English & Language Arts Teacher Blog

Another week of touching hearts and changing lives!

​One of the most asked questions we see from secondary ELA teachers online is:
“How do I get students to actually revise their writing instead of just fixing commas?”

Here’s a strategy that works like magic:

The “Color Code Revision” Method

Here’s how it works:

1. After students write their first draft, hand them highlighters in three colors.
   
   
2. Instruct them to highlight:
   💛 Yellow = Their thesis or topic sentence
   💚 Green = Their strongest piece of evidence
   💗 Pink = A sentence they added or rewrote completely during revision
   
   
3. The goal? At least three pink highlights by the end—so they have proof they made real changes, not just spelling tweaks.

You can even make it a game: whoever makes the most meaningful pink changes wins a small reward (or just serious ELA bragging rights).

This keeps students accountable and helps them visualize the difference between editing and revision—without you hovering over every draft.

Want a digital version? Have them use the “highlight” tool in Google Docs!

Straight from Brian Tracy’s “Eat That Frog”, here’s the mindset shift: Tackle your biggest frog (aka most important task) first thing in the morning.

For ELA teachers, that could mean:

1. Grading your trickiest set of essays during your first planning period—before your energy dips.
   
   
2. Tackling lesson plans for your least-engaging unit early in the week, not at the last minute.
   
   
3. Creating a quick “priority post-it” the night before with just one task that will move things forward (hint: it’s not checking email).

You don’t need more hours—you just need better frogs.
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Go try these out and let us know how it goes! Don’t forget to tag us in your posts on Instagram and Facebook!

PS: Don’t forget to leave reviews on TPT products you buy because you get credits that count towards your next purchase while helping a fellow teacher out —it’s a WIN-WIN! 🙌
​

​We feel like this work is an art, science, and a beautiful craft! And because of that, our headspace really matters when we are trying to show up as our best selves for our students, our loved ones, and ourselves!

We’d like to think of this as a little bit like life coaching for teachers. 🙌

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​Sharing is caring—so please forward this to any teacher that could benefit from this message and help spread the love!

The goal of these messages is to help ourselves improve—for our students, for our loved ones, and for ourselves. 

You can always reply to this message or message us on Facebook here!

Keep touching hearts and changing lives!
Charlie with Shining Scholar Education
Our podcast is back—check it out!
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P.S.: Looking to monetize your educational content? Consider joining our TPT Affiliate Program for 25% commissions here!

Hello again, teacher superheroes! 
We’ve all hit that point in the school year where argumentative writing feels like pulling teeth. Kids are going through the motions. Their claims are meh, their evidence is vague, and their conclusions? Kinda just… exist 😅

You know they can do better. They’ve learned the structure. They’ve got the anchor charts. They even know what a counterclaim is. But that spark? That real-world connection where they actually care about the argument they're making? It's missing.
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That was me not too long ago. I needed something fresh. Something that felt fun but still hit the standards hard. Something that got them out of their seats, into their brains, and using their voices.
​

And that’s when I tried a mock trial.

But not just any mock trial.

I’m talking about these!

They’re magic.
Total classroom transformation.
No wigs or gavels required.
​

Let’s paint the picture.
I had just launched an argumentative writing unit, and my students were doing just enough.
Their writing followed the format, but it was bland, surface-level, and missing any kind of real conviction.
The same phrases popped up again and again.
“I believe this because…” followed by one lonely piece of evidence, and then a quick wrap-up.
There was no passion.
No analysis.
No spark.
And if I’m being honest?
I didn’t blame them.
Writing a five-paragraph essay about school uniforms (again) doesn’t exactly inspire greatness.

One week later, my classroom was a courtroom.
Students were standing up, objecting, defending, questioning, and fiercely citing evidence like their grades depended on it.
They were living their arguments.
I had a team prepping cross-examination questions during lunch.
One kid stayed after class to ask about legal jargon.
Another rewrote their opening statement three times because they wanted it to hit harder.
I saw deeper thinking, better writing, and more collaboration in one week than I had all month.
​

These awesomely engaging student lawyer mock trial activities turn your students into student lawyers—no extra planning, no complex setup, and no chaos.
Each part includes editable, ready-to-go criminal court cases that are high-interest and built to spark discussion. (Part 1 has 11 cases and Part 2 has 10 cases)
Seriously, your students will have opinions on these cases.
Each one is easy to follow, realistic, and totally school-appropriate—but still dramatic enough to make kids lean in.
You also get a PowerPoint slideshow that walks your students through each stage of the courtroom process.
No need to wing it or pretend you know what “voir dire” means.
The slides break it all down step-by-step: how to run the trial, what the roles are, how to question a witness, etc.
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Here’s everything that’s included in these resources:
* Part 1 includes 11 editable mock trial case packets per part (specific cases shown below)
* Part 2 includes 10 editable mock trial case packets per part (specific cases shown below)
* Printable role cards for lawyers, witnesses, judges, and jury members
* Student-friendly instructions to run each trial smoothly
* PowerPoint slideshow with courtroom procedures + trial flow
* Court brief handouts to simplify complex legal concepts
* Note-taking templates, statement planners, and more

Part 1 includes these concepts in the trials:
* GRAND THEFT AUTO
* HOME BURGLARY
* RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT
* THEFT
* AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
* MURDER
* MANSLAUGHTER
* DOCTOR MALPRACTICE
* ARMED BANK

Part 2 includes these concepts in the trials:
* MIRANDA RIGHTS
* CRIMES OF NECESSITY
* DURESS
* AUTOMATISM
* MENS REA
* DUE PROCESS
* FREE SPEECH
* SELF-DEFENSE
* ENTRAPMENT
* INSANITY DEFENSE

And yes—it’s all editable.
Want to switch up names or tweak the case details?
Easy.
Want to use just one case for a couple days?
Done.
Want to run a weeklong mock trial marathon?
Also done.
And the best part: it’s truly no-prep.
You can print it, assign roles, and hit the ground running.

This isn’t just fun role-play (although it totally is).
It’s also hitting all the standards you need to cover.
Reading comprehension—students have to closely analyze case files and witness statements to build their arguments.
Argumentative writing—they craft opening/closing statements, write down questions, and make strategic writing decisions under pressure.
Speaking and listening—from presenting in court to responding on the fly, your kids are building communication skills like crazy.
Collaboration—teams prep their cases together, which means they’re doing the kind of group work that actually matters.
Textual evidence and reasoning—this is huge.
They can’t win a trial without backing up their claims.
Boom—textual analysis, in action.
It’s aligned to CCRA.R.1, R.4, and R.5 (if you're into standards), and it’s 100% adaptable to the level of your students.
​

Here’s what other teachers have said about these resources:

Lesson Objectives
By the end of this mock trial activity, your students will:

• Understand the roles of prosecution, defense, judge, and jury
• Practice writing and presenting persuasive arguments
• Learn how to listen and respond to opposing claims
• Strengthen their collaboration, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills

Pre-Lesson Setup
Start with a short class discussion or journal prompt around these questions:

• What do you already know about how a courtroom works?
• Who are the key people involved in a trial?
• What kinds of crimes might come up in court?
• What do you think a “fair trial” means?

Then, give students time to share their answers with classmates before walking them through what they’ll be doing in the lesson.
This helps set expectations and gives students a foundation to build on.


Mock Trial Lesson Activities (Suggested Flow)

1. Watch the court video clips (linked below) from the YouTube playlist to get students into the courtroom mindset & Model how to organize arguments on the board. Show how strong arguments are built, how to structure them clearly, and why ending with the strongest point can be impactful.

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1. Students prepare arguments: Lawyers will research, build their case, and prep possible rebuttals. They can either share basic outlines with each other or go into the trial without knowing the other team’s argument—your choice.
2. Students write out their official statements to be turned in after the trial. Encourage internet research to support their points (ex: similar real-world cases or legal strategies).
3. The trial begins: Lawyers present their opening and closing statements, question the defendant, and argue their case to a jury made up of classmates.
4. Jury deliberation: The jury votes by paper ballot. Normally, criminal trials require a unanimous vote, but to save time, majority rules.

Assessment Ideas That Go Beyond the Trial
Here are some optional post-trial assignments to deepen reflection and reinforce learning:

• Have each student write a one-page reflection describing their role, what they learned, what surprised them, and what they’d do differently next time.
• Ask students to list all the possible ways the trial could’ve ended, and why.
• Swap cases and challenge students to argue for the other side.
• Let students create their own mock trial cases, complete with charges, characters, setting, and evidence. Choose a few to use in future lessons!

One More Thing—They’re FUN
Students LOVE it.
They get to be dramatic. They get to argue. They get to work together in new ways. Even your shy students will surprise you.
And for you? It’s structured, aligned, and stress-free. Which means you get to enjoy watching your students rise to the occasion.
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Ready to Bring the Courtroom to Your Classroom?
Here are the links one more time (just so you don’t have to scroll):
Part 1: Criminal Court Mock Trials & Cases | Middle & High School | Student Lawyers
Part 2: Criminal Court Mock Trials & Cases | Middle & High School | Student Lawyers
If you’re looking for a way to level up your argument writing lessons and get your students genuinely excited about learning? This is it. I’ve used it, I love it, and I can’t wait for you to try it too!


Thanks for hanging out with me here! And hey—if you try this out in your classroom, please come back and tell me how it went! I wanna hear your courtroom stories

​​Keep touching hearts and changing lives!
Charlie with Shining Scholar Education

Remember, what we do MATTERS! 

Setting Boundaries for a Healthier Teaching Life
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Teaching is more than just a job; it's a calling. But without clear boundaries, it's easy to burn out! Here are some realistic strategies to help:

• Define Work Hours: Decide when your school day ends and stick to it. Once you're home, resist the urge to check emails or grade papers.
  
  
• Communicate Availability: Let students and parents know your office hours. This sets expectations and reduces after-hours interruptions.
  
  
• Prioritize Tasks: Not everything needs immediate attention. Use tools like to-do lists to focus on what's essential.
  
  
• Learn to Say No: It's okay to decline extra responsibilities that don't align with your capacity.

Remember, setting boundaries isn't about doing less; it's about sustaining our passion and effectiveness as educators! :)
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Embracing the Stockdale Paradox in Teaching

Admiral James Stockdale, a Vietnam War POW, survived by balancing two truths: confronting the brutal facts of his situation while maintaining unwavering faith in a positive outcome. 

This approach, known as the Stockdale Paradox, can be invaluable for us teachers! 

Acknowledge the challenges in education—be it policy changes, student behavior, or workload—while believing in your ability to make a difference. 

Here are the top 5 concise and actionable ways we teachers can use the Stockdale Paradox:

1. Face Facts Clearly: Admit teaching challenges without sugarcoating—then pivot quickly to problem-solving mode.
   
   
2. Balance with Optimism: Remind yourself regularly of your strengths and previous successes in tough situations.
   
   
3. Daily Micro-Goals: Break overwhelming tasks into small, achievable daily wins to maintain motivation.
   
   
4. Reflect & Adjust: Regularly reflect on what’s working and what isn’t, then realistically adjust your approach.
   
   
5. Share & Normalize: Talk openly (and positively) with colleagues about struggles and solutions to foster collective resilience.

These steps help us stay grounded, realistic, and hopeful—even when classroom life gets tough. 💪

So keep your head up! :) 

Go try these out and let us know how it goes! Don’t forget to tag us in your posts on Instagram and Facebook!

PS: Don’t forget to leave reviews on TPT products you buy because you get credits that count towards your next purchase while helping a fellow teacher out —it’s a WIN-WIN! 🙌
​

We feel like this work is an art, science, and a beautiful craft! And because of that, our headspace really matters when we are trying to show up as our best selves for our students, our loved ones, and ourselves!

We’d like to think of this as a little bit like life coaching for teachers. 🙌

​Another week of touching hearts and changing lives! 💛
​

Hilarious miming to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” 🤣

We are THRILLED to announce that we finally published Part II of our most popular lesson & activity:​

Student Lawyers: Criminal Court Mock Trials & Cases!

Part II brings even more engaging criminal law scenarios, fresh cases, and deeper legal concepts perfect for middle and high school students! Whether you're building on Part 1 or starting here, this resource has everything you need to spark critical thinking, debate, and courtroom skills.

This pack includes: 

• New mock trials featuring topics like Miranda rights, crimes of necessity, duress, automatism, mens rea, due process, free speech, self-defense, entrapment, insanity defense, and more!
• Editable PowerPoint to guide students step-by-step through trials.
• Easy-to-follow case summaries, evidence lists, and legal questions for each trial.
• Student Lawyer Cheat Sheet with simple tips and clear examples to help students confidently argue, question witnesses, and understand key legal terms.
• List of research project ideas for extended learning!
• Great for civics, government, law, or ELA classes looking for real-world connections.
  
  

Give your students a chance to think like lawyers and argue like pros!

Get it here!
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Mastering Time Management with the Pomodoro Technique

Feeling overwhelmed by grading and lesson planning? The Pomodoro Technique can help!

1. Set a Timer: Work for 25 minutes without interruptions. 
2. Take a Short Break: After the session, take a 5-minute break to recharge. 
3. Repeat: After four sessions, take a longer break (15-30 minutes). 
   
   

This method promotes focus and productivity, making daunting tasks more manageable. It’s helped me a ton in my lesson planning and grading —get stuff done without burning yourself out!

Go try these out and let us know how it goes! Don’t forget to tag us in your posts on Instagram and Facebook!
​

We feel like this work is an art, science, and a beautiful craft! And because of that, our headspace really matters when we are trying to show up as our best selves for our students, our loved ones, and ourselves!

We’d like to think of this as a little bit like life coaching for teachers. 🙌
​