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As an educational blogger, I hope to provide ideas and materials for your curriculum to help you succeed in your classroom! While many of my posts will lead you to my Teachers Pay Teachers store, you will get detailed insight into what has worked in my very own classroom. - Read Write Teach ELA
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Building Stronger Theme Statements: Elevating and Developing Theme
Theme is one of those ELA standards that's taught every. year. And every year, students struggle with the concept. By middle school,...
Megan Mariano
Nov 26, 20243 min read
620 views
15 comments
Citing Concise Textual Evidence: Avoiding "Quote Plopping"
One of the key things we teach our middle schoolers all year is to support their thinking with textual evidence. In the younger grades, stud
Megan Mariano
Aug 29, 20243 min read
1,397 views
13 comments
Mystery Story Writing: Narratives with a Twist
What if you teach multiple sections of ELA? You know you have to teach narrative writing, but don't want to be repetitive. So what are...
Megan Mariano
Jul 17, 20243 min read
1,359 views
11 comments
5 Ways Technology has Enhanced Productivity in my Classroom
Right before Covid and then during Covid, the push for technology in the classroom was HUGE. Google came out with all it's stuff and we...
Megan Mariano
Jun 18, 20243 min read
183 views
9 comments
Memoir Reading Unit: Engaging Non-fiction
When I was told I would be teaching a section of 7th grade in the 2021 school year, I immediately was super stressed. I already do ALL...
Megan Mariano
Mar 28, 20233 min read
7,619 views
9 comments
Multi-Genre Writing Unit: Companion Websites Based on a Book
Try a multi-genre writing unit in middle school ELA!
Megan Mariano
Jan 19, 20235 min read
1,496 views
2 comments
All the Ways to Use Google Forms in Middle School Language Arts
Google Forms have been around for awhile now. Many teachers use them for easy test-taking, which is great and provides an easy...
Megan Mariano
Dec 27, 20225 min read
1,746 views
7 comments
Historical Fiction in Middle School: Making Connections and Deepening Understanding
Historical fiction...I've found this section of my library to be less frequented than most other sections. Truth be told, I don't ever...
Megan Mariano
Sep 26, 20226 min read
6,520 views
15 comments
My First Unit in 7th Grade: Investigating Characterization
At the date of this posting, it's summer after my first year teaching a 7th grade section of E.L.A. I've always taught 6th (and 5th grade...
Megan Mariano
Jul 19, 20225 min read
7,672 views
7 comments
Realistic Fiction Writing: Narratives with Meaning
When I was told I was going to be teaching a 7th grade section this year (I only ever taught 6th and put my heart and SOUL into 6th), I...
Megan Mariano
Jan 13, 20224 min read
4,221 views
13 comments
Everything You Need for Back-to-School in Middle School E.L.A.
As I write this, we are going in full-time, normal (masked) in September. I really hope that remains true. This post will outline all the...
Megan Mariano
Aug 14, 20216 min read
2,577 views
4 comments
Mood vs. Tone in E.L.A.: Activities to Help Middle Schoolers
Mood and tone are two key literary elements that start popping up a lot more in middle school. I've found that students often have a...
Megan Mariano
Feb 17, 20214 min read
57,765 views
14 comments
Dystopian Literature in 6th Grade: Opening Minds and Critical Thinking
Dystopian literature is by far my favorite genre. I'll dabble in other genres, but always find myself right back into this genre. When I...
Megan Mariano
Jan 21, 20217 min read
7,223 views
9 comments
Main Idea Statements, NOT Topics: 6 Steps to Writing Main Idea Sentences
Main idea. Students do it as soon as they start reading. My son in Kindergarten has even dabbled in it. It gets increasingly more complex...
Megan Mariano
Dec 31, 20204 min read
5,720 views
13 comments
Dialogue and Elaboration: Using Comics to Encourage More Detail
Dialogue is one of the most challenging aspects of writing for middle schoolers. Usually, by the time they get to middle school, they...
Megan Mariano
Dec 2, 20204 min read
2,046 views
7 comments
Hybrid Teaching: What's Working, What's Not, and What I'm Learning
Read about what's working for me, what's not, what I am learning, and how I am feeling about hybrid teaching!
Megan Mariano
Oct 27, 20207 min read
767 views
6 comments
Seesaw in Middle School: Safe Social Media
Read about the Seesaw online platform to stay connected with parents and students!
Megan Mariano
Jul 23, 20205 min read
918 views
15 comments
The Importance of Teacher, Parent and Student-Self Evaluations using Google Forms
Google Forms makes it easy to create surveys for reflection...use them to improve your practice!
Megan Mariano
Jun 24, 20205 min read
446 views
2 comments
Teach with Tech Conference! July 27th, 2020: 70+ Presentations!
Read about all the amazing presentations that you can do at home! On your couch!
Megan Mariano
May 26, 20203 min read
567 views
7 comments
5 End of School Year Activities in Middle School with a Digital Focus
As I write this post, we are doing remote learning. I know the end of the school year is full of celebrations and activities; many of us...
Megan Mariano
May 13, 20204 min read
4,615 views
9 comments
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