The Creative Classroom’s Blog Posts

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  • Women’s History Month, recognized since 1987, and International Women’s Day, dating back to the early 1900s, celebrate women’s achievements and contributions. Teaching these events enhances student awareness, inspiration, empathy, and critical thinking. Suggested activities include daily quotes, gallery walks, literature by female authors, close reading, and research projects to engage students meaningfully.

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  • The content discusses strategies for effectively integrating Black History Month into middle school curricula. It highlights three main activities: creating a bulletin board featuring influential African Americans, using daily bell ringers for reading and discussion, and assigning scaffolded research projects. These methods aim to enrich student learning while meeting educational standards.

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  • Discover how you can use effective close reading strategies and engaging audiobooks during the first read of spooky stories to boost middle school reading comprehension this Halloween season.

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  • Back to School Survival Guide: 5 Proven Tips for Middle School ELA Teachers

    In the whirlwind of back to school season, middle school ELA teachers can ensure success and maintain sanity with five essential tips. Establish a well-organized routine, set clear expectations, build positive relationships, create an inviting environment, and foster a growth mindset from the start. These strategies will set the stage for a productive year.

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  • 6 Engaging End of the Year Activities to Calm the Chaos

    The end of the school year is approaching, and engaging activities are essential to keep students focused. Six activities are suggested for ELA classrooms: Memory Lane Mosaic, Letter to a Future Student, Summer Vacation Debate Banners, Gratitude Graffiti Wall, End of the Year Stations, and Teacher Swap Days. These help maintain productivity and enjoyment as…

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  • Integrating Environmental Awareness into Secondary Curriculum As Earth Day approaches, it’s the perfect time to infuse our curriculum with themes of environmental awareness, sustainability, and activism. Established in 1970, Earth Day has since grown into a global movement. It unites people around the world who are committed to protecting our planet and its natural resources.…

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  • Writing Strategies Series #3: PEEL Writing Organizer

    I’m excited to spotlight the PEEL Writing Strategy as my go-to pre-writing tool. Discover more about this game-changing pre-writing strategy!

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  • Student Goal Setting and Data Tracking Transformed My Classroom: Part 2

    This post discusses the transformation of education through the use of student data folders to promote goal-setting, tracking progress, and fostering a growth mindset. The process of creating and implementing these folders is described, highlighting the positive impact on student growth, empowerment, and reflection. The benefits of using student data folders are also outlined, emphasizing…

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  • 3 Student Self-Reflection Activities: Save Your Sanity Before Winter Break

    Ah, the countdown begins! Those weeks after Thanksgiving but before Winter Break? It’s like time hits the slow-motion button for students itching for freedom and teachers hoping for a fast-forward. The struggle is real—students daydreaming of endless days off, while teachers juggle to keep everyone focused without losing their sanity in the process. It’s a…

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  • 4 Native American Heritage Month Research Projects to Teach Research Skills to Your Students

    Explore 4 empowering Native American Heritage Month research projects for middle school students. This blog post offers a step-by-step guide to integrating Native American culture into ELA lessons. Students choose, research, and present informative projects on notable Native American individuals, fostering ownership, self-assessment, and critical thinking. From banners to social media templates, trading cards, and…

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Hi y’all! I’m Stephanie, the teacher-author behind The Creative Classroom. I began teaching Middle School ELA in 2008 and opened The Creative Classroom in 2012. My mission is to create rigorous and engaging lessons to save you time and help meet the needs of ALL students.