My Content: Hubs, Answers, and Forums
8Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson - An Analysis with Lesson Plan Ideas
An analysis of "Richard Cory" which shows how Robinson spoke to the human condition of placing the wealthy on an unrealistic pedestal. Common Core lesson plan ideas for this relevant, shocking poem.
14Video Tips on Pretending to Die on Stage for a Play or Skit
Pretending to die on stage for a play or skit is one of the most difficult jobs for an actor. Here are my tips and anecdotes about pretending to die on stage.
24Video How to Make a Personalized E-card Using Powerpoint
Create your own, personalized e-cards for Valentine's Day, or any holiday, for the one(s) you love using Powerpoint. It is easy, flexible, and fun!
12Jane Austen Shows her Feminist Side in Emma
In the novel Emma, Jane Austen addresses many issues important to women, making her a feminist of her time.
2Defining Dramatic Tragedy - A Discussion of Macbeth, A View from the Bridge, and Rosmersholm
There has been a long-standing debate over the true definition of tragedy in dramatic literature. Read this discussion of Aristotle's definition weighed against three tragedies written in different centuries.
6Independent Writing Assignments for the English Classroom
Ideas for independent writing projects that teachers can assign in their English classroom.
46Vegetarian Carrot and White Bean Soup Recipe
Tis the season for the ultimate comfort food...soup! Try this recipe for carrot and white bean soup, a healthy, vegetarian soup recipe.
24Bulletin Boards and Wall Décor for the High School English Classroom
Ideas to inspire the creation of bulletin boards and wall decorations for the high school English classroom.
6Feminist Aspects in "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath shows the reader the dilemma that a woman faces in her life through the story of Esther Greenwood.
28Poetry: My Perspective with a Connection to "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold
Writing, poems and prose alike, is an outlet that allows so many writers to vent and rage and heal. This article makes connections to Alice Sebold's novel "The Lovely Bones."
5Brett Ashley, Lashing Out Against Pain in "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway
Lady Brett Ashley, the main female character in The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, is often accused of being a bitch. Upon closer reading though, one can argue against these accusations. She is a mixed up, lost, lonely woman caught in a downward spiral towards destruction.
90Food Photography Tips for Online Recipe Hubs and Blog Posts
Tips and advice on how to take quality photographs of food for recipe hubs and blogs.
14The Theme of Guilt and its Function in "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
Dickens places Pip in a world layered with guilt in "Great Expectations" to show the reader the effect that environment has on development.
13A Book Review - "Fieldwork" by Mischa Berlinski
A National Book Award finalist, this novel was praised by Stephen King in The New York Times as “a remarkable novel.” Fieldwork is the story of a journalist who goes to work in Thailand and ends up investigating the story of a murdered missionary by an anthropologist. The story unfolds to reveal many interesting layers and will keep you reading until the wee hours, as it is hard to put down.
39The Positive and Negative Sides of Using Cell Phones for Teaching and Instruction in the Classroom
Most Americans have a cell phone, even most American students. This increase in using cell phones has sparked controversy in American schools. There are pros and cons to having cell phones in school.
56How to Sell Your Car Using Craigslist...I Sold Mine in One Day!
This is a glimpse at my Craigslist car selling experience and tips if you want to sell your car in the same way.
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Tips for Finding Cheap and Free School Supplies
Tips and ideas to help teachers, and parents, source cheap or free school supplies.
40Seven Signs that Common Courtesy is Dying - An Observation
I had a recent experience that made me ask the question, is common courtesy dying?
8How to Direct a High School Play - Rehearsals
When I think about the whole process of directing a high school play, I focus on the fact that for the students, the process may be more important than the final product. They are in school to learn and grow. Whatever the final outcome, the hard work, creativity, and collaborative effort that the students put into the show will be the stuff that counts. The majority of the learning and growing will happen during the rehearsal process. Following is my approach to high school play rehearsals and s
31Polish Beef Roulade or Zrazy Zawijane
My husband is an amazing cook. He has brought into our kitchen all the tastes and dishes of his Polish homeland. Here is his version of a regional classic.
28Healthy Carrot and Fruit Breakfast Muffins
These delicious muffins are packed with fruits and veggies.
27Amazing, Healthy Whole Wheat Banana Pancake Recipe
Everybody loves a good pancake. The French have crepes, the Polish have nalesniki. Some cultures make them from corn and some from potatoes. In addition to all of those yummy cakes cooked in a pan, here in the United States we enjoy the traditional, fluffy, golden brown cakes served up by diners and moms across the land. Elsewhere, they may prefer a different sort, but these are my favorite.
21Studying Geography: "Alaska? It's either up there or down there." - A Discussion
Can you name all the states on a blank map of the United States? Can you name all of the continents and countries on a blank map of the world? Can your students? Can mine? I rather doubt it. Knowing geography is not an American forte.
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How to Direct a High School Play - Behind the Scenes Jobs for Students
Directing a high school production will challenge your multi-tasking skills to the limit. After you have cast the actors, it is time to fill the other jobs necessary to make your production a success. Here is my list.
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How to Direct a High School Play - Casting the Show
You have chosen a play. Dates are set. Auditions are done. Now you must cast the play. As I have stated in the first three articles of this series, this is the most important step in the process of directing a high school play. Choosing well who plays which role will make your job over the next few weeks much easier and less stressful. Here are my tips for making the best choices while casting your show.
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How to Direct a High School Play - Auditions
Choosing a talented, dedicated, enthusiastic group of actors and technicians will make the directing process much less stressful and much more rewarding. In order to cast a show, you will need to hold auditions
11Vegetable Barley Skillet Casserole Recipe
Try this delicious, healthy vegatable barley skillet casserole as a side dish or a main meal.
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How to Direct a High School Play - What to Include in the Audition Form
The process of directing a high school play can be fun, challenging, and rewarding. Knowing which steps to take to get from your original idea to the standing ovation will make the process much less stressful and loads more fun. This article outlines the information that I find useful on audition forms.
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How to Direct a High School Play - Choosing A Play to Stage
Not all live stage plays are spectacular. If you want to direct a brilliant production, choose the play wisely. Here are some questions and factors to consider.
2Philosophy of Education: John Dewey's Practical and Timeless Approach - A Discussion
A discussion of John Dewey's philosophy of education. We need to find a happy medium in this country in order to start to regain progress with our educational system.
12Student teaching with Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" - A Reflection
See what I found when I sorted through some old grad school papers. Here I reflect on my student teaching experience when I taught Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to an 11th grade honors class.
5"Middle School Blues" by Lou Kassem - A Teacher's Reflection
A reflective look at Lou Kassem's "Middle School Blues," a young adult novel that shows a picture of the difficult middle school years.
1010 Fundraising Ideas for School Extracurricular Clubs and Groups
A top ten list of fundraising ideas for school and community groups and organizations.
0A Close Look at Maya Angelou’s "Even the Stars Look Lonesome"
Beginning with the touching dedication and ending on the very last page, I could not put down Even the Stars Look Lonesome. I laughed and cried my way to the very end while learning about life through Maya Angelou’s eyes and heart.
11Maya Angelou, A Classic American Writer
A brief look at Maya Angelou, an American writer and an American treasure.
0Gertrude Ignites the Tragedy in Shakespeare's Hamlet
A discussion of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The question of who is at fault for the tragedy is one that is often debated. In this article, and argument is made that it is Gertrude's fault.
4Using "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros to Inspire and Teach Creative Writing - A Lesson Plan and a Poem
Using a model to help inspire your own writing can be a fun and interesting writing exercise. Here I show how I have used this idea in my classroom. Includes my own original poem.
35How to Write Well-Developed Paragraphs by PEEing Down the Page, or Writing PEE Paragraphs
Students often struggle to write well-developed paragraphs. Use this technique in your classroom to help them improve their writing, or use it to improve your own writing.
2Tragic Elements in James Baldwin's Go Tell It on the Mountain
Using Aristotle's definition of tragedy, this essay discusses the tragic elements in James Baldwin's novel "Go Tell It on the Mountain."
2A Discussion of John Keats' Sonnet entitled "As from the darkening gloom a silver dove"
A discussion of John Keat's poem which touches on the structure and the content of the poem.
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Female Role Models in Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
Maya Angelou tells the story of the first seventeen years of her life in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. A discussion of the novel with an interview video.
0Poverty in Emile Zola's "L'Assommoir"
This paper is an analysis of L’Assommoir, a nineteenth century novel by Emile Zola, that paints a picture of urban life in the slums of Paris.
0Women's Choices in Mayotte Capecia's "I am a Martinican Woman"
Mayotte Capecia had the courage to grasp her independence and make her own choices to guide her own life. Read my thoughts on "I am a Martinican Woman."
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Shakespeare's Comments and Point of View on Acting from "Hamlet", Act 3, scene 2
Here I take a brief glimpse at Hamlet's speech to the players and briefly discuss Shakespeare's take on the actor.
