Strategies for the ACT English Test

 It’s that time of year again. College applications are flowing out of high school students and parents are getting nervous. testing is a huge part of the formula, so here are some suggestions and resources  to help keep nerves calm: Barron’s ACT English, Reading, and Writing Workbook by Linda Carnevale gives college-bound students extensive practice…

Michelle Witte: “Big Isn’t Always Better”

The following is an excerpt from a blog entry by Michelle is an author, editor, and literary agent Michelle Witte, “Publishing is in flux,” Michelle writes.  “Anyone who pays attention to the industry knows that. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. With change comes opportunity, and some of the smaller independent publishers out there…

Blended learning – the convergence of teaching strategies and technology

The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation announced a $5 million grant to establish a pair of Doceõ Centers for Innovation + Learning at two Idaho universities, one public and one private.  The Doceõ Centers at the University of Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University will focus on blended learning – the convergence of teaching strategies and…

The Common Core: Teaching K-5 Students to Meet the Reading Standards

This essential resource, The Common Core: Teaching K-5 Students to Meet the Reading Standards,  explains the key points of the CCSS reading standards, then aligns each Standard with appropriate research-based strategies, and shows you how to use those strategies to teach your students. Classroom applications and student examples will make this your go to CCSS resource….

Oz the Great and Powerful: Creative Writing Lesson Plan, Monday 6/25/13

As we have done with other great pieces of literature, we will examine a film today for plot, characters, and literary devices. Oz the Great and Powerful is a 2013 American fantasy adventure film directed by Sam Raimi, produced by Joe Roth, and written by David Lindsay-Abaire and Mitchell Kapner. The film stars James Franco…