Marilyn's Homework Help
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New York City, New York, United States
About the store
My great grandmother worked in a one room schoolhouse in Minnesota, teaching every subject to students tall and small, during all seasons, so I like to say that I inherited my love of teaching from her. Today, the demands on students—standardized testing, competition to get into the best colleges, changes in technology—are very different, but one thing remains the same: students learn best when they have teachers and mentors who know them well and genuinely care about them. I’ve used this philosophy as a high school ELA teacher for the past 14 years. I meet a student where they are academically, developmentally, and emotionally in order to bring them forward on their own path to success.
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The Handmaid's Tale Unit Plan, Hulu Series Connections and Current Events
Use the hit Hulu series and hot topic modern events to teach The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood. This unit includes every single thing you need to teach this terrifying, captivating, and mind-blowing book. I’ve loved this book for 25 years, taught it for 15 and now I’ve adapted the whole unit to be used with the TV series and modern events. This unit includes: Daily chapter-based lessons—done for you! Hot-off-the-press current event tie-ins! Instant access: Full text linked online. Dai
10th - 12th, Higher Education
English Language Arts, Literature, Novel Studies
CCSS
RL.11-12.1
, RL.11-12.2
, RL.11-12.3
+50
Also included in: FULL YEAR of Literature Bundle | 4 NOVEL UNIT PLANS, Complete Curriculum
Gratitude Mandala Activity, Writing and Coloring For Mindfulness
This fun NO-PREP coloring and writing activity is perfect for social/emotional support and self-reflection. In this meditative activity on gratitude, students will create mandalas out of words and phrases that are designed to get them thinking deeply about what makes them feel thankful. This activity is the perfect antidote to superficial "what I'm thankful for" lists!!Included are 3 creative mandala templates and 30 thoughtful prompts. Each prompt is designed to get students thinking about wha
5th - 8th
Coloring Pages, Other (Arts), Social Emotional Learning
A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift, Questions, Satire Writing and Analysis
This famously incendiary short story can be a great unit for Halloween, or, if you're feeling spicy, Thanksgiving. I think there's always room for "A Modest Proposal", like there's always room for pie. Spoiler: the proposal is that starving poor people should eat their own babies. Sound crazy? Outrageous? Ludicrous? It is, and just wait until your students get to delve into this meaty story and understand the deeply moving message it holds. This is a classic for a reason. Included:Link to the
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Short Stories
CCSS
W.9-10.1d
, W.9-10.2
, W.9-10.2a
+40
Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions: Fiction | Suspense! NO PREP
Engaging Suspense Story! This page-turning reading assignment with answer key is great for multiple choice practice, a substitute lesson plan, and/or a review of literary terms and devices. Includes engaging, high-interest reading passages from a mystery novel to hook reluctant or struggling readers. Each passage has multiple choice questions that help students practice close reading strategies and inference skills. The answer key is included. The passages are from a mystery called "A Ring at t
7th - 10th
ELA Test Prep, English Language Arts, Short Stories
CCSS
RL.9-10.4
, RL.9-10.5
, RL.9-10.10
+11
Relationships | Teen Dating Violence Awareness Activity | Hands-on | No Prep
People need models of healthy relationships to replicate them in their own lives. They may or may not have that outside of school, and talking honestly about what an unhealthy relationship looks like can change lives. Teaching high school students the rules around dating, consent, and respect is essential work. This activity asks students to sort behaviors on a continuum of "Warning Sign" to "Extremely Abusive". But why should you use it? Because for many young people, the warning signs are n
9th - 12th
Health, School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning
Debate | Class Discussion | Speech | Socratic Seminar
Whether you're looking for a formal debate, a Socratic seminar, a fishbowl-style oral presentation, or some speaking standards practice, this structure will help you organize class discussions in-person or online with remote learning. I use this debate structure for my literature and history classes. This is a 30-45 min completely student-led discussion. I start with an essential question that is juicy and exciting. The best discussions are lively! I choose current events, historical quandarie
7th - 10th
English Language Arts, Social Studies, Speaking & Listening
"A Raisin in the Sun" Full Unit | Movie Guide | All Lessons | NO PREP
This complete unit plan includes all lessons, is perfect for encouraging critical thinking, and builds to a final literary analysis essay. This classic text is vital for exploring race, class and gender. Lorraine Hansberry is required reading for pretty much any human, and this play is some of her finest work. A “Raisin in the Sun” is a story that rises and crescendos into one of the most powerful and yet understated climaxes in all of playwriting. In this unit, students explore the themes and c
8th - 11th
Drama, English Language Arts, Literature
Also included in: FULL YEAR of Literature Bundle | 4 NOVEL UNIT PLANS, Complete Curriculum
Literature Circles | Book Clubs | Student Led | Project-Based ELA
Literature circles and book clubs are an empowering way to keep up reading and discussion practices. Lit circles are a highly effective way to allow students to connect socially and intellectually and hold each other accountable. With this student-led unit, students will create their own reading calendar and pacing plan, prepare independently for weekly book clubs, schedule and run their own weekly meetings and assess their own work. The teaching philosophy incorporated here is “Student as Work
7th - 10th
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading Strategies
CCSS
RL.9-10.2
, RL.9-10.3
, RL.9-10.4
+39
FULL YEAR of Literature Bundle | 4 NOVEL UNIT PLANS, Complete Curriculum
Year Long Unit | Literature Unit Bundle | The Handmaid's Tale, A Raisin in the Sun, Flight, Copper Sun.This bundle includes my top four novel study units. These are my student favorites all in one place. Everything is included for you to post the lessons directly each day. Every document is fully editable, so you can also add or remove segments of the lesson. There are a few ways to use this bundle: 1) Whole class read: Read each book togetherIf you read one book at a time, this will be a ful
9th - 12th
English Language Arts, Literature, Writing-Essays
CCSS
RL.9-10.1
, RL.9-10.2
, RL.9-10.3
+67
THE HANDMAID'S TALE, Full Unit for Homeschool or Independent Learning
Use the hit Hulu series and hot topic current events to experience this feminist, dystopian classic. This take-home unit includes every single thing you need to teach this terrifying, captivating, and mind-blowing book. I’ve loved this book for 25 years, taught it for 10 and now I’ve adapted the whole unit to be used as an independent learning unit, including optional use of the TV series and modern events. This unit includes: Daily “Do Now” personal journal prompts tailored to each chapter sub
11th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
English Language Arts, Literature, Novel Studies
CCSS
RL.9-10.1
, RL.9-10.2
, RL.9-10.3
+34
Mock Trial for ANY Text | Template for Mock Trial
This resource includes everything you need to hold a mock trial in your classroom. All materials are fully editable, or you can print and hand them out exactly as they are. Directions are included on each handout. I've also included easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions for setting up and running your mock trial. I use this template to hold mock trials in my literature and history classes. This activity never fails to engage the class! I’ve seen my students show an incredible range of analysi
7th - 10th
English Language Arts, Other (ELA), Reading Strategies
Also included in: Close Reading Strategies ANY TEXT Bundle
Night, By Elie Wiesel | Assessment | Essay | Pre-Writing Organizer | Writing
I've used this in my humanities and literature classes for 10+ years, and I'm still fascinated by the depth of insight and heart wrenching honestly this assignment brings out in my students. This final essay assignment is for students who have read the book Night, by Elie Wiesel, and are ready to write a challenging thematic literary analysis. Includes:Thematic essay promptDetailed instructionsSimple suggested outlineA graphic organizer to collect AND analyze quoted evidence
7th - 10th
English Language Arts, Literature, Writing-Essays
The Handmaid's Tale, Chapter Questions, Independent Work, Google Classroom
Here is a complete list of comprehension questions to help clarify, understand and expound on all 44 chapters of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Use this with Google Classroom, Canvas, Office 365 or any education platform. Included:-- 135 questions (an average of 3-4 questions per chapter)-- 27 questions for a close examination of the "Historical Notes" prologue section-- Plus 5 essay questions for a deep exploration of the textSee my FULL HANDMAID'S TALE UNIT for the entire in-depth c
Not Specific
English Language Arts, Literature, Other (ELA)
ELA Regents Exam | Prep for the New York State Exam
HIGHLY EFFECTIVE Regents Prep for NYS ELA Exam I found that my students actually had a hard time understanding the directions for the ELA Regents exam and because of that, their scores were lower than we were expecting. So, I became a leader in Regents prep to give students all the tools they need to succeed. Ten years later, I have found strategies that WORK. I’ve included tips, tricks and preparation for all three sections of the Common Core NYS ELA Regents Exam. For each section (multiple c
9th - 12th
ELA Test Prep, English Language Arts, Other (ELA)
Bulletin Board Kit: Calming Mantras | Classroom Decor for Mindfulness
This interactive display board helps students to 1) identify their feelings and then 2) practice a calming mantra tailored to what they need that day. Learning to manage feelings is a difficult and often overlooked step in a student’s social and emotional development. This resource is based on a cognitive behavioral approach to regulating emotions. Students simply identify their feeling, take a mantra from the envelope, and practice. Emotional distractions in my high school classroom are consta
7th - 10th
School Counseling, School Psychology, Social Emotional Learning
Mindfulness Coloring Page: Mandala Activity for Managing Stress and Anxiety
This meditative activity is wonderful for creating a positive atmosphere that encourages mindfulness. Mandala creation can quiet the mind, encourage metacognitive awareness and calm anxiety. In this visual and artistic reflection on mindfulness, students will create mandalas out of words and phrases that are designed to get them thinking clearly and staying present in the moment, with some optional positive mantras to experiment with as well. Students will spin the paper as they write to create
4th - 7th
Coloring Pages, School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning
COPPER SUN UNIT, by Sharon Draper | Unit Plan and All Lessons Included | NO PREP
This complete unit includes everything you need to hook struggling readers and give them a reason to love books. This accessible and fascinating story is perfect for students who need some motivation from a page-turning story. Using this unit with Google Classroom is easy, just post one or two lessons each week for an exploration of a moving, devastating, and ultimately beautiful story. The unit includes 20 lessons and all supplemental resources and the book is available free online. This is th
8th - 11th
English Language Arts, Literature, Novel Studies
Also included in: FULL YEAR of Literature Bundle | 4 NOVEL UNIT PLANS, Complete Curriculum
September 11th Lessons, Complete 9/11 Unit Plan
This critical thinking and primary source based history unit allows educators to bring the events of September 11 to students in ways they've never experienced. As a New York teacher married to a 9/11 first responder, I am passionate about educating young people about this day in history and the affects on the world that it continues to have. This unit teaches students to think like historians and helps them understand the complexities of 9/11. Without reading eyewitness accounts and primary so
7th - 10th
Civics, Social Studies, U.S. History
Medea, by Euripides: A Compare/Contrast Unit Using the Play and Short Stories
Compare and Contrast "Medea" and Assorted Short Stories: A thematic assignment that will get students thinking about power, gender, revenge, justice, sanity and strength.Have students read a revised, translated version of the ancient Greek play "Medea" and compare it to a powerful short story for a unique and edgy compare/contrast essay assignment. This unit is the perfect blend of rigor, intrigue, accessibility, gender studies and, oh ya, murder. I've been an ELA teacher for 14 years and thes
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Drama, English Language Arts
CCSS
RL.9-10.1
, RL.9-10.2
, RL.9-10.3
+33
Woman Hollering Creek | Sandra Cisneros, Questions and Essay Topics
Need an engaging short story that is high interest and great for high school? It's here! "Woman Hollering Creek" is perfect for teaching imagery, theme, characterization and an exploration of gender roles. Assignment includes a link to the story, comprehension questions and in-depth essay and discussion questions. It's a fully editable Google Doc and extremely easy to use with distance learning and Google Classroom. Rubric included.
9th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Short Stories
Also included in: Short Story Unit Plan with Comprehension Questions for High School ELA
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About the store
Experience
My great grandmother worked in a one room schoolhouse in Minnesota, teaching every subject to students tall and small, during all seasons, so I like to say that I inherited my love of teaching from her. Today, the demands on students—standardized testing, competition to get into the best colleges, changes in technology—are very different, but one thing remains the same: students learn best when they have teachers and mentors who know them well and genuinely care about them. I’ve used this philosophy as a high school ELA teacher for the past 14 years. I meet a student where they are academically, developmentally, and emotionally in order to bring them forward on their own path to success.
Teaching style
I believe strongly in the “student as worker, teacher as facilitator” philosophy. My lessons and materials are designed to create a student centered classroom. Basic rule: lessons need to be engaging! Students need meaty, relevant material. At the same time, I think students of any age benefit from structure and routines. Because of the underlying structure in each of my lessons, and the similar format and flow, students recognize and understand how they can grab onto the material and excel. It also makes my lessons great to use as your own, because you can use multiple lessons and they won't all feel like a whole new format to learn each time. My lessons are very adaptable to your time, their skills and the materials you have available.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Model Teacher and Peer Collaborative Teacher Coach with the DOE Teacher Leadership Initiative, 2014-present
9/11 Teacher Award recipient for outstanding lessons, 2016
My own education history
Bachelor of arts from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA
Masters degree in education from Antioch University, Seattle, WA
Additional biographical information
I teach at a portfolio school where project based learning, knowing students well and writing across disciplines is our focus.
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