Read Head
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Bakersfield, California, United States
About the store
Hi there! I'm a veteran high school English teacher with 30 years of classroom experience in grades 9–12. I specialize in creating full ELA units and resource bundles that are standards-aligned, student-centered, and designed to spark critical thinking, creativity, and real-world connections.
Whether you're looking to streamline your planning, engage your learners, or bring more depth to your instruction, my goal is to support fellow educators with ready-to-use materials that truly work. Thanks for stopping by—I’m so glad you’re here!
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Close Reading Adaptable Digital Template e-Handout
What I love most about this Close Reading e-document is that it can be adapted for any piece of reading - from short articles and speeches to longer poems and novels. The teacher must select a total of 4 reading passages from the literature that students are currently reading in class. These textual selections are copied and pasted into the Model Selection and Close Reading Selection boxes. Because this is an adaptive and fluid digital document, teachers can make a copy with each use and eas
7th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts
Washington Irving "The Devil and Tom Walker" - Response to Literature Paragraph
The product includes a Response to Literature paragraph writing prompt via Google Doc for ease of distribution to students. The prompt is highly engaging to teenagers and relevant to today's pop culture, while obviously accessing student knowledge of the literary text and paragraph and idea development. Includes margin guides for student writers to remind them of MLA formatting, transitions, lead-ins, and quotes, as well as incorporating commentary to balance a well-rounded paragraph. This pr
9th - 12th
English Language Arts, Literature, Writing
Supporting Evidence: Identify & Analyze Textual Evidence
The materials in this unit are intended to supplement both reading and writing modules that the teacher already has in place. They are especially helpful for students who have only a superficial understanding of the types of evidence that writers employ, including the three forms of anecdotal evidence, testimonial, both types of factual support, statistical, as well as analogical evidence. By the end of this unit, students will be able to both identify the eight different types of evidence use
11th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Informational Text
CCSS
RI.11-12.1
, W.11-12.1
, W.11-12.2b
+2
The Kite Runner: Redemption - CCSS Common Core Thematic Unit
This Common Core unit uses the INTO, THROUGH, & BEYOND approach in order to lead students down a road of thematic discovery, whereby they will grow to understand the significance of human transgression and the power of redemption. Used in conjunction with Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, this CCSS module includes:
-A list of common core standards that are covered in each phase of the unit
-The Kite Runner novel thematic analysis (Redemption)
-Relevant non-fiction texts, including articles
11th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Writing
CCSS Common Core Standards Non-Fiction Unit with Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451
This is a unit guide with a materials link provided via Google Drive. Thematic Focus: Week 1: The "Dumbing Down" of Society Week 2: The Importance of Reading Week 3: Censorship Each part of this unit is designed for one week of instruction with a focus on non-fiction deep reading and thematic timed writing. Thus, the reading of Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit 451 and this supplemental non-fiction unit will cover three (3) weeks of instruction. If the instructor should decide to incorporate additi
11th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Informational Text
"Breaking the Barrier" - Characterization and Plot
In this practice activity (formative assessment), students will analyze interactions between main and subordinate characters in a literary text and explain the way those interactions affect the plot.
Skill sheet can be given as homework that leads to review and discussion the following day.
Includes reading excerpt, 5 multiple choice questions, and answer key.
7th - 10th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
The Cask Of Amontillo - Poe- Close Reading & Paraphrasing
9th grade students, who are not quite reading at grade level, often struggle with reading the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Although they love the dark Gothic subject matter, Poe's vocabulary and syntax often leaves younger readers in their own state of "darkness".
With this opening activity, students will focus on the very first paragraph of Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" and conduct a close reading by:
-making a personal connection
-asking a question
-defining unknown words
-paraphrasing
Stu
9th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Literature
Tone Analysis Chart
With this visually appealing graphic organizer, students will be able to break down, analyze, and determine an author's tone within a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective. Students will identify the seven traits that help to reveal a writer's tone and the persuasiveness or beauty of the text.
11th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts
CCSS
RI.11-12.6
Common Core (CCSS) Unit - New Year's Eve & The Importance of Time
This common core aligned thematic unit will give students the opportunity to compare common themes in literature and to use the theme element of "time" in order to set goals for themselves, not only for the upcoming year but with long-term goals as well.
This secondary English Language Arts module includes:
"Auld Lang Syne" - Lesson Starter
"New Year's Eve" - a grade-level essay + summary materials
"New Year's Eve" - a poem + dialectical journal
Ted Talk + EdPuzzle on the relevance of "time" a
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Writing
Common Core (CCSS) Focused Writing Practice - Response to Literature
This intensive skill practice handout will help beginning or struggling writers with Response to Literature writing elements. First, students will practice labeling the following RTL elements:
-title
-author
-genre
-page #
-answer to the prompt
-intro to the selected quote
-quote
Next, students will practice correctly punctuating the RTL, including practice with using ellipsis and brackets.
The response to literature practice closes with a formative assessment in which students write their o
7th - 10th
English Language Arts, Literature, Writing
House on Mango Street - Open Mind Activity Sheet
In this activity, students will put themselves into Esperanza’s mind and see the world from her point of view by completing an Open Mind graphic organizer with objects, images, symbols and quotations from the story to provide a picture of what might be going through Esperanza's head.
This is a simple way for students to self-evaluate their understanding of the novella, and teachers can use it as a quick formative assessment.
*Also has an option for a paragraph response.
7th - 9th
Literature, Reading Strategies
Propaganda in Fiction & Non-Fiction Texts
This teaching module includes instructional design elements for critical thinking through inquiry and dialogue. In this unit, students will gain an understanding of the Big Idea – Propaganda – and its importance in school, career, and life. Not only will students gain familiarity with various techniques used in propaganda, but they will also use reason and evidence to support their developing ideas and understanding of the Big Picture.
Unit includes opportunities for:
-paragraph writing
-e
11th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Writing
Class Syllabus - Editable Template
For your ease and convenience, a modern and visually appealing syllabus that is 100% editable to suit the needs of your class and students. Formatting document graphics, blocks, and columns can be a pain, but with this Microsoft Word template you can just plug in your own information, save and print!
Not Specific
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Writing
Digital Note Card
Say "goodbye" to the 3×5 index card and "hello" to the new digital note card. No longer will your students complain about keeping track of and formatting notes or having to "retype" all of their information. By going digital, it's as easy as 'copy and paste'. Not only that, but these practical cards can be edited and copied to suit the needs of any educational environment or level.
By using a digital note card, students will be able to:
-Easily organize notes on the cloud that are acquired
Not Specific
English Language Arts, Informational Text, Writing
Feminism in the 1900's - Women & Realism - CCSS Complete Unit
In this unit, students will read and analyze "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin and "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Gilman Perkins. Historical context of Realism, women's suffrage and feminism is provided via video and whole group discussion. The unit closes with a speech by Susan B. Anthony, whereby students conduct a rhetorical analysis. To finalize the unit, students write a response to literature essay in which they synthesize the 3 sources. A detailed scoring rubric is also incl
11th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Writing-Essays
Grade 11 CCSS Unit - Cursive Handwriting
Is it important to preserve the art and practice of writing in cursive?
This one-week thematic unit allows students to investigate the answer to this question by reading from a number of sources including non-fiction articles, poetry, an online blog, and a TedTalk. Included are a day-by-day PPT guide, links, and accompanying resources and student materials. The unit allows for individual teacher interpretation/adaptation and ends with a culminating writing prompt.
This is a highly engaging
8th - 12th
Close Reading, English Language Arts, Writing
CCSS
RL.11-12.4
, RI.11-12.1
, RI.11-12.6
+7
Showing 1-16 of 16 results
About the store
Experience
Hi there! I'm a veteran high school English teacher with 30 years of classroom experience in grades 9–12. I specialize in creating full ELA units and resource bundles that are standards-aligned, student-centered, and designed to spark critical thinking, creativity, and real-world connections.
Whether you're looking to streamline your planning, engage your learners, or bring more depth to your instruction, my goal is to support fellow educators with ready-to-use materials that truly work. Thanks for stopping by—I’m so glad you’re here!
Teaching style
My teaching style blends structure with creativity, high expectations with heartfelt support. I believe students thrive when learning feels purposeful and engaging, so I design lessons that encourage critical thinking, real-world application, and authentic student voice. Whether through literature, writing, or discussion, I aim to foster curiosity, confidence, and compassion in every classroom.
Over the years, I’ve leaned into strategies like project-based learning, scaffolded writing instruction, and meaningful discussions to help students not only meet standards—but also see their own growth. I value clarity, consistency, and a sense of community in the classroom, and my materials reflect that balance.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Throughout my 30 years in the classroom, I've been honored with a few meaningful recognitions—kudos from colleagues, curriculum leadership roles, and invitations to mentor new educators or to help veteran teachers who struggle with new technology. But the real shining moments come from the little things: watching a reluctant writer find their voice, seeing a class light up during a lively book discussion, or getting a heartfelt thank-you note years later from a student who still remembers overcoming their fear of public speaking or reading The Kite Runner.
For me, the greatest reward has always been helping students believe in their ability to think critically, express themselves powerfully, and meet the world with confidence and compassion.
My own education history
BA & MA studies in English
Masters in Education; Curriculum: Technology;
Internship focusing on the digital classroom
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