Teaching 8th Grade Digital Writing and Organization Skills
By the time students hit mid-semester in 8th grade English Language Arts, they are often buried under research drafts that lack any real structure. When I see students scrolling through four pages of disorganized text, I know it is time to shift focus from drafting to... read more
Teaching 8th Grade Students to Distinguish Historical Sources
Teachers know that by 8th grade, students often think they understand the difference between a primary and secondary source because they have encountered these terms since elementary school. However, they frequently trip up as soon as the material gets nuanced. They... read more
Teaching Theme Development in 8th Grade English Language Arts
If you are looking at your roster and realizing that a few eighth graders still struggle to bridge the gap between a literal plot summary and a genuine theme analysis, you are certainly not alone. It is a common hurdle in middle school, and Finding the Heart of a... read more
Teaching Functional Writing in 8th Grade ELA
A fellow teacher once stopped me near the copy machine and asked why her eighth graders could not seem to separate their casual texting language from the formal writing required in a school environment. She was frustrated because, by the time students hit 8th grade... read more