About the store
*20 years of experience teaching high school English, including summer school, private tutoring, test prep, co-taught ICR classes, ESL/ELL adaptations, and honors level courses.
*Master's Degree and National Board Certified
*I’ve got a multitude of perspectives on education: I’ve been a student, parent, teacher, and spouse in Christian, secular, public, private, and home schools.
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Useful Terms for English Class
Analyze. Summarize. Interpret. Infer. Literal. Figurative. How many times do we use these words in conversation, instruction, and on assessment questions? ALL of the time! But here's the thing: if students don't know what they're being asked, they can't give the right answer. Prep your students for success by teaching them this academic vocabulary upfront so that when they encounter it, they'll know! Includes a blank student note taking sheet (can also double as hw or assessment) as well as tea
Not Specific
ELA Test Prep, Other (ELA), Vocabulary
The House on Mango Street: Close Reading for Figurative Language & Character
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is such a flexible text! I have taken a different approach to this text nearly every time I teach it, using countless angles, techniques, and points of focus. This assignment zeroes in on one vignette to practice the skills of close reading, recognizing literary devices, telling the difference between literal and figurative language, and seeing how indirect characterization reveals a character’s personality through subtle hints in the text.
8th - 11th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Foils: Benvolio & Tybalt (Venn Diagram) Graphic Organizer
Teach the concept of a literary foil using a "textbook perfect" example: Benvolio and Tybalt from Romeo and Juliet. A Venn diagram is the perfect vehicle to illustrate this concept. Quick and accessible activity to add in to your unit on Romeo and Juliet! This activity also begins to get students characterizing Benvolio and Tybalt by using inference to generate adjectives to describe them. *this resource is best used when PRINTED on paper for students!
9th - 12th
Literature, Other (ELA)
Close Reading: Romeo & Juliet Balcony scene (PART 2) Act 2.2
This is a close reading worksheet for the second half of Act 2.2 in Romeo and Juliet. The chunking format makes students slow down and focus on what they are reading in order to more fully understand it. Note that while it spans lines 36-155, the original Shakespearean text has been excerpted in order to truly focus on the main point of Romeo and Juliet's conversation in this scene. Can be used in many ways: classworkhomeworkwhole groupassessment
9th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
Romeo & Juliet: Act 2 Prologue Multiple Choice Quiz (CLOSE READ)
Let’s face it: most students cringe when they hear the S-word: SHAKESPEARE. They have an immediate bias that this text will be boring, unrelatable, outdated, and impossible to read or understand! But you and I know better, don’t we? Help your students de-code Shakespeare and unlock the humor, joy, tragedy, and philosophical depths explored by his works. How? Part of your strategy should be including some basic-level comprehension questions, as well as inference based questions. Shakespeare
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Literature, Poetry
Romeo and Juliet Act 3.1: Climax Summary Review (Values, Choices, Consequences)
Let’s face it: most students cringe when they hear the S-word: SHAKESPEARE. They have an immediate bias that this text will be boring, unrelatable, outdated, and impossible to read or understand! But you and I know better, don’t we? Help your students de-code Shakespeare and unlock the humor, joy, tragedy, and philosophical depths explored by his works. How? Chunk it into bite-sized pieces. I’ve used this method with multiple texts with every level of learner in my own classroom for years…
9th - 12th
Literature, Other (ELA)
IEP/504 Accommodations Quick Reference "Cheat Sheet"
You probably already know that IEPs and 504s are legal documents and you are required to provide the accommodations listed for each student. …which is why it’s super important to get it right! But with all of the things on your plate, and multiple students needing multiple things in multiple types of scenarios, it can be very easy to forget! That’s why you need a quick, easy, reliable way to make sure you are giving every student every accommodation every time.
Not Specific
For All Subjects
Also included in: Teacher Timesaver Toolkit
Poem & Literary Terms: "Perhaps the World Ends Here"
Joy Harjo is a world-renowned poet, and a strong advocate for Native Americans and women. This poem would be great to use any time, but especially if incorporated during November (Native American Heritage month) or March (Women’s history month). Some of her poems can be a little adult or graphic in nature, but this one is not only appropriate for all ages and audiences, it is also written in plain, simple language that serves as a great entry point for reluctant students or those who “hate” o
7th - 10th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Poetry
A Raisin in the Sun: Character Dream Tracker (Act 2)
Keep track of the each character’s dream, along with textual evidence citationUse after reading Act 2, scene 1 of A Raisin in the Sun Can be printed or used digitallyUse as an assessment, graphic organizer for notes, brainstorming/prewriting before an essay, jigsaw whole-class activity, and more!
9th - 12th
English Language Arts, Literature, Other (ELA)
Literary Terms & Devices: Shakespeare
One of the keys to making Shakespeare more palatable to students is to demystify these very foreign texts. And one way to do that is by bringing to light some of the most frequently used tools in his toolbox.I use this list of literary terms at the very beginning of my Shakespeare units. Knowing, for example, the difference between an aside, a soliloquy, a monologue, and dialogue can help students understand why certain characters use certain modes to say certain things at certain times. T
7th - 12th
Drama, English Language Arts, Literature
Teacher Timesaver Toolkit
Whether you are a brand new teacher not even sure where to begin or what you will need, or if you are more seasoned but just super-pressed for time, this TEACHER TIMESAVER TOOLKIT is packed with simple and easy to use templates, forms, and activities! Save time with these essentials for supplies, organization, documentation, & opening and closing the year. PLUS Bonus blog post links to encourage you along the way! Check out the thumbnails on this listing for previews and table of contents for
Not Specific
Other (ELA)
Romeo & Juliet: Prologue Worksheet (CLOSE READING)
Let’s face it: most students cringe when they hear the S-word: SHAKESPEARE. They have an immediate bias that this text will be boring, unrelatable, outdated, and impossible to read or understand! But you and I know better, don’t we? Help your students de-code Shakespeare and unlock the humor, joy, tragedy, and philosophical depths explored by his works. How? Chunk it into bite-sized pieces. I’ve used this method with multiple texts with every level of learner in my own classroom for years…
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Literature, Poetry
Close Reading: Romeo & Juliet Balcony Scene (PART 1) Act 2.2
This is a close reading worksheet that breaks down Romeo's soliloquy (lines 2-25) at the beginning of Act 2.2. The chunked format teaches close reading skills and make students slow down and think about what they are reading and how it is put together. Can be used in multiple ways: homeworkclassworkwhole groupassessment Also look for my listing on PART 2 of the balcony scene, when Juliet joins the conversation!
9th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
Tone vs Mood: Notes & Worksheet
Students are often confused about these two similar (but different!) literary terms! This worksheet contains notes, examples, practice, and reflection space. Guided notes on two of the most commonly confused literary termsPractice sections allow students to demonstrate understanding in 3 ways: recognizing the device in a text, using the device in their own writing, assessing a peer‘s use of the device, and engaging in self-reflection after peer feedback.Fully editable to suit your classroomSimpl
Not Specific
English Language Arts, Other (ELA), Vocabulary
Poem w/The House on Mango Street: "When to Eat Pan Dulce"
This is a simple, beautiful bi-lingual poem. It is written here side-by-side in English and Spanish, and I’ve provided the link to watch a video of the author reading his own work, which is always a treat! This poem pairs perfectly with the Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street, and cross-textual connections are included in the student questions! Use this poem to deepen discussions about positive family relationships, memories, and incorporate Mexican culture!
8th - 10th
English Language Arts, Literature, Poetry
A Raisin in the Sun: Character Relationships & Conflict
Complex relationships and conflict between characters are ESSENTIAL to understanding any story...especially in a character-focused text like "A Raisin in the Sun"! Use this simple and attractive double worksheet/graphic organizer to help students practice making inferences and digging deep into the characters in this classic play. You can also scaffold this activity for different levels of learners by providing a word bank and focused excerpts for lower learners, or no word bank and the whole
9th - 12th
English Language Arts, Literature, Other (ELA)
Romeo & Juliet Act 1 Study Questions w/KEY
15 questions for all of Act 1: scenes 1-5, Romeo and Juliet. This is meant as a quick plot-based reading comprehension check. Great to use: as homeworkin whole class/large group instructionas review before assessmentsas a quick reading quiz/assessmentas a quick check/exit ticketas part of self-paced tasks during independent timeIncludes teacher answer key!
9th - 12th
English Language Arts
Course Syllabus Slides Template
On the first few days of school, it’s essential to lay down the ground rules and expectations for your students–this will GREATLY help with classroom management of behaviors! Using a slideshow is an easy and efficient way to put everything in one place, and make it accessible for easy access by students and parents to reference. Use the slides live in class with your students, and then post it to your online classroom (Canvas, Google Classroom, etc.). You can also use the same slideshow for
Not Specific
For All Subjects, Other (ELA)
Also included in: Teacher Timesaver Toolkit
Romeo & Juliet Translation Worksheet: Juliet's Fears, Act 4.3 (TWO versions!)
Alone in her room, Juliet carries out Friar Lawrence’s plan for her to fake her own death in order to avoid marrying Paris and live happily ever after with Romeo. Perhaps she’s rushing into things a bit?...NAH, that NEVER happens in this play! This worksheet is focused on Juliet’s final thoughts in Act 4.3, right before she drinks the potion. Included in this resource are TWO versions of the same worksheet: The first is set up to provide minimal scaffolding for higher level students to engage
9th - 12th
English Language Arts, Literature
POSTER: All the World's a Stage
Decorate your classroom with inspirational quotes from literature...this, one of Shakespeare's most famous, is a great conversation starter or writing prompt!
Not Specific
Drama, Literature, Other (ELA)
Showing 1-20 of 44 results
About the store
Experience
*20 years of experience teaching high school English, including summer school, private tutoring, test prep, co-taught ICR classes, ESL/ELL adaptations, and honors level courses.
*Master's Degree and National Board Certified
*I’ve got a multitude of perspectives on education: I’ve been a student, parent, teacher, and spouse in Christian, secular, public, private, and home schools.
Teaching style
I love teaching literature that I love! I have a special affinity for poetry, Shakespeare, The Great Gatsby, and classic American literature.
My teaching style is pragmatic but fun and creative: I love to find innovative ways to instill "old school" skills in my students such as close-reading, literary terms, and properly structured writing.
My materials are not flashy and distracting--they are organized and optimized for clarity and content for all levels of learners. Every time I teach a unit I constantly tweak it to make improvements for next time! We never stop learning.
I’ve seen a lot change over the years, especially in the arena of public education. However, I do believe that good teaching at its core is good teaching, and some things never change.
Awards & shining teacher moments
-Bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education (2005)
-Master's degree in English (2009)
-National Board Certified since 2011
-Licensed to teach English grades 7-12 in NY
-Licensed to teach English grades 6-12 in NC
-Blogger/Creator of TightropeTeaching.com
-Published guest author on ChristianEducators.org
-Featured Speaker at the annual online teacher's conference "Rise Up" 2024
My own education history
New York University
State University of New York at New Paltz
Additional biographical information
You're probably on TPT looking for materials because, like most teachers, you're short on time...I'm a mother of 4 small kids and a full-time teacher--I GET IT!
I'm passionate about helping other teachers reclaim their time and peace of mind through intentional strategies and mindset shifts.
Head on over to my blog, www.TightropeTeaching.com, and sign up for my free weekly newsletter and other resources!
Teaching is a hard job. I'm here to make it a little easier for you. :)
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