So you want to share your favorite books with your students to help them love reading. Excellent! But maybe... more

This week I want to share two quick ways to make back-to-school night something you can enjoy this year.  In... more

So you've assigned a book you love (or maybe a selection of several) to your students for the summer, and... more

This week I want to share one of my favorite recent reads - Alone, by Megan E Freeman. I picked... more

Today on the podcast, I’m glad to welcome Kareem Farah, founder of the Modern Classrooms Project. As a teacher... more

This week I want to share a quick push for trying book clubs this year. If you haven’t jumped on... more

AI is here. And everyone is paying attention. Many people are wondering if AI will take over their jobs,... more

As the back-to-school season rolls around, attendance questions are a super easy strategy to help you build community and get... more

Today on the podcast, we’re talking about why offering our students diverse texts and giving them choice over their... more

This week on "Highly Recommended" I’m sharing my absolute favorite way to start school - the name tent one-pager.  Long-time... more

Silent discussions are a handy go-to option for helping every student participate in a discussion. They can help break... more

This week I’m sharing an idea from Penny Kittle that is so lovely and adaptable, I’m sure you can find... more

I know how it is. One minute you're paddleboarding along the lake, the next your mind is back-to-school as... more

A few years ago I read Sarah Fine and Jal Mehta’s book, In Search of Deeper Learning. These two researchers... more

As I sat in the warm theater watching my son's sixth grade class recount their favorite memories of school... more

This week on "Highly Recommended," I’m sharing my absolute favorite tool on the internet, which just so happens to be... more

Today on the podcast, I’ve got a great story for you. It’s the story of how one senior class... more

So here’s the thing. High school kids have about 10,000 things on their agenda just above going to the library... more

Today on the podcast we’re sitting down with Laura Lee Gulledge, the graphic novelist behind The Dark Matter of... more

Do you know about Libro FM's free audiobook program for educators?  It's easy to sign up - they approved me... more

Interactive wall displays are one of my favorite new things. Adding a QR code to a poster gives students... more

This week on “Highly Recommended” we’re talking about the guy who has been one of my top go-tos for years... more

I see a lot of posts each month inside our Facebook group, Creative High School English, asking for text... more

This week on Highly Recommended  I’m sharing my favorite online tool for Shakespeare, the free website My Shakespeare.  So what... more