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By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Sept 19, 2023 Novel study planning tips Hello friends! Welcome back to the latest post in my series on novel study planning. In my previous posts we talked about what novel studies are, determining your purpose, and selecting your framework. Today’s post on novel study planning tips is all about organizing your timeline….
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Dec 12, 2023 Fur Trade Teaching Ideas for Upper elementary and Middle School Are you looking for engaging activities and teaching ideas to introduce your students to the history of New France and the Canadian fur trade? Invite your students to explore this exciting period in Canadian history with these fun ideas and…
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Dec 13, 2023 Survival themed novels for upper elementary and middle school Survival themed novels can be a great way to get struggling readers interested in and excited about reading. These novels often feature characters who must persevere against all odds, making them great for encouraging growth mindset. Whether the story takes place…
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated April 11, 2024 Engaging students in challenging yet fun activities can be a hard task for any teacher, but using “Would You Rather” writing prompts in upper elementary is an excellent way to get kids involved and excited about learning. Not only are Would You Rather activities fun and interactive, but they also…
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Nov 30, 2023 Engaging holiday short stories for middle school As the holidays approach, you may be looking for some short stories to share with your middle school students. Whether you’re looking for something heartwarming, funny, or thought-provoking, there are plenty of great holiday-themed short stories out there that are sure to engage…
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Feb 9, 2024 Teaching Freak the Mighty Teacher friends who have been following me on the blog for a while know how passionate I am about the powerful teaching tool that is the middle school novel study. I strongly believe that the novel study can be the backbone of the middle school ELA…