Annotated ELA

Finding time to teach vocabulary can feel impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s explore four tips for creating a rich verbal environment that will fit into your daily classroom routine.  Because not everything has to be perfectly planned and curated. Sharing an interest in words with students can spark a new level of motivation and learning in the classroom.  Join me to explore: P...

I don’t know about you, but the number of times I have been told to have students use context clues would make me a millionaire, and the number of times I have used the phrase myself would double that fortune.  The problem was that my students didn’t know how to use context clues, and I didn’t know how to help them! Can you relate? Join me to explore: The Problem with Context Clues The Proces...

Vocabulary acquisition strategies go beyond providing a list of words and defining them. As teachers, we want students to have word ownership. We want students to be word wizards because a verbal rich environment opens the doors to comprehension and critical thinking.  How do we encourage word ownership and develop an environment where students use the words they are learning? Frequent encoun...

Asking a student to narrow a topic is like asking them to explain quantum physics. Fortunately, there are simple strategies you can use to quickly identify and focus on relevant ideas and topics.  Having students consider their topic on a smaller scale helps them realize what tier focus is and stay on that narrow topic while they write.  How to Narrow a Topic: 7 Strategies Craft a Title...

“Is writing important?” A common question at the beginning of the year in my classroom. Many students dread writing and don’t understand why writing is so important. So I spend the first weeks of school (and the entire year) showing students why writing is so important.  As ELA teachers, we have the task of guiding students through the writing process to be effective communicators and success...

A list of professional development books for ELA teachers might seem like the last thing you want to think about it…as if teachers don’t sit through enough professional development.  Am I right?  BUT this list of professional development books are worth the read. These books have provided more practical tips and strategies than years of professional development.  Bare with me and sk...

Essential questions encourage inquiry, spark more questions, invite the exploration of ideas, and encourage collaboration, allowing students to draw their own conclusions about the subject. This is one of the most powerful tools at a teacher’s disposal. With our students' apathy and lack of motivation, choice, and curiosity are a teacher’s ally.  Essential questions are one way to ignite curi...

The best part of novel unit planning is having a plan for the next three to four weeks. It feels liberating to have a unit planned and lessons ready to go.   It’s also fun to get students excited about a topic and a story, it’s the start of something new and it’s exciting.  Except when it isn’t, novel units can also feel overwhelming. Trying to fit all the things into the three to four w...

Back to school can be exciting and stressful, so having back to school activities planned will reduce anxiety. That first week is about building relationships and getting to know each other before diving into the learning.  I find the first week of school to be a quick transition from strangers to a community, and I want to squeeze an introduction to routines and procedures in there while try...

Alissa Crabtree from Crabtree Coaching Collaborative joins us on Annotated ELA. Alissa is an instructional coach who helps teachers and instructional leaders reach their full potential and conquer their goals. She specializes in helping coaches build relationships and provide feedback that sticks. Alissa focuses on building relationships and being a thought partner because teachers are the hero of...

Are you ready for it? We are entering the back-to-school zone. Does back-to-school time fill you with joy or dread? Maybe you have both, wherever you fall on the back-to-school emotion scale; these 5 things will eliminate some of that dread.  Remember, if you are not ready to plan for back to school or you are choosing only to work contract hours, you are supported! Do what makes you happy an...

Writing is hard work, and not all students love writing. In reality, plenty of students do not like writing - so what do we do with a struggling writer?  As teachers, we want to find strategies for our struggling writers to engage them in writing, create writing independence, and increase stamina and volume of writing, but where do we even begin?  First, determine who is struggling with...

Have you been skeptical about using picture books in your classroom? Or are you already using picture books and want new ideas? If either of these sound like you, I’m glad you’re here!  Picture books are usually associated with elementary education, but picture books are a hidden gem for engaging and inspiring middle school students.  Far beyond their colorful illustrations and simple na...

Are you avoiding and ignoring Chat GPT or any AI Writer, like I was? Maybe you’re using it for your classroom needs, and you’re loving it.  In this episode, I decided to put Chat GPT to the test and asked it to suggest ways to use Chat GPT with students for narrative writing. I was pleasantly surprised with Chat GPT’s answer and wanted to share it with you! Whatever end of the spectrum you la...

In episode 7 and 8 we explored the first six steps in a narrative writing unit. In this episode we will explore steps seven through nine in a narrative writing unit.  If you have not listened to episodes seven and eight, start there before listening to this episode.  The final three steps are the meat of the writing process. Students will write first drafts and take those drafts to a fin...

How to Teach Narrative Writing for Powerful Classroom Instruction is a continuation of episode 7. In episode 7, we explored the first three steps in a narrative writing unit. In this episode, we will explore steps four through six in a narrative writing unit.  If you have not listened to episode seven, take a listen before listening to this episode.  The writing process is hard work that...

Teaching narrative writing in middle school is a remarkable opportunity to nurture young minds, encouraging them to weave words into captivating tales and find their unique voice in the process.  By introducing them to the art of storytelling, we empower them to become skilled communicators, critical thinkers, and empathetic individuals. This episode and the series of episodes that follow are...

Packing up your classroom can be the most satisfying part of closing up for the year. It can also feel daunting to plan how to pack it all up; making you want to throw it all in a box and call it a year. It doesn’t have to be hard.  Join me for the End of Year Classroom Closeout series to prepare for the end of year with success and walk out for summer feeling like a rockstar!  Show note...

As the school year draws to a close, teachers are faced with the task of packing up the classroom for the summer. Organizing materials and supplies, cleaning, and preparing for the next school year can be overwhelming with the endless list of to-do items.  We will explore tips to close out the year in an efficient, organized, and stress-free way. We’ll also discuss ways to declutter and store...

The end of year is a lot of fun, but packing up your classroom can feel like a daunting task with the endless list of to-do items. Skip the overwhelm and close out your classroom with ease.  Plan for the last two to four weeks of school. Map out everything - the end of year activities, celebrations, deadlines, and days for organizing and packing.  Take pictures! Document how your classro...

Are you ready to talk to your students about writing? Conferencing with students is a powerful practice that can feel overwhelming and stop us in our tracks. But, it does not have to be a big production.  Conferencing with students can be implemented in 3 actionable steps because baby steps are the key to success! Don’t let overwhelm or fear of starting, stop you from conferencing with your s...

Want a community of writers in your classroom? Creating a culture of writing in your classroom is easier than you think!  It doesn’t have to be a fairytale! Although let’s be real; not all students will be dream writers - BUT they will write. When people want to get better at something, they spend time practicing and doing the activity. The same is true for writing. Students need time to prac...

What would it be like to see improvement in your students' writing? To have students who take ownership of their writing and progress? Join me today as we explore the magic of writing conferences.   A routine will help students know what to expect and create an environment to ensure the success of conferencing. The routine is what works for your classroom and your students. Although ther...

Are you a middle school ELA teacher looking for tips, strategies, and inspiration to motivate and engage your students in reading and writing? You’re in the right place.  Join me, Melissa Burch, each week as I share tips, inspiration, and actionable strategies that you can use in your classroom to engage and motivate students to be better writers, readers, and people! If you would like me to...