2024-04-30 01:49
As I finish out my 24th year as a teacher, it is always bittersweet to watch my students take the last step in their transition to becoming 8th graders. Of course, I am proud of their a… Read More
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Mrs. Beers Language Arts Class Blog
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Erin Beers middle school language arts blog. I share classroom ideas and engaging ELA resources using readers theater, novel study, and Daily 5 principles.
2024-04-24 16:08
State testing is stressful for teachers and overwhelming for students, and the moment it is completed, there is a sense of relief and joy in every school building. There’s so much buil… Read More
2024-04-12 20:26
I LOVE being a middle school language arts teacher! I can also tell you that my enthusiasm for teaching middle school is often a cause for debate. “Middle School?! Really??… Read More
2024-04-12 19:54
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis is a realistic historical fiction novel your students will love reading. This is one of the first books I created my own novel study unit for, and i… Read More
2024-04-06 13:48
Have you read Love That Dog and Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech? If you are an ELA teacher, then you need to add them to your reading list asap! These books have a secret power when it comes… Read More
2024-04-05 22:19
One strategy you can try with your reluctant readers in the middle grades is to offer novels with dogs as one of the main characters. I have several posts on here about finding high-interest… Read More
2024-04-01 01:00
Before I became a parent, my classroom was loaded with goodies. During my first few years of teaching, my sister worked for Hershey’s Chocolate, and my students were able to greatly be… Read More
2024-03-25 14:28
I am always looking for ways to enhance my students’ work with spelling and vocabulary. Whether you focus on a weekly spelling list or vocabulary word work, students get bored doi… Read More
2024-03-17 21:24
Several years ago, my then 4th grade son came home and unloaded his back pack…lunch box, accordion folder, homework, and library books. I was surprised to find that one of the li… Read More
2024-03-06 01:15
March and basketball go hand-in-hand, and the Boston Celtics are the closest thing you’ll find to a St. Patrick’s Day sports team. This is where the paths of inspiration took me… Read More
2024-03-04 19:22
Every classroom has it’s own unique range of student proficiency. As ELA teachers, we have to be flexible in our teaching approach and make sure we provide the best-fitting resources f… Read More
2024-02-26 02:33
Middle school reading teachers like me are always on the hunt for resources to motivate students while allowing for differentiated instruction. I find that I am always in need of teaching to… Read More
2024-02-19 00:28
Reader’s Theater is an amazing tool to utilize with students at so many levels. I first discovered it through my daughter’s kindergarten teacher, and it quickly became a staple o… Read More
2024-02-07 17:37
Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday for ELA teachers. There are so many opportunities to incorporate themes of love and friendship into our language arts activities. Any event that… Read More
2024-02-02 21:49
As a middle school teacher passionate about fluency, I’m always on the lookout for activities that allow me to assess student recognition of word usage and expression indicators. Both… Read More
2024-01-24 20:09
How does your classroom support student engagement? While we’d all like to think that our lesson plans keep students interested throughout the entire class period, the truth is that th… Read More
2024-01-16 00:17
I regularly incorporate peer feedback in my classroom, particularly as we tackle quarterly book projects and group presentations. It is a great way to help students develop social interactio… Read More
2024-01-15 19:42
I never had the opportunity to do creative book projects as a middle school student, so I did a whole lot of fake reading. I would sit at my desk during silent reading time and look li… Read More
2024-01-12 22:09
As classroom teachers, reading specialists, and tutors, it is essential to recognize the importance of making the most of instructional time with students. Whether you follow a set cur… Read More
2024-01-04 21:17
One of my favorite winter-themed books for middle school is Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen. It makes for a great novel study during the winter months, as your students will be AMAZED a… Read More
2023-12-28 21:58
I LOVE January! Not the blustery, freezing cold that has me heavily considering a Hawaiian move or hibernation, but the opportunity for a classroom refresh and the promise that the new… Read More
2023-12-17 17:39
When it comes to student engagement, the biggest challenge for teachers is being able to consistently motivate and inspire students through different lesson topics and learning formats. We a… Read More
2023-12-06 16:42
During this holiday season, there are so many things that I am thankful for! But, can you believe we have already stumbled upon December? This is the last line from a poem called “Wint… Read More
2023-11-17 17:30
Do you use Google Slides in your classroom? All of my middle school students are issued Chromebooks at the start of the year, and my teammates and I utilize digital resources in Google Class… Read More
2023-11-13 22:23
If you are looking for an engaging Thanksgiving activity to try with your middle school ELA class, my Thanksgiving reader’s theater script and comprehension activities are a great opti… Read More
2023-11-13 03:07
Are you looking for a fun activity to try at your next holiday classroom party? This saran wrap ball game is an absolute blast for all ages. Your student will love furiously unwrapping the b… Read More
2023-11-10 02:14
Nothing is more frustrating for teachers than having PDF printing issues right when you need to print out your lesson plans. Not only have I experienced this dozens of times in my own classr… Read More
2023-10-25 16:19
Looking for a fun and purposeful idea to practice reading comprehension and fluency? Reader’s theater is a great way to cover multiple reading standards with your middle grade students… Read More
2023-10-19 21:05
I am always on the hunt for picture books to read aloud with my middle school students. I look for texts that enhance student understanding of standards and stories that my BIG KIDS will con… Read More
2023-10-18 01:31
Crash by Jerry Spinelli is one of my favorite novels to teach in middle school, especially at the 5th and 6th grade levels. If you are teaching this book in your class, here are a few activi… Read More
2023-09-29 16:01
Looking for some engaging activities for your Wonder novel study unit? I’ve taught R.J. Palacio’s book every year since it was published, and in this post, I’ll share how I… Read More
2023-09-26 21:18
When I read Wonder by RJ Palacio, so many ideas were bursting out of my head for how I could teach this incredible novel. In addition to creating my own Wonder novel study unit, I also came… Read More
2023-09-18 16:08
Do you have a reading buddies program in your school? I know some teachers avoid the concept due to scheduling hurdles, but the benefits for both groups of students are substantial. Here are… Read More
2023-09-18 00:10
Now that the first weeks of school are in the books, principals will begin scheduling classroom observations. On a full cycle evaluation year, I am observed three times throughout the… Read More
2023-09-13 15:36
Close reading is a reading strategy that I utilize with my students ALL YEAR, but during test-prep time, it gets a bit more focus. By having students read a passage multiple times and markup… Read More
2023-09-06 01:33
Teachers and students have certainly learned a lot about remote learning and Zoom video instruction over the past few years. And although 2023 has been more predictable, teachers must be abl… Read More
2023-08-07 22:44
Preparing your language arts classroom and planning out the path of your school year can be one of the trickiest components of teaching. On one hand, you want to optimize student learni… Read More
2023-08-04 19:22
Even in middle school, classroom jobs play an important role in building a sense of community. I am a big advocate of including my students in as many classroom procedures as possible. This… Read More
2023-07-25 15:40
If you’ve followed me for some time you know I rarely do promotional collaborations. My goal as a teacher-creator is to deliver value to educators by sharing tips and experiences on my… Read More
2023-07-24 18:16
Creating a middle school syllabus shouldn’t be intimidating, but I know from experience how hard it is to condense all of your classroom guidelines and expectations onto a single page… Read More
2023-07-22 01:58
While back to school 2023 seems like it will be more “normal” compared to the COVID years, many of the digital learning practices we implemented during that time now have an esta… Read More
2023-06-19 22:12
If you are like me, you are always in search of the BEST novels to share with your classroom. Nurturing a love of reading is a passion of mine, but every school year brings a new mix of read… Read More
2023-06-07 17:20
“A writer only begins a book, a reader finishes it.”-Samuel Johnson As a reading teacher, I find that here is so much truth to this statement. One of the essential things that I… Read More
2023-06-05 16:46
Summer reading can be tricky. As parents we have this idea that our children should arrive home from the last day of school enthusiastic and ready to tackle book after book until they… Read More
2023-05-31 15:06
2023 UPDATE: I originally published this post on changing grade levels a few years ago, but the tips and lessons are still applicable today. This post discusses my transition to teaching 7th… Read More
2023-05-02 00:18
Early in my teaching career I read a book that opened my eyes to the value of using annotation strategies with struggling readers. Even 20 years later, I still recommend Strategies that Work… Read More
2023-04-16 13:43
Earth Day is one of those days of the year that often comes and goes without a great deal of hubbub. Testing season is in full swing, test review is never-ending, and school days are j… Read More
2023-04-09 15:07
As a middle school ELA teacher, I am always in search of resources that best meet the needs of my readers. Having a good selection of novels and a diverse set of reading comprehension activi… Read More
2023-04-06 00:44
As a veteran teacher, I have learned that adding personalization to student recognition goes the farthest with my students. While whole classroom compliments are appreciated, my kiddos… Read More
2023-03-28 22:11
Character analysis can be a difficult concept to teach and practice since there are so many layers to it. From a test prep perspective, students need to be able to identify and understand a… Read More
2023-02-20 14:26
As ELA teachers, we are constantly looking for new tools and resources to help our students improve their reading, writing, and fluency. While textbooks and other traditional teaching method… Read More
2023-02-05 16:17
If you are looking for an engaging Valentine’s activity to use with your middle school students then check out my Valentine’s Day reader’s theater script. Depending on the… Read More
2023-01-17 17:41
POEMS? That 5-letter word will send shivers down the spine of middle school students. Add in the suggestion of “poetry analysis” and the moans and groans can be heard throughout… Read More
2023-01-09 00:42
It often seems like January is a time where middle school teachers go into turbo TEST PREP mode. In addition to test prep work, we also typically begin a variety of writing assignments and n… Read More
2023-01-02 23:04
I headed into my classroom today after two weeks away. I know that is not every teacher’s wheelhouse during a break, but it brings me peace of mind. I am one of those teachers that pre… Read More
2022-12-31 19:52
Happy New Year! The return from winter break in January offers the perfect backdrop to get students thinking about their academic and personal goals for the year. I love to take the time to… Read More
2022-12-29 15:41
The first days back after winter break can be tricky. Students are filled with energy and excited to see their friends, but their enthusiasm for reading and writing is rarely at that same hi… Read More
2022-12-13 16:40
It’s the final stretch before Christmas break, and that means it is time to add some holiday fun to our reading and writing lesson plans! Students are brimming with excitement for the… Read More
2022-12-06 23:53
Adding new instructional formats and activities during the holidays is an easy way to boost engagement in your ELA classroom. If you are looking for some fresh ideas, I have included some fr… Read More
2022-12-01 17:17
The days leading up to Christmas break can get a little crazy with all of the special events and shortened class periods, but they also offer a chance to try some of the language arts holida… Read More
2022-11-28 22:10
Reader’s theater is a great teaching resource to try in your middle school classroom during the holidays. As a 7th grade teacher, I aim to create ELA activities that are both engaging… Read More
2022-11-22 20:16
Task cards are a fantastic teaching tool with dozens of different ways to incorporate them into your middle school classroom. I have used task cards with my ELA students for everything from… Read More
2022-11-09 15:51
November offers plenty of seasonal themes to build classroom activities around. Veterans Day, election day, and Thanksgiving all offer excellent opportunities to connect reading and writing… Read More
2022-11-05 14:09
Thanksgiving is always an exciting time in the classroom. The students are buzzing with excitement for the upcoming 5-day break, fall conferences have ended, and the winter holidays are righ… Read More
2022-11-04 19:20
An engaging ELA word wall can transform unused wall space in your classroom into a perpetual learning resource. Word walls have been a staple of my classroom for many years, and in this post… Read More
2022-11-03 15:07
Veterans Day offers a unique opportunity for ELA teachers to help students connect with the veterans in their lives. From informational reading passages to journal activities, there are doze… Read More
2022-10-26 21:22
Emergency sub plans are an essential part of your ELA teacher toolbox. Each year I update my sub plans binder to include the everything a substitute teacher needs to have a successful… Read More
2022-10-14 19:23
Halloween is my very FAVORITE holiday! Nothing beats fall weather, the colors of the season, and the anticipation of costumes and candy. As a teacher, I’ve found that Hallow… Read More
2022-10-12 14:48
If you are looking for an engaging Halloween activity to use with middle grade students then check out this Halloween reader’s theater script. Depending on the level of your readers, t… Read More
2022-10-10 20:01
Are you looking for a new way to host parent teacher conferences? One option to consider is switching to student-led conferences as way to boost both parent participation and student engagem… Read More
2022-10-03 14:37
October is one of my favorite months of the school year…students have made the shift into a new grade level routine, with cooler temps learning can take place outside, and the excitem… Read More
2022-09-28 01:47
The Halloween season is almost here and if you are looking for a few free printable lesson plans to share with your middle school classroom then you are in the right place! Fall is my favori… Read More
2022-09-19 20:52
Novel units are a HUGE part of my ELA classroom. I use them for whole class instruction, in small groups, and for independent reading. Novels provide a unique platform to encourage stu… Read More
2022-09-14 02:07
I find 6th grade students are all over the map when it comes to reading. Some love reading and never want to put their books down, some read because they “HAVE to”, and othe… Read More
2022-09-06 16:13
Are you looking for close reading strategies to help your students navigate informational text? One idea to utilize with your student athletes and young sports fans is to offer them reading… Read More
2022-09-02 15:17
America has had plenty of tragedies that are not easy to explain to our children. 9/11 is one of those events, but it is also an important part of American history. Will you be teaching abou… Read More
2022-08-30 14:11
A few years ago, I teamed up with my friend Noelle from Maneuvering the Middle to put together our favorite teaching strategies and class management ideas as middle school teachers. This pos… Read More
2022-08-26 21:48
With Common Core technology standards and with so many of our assessments moving to an on-line format, it is essential that students are able to navigate technology resources successfully an… Read More
2022-08-23 15:02
Reader’s theater is the perfect tool to add to your middle school ELA classroom for so many reasons-it is interactive, highly engaging, enhances student fluency, and targets and enrich… Read More
2022-08-18 14:56
As a teacher, I am always on the hunt for the perfect tools at the cheapest prices for my ELA classroom. Taking care of our students and keeping our learning centers stocked and ready is jus… Read More
2022-08-16 18:43
The first day of school is a highly-anticipated, yet roller coaster of a day! School supplies and room decor are brand new, teachers are excited to implement what they have been workin… Read More
2022-08-12 15:22
2022 is my 22nd back to school season! While I began my teaching career in 1998 (with a few years off staying home with my littlest), every back to school season seems even more exciti… Read More
2022-08-07 12:32
I am one of those teachers that LOVES reading aloud to my students. I read aloud for a multitude of reasons, but mostly, I LOVE to read to them because they still enjoy being read to… Read More
2022-08-03 01:07
The first days back to school provide the opportunity to set the stage for the entire school year. Most importantly, I want my students to know how much I value them as individuals, an… Read More
2022-07-28 15:07
As we are heading back to school an abundance of creative classrooms are filling my Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter feeds. I love seeing how other teachers organize their classroom spaces… Read More
2022-07-25 18:09
Student: “Wait…I know I should know this, but what does that word mean again?” As teachers, we are constantly referring to various terms in our content areas that we want/… Read More
2022-07-20 15:17
Since my classroom is my students’ and my home away from home, I try to make it as welcoming, inviting, and full of inspiration as possible. A few years ago, I decided to change things… Read More
2022-07-13 15:41
The idea of student engagement and assessment from MINUTE ONE of DAY ONE, sounds a bit crazy, right? Through 22 years of teaching I can tell you is that every group of students I have taught… Read More
2022-07-05 16:52
I have reached the point in my life where not only have I had the good fortune of teaching middle school, but I had/have middle school students of my own. My oldest is in now in high s… Read More
2022-06-28 13:39
When I think back to the beginning of my teaching career, which began in August of 1998, while I was an enthusiastic college-grad, fresh from an enriching student-teaching experience, seemin… Read More
2022-06-21 14:13
I dream of reading novel after novel throughout the school year, but time is of the essence. With professional development, classroom instruction, and family life…novel reading for pl… Read More
2022-06-17 17:43
While I love a good read aloud so that my students have the opportunity to hear fluent reading, I also want my students to work on fluent projection and inflection. In addition, I want… Read More
2022-06-13 13:37
Reading logs are a tricky thing! I get it! Continuously charting pages and book titles, and gathering signatures is just not a method that encourages and instills a love of reading.&nb&hell…Read More
2022-06-06 17:44
Every summer I get a few emails or texts from parents and students asking for book recommendations. I typically know these readers well, so I can fire off 5-10 book recommendations that I th… Read More
2022-05-23 18:07
The end of the school year is a WILD and BUSY time. I always compare it to a tornado swooping me up, swirling me around with a million things on my plate, and spitting me out as I say… Read More
2022-05-21 11:11
Memorial Day activity for middle school students Read More
2022-05-16 14:49
It’s not always easy to balance work and fun near the end of the school year. Students are looking forward to summer and ELA teachers don’t have enough instruction time to get th… Read More
2022-05-13 14:07
My favorite school days are the ones that find us in a bit of a routine; when my middle school students are to the point where they are energized and enthusiastic, while knowing procedures a… Read More
2022-05-08 00:59
While I am not an expert, I have been teaching 6th graders for many years…roughly 15 years. It is a grade level that I love! Like any grade, 6th grade is NOT for everyone… Read More
2022-05-03 15:33
I originally published these after-testing ideas for ELA teachers several years ago, but the lessons and examples are still applicable today. This post features lesson ideas I used as a 4th… Read More
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