If you plan to teach A Long Walk to Water  by Linda Sue Park and want a structure that supports both you and your students from the first lesson to the final project, this comprehensive three-unit study is designed to make that possible. It offers a clear path through the novel while giving students the tools they need to become strong readers, thoughtful thinkers, and informed global citizens. Across six to eight weeks, students explore Salva Dut’s real-life refugee journey and Nya’s daily...

A Zero-Prep Thanksgiving Lesson That Brings Gratitude and Narrative Writing Together Wondering what to do for Thanksgiving in your middle or high school ELA classroom? You want something that feels meaningful —something that helps students slow down and express gratitude—but you also need it to be easy to implement  during one of the busiest times of the school year. That’s why I created the Thank You Narratives Mini-Unit —a short, standards-based lesson that guides students to reflect on the...

When it comes to kicking off a new unit, you want to spark curiosity, engagement, and a sense of wonder in your middle school and high...