Teach Write Now
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Oregon, United States
About the store
I've been teaching since 2008. While my greatest love is high school, I've taught middle school, college, adults, and senior citizens, varying across all levels of privilege, interest, and ability. From Chicago to Eugene OR, I've worked in public schools, alternative schools, in summer camp settings, in prisons, and when I went back to school for my MFA in fiction, I taught college as well.
In my offerings here, I'm bringing my two masters--writing, and teaching--together, to provide fabulous writing resources for you and your students.
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World Building: Creative Writing Generative Exercises
How do authors create worlds so real it feels like readers can jump into them? Inspire your students to think like authors, and deeply consider their worlds and the way that they impact character behavior. Move beyond physical descriptions to include culture, government, as well as the characters' personal world and their closest relationships. You can use these: During Planning --To generate ideas before students embark on a novel writing or short story writing project,During Revision --To fl
4th - 12th
Creative Writing, Literature, Writing
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
W.4.3
, W.4.5
, W.4.10
+28
Complicate Your Clichés: Creative Writing Bundle | Mentor Text from Tommy Orange
Show of hands: How many of you have been told never to use clichés in your writing? I know I have. And I've told my students the same thing. But it’s not that clichés are inherently bad, (after all, they used to be great, that's why we can't seem to stop saying them) it’s just that we need to freshen them up a bit to make them interesting again. And in fact, a new twist on something familiar can be an effective tool to connect with readers. This lesson plan includes: An excerpt from the incredib
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Grammar
CCSS
RL.9-10.1
, RL.11-12.3
, W.9-10.3c
+8
Between The Lines: Close Reading and Creative Writing Lesson Plan | Jesmyn Ward
Bring the incredible words of Jesmyn Ward into your classroom as inspiration for your students' writing. This lesson dives deep into Ward's craft to discover how she creates strong feelings in her readers with the words she chooses--and just as importantly, the words she leaves unsaid. By leaving this space for reader interpretation, Ward allows us to insert ourselves "Between the Lines." By producing their own creations, students will combine their own ideas with the tools they've taken away f
9th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Grammar
CCSS
RL.9-10.1
, RL.11-12.1
, RL.11-12.3
+9
Collage-Essays | Multimedia (Frankenstein) Project | Prompt + Mentor Texts
Looking for a final project for your Frankenstein unit? Need something to teach annotated bibliographies or appendicies that isn't tedious and boring? Just looking for something fun that sparks your students creative neck nodes and brings them back to life? The culminating project in this lesson plan (with up to 3 days of activities) provides: a fun, experimental essay prompt, an awesome hip-hop remix of Paul Hindemith's Viola concerto by instagram sensation and Juliard graduate, thatviolakid
11th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Visual Arts
CCSS
RL.11-12.2
, RL.11-12.5
, W.11-12.3c
+3
Next Level Revision (with Before and After Mentor Texts!)
Up your Game with Next Level Revision!Revision is hard. I'm not talking about editing, but real substantial changes to the content of a written assignment. It's hard to do, it's hard to teach. As a result, we often skip this step, after all, there are so many things to cover, and we have to move on to the next thing in the curriculum. But one of the most important concepts for students to master is the idea that something they've thought about can be improved upon. One of the things I really wa
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Writing
CCSS, TEKS
RL.9-10.5
, RL.11-12.5
, W.9-10.3c
+30
Story Structure: Story Spines, Scenes, Details, & Emotional Arcs in Fiction
Do your students struggle with story flow and structure? Have you been trying to teach them to see writing as more than just a one and done assignment? Unleash Your Story Dragon! This lesson series uses an extended metaphor takes students through the creation of a story spine and then how to add muscles and scales, and a digestive system (i.e. scenes, details, and an emotional arc) so that it is a living breathing entity, capable of breathing fire into the hearts of its readers. While th
4th - 7th
Creative Writing, Short Stories, Writing
CCSS
W.K.3
, W.1.3
, W.1.7
+26
Bundle--Find Your Character in the Intersections: Differentiated Mini-Unit
Do your students write one dimensional characters? Do they tend read characters that way as well? Inspired by Kimberlé Crenshaw's theory of intersectionality, this group of lesson plans guides students to create characters by thinking about the ways their identities intersect. By talking through this in a fictional context, it removes some of the pressure on students' sharing, while still opening the door to students' broader understanding of themselves and the world they live in. If you like
9th - 12th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Informational Text
CCSS
RI.9-10.2
, RI.11-12.1
, W.9-10.3a
+7
Poetry Analysis & Rhetoric of Negation featuring excerpt from Djana Youssef
Bring the powerful words of Detroit and Chicago raised Arab American poet and spoken word artist, Djana Youssef into your classroom! Whether you teach struggling or reluctant readers, or AP Language ( hello Apophasis, Litotes, Paralepsis, Proslepsis, and Occultatio) or AP Literature (close reading of contemporary poetry), or Creative Writing-- Or if you happen to teach sections of all of these--this plan has a wealth of resources that will allow you to keep some semblance of sanity while still
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Poetry
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.9-10.2
, RL.11-12.3
, RL.11-12.4
+20
Setting as Character: 3 Close Reading Mentor Texts and a Writing Prompt!
Can setting play an active role in a scene? How much does your environment determine your identity? These, among other questions are at the heart of this lesson. The tree-based novel-excerpts and prompts are also awesome to use during the holiday season! Bring Nami Mun, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Ingrid Rojas Contreras's lush fictive worlds to your students, and use them as inspiration for your student's creative works! Using three descriptions of trees, this lesson plan helps students begin to see the
9th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Creative Writing, Reading Strategies, Vocabulary
CCSS
RL.9-10.3
, RL.11-12.3
, W.9-10.3b
+9
Syntax Variation--Sentence Structure with Mentor Sentences by Claire Luchette
Close Reading, Creative Writing, and Line Editing exercises!The order in which we speak matters. One of the greatest ways to get students to see the power of words, and to improve their writing is for them to see that it's like a puzzle. Great for your honors and AP students, this plan uses "New Bees" by Claire Luchette, published by Ploughshares in 2018 to investigate what makes a sentence interesting to read. In the first mini lesson, we experiment with ways to disrupt the regular flow of l
9th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Grammar
CCSS
RL.9-10.5
, RL.11-12.5
, W.9-10.3c
+6
Figurative Language Practice & Prompt with Mentor Text
This seven sentence writing prompt with mentor text examples will help your students write more vibrantly! Metaphor, Simile, Metonymy, Synecdoche, Oxymoron, and more. Includes: a match-making activity (you can use it to help with higher order thinking, if you don't show them the definitions slide until later, otherwise you can use it to check for comprehension), and a quick and easy writing prompt that will have them write in seven different figurative modes. Flexible tools! You can cut out the
9th - 12th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Literature
CCSS
W.9-10.3c
, W.11-12.3c
, L.9-10.5
+3
Audible Jewels: Figurative Language Mentor Texts
Help your students chisel their language into sentences that will dazzle the ears. This activity uses annotations from 2018 MacArthur Genius Grant Awardee, John Keene's semi-autobiographical experimental novel, Annotations (1995) from New Directions publishing. (Click the first link for a wonderful video of Keene speaking about two of his works!--You can share these with your kids as well!) You do not have to have students read the full text to use this plan, but if you want to push your AP o
9th - 12th, Adult Education
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Literature
CCSS
RL.9-10.4
, RL.11-12.4
, W.9-10.3d
+7
What, How, and Why! Multi-Purpose Analysis Tools
Two very easy to use tools for teaching high level analysis put in very simple, accessible terms! A What, How, & Why chart (which bring students up Bloom's Taxonomy from Summary to Analysis to Synthesis), coupled with a sheet for writing that includes an easy to use checklist/rubric. Fabulous for transparency and trust building so everyone's on the same page with expectations. Use with art, with photography, with sculpture, or any kind of writing, from fiction, to non-fiction, and plays, t
7th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Balanced Literacy, Close Reading
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.9-10.5
, RL.11-12.4
, RL.11-12.5
+22
Poetry: Close Reading + Writing Prompt | Cortland Gilliam's "Almost"
Great writing combines its "what" with its "how" to create a meaningful "why." This lesson plan, based on the poem, "Almost" by Cortland Gilliam does this dance beautifully. The language and contents are simple, but the artistry is anything but! Suitable for middle school-college. Includes: A copy of the poem (provided with the author's permission) with ample space for annotation, with instructions to read multiple times, and thought-provoking questions for guidance. A tool you can use to hel
6th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Poetry
CCSS
RL.9-10.2
, RL.9-10.3
, W.9-10.4
+8
Opening Lines & Story Introductions with Mentor Text by Ndinda Kioko
We always tell our students to “begin with a hook,” “hook your reader,” “make your introductions exciting,” or “make people want to keep reading.” But what does that actually mean? It’s so abstract that students and professionals alike struggle! This product comes to your rescue! When in doubt, imitation is such a great way to learn how to write. This lesson plan tackles one author’s answer to these questions. Using an excerpt from award winning author, Ndinda Kioko's "Little Jamaica," publishe
9th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Grammar
CCSS
RL.9-10.4
, RL.11-12.4
, W.9-10.3a
+6
Balancing Emotions in Creative Writing | Mentor Text by Nicky Gonzalez + Prompt
Getting readers to feel what you want them to feel is so difficult! Have you ever watched a movie, or read a book where a character was feeling all kinds of feelings, but you just felt like rolling your eyes? This lesson plan helps students balance emotions in their stories, so that readers actually feel things. It uses excerpts from the short-short story, "Poopy" by Nicky Gonzalez, which balances humor and heartbreak so effectively. Includes: 3 short excerpts from the story (provided with t
9th - 12th
Close Reading, Creative Writing, Short Stories
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.9-10.10
, RL.11-12.2
, RL.11-12.3
+18
Character Creation in Creative Writing: 4 Background Generating Prompts
Build Deep, Multi-layered Characters in your student's creative writing!Move beyond stereotypes and surface-level descriptions to layered, compelling people with these four prompts. Each prompt builds more background knowledge of the characters your students are creating. These things may or may not end up in the story, but even if they don’t end up in the final draft, it’s helpful to know the characters before the plot takes over! Prompt 1 invites students to dive below stereotypes and figur
9th - 12th
Balanced Literacy, Creative Writing, English Language Arts
CCSS
RL.9-10.3
, RL.11-12.2
, W.9-10.3b
+3
Goals, Obstacles, and Conflicts | Character Analysis or Creation Worksheets
Deepen your students' understanding of character motivation!These three worksheets can be used with characters in any book as an analysis tool, or for students own writing projects. Are your students participating in NaNoWriMo? This is a great tool to get them thinking about their characters as multidimensional beings, and can help them begin to situate them in the larger world they're creating. It can also open up conversations about their own goals and obstacles. Combine these with my free
9th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Literature
CCSS
RL.9-10.3
, RL.11-12.2
Intersectionality and Identity: Activator Discussion Questions
Teaching a unit on identity or intersectionality? Need some good questions to get your class engaged, and thinking critically? Try these out. Includes:Questions on half sheets for easy printing and paper saving. (Use all three, or assign a different question to each small group and have three socratic seminars while you circulate!)A "before and after discussion" reflective writing handoutUse this along with the freebie, "Multipurpose Intersectionality Worksheet", mix and match with Differenti
9th - 12th, Higher Education
English Language Arts, Social Studies
CCSS
SL.9-10.1
, SL.9-10.1c
, SL.9-10.1d
+3
Intersectionality: Differentiated Readings with Graphic Org
Need a one page reading on intersectionality to explain the concept to your students? This will do the trick. Do you have a large array of reading levels in your room? Meet all of their needs. You can group your students according to reading level and have them read it in small groups. Each version of the reading has the same number of paragraphs, and the concepts are the same in each, so when you go to discuss it full class, everyone can be "on the same page." Included: 3 differentiated pages.
9th - 12th
English Language Arts, Informational Text, Social Studies
Showing 1-20 of 22 results
About the store
Experience
I've been teaching since 2008. While my greatest love is high school, I've taught middle school, college, adults, and senior citizens, varying across all levels of privilege, interest, and ability. From Chicago to Eugene OR, I've worked in public schools, alternative schools, in summer camp settings, in prisons, and when I went back to school for my MFA in fiction, I taught college as well.
In my offerings here, I'm bringing my two masters--writing, and teaching--together, to provide fabulous writing resources for you and your students.
Teaching style
I believe in nurturing burgeoning artists’ voices. I believe this is indispensable if we are going to combat the violence and systemic racism in this nation, and develop a kinder, more empathetic public.
When students write creatively, they're integrating what they learn into their own experience and imaginations. By embodying their learning, it becomes relevant, rather than disconnected from their lives. In the process, they'll add writing tools to their belts that they'll be able to use in their rhetorical and expositional assignments as well.
I create warm, safe spaces that are also intensely rigorous. I use discussions, and inquiry, and movement. In the materials I provide here, we'll read very closely, We'll write a ton. We'll read each other’s work. We'll learn to critique and give feed back. We'll have a great time along the way.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Published Author | Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois | Nelson Aldgren Award, Runner Up for “The Lobster’s Daughter” | J. Scott Clark Award for Excellence in Creative Writing, Northwestern University Department of English | Pledge Scholarship | J.G. Nolan Scholarship | Edwin T Beadle Scholarship | Golden Apple Foundation Scholarship | Standing Tall Foundation Scholarship | Liberty Bank Scholarship | Mather Alumni Scholarship | Mather Zeolites Scholarship
My own education history
University of Oregon, Masters of Fine Arts, Fiction | National Louis University, Masters of Arts in Teaching
• Type 7 Certification: Secondary Education
• Content Area: English
• Endorsements: Middle School |
Northwestern University, Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Fiction + Comparative Literature
Additional biographical information
Teach Write Now is dedicated to providing curriculum that brings a current, and diverse body of reading material into your classroom--both in terms of author identity and style.
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