English & Language Arts Teacher Blog

Let’s get it started! 
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“One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know.”
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-Groucho Marx

Gotta love those dangling modifiers! 😂
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Check out these awesome free websites to engage your students in learning!

Classroomscreen.com is like a magic whiteboard for teachers! Imagine a digital canvas where you can draw, display timers, and even run polls—all in one place. It’s perfect for turning your lessons into interactive adventures, keeping students on their toes and making learning feel like a game!

Blooket.com transforms review time into an exciting trivia showdown! Think of it as a quiz game where students can compete against each other in a fun, game-like atmosphere. With a variety of themes and questions, it’s a fantastic way for teachers to spice up their lessons and get students buzzing with excitement while reinforcing what they’ve learned.

Rewordify.com is your trusty sidekick for tackling tricky texts! It takes complex reading materials and simplifies them, making them easier for everyone to understand. This tool is a superhero for teachers who want to ensure all students can dive into reading, boosting confidence and making learning accessible for all!
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Small changes can really lead to big results, and it’s often the little things that make a huge difference! Think about it: just adding a five-minute workout to your day can boost your energy and mood. Or how about swapping one junk meal for something healthy? You’d be surprised how much better you’ll feel!

When it comes to getting things done, tiny tweaks to your daily routine can help you manage your time way better. Even just taking 10 minutes for some mindfulness can clear your head and lower stress. Plus, these small changes are easier to stick with, which means they can really pay off in the long run

In the business world, a few simple updates to your marketing strategy can seriously ramp up your customer engagement. Whether it’s improving your website’s SEO or changing up your social media game, these little adjustments can drive more traffic and sales than you’d expect.

The best part? It’s all about consistency. By embracing small changes, you’re setting yourself up for amazing results down the line. So, why not start today? You might be surprised at how far those little steps can take you!

Listen to this episode of the The Mindset Mentor podcast with Rob Dial to learn even more about how powerful small changes can be!
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Try these out and let us know how it goes! Don’t forget to tag us in your posts on Instagram as @shining_scholar_education and Facebook as Shining Scholar Education!
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Because our headspace matters when we are trying to show up as our best selves for our students, our loved ones, and ourselves!

This blog is for secondary English, ELA, and language arts teachers filled with lesson plans, humor, product recommendations, teaching ideas, tips, and tricks and much more!

Teacher: "This class is so bad! All dumb people stand up!"

A student stands up.

Teacher: “Scottie, are you dumb?"
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Student: "No sir, but I felt bad seeing you stand alone." 😜
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Imagine your students diving deep into classic horror tales and eerie mysteries while sharpening their reading comprehension skills. 

This bundle includes selections like Stephen King’s “Sorry, Right Number” and Edgar Allan Poe’s iconic “Tell-Tale Heart.” With questions modeled after standardized test formats, your students will feel confident and prepared when it’s time for the big assessments.

But that’s not all! 

Our tests encourage active reading by prompting students to revisit key sections, boosting their comprehension and stamina. Plus, the editable MS Word document allows you to customize questions to fit your class’s unique needs—whether you want to add a challenge or simplify things a bit.

With 139 pages of engaging content, you’ll also find an easy-to-read layout that makes tackling these tests a breeze for your students. 

And don’t worry about grading—an answer key is included to save you time!

So why wait? Grab this bundle today and make learning memorable this spooky season! 🕷️👻

After Googling “how to listen to YouTube videos like podcasts” and sinking a few hours into the wondrous search, I come with helpful info to save you precious teacher time!

Listenbox allows you to create and manage audio and video podcasts from platforms like YouTube and Soundcloud for just $4.20 a month. 

You can subscribe to your favorite shows and access up to 500 new episodes every hour, making it easy to stay updated with the latest educational content while on the go. 

My first choice (bc it’s free!) is Podtube. 

It lets you subscribe to YouTube channels as podcasts for free by simply inputting a channel or video URL to generate an RSS feed link. 

I totally geek out now that I can listen to YouTube videos as podcasts on my 45-60 min commute to work!

It honestly helps keep me sane! 🤪

Try these out and let us know how it goes! Don’t forget to tag us in your posts on Instagram as @shining_scholar_education and Facebook as Shining Scholar Education!
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Because our headspace matters when we are trying to show up as our best selves for our students, our loved ones, and ourselves!

Here’s a great quote from our podcast!