Today we started the film The Matrix and the kids are enthralled. What a great feeling to know they are learning the literary devices and analyzing while enjoying the process. Also, I introduced the double-entry journal, the Christ-like character attributes, and the heroic cycle. Everyone dove right in to the the work. While watching the film I ...

I can’t recall where I heard this, and I’ve heard it a couple different ways, but I always liked this one. A Creative Writing teacher created a writing assignment for his students to complete over the weekend, and the tale he deemed the best would win a free pizza. He asked his students to compose a [...]

Eureka! I created a way to keep my bulletin boards changing frequently without increasing my workload. I know it’s not rocket science or a monumental unearthing of educational knowledge, but I got the students to do the work. I copied off a lengthy list of events, people, and items dealing with the 1920s in preparation for [...]

I have a fantastic week ahead. In my American Literature course we are finishing Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” and “The Raven.” Then the students get to finish their final projects, which they created for themselves. In my College in the H.S. class we are reviewing for next week’s final, and then these ...

The other day I posted about allowing my students to choose their final projects for The Princess Bride, and it looks to be a success. Once I gave the students the option of another thesis paper or their own project, they immediately jumped into groups (I gave them the option of 1-3 in a group) [...]