The Blog
Responding to Literature
Assigning independent reading seems to be one of the most controversial aspects of teaching English. Almost daily I see teachers asking about how much time to give for in-class reading and how to keep students accountable while they read. If you have read either of...
Professional Books to Read Again
So many books, so little time. This is my mantra. It is very rare for me to read a book more than once unless of course, I’m using that book in class and then it’s likely I’ve read it 10 times. When it comes to professional books with teaching ideas and strategies I...
Turn “I hate reading” into “I love reading”
Reading might be one of my favorite past times, but it's not often a favorite activity for my students. At the start of every school year I hear at least one, but usually, many more than that, say, "I hate to read." They like to really reiterate their point with...
Secrets of an Effective Command Center
Keep it simple. That’s the big secret. Don’t build a command center that does everything or holds everything. It will become one more place that causes you to feel overwhelmed. Keep it simple with a monthly schedule, mail and paper collectors, and weekly meals. ...
Why teachers need Google Certification
Google has revolutionized the way I teach and I have never looked back. With technology like Google, you are able to save time and transform your teaching practices. But why get Google certified? To learn and teach. Being Google certified will help you have the skills...
Why you need a classroom coffee bar
Teachers love their coffee. Moms live for their coffee. Oh to drink a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee. Unless it’s a long weekend, or maybe a snow day, a hot cup of coffee is rarely what teachers or moms get to drink. This is the number one reason why every...
About the author
Carly has been teaching middle school ELA since 2001. She fell in love with finding ways to integrate technology into lesson plans and continues to look for the best ways to do this. Starting blogs with her students has become her favorite way to give students a louder voice and keep parents informed.
In 2014, Carly married her teacher husband. They now have two children; one boy and one girl…for now. Learning how to balance life as a wife and mother is the journey that inspired this blog and its resources.