r/ELATeachers 4h ago

6-8 ELA Wide or college-ruled notebooks for 6th grade?

7 Upvotes

What the title says. This would be for composition notebooks my students will be using for opening writing prompts and various notes and activities, handwriting practice, etc. Thanks!


r/ELATeachers 1h ago

9-12 ELA Looking for Poem

Upvotes

I’m hoping someone can help me. I’m looking for a poem, but I cannot remember the title. All I can remember is it involves a boy (or girl) talking to an animal about dreams and other stuff.

I know it is not much, but any help is appreciated.


r/ELATeachers 20h ago

9-12 ELA I've been offered a position as a FOUNDING 9th grade ELA teacher and am considering taking it. Advice?

5 Upvotes

I am a bit nervous for the workload to be completely honest, but I would love some tips or encouragement with this. I think it would be great experiences and a unique career opportunity. Does anyone else have experience as a founding teacher?

Edit: founding teacher means the school is growing and I would be the first 9th grade teacher at the school, therefore, I would play a pivotal role in launching the school program and helping define academic ELA culture.

I am single with no kids, and would be entering my 6th year of teaching. I’ve taught 4 years of middle school and 1 year of high school.

The school has great employee reviews about its staff support, but I would be the only English teacher and report to the Director of Learning. There are half days on Wednesdays for prep time, etc.

66 students in the 9th grade class, charter school.


r/ELATeachers 21h ago

9-12 ELA What should senior students do before they graduate?

1 Upvotes

Hi there! This is my third year teaching but my first year teaching senior English. I only have one section of it, but I really want to make sure they get what they need before they graduate! It should also be stated that I teach junior English, so I’ll most likely have kids I already taught last year. Therefore, I don’t want to repeat “base” assignments (since I did it with them last year).

Normally, we do a skill on Monday’s in my class. For example, my juniors do morphology, grammar, punctuation, then ACT, then advanced grammar.

However, I’m struggling with my seniors. I need about 30 things to do to cover each Monday. Here’s what I have so far:

Writing skills (emails, gen AI + plagiarism, sources + citing, dialogue, a few creative writing assignments)

Career (cover page, resume, ask for references in a professional email, dress to impress w an interview)

And, College (research colleges and company, research scholarships, write and revise general scholarship essays)

Any and all ideas are appreciated!! Thank you!!


r/ELATeachers 1d ago

6-8 ELA 6th Grade Short Stories?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm in my second year teaching 6th Humanities and I'm planning to begin the year with some short stories to start building analysis, annotation, and note taking skills, as well as assess the reading levels in my incoming group. I have some that I have used in the past, but I'm curious what else is out there! I also do history (TCI) with each section after we do ELA, so nonfiction isn't a concern right away for me. Thanks!


r/ELATeachers 1d ago

9-12 ELA The Road-Lesson Ideas?

3 Upvotes

First time teaching this. I’d love some ideas on the approach other teachers found successful. I teach below level, on level, and honors. Thanks!!


r/ELATeachers 2d ago

6-8 ELA Balance between read-aloud/independent reading?

9 Upvotes

Hello all,

As I'm revamping what I want next year (7th grade ELA) to look like, I'm having a hard time balancing three things:

-supporting readers through reading texts aloud

-supporting students practicing reading independently with choice books

-ensuring I have enough class time to cover the skills/standards I'm teaching.

I feel like I can only choose 2 of these; if I read class materials aloud, I can cover the skills/standards, but it takes long enough that I haven't been able to factor in enough time for students to read choice books independently. If I give students independent reading time, in order to cover all the skills/standards I want to cover, I end up assigning class reading for homework (which many students won't do). If I read all our class texts aloud, and give students independent reading time, I'm rarely able to cover all the skills/standards.

How do you all balance this? If I must sacrifice one, which should go? Last year, I sacrificed independent reading time, though that hurts my heart.


r/ELATeachers 2d ago

Educational Research Survey for Middle School ELA teachers on supporting students with ADHD

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I'm Nida 👋🏻, an Interaction design grad student at UNT researching how to better support middle school teachers, grades 6 to 8, who teach students with ADHD, with a focus on writing.

I'd love to hear where writing breaks down for these students and where existing tools and accommodations fall short in your classroom.

Quick 5 to 10 minute survey:

https://unt.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7VS5NDzjk8kPrNQ

If you’re open to a 30 minute Zoom instead pls comment or DM me. Thank you!!!


r/ELATeachers 2d ago

6-8 ELA Middle School Books

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1 Upvotes

r/ELATeachers 2d ago

Educational Research I'm trying to get data for my research

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forms.gle
6 Upvotes

r/ELATeachers 1d ago

Educational Research Do you trust an AI essay grader to be consistent?

0 Upvotes

I've been working through a pretty big stack of essays this week, and by the end of it I always start wondering if I'm applying the same standards as I was on the first paper. Not because I'm trying to change grades, just because grading that much writing gets mentally exhausting.

It got me thinking about whether anyone uses a tool more as a second set of eyes than as something to actually grade for them. Does it help you stay more consistent, or do you still end up changing most of the feedback anyway?


r/ELATeachers 3d ago

6-8 ELA Struggling to teach 8th grade writing

17 Upvotes

Howdy all. Going into my 6th year and am picking up 8th grade Language Arts (my school splits Lit/Lang into two classes) after 3 years of only teaching Literature. I’m excited, but nervous because I’ve always struggled to teach writing. I can read a student’s paper and tell them what to fix, but I struggle to tell them why, unless it’s a very clear cut issue with mechanics. Anyone have any recommendations for resources I can use or books I can read to get a better grip on how to teach writing? We’ve had a tough time with Language Arts scores the past few years and I really want to help them feel ready for high school!


r/ELATeachers 3d ago

9-12 ELA New Journalism teacher - which program should I use?

2 Upvotes

I'm teaching a 1-semester introduction to Journalism this fall and I'm torn between the Journalism for All curriculum or putting something together from the Missouri High School Journalism project. I have 84 days in total for this class, between 43 and 50 minutes each day. I have no textbook, and we're a Google Classroom environment. All kids have chrome books. (Class is 10th-11th graders.)

The Missouri one would require significant expansion to fill out the semester, and the J4All would require significant shortening. Any recommendations or warnings for either of these? If you used J4All, did you find yourself cutting it, and if so, where?

(Ideally I would combine these, but I don't think I have time to do that before this semester starts.)


r/ELATeachers 2d ago

JK-5 ELA My kid is going into second grade and doesn’t seem to like reading but is above her grade level

1 Upvotes

So I’m a bit confused on what to do here my 7.5 year old is going into second grade this year. They do A-Z grading so they wanted them around a level “J” at the end of the year and my daughter is level “M/N” she can easily ready Ivy and bean, magic tree house etc but HATES the books i think because it’s a bunch of words and no pictures so I totally get it.

She likes reading fly guy and piggie which is great but it doesn’t really challenge her. When I try to read with her she gets frustrated and doesn’t want to. I’m so not trying to force her to read because I don’t want her to hate it. Just looking for some advice to hopefully help—she reads really well at school but hates doing it at home..

I read chapter books with her and have her read a few paragraphs and I’ll read the pages to just get her practicing but even a word she doesn’t know she just screams “I don’t know that and I don’t want to read anymore”

Please help!!


r/ELATeachers 3d ago

9-12 ELA Short story where protagonist needs to decide

5 Upvotes

This is for a skills review class. Students need to write a five paragraph persuasive essay and I have five 90 minute classes.

These kids are way below grade level and all work needs to be done in class. Realistically I need to have them start writing on Wednesday if they are to finish by Friday.

That gives me two class periods to read, analyze and review the essay structure.
I’m drawing a blank on a high interest cliff hanger story/ excerpt where the protagonist needs to make a life altering decision. I’m thinking that the assignment will be to have the students write a letter to persuade the protagonist to do X.


r/ELATeachers 3d ago

Career & Interview Related Demo lesson advice

1 Upvotes

I have a demo lesson coming up for 20 minutes, 9th grade, focusing on making inferences and providing textual evidence, developing questions for deeper understanding, and drawing evidence from the text to support analysis, reflection, and research. This lesson is over Zoom and the “students” will be some admins, teachers, and possibly a few students. I’m thinking it would be good to base the lesson on an interesting article that discusses the impact of AI use on social media. Do you have any suggestions for an article to use and activity you would suggest in working with it? Any advice on having a strong demo over Zoom? This is the first time I’ve had to do this and it’s because the interview is during a planned family vacation I could not change. Thanks for any help! 😊


r/ELATeachers 3d ago

9-12 ELA Need short stories that relate to the American Dream (high school).

11 Upvotes

Does anyone have any recommendations of short stories that touch on the topic of the American Dream? I'm especially interested in finding any in the horror/gothic lit genres, as my students tend to enjoy those most. This is for a Junior class, but dipping slightly above/below grade level is fine.


r/ELATeachers 4d ago

9-12 ELA book recommendations for a 10th grader?

5 Upvotes

hi!! im a homeschooled 10th grader and i keep seeing things about the literacy rates going down and the ”literacy crisis“ and i really don’t want to fall down that pipe line. I need some book recommendations that are in my age range


r/ELATeachers 4d ago

9-12 ELA Recommendations for summative film study assignment

2 Upvotes

Grade 11/12 ELA class, I am teaching A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen and have decided to pair that with the movie Passing. I’ve created some pre movie viewing articles and activities, the writers bio, Passing film critique, etc and a slideshow with celebrities that can pass for white etc. We’re doing discussions on identity etc to set students up to view the movie. I have a question sheet and some theme and quotes for students to do group discussions post viewing but I’d like some kind of creative project for them to do individually afterwards. Any ideas? They’re doing a fishbowl discussion after reading A Dolls House. Last year for one modern play they created a survival kit for one of the characters, I’ve had them do psychological analyses for Macbeth, they did a group project where they analysed the soundtrack of Just Mercy. I’d like something similar where they can connect to the main themes on identity, privilege, gender roles etc but need help. If you’ve either taught the movie (I could find nothing online except one TPT thing) or have some creative projects that you’ve done with other texts, let me hear them. One idea is to have them to a press conference where some students are the four main characters and the other students are reporters and they have to ask and answer questions about the death of one of the main characters at the end but I’m not sure how to style it. Thanks in advance


r/ELATeachers 3d ago

Career & Interview Related FTCE 6-12 English Exam

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1 Upvotes

r/ELATeachers 4d ago

Books and Resources Grade 3/4 Read Alouds: First Two Weeks

3 Upvotes

Hello!

Looking for ideas for read aloud for the first two weeks of school.

Majority of students are in Grade 3.

Thanks in advance!


r/ELATeachers 5d ago

6-8 ELA Nonnegotiable grammar expectations for students

31 Upvotes

Which grammar rules do you require students to use? How do you hold them accountable?


r/ELATeachers 4d ago

9-12 ELA Differentiating between 9 and 9 Honors?

6 Upvotes

I've only taught 9 Honors in the past, but this year I will also be teaching regular 9. In 9H, I do a short story unit, The House on Mango Street, Night, The Odyssey, and Romeo and Juliet. We do independent reading as well as some grammar. I'm hoping to keep the same texts, but maybe slower pacing, more reading aloud in-class, and shorter / simpler writing assignments... appreciate any advice or recommendations would be appreciated!


r/ELATeachers 5d ago

Self-Promotion Friday I directed a feature film starring the real-life English teacher who changed my life — seeking a few ELA teachers for feedback

8 Upvotes

15 years after graduating from middle school, I reconnected with my 6th-grade English teacher who helped shape me in becoming a writer. Together, we created a feature film in which she portrayed herself in the lead role. The end result is Daydream, a coming-of-age drama about the lasting effect one great teacher can have on a young student.

The film is intended for middle and high-school-aged audiences, but before pursuing broader educational distribution, I would like honest feedback from a small group of practicing or retired English teachers.

I am particularly interested in whether:

  • The story would connect with students ages 11 and up
  • The teacher-student relationship feels relatable and authentic
  • The film could support conversations about writing, mentorship, or imagination

WATCH TRAILER

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

This is not a public release or sales pitch. I would privately provide a password-protected review screener to a limited number of adult educators who are genuinely interested. The screener is approximately one hour long and is copyrighted for review purposes.

Please comment or message me with the grade level and subject you teach if you would be interested in participating. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the process of making the film or the experience of collaborating with my teacher.


r/ELATeachers 5d ago

9-12 ELA First Year, Four Preps

12 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’m going into my first year of teaching in a district/building I LOVE. The thing is, we’re a small high alternative school, so I’ll be the only ELA teacher in the building. I’m also going to have 4 preps, which is a little overwhelming. Not all of my classes are year long as well, meaning I will be swapping out two of my preps for different courses in the Spring semester, if that makes sense! I would LOVE to know what advice you have, especially about managing 4 preps.

For some context, I’ll be teaching grades 9-12. I have loose framework for 2 of my preps, and I was asked to write my own curriculum for the other 2. My courses consist of a 9-10 combined ELA course as well as graphic novels, film, an SEL based ELA course, writing in real world contexts (think resumes and public speaking), and creative writing.